Timewaster's Guide Archive

Departments => Books => Topic started by: EUOL on August 08, 2006, 08:52:46 PM

Title: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: EUOL on August 08, 2006, 08:52:46 PM

Dang!  First Jim, now this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5224868.stm

Great writer.  Crafted heroic fantasy like nobody else.

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Skar on August 09, 2006, 01:29:05 AM

I am deeply sad.  David Gemmel was a great writer of my absolute favorite kind of book.

He inspired me with his work both as a writer and as a man.

The world is  a poorer place.

May God speed his footsteps on his great journey.

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Atreas on August 09, 2006, 08:14:38 AM

*Sadness*

He was as legendary as his characters in the fantasy field.  

I love Gemmell's books.

Can't believe it.  He's really gone?

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Gemm: Rock & Roll Star; Born to Rock on August 09, 2006, 08:16:10 AM

Who is this man? And why should I be concerned? (This was made as least offensive as I could. If you take offense then that is why you are offended.)

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Entsuropi on August 09, 2006, 08:23:40 AM

David Gemmel wrote very OTT combat fantasy (by which I mean, they were very focused on the combat aspects). I was never that impressed by his work, but there you go.

Sympathies for the family and so on.

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Skar on August 09, 2006, 11:28:59 AM

Quote

Who is this man? And why should I be concerned? (This was made as least offensive as I could. If you take offense then that is why you are offended.)

He wrote heroic fantasy.  Excellent heroic fantasy.  Not "epic" fantasty, "heroic" fantasy.  It didn't deal with the common themes of figurative self-flagellation and anti-heroness so common in most of the work out there today.  

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on August 09, 2006, 04:40:25 PM

Better question: What book or books of his should I read in order to begin to appreciate his greatness?

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Atreas on August 09, 2006, 04:44:57 PM

Quote

Better question: What book or books of his should I read in order to begin to appreciate his greatness?

He's best known for the Drenai Saga, which starts out with the fantasy bestseller LEGEND.

He also wrote historical(ish) novels, such as Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow and The Lion of Macedon.

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on August 09, 2006, 04:48:10 PM

I dont' care so much what he's best known for, but rather what would I be most likely to enjoy reading? (Sometimes they're the same, yes, but often not, for me.)

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: Skar on August 09, 2006, 05:03:35 PM

One of my favorites is "Hero in the Shadows"  It's part of the Drenai tales but stands well on its own.  Also, "Knights of Dark Renown" another good standalone.  "Sword in the Storm" Starts a good series by him.

Ultimately, I knew that if I picked up a book he had written I would be riveted and immensely enjoy the reading of it.  He's one of the few authors that never missed for me.

*sadness*

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on August 11, 2006, 09:53:43 AM

Skar's article/obit: http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=1444

Title: Re: RIP David Gemmell
Post by: EUOL on August 11, 2006, 03:33:20 PM

Touching and well-written, Skar.  Thank you.  I'll link it through my website today.