David Gemmell dies at 57

[hugo]

Re: David Gemmell

All of us who are fans of well written fantasy will miss the genius of David Gemmel at least his work is here for us all to read and reread.

 

[potato junkie]

Rest in peace you legend

 

[Freda]

Re: David Gemmell

This news has come as a terrible shock. Dave's first book came out at about the same time as mine and we met many times at conventions and signings. He was always terrific company, a man who loved talking to people and loved telling stories. He was truly a one-off and I think the most charismatic person I've ever met, full of wit, warmth and good advice.

It's so sad and unbelievable that he's died, but THANK GOODNESS he lived. His presence was life-enhancing. He will certainly never be forgotten. Thank you Dave - your life and work made the world a happier place.

I will be raising a glass of armagnac to him and taking out some old photos and remembering happy times. So glad I knew him.

Freda Warrington

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Re: David Gemmell

Did he have an effect on you and your work Freda? I must admit my ignorance at not ever reading your work, though I read all of David's works multiple times in my teen years.

 

[dustinzgirl]

Wow, that is just too young. He's just a few years older than my dad. How sad that the literary community has lost another great. Blessings to his family in the wake of this tragedy.

 

[Allanon]

i'm really upset about this

 

[hedgeknight]

Re: David Gemmell

Holy S#!+ - I just found out! I'm devastated - I just love his work and was looking forward to so many more.
R.I.P. David - you are a Legend!
-g-

 

[Freda]

Re: David Gemmell

Lacedaemonian - he didn't influence me style-wise - our styles were so different. His very pure, strong concept of heroism is terrifically appealing as shown by his massive readership.

As a person, he loved talking to other writers and comparing experiences of writing and the publishing industry. He would tell me to be more assertive! He gave me a great deal of encouragement - but that's the sort of man he was. Supportive and generous-spirited.

 

[Mark Robson]

Re: David Gemmell

Well, David might not have affected your writing, Freda, but he certainly was an influence in mine. I loved his books and have copies of most of them. Legend was so well read that it eventually fell apart, so I am without a copy at the moment, but I shall be sure to correct that deficit to my library at some point. My favourite of his books was A Wolf in Shadow. The idea of a God fearing anti-hero like Jon Shannow searching for the Jerusalem of the bible in a post cataclysmic society really caught my imagination. He painted pictures of great heroes - flaws and all, which was both refreshing and inspiring.

It will be one of my greatest regrets that I never took the time to attend one of his booksignings while I had the chance. He was one of a very small cast of writers that I very much would have liked to meet.

 

[jenna]

Re: David Gemmell

.................... i don't really know what to say right now. i haven't checked the site in a couple of weeks, so i'm pretty much in a state of extreme shock. i can't believe it. i always thought i would get a chance to meet him and tell him how much his work meant to me. this is just so wrong. writers of his calibre should get to live forever. i'm going to go cry myself to sleep now. (heaven knows what state i'm going to be in if Piers Anthony ever dies. i'm going to just fall apart.)

 

[jenna]

i'm just inconsolable right now.

 

[kyektulu]

I am very saddened to hear this news, it is a shame that such a talented author has died so young.

He has left a legacy of fantasy that many, many generations will enjoy for decades to come.

Rest well Mr Gemmell.

 

[kyektulu]

Re: David Gemmell

As a person, he loved talking to other writers and comparing experiences of writing and the publishing industry. He would tell me to be more assertive! He gave me a great deal of encouragement - but that's the sort of man he was. Supportive and generous-spirited.

I must second this.

I met David Gemmell twice at book signings and he was ever ready to hear about my ideas for books I was writing and give me tips and ideas galore.

I just wish that I was able to talk to him again as our meetings were sadly only short as there were people behind me wishing to get thier novel signed...

He will be greatly missed, this man touched many with his wonderfull tales of heroism and glory and the contributions he gave to the feild of fantasy are priceless.

 

[Spiritdragon]

Re: David Gemmell

Our thoughts should be with his family at this time of sadness
Rest in peace David Gemmell
this world is a duller place without you
May the Source enfold you in comfort and warmth and May you continue writing in the aferlife and we can all catch up with your work when we follow you through the Threshold!

James

 

[ladyflorange]

Re: David Gemmell

That's so sad to hear. Gemmell is the only reason I read fantasy now - if it hadn't been for him I would never have discovered how wonderful it all is. R.I.P David - without sounding too OTT I'm forever in your debt.

 

[Blaine_Owynspar]

He was so talented and his stories so life-like and powerful that I've become spoiled. Nothing else I read seems to compare.

 

[epicfantasy7]

I have been reading fantasy all my life and for some reason David Gemmell escaped my eye until about a year ago when somebody gave me a copy of "Winter Warriors" and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just great Heroic fantasy kind of stuff. Sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed. Only 57.

 

[Seth God Of Chaos]

It's not just that David Gemmell has died, but all his characters died with him. He was the author that got me into the chronicles website. My first tenative posts were in a thread about Snaga. Without even knowing t=him he was a big part of my life.

 

[Rahl Windsong]

More then many authors I have read, David Gemmel's work always brought strong emotions to me. If I can feel for the characters then the author really has a special talent and David was definetly one of the best. Every single book I have ever read by him I have loved. May he rest in peace.

Rahl

 

[Rahl Windsong]

After I posted to this thread I started to read the whole thing and now all the emotions I felt as I read David's work are once again at the forefront. His stories always had this effect on me, either for joy or saddness but the tears were always part of reading one of his books, there was no shame in that, the man simply had the gift.

Rahl