Feintuch, David 1944-2006

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Feintuch, David 1944-2006

PERSONAL:

Born 1944, in New York, NY; died March 16, 2006. Education: Earlham College, B.A.; degree from Harvard Law School. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, photography, antiques.

CAREER:

Author. Worked variously as a photographer, antiques dealer, and attorney.

AWARDS, HONORS:

John W. Campbell Award, best new science fiction writer, 1996, for Midshipman's Hope; citation for best fantasy of the year, Science Fiction Chronicle, for The Still.

WRITINGS:

"SEAFORT SAGA" SERIES; NOVELS

Midshipman's Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1994.

Challenger's Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1995.

Prisoner's Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1995.

Fisherman's Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1996.

Voices of Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1996.

Patriarch's Hope, Aspect (New York, NY), 1999.

Children of Hope, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2001.

"PRINCE RODRIGO" SERIES; NOVELS

The Still, Warner Books (New York, NY), 1997.

The King, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2002.

SIDELIGHTS:

David Feintuch published his first novel at the age of fifty and, by the time of his death eleven years later, he had seen eight more books in print, seven of them in a popular science fiction series about Nicholas Seafort, a character reminiscent of C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower. Feintuch grew up in Yonkers, New York, and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. He practiced as an attorney for some years, then became an antiques dealer, but he always aspired to write. He achieved that goal in 1994 with the first novel in the "Seafort" series, Midshipman's Hope. In addition to the Seafort books, Feintuch also published The Still and The King, two books about a character named Prince Rodrigo.

In the "Seafort" series, the title character is a Space Navy officer who faces many moral dilemmas in his career. The series began as a paperback-only publication, making the transition to hardcover with Patriarch's Hope. Reviewing Voices of Hope, the fifth volume in the series, Booklist contributor Roland Green praised the author's creation of a gang-ruled slum subculture, complete with its own dialect. In the story, Nicholas Seafort becomes aware that corrupt politicians are planning to destroy the gang members en masse. The story is presented from several different viewpoints, and was described by Green as "the finest action tale in the series to date." In the series' next installment, Patriarch of Hope, Seafort has ascended to the position of Secretary General of the United Nations. Jackie Cassada, a Library Journal reviewer, called the political intrigue and suspense in the book "topnotch." A Publishers Weekly reviewer commented on the action in this novel, saying: "It's full speed ahead with all lasers blazing." Children of Hope features a teenaged boy, Randy, who initially tries to kill Seafort, but is eventually adopted by the man. "Feintuch skillfully pushes all the emotional buttons," noted a Publishers Weekly reviewer.

The Still introduces Prince Rodrigo of Celdon who, at a young age, must fight for his right to the throne. The story follows Rodrigo as he slowly and painfully acquires the wisdom he needs. According to Roland Green in Booklist, Feintuch produced a book that is "intelligent and ultimately admirable," particularly for its detailed portrait of a young ruler in a medieval society. The sequel, The King, "starts slowly but gathers speed," wrote a Publishers Weekly reviewer. The title refers to an ancient power that allows practitioners to call upon the wisdom of the past by gazing into still water. Roland Green, reviewing The King for Booklist, called it "Feintuch's best book yet."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Analog Science Fiction and Fact, September, 1995, Tom Easton, review of Midshipman's Hope, pp. 180-185.

Booklist, October 15, 1996, Roland Green, review of Voices of Hope, p. 407; July, 1997, Roland Green, review of The Still, p. 1805; May 1, 1999, Roland Green, review of Patriarch's Hope, p. 1582; March 15, 2001, Roland Green, review of Children of Hope, p. 1360; August, 2002, Roland Green, review of The King, p. 1937.

Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1997, review of The Still, p. 684; March 1, 1999, review of Patriarch's Hope, pp. 336-337; June 1, 2002, review of The King, p. 777.

Kliatt, May, 1996, Joseph R. DeMarco, review of Fisherman's Hope, p. 16.

Library Journal, April 15, 1999, Jackie Cassada, review of Patriarch's Hope, p. 148; August, 2002, Jackie Cassada, review of The King, p. 152.

Locus, August, 1994, Carolyn Cushman, review of Midshipman's Hope, p. 35.

Publishers Weekly, June 30, 1997, review of The Still, p. 71; February 22, 1999, review of Patriarch's Hope, p. 70; March 12, 2001, review of Children of Hope, p. 67; July 29, 2002, review of The King, p. 58.

Science Fiction Chronicle, October, 1995, Don D'Ammassa, reviews of Midshipman's Hope and Challenger's Hope, p. 45; October, 1996, Don D'Ammassa, review of Fisherman's Hope, p. 77; April, 1997, Don D'Ammassa, review of Voices of Hope, p. 64; June, 2001, review of Children of Hope, p. 37.

Voice of Youth Advocates, April, 1995, Bonnie Kunzel, review of Midshipman's Hope, p. 33; August, 1995, Bonnie Kunzel, review of Challenger's Hope, p. 170; August, 1996, Bonnie Kunzel, review of Fisherman's Hope, p. 168; October, 1996, Bonnie Kunzel, review of Voices of Hope, pp. 216-217; December, 1997, Bonnie Kunzel, review of The Still, p. 324.

Washington Post Book World, January 29, 1995, Joe Mayhew, review of Midshipman's Hope, p. 11.