This is a nice interview with him in the last year of his life. He begins slightly irascibly and maybe even rather shyly, but he warms up after the first 10 minutes or so.
If you aren't already familiar with Wolfe's work, this is a very good opportunity for you to start. The Book of the New Sun is what he is rightly most famous for, but I think the Wolfe beginner would be better off starting with the Soldier of... series (Solder of the Mist, Soldier of Arete, Soldier of Sidon). I read these books a year or so ago after a recommendation from somebody commenting on an entry on this blog, of all places (which entry it was, I can't now remember; whoever it was who recommended it - thanks!), and I was blown away by them. They are the finest novels I've read in a very long time. That the series will now forever be unfinished seems also sadly apt.
One of the greatest authors the world has ever known.
ReplyDeleteEven given his age and accomplishments, this is sad news indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I hadn't heard. As if this wasn't a sad enough day.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I hadn't heard the news!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great writer! He'll be missed.
Very sad to lose him. His "Book of the Long Sun" series is one of my favorites, though I know I'm in the minority there. Not that I don't like his other writings - I love them - but Long Sun just hits all the right notes for me.
ReplyDelete