Amph RIP David Gemmell

Fantasy writer Gemmell dies at 57



Fantasy novelist David Gemmell, best known for stories such as Legend and Waylander, has died at the age of 57.

Gemmell had heart bypass surgery two weeks ago and appeared to be making a good recovery, according to his publisher Transworld.

His career began in 1984 with Legend, a tale of a fortress under siege. He wrote 30 novels in total.

Transworld managing director Larry Finlay said Gemmell was "writing at the peak of his powers".

"He was a true pleasure to work with," he said.

"We will surely miss him, as will his thousands of devoted fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his wife Stella and his two children."

A statement from the publisher said he died on Friday morning.





The world of Fantasy literature is now missing a great author.

 

That's really sad Hopefully he's now in a better place.

 

i'm gutted

my thoughts are with his family.

 

Excellent writer who probably ( and unfortunately ) will be more well regarded in his absence. He really was the master of revisionist mythology. How myths may have actually correalated to reality was most definetely his fortay.

 

That's really sad. I have a few books of his but not all of them. He was still pretty young as well.

R.I.P.

 

His books will appreciate. Was he working on any unfinished published books? Sometimes you get other writers in to finish them off.

 

Thats a shame, I always liked his work.

 

Oh my! I was planning on getting into his books soon (and still will). This is sad news indeed.

 

That's a pity -- for an author he died really young, considering most authors get started in onest of middle age.

 

I was near-devastated when I first heard about this earlier this month.

David Gemmell has been my favorite writer for several years. I used to religiously buy his books. I absolutely loved how human his characters always were.

I started getting bored with his repetitive plot lines, though (The Hawk Queen books were eseentially the same as the Rigante series, only less cool).

He's written more than half of my top ten favorite books ever, and I was eagerly looking forward to the second book in his Troy trilogy...which will most-likely be rendered into a duology now.

 

Just a note for David Gemmell fans in the London area (or who can be): There will be a memorial service for him on October 30 at 3pm. It will be held at St. James' Church, 197 Piccadilly. All are welcome to attend.
You can see more information here.

It has also been announced that his wife will finish Fall of Kings, the final book in his Troy trilogy. (Details are on the page linked above).