David Gemmell Dies at 57 (+ what next thread)

It's always sad to read news like this.:(

My condolences to Gemmell's family, friends, and fans.
 
57 is definitely a young age to die at--that's all I can say.

So, would anyone want to recommend his best work for me? I've never read him.
 
Crap.

I've never been a massive fan of Gemmell's, feeling him to be rather overrated in many areas (particularly Legend, which left me cold). However, I warmed to him immensely after reading the superb Wolf in Shadow and its sequels in the Siptrassi series, and many of his other single novels I've read of his have been enjoyable, hard-edged fantasy adventures. The image of the wreck of the Titanic lying on the exposed seabed of the Atlantic is still a powerful, classic fantasy image. I was looking forward to reading the Troy Trilogy once it was completed as well.

Having read his interviews, it's also clear he had a bloody hard early life and had to work hard to succeed. So condolences to his family. He brought happiness to millions of readers and leaves behind a rather impressive and lengthy body of work.

PS I think most people would recommend Legend to start with, but I wasn't so keen. Wolf in Shadow is my favourite book of his, the start of the Jon Shannow books (inspired by Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character with a hint of Stephen King's Dark Tower series thrown in for good measure).
 
Abit offtopic (or when I think about it, not only abit), but when I read this, I came to think about my father. He has diabites (Correct english word), and is therefore more likely to get heart diseases, and he is only 52. I don't know if it is usual to worry so much, but sometimes especially at night (Keeping me awake), I think about the fear I have of losing one of my parents.. Most unlikely place to post such a thing but.. Anyone got any soulotions to get off these thoughts?

To justify the post;
A sad thing to hear his passing.
 
Andrew J said:
57 is definitely a young age to die at--that's all I can say.

So, would anyone want to recommend his best work for me? I've never read him.
Click to expand...

His "best work" varies depending who you ask. Many would say Legend. I'm not so sure. I think that was probably his defining work, not necessarily best. But it is damned good.

I seem to remember thoroughly enjoying Hero in the Shadows, which I thought was an excellent read. Waylander is also a good read.
 
I wrote a journal entry on my art web page in response to David's death http://mideviant.deviantart.com/

As young as 57 is to die - I'm sure that many budding authors would crave to achieve what David did in his lifetime.
 
Yeah, this is really sad. I read about it on the official Bal-Sagoth message board. (Message board about one of my favorite melodic black metal bands) I just started reading Gemmell this week, starting on his Drenai Saga with "Legend" and I can't put it down! I have always looked forward to reading Gemmell's works, and now that he's dead, I feel inexplicably saddened. I had always heard he was a great writer of sword and sorcery/heroic fantasy, in fact some have compared him to a modern day Robert E. Howard. 57 is indeed too young too die. It's like my aunt who died of cancer at 49. :( My sincerest condolences go out to his friends and family.
Mr. Gemmell, you will be sorely missed, I will be reading the Drenai Saga in your honor!
 
Werthead said:
Crap.
Click to expand...

Tha's EXACTLY what I thought and felt like when I first heard about this. Crap. So helpless, and I hate being helpless dammit.
 
What a terrible shock!

I only read Legend but it was crazy good and you've gotta respect an author with a body of work that vast and acclaimed.

NOM, that journal entry was beautiful. It's good to remember that the same time fantasy has lost an icon real people have lost a loved one and my heart goes out to them.
 
Gutted

This is such sad news. I met David at a book signing in Basingstoke, England and he captivated the audience (about 20 of us) for the whole evening with great stories, witty and intelligent conversation and great answers to in the Q&A.

Will be sorely missed - many of my fav. books were written by Gemmell.

A Legend Indeed.
 
When I saw this thread I thought it was some sort of joke, I had no idea he had any health problems.

I am utterly choked by this. I grew up reading just about all his material, Gemmel was my favourite author for many years. There aren't many unique fantasists around and now there is one less.

He will live on in spirit within his much loved stories.
 
24 hours have passed and I've still not really recovered from the shock. I dread to think how his family must be feeling - my thoughts are with them.

Following the examples of others, I've dedicated the first entry on my new blog to David's memory.

http://theorderofmidnight.blogspot.com/
 
Maybe a copy of this thread could be sent to his family and friends? (I think its beautiful)

David is one of (possible the) only author that can keep me reading for more than 2-3 hours at a time. No nonsense, excellent storytelling - an absolute pleasure to read.

I thank you, David, for the 100s of hours of enjoyment. I have friends that havn't held my interest or added to my overall enjoyment of life as much as you have.


Sincere regards
Gavin
 
I am stunned.

I haven't been around lately and only just saw this thread... I assumed it was just another attention-seeking thread topic, conning you into opening it, only to find 'just kidding... but now that I have your attention...' sadly, it is all too real.

Gemmell is the reason I started reading Fantasy, the reason I write it and one of the main reasons I love it.

Druss is my first love (character-wise) and I have read every one of David's books... but it isn't just his craft that deserves recognition, it's his journey to become the world's leading heroic fantasy writer that I respect so much. A lorry driver's mate, a doorman and a man who ignored insults and rejection when it came to his first few attempts at writing.

David, thank you... for the heroes and for being an idol.

Much love

Gemmell-Parisp.gif
 
Terrible news. Beyond the personal tragedy, his novels were getting better again, too. Quality writers in fantasy aren't coming 'round fast enough for us to lose someone of his stature.
 
I used to know this kid that said he learned almost everything he knew about morals from watching Star Trek. Perhaps barring his parents, he believed that watching thousands of hours of Star Trek moulded his character more than anything else.

I put it to David Gemmell, when I met him at a talk he gave in Dublin, that his writing had a similar impact on me as a young teenager. I was half-joking, but he mulled it over and said that ultimately he liked the idea. Mainly, I think, because he was never shy about the fact that his novels were intended as didactic, serious commentaries on what it means to live a strong, authentic life ... as well as being bloody good stories.

Shadak's Iron Code, Tenaka Khan's covercoming of his outside status to save two cultures, John Shannow's hawklike pursuit of evil ... These are powerful antidotes to the nihilism and moral relativism which has become de rigeur in our society.

I won't say that Gemmell's writing was the reason I made the decision to become a police officer. Robert Heinlein and others were at least as influential...

But nevertheless, if you can read his stronger works and not be filled with a powerful urge to try and live a more honorable life, then there's something wrong with you.
 
I had only begun to read his books. Legend is and will always be a special place to start. I can only say, I will continue to read his books and think of him.

Thank-you Mr. Gemmell
 
Being in Greece I only just found out and am absolutely gutted. I don't think I can add much to what has already been said and it's almost impossible to sum up the impact the man and his works have had on me. I'd heard the operation went well and he was happy, looking forward to getting back to writing and smoking (:)) A larger than life man with a genuine appreciation and humour about it, who beat cancer and the odds to become a much loved and admired writer. Much like his characters he always seemed indomitable and it's a real sad sense of disbelief that such a great guy has been taken from his family. My very sincerest condolences to them and the source can consider itself lucky to be in his presence now.
Thank you David
 
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