Iain (m) Banks - terminally ill

[Spectral Morn]

I am in shock and deep sadness to hear that he is seriously ill and not expected to live for much longer.

Fabulous writer :( Thank you for your wonderful writing and The Culture

This moving piece is by fellow writer val Mcdermid

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/03/iain-banks-my-fife-friend

and his announcement http://www.iain-banks.net/ on his website and comments on it http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-statement-with-which-iain-banks-revealed-his-cancer-diagnosis-is-testament-to-his-writing-talent-8558431.html

I will pray for him and his family.


Regards Neil

[Ali Tait]

Very sad indeed, as you say, a great writer. I met him last year when he gave a talk at the Waterstones in Dunfermline. A quiet, modest man with a keen mind.

[MartinT]

I was also shocked to hear the news yesterday, Neil. I left a message for him on Facebook, not something I will normally do, but as one ex-cancer patient to another with less happy news, it's all I could do.

I have loved every one of his books, his writing is imaginative and soaring in scope and sometimes very funny. Each one has been a treat and I am currently reading The Hydrogen Sonata, now sadly his last ever Culture novel. There is one more book to come - Quarry - which I think is non-SF.

When he finally Sublimes he will be very greatly missed.

[Spectral Morn]

Very sad indeed, as you say, a great writer. I met him last year when he gave a talk at the Waterstones in Dunfermline. A quiet, modest man with a keen mind.

I never met him, never being on the mainland when he was doing talks. He probably did do talks in Northern Ireland but if he did I missed them.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

I was also shocked to hear the news yesterday, Neil. I left a message for him on Facebook, not something I will normally do, but as one ex-cancer patient to another with less happy news, it's all I could do.

I have loved every one of his books, his writing is imaginative and soaring in scope and sometimes very funny. Each one has been a treat and I am currently reading The Hydrogen Sonata, now sadly his last ever Culture novel. There is one more book to come - Quarry - which I think is non-SF.

When he finally Sublimes he will be very greatly missed.

I can't even begin to imagine, to put myself in his shoes or anyone who gets such news - awful.

That was kind Martin and I hope Iain and his family can take some comfort strength from the love and deep respect his readers have for him both as a man and as a writer.

Regards Neil

[Gazjam]

Wasp Factory opened my mind to "alternative" literature at high school.
Sad sad loss.

I know someone personally in the same situration, he's 52 has only a few months left.
Very fit very active man...struck down.

Enjoy every sandwich folks, you never know the day.

[Spectral Morn]

Wasp Factory opened my mind to "alternative" literature at high school.
Sad sad loss.

I know someone personally in the same situration, he's 52 has only a few months left.
Very fit very active man...struck down.

Enjoy every sandwich folks, you never know the day.

Agreed, all the sadness in my own life recently has banged this particular nail well and truly home.

That's sad, I hope he is getting all the support and help he and his family need at this terrible time.


Regards Neil

[synsei]

I have only just learnt of this terrible, terrible news. I hope his partner Adele was with him when he wrote the statement on his website because that can't have been easy for him :(

God bless, Ian...

[walpurgis]

I read 'The Wasp Factory' and found it wry and observant of human nature. A good writer is going to be lost.

[Alex_UK]

Sadly, Iain has lost his battle. :(

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22835047

[MartinT]

I was only asking after The Quarry today in a bookshop. Very sad indeed.

[realysm42]

I read every one of his stories, he got me a into reading as a child with 'Consider phlebas'.

Feersum endjinn was incredible as was Excessions.

Agreed, the Culture are such a cool SF subject.

RIP to my favourite author.

[MartinT]

His Culture Series are simply epic, a fantastic creation on a par with Frank Herbert's Dune universe.

[Ali Tait]

Yes agreed, love his books. A very sad loss.

[Gazjam]

Wasp Factory blew my mind at High School.
I fought to allow me to do it as my Higher English set texct, but as it wasn't "a classic" novel it wasn't allowed.

Condolences to his Wife and family.
Have a friend of a friend of similar age in a similar situation.

Horrible.
RIP.

[Spectral Morn]

I have just read this elsewhere - very sad day indeed.

RIP Iain