The culture novels offer such a brilliant vision for the future of mankind, theres no denying that the man was gifted and a champion for humanity and altruism
Don’t forget Raw Spirit.
Takes concepts that many STWrs will understand quite well- mixing a road trip around Scotland with Whisky.
‘Aye, you’ll be needing some help with that..’
He ain’t gone yet, so I wish him many many happy days out and about in the best wee country in the world.
Gutted…He’s probably the one writer who I’ve stuck with throughout my life. I read the Wasp Factory as a semi-feral pre-teen growing up on the Welsh coast. The Crow Road as a waster student, and Complicity the year I got my first proper job. Devoured Raw Spirit on a bike tour of the Western Isles.
Losing him is going be like losing a close friend.
This’ll sound daft but one of the first things I did when I got internet access was to join the Banskie mailing list culture@busstop.org, it was my first internet cult… and the effect the ideas I heard there and the arguments I’ve had, and the brilliant people I met from there have had on me over the years- almost half my life! None of that without him, inspiring isn’t the word for what this guy’s meant to me, so much more than words… Ah, I’m just gutted, talking crap. Cancer’s a dick.
That’s poo!
Just started reading my first Culture novel and loving it.
Cancer is a bitch, in the last 4 years we have lost five friends and family and two others are in remission from breast cancer.
I shall continue to read his work in my own, small, “two fingers to you” salute to cancer,
Like everyone else I started with the Wasp Factory, mainly as I lived opposite his parents and through them I got a copy which he duly signed ! I have a shelf of his work and am gutted to hear this news, a nicer more genuine man you could not meet and a rare talent. Crow Rd is my face, a beautiful story told with humor and a great view of the world. I’m sure he will enjoy his last few days, weeks and months but still a sad piece of news.
How sad. 🙁
I heard him speak on that Radio four programme where readers ask authors questions and he was well funny and down to earth. Discovered him relatively late so at least I still have quite a few of his books left to get through. 😕
Gutted, awful news. Seems like a nice bloke and always looked forward to the next Culture novel and another apocalyptically powerful ship walking softly (or not) with a big stick (or series of sticks), loved the detail in them.
The NHS need effectors.
Spotted a great post on his tribute site, someone wished him good luck with the Subliming – I hope he does.
Wow, just reading the posts on here and the mention of everyone’s favourite books reminds me of some of the excellent things he has written. He has been the one constant author in my reading for the past past 25 years, sad news indeed.
he laughed at me once when I asked him why he made he names of his characters in the culture series books so difficult to read (at least for a thicko like me). my favourite author bar no other. sad news
First I’d heard of his condition was opening this thread, thought it would just be a “how great is he” type gush and it’s turns out he’s not got long left for this planet. It’s terribly disappointing news as I truly love his writing and look forward to each and every publication.
While he’s unlikely to read it, my best wishes to him and his family and I hope he has a wonderful year or so.
I read a lot of his early books and enjoyed them immensely, thou latterly I never kept up with his writing prowess never really liking any of his ScFi meandering.
