Requiescat in Pace, Gene Wolfe (1931-2019)

No sooner had I posted the previous update than a notice that Gene Wolfe had died came across my feed.

He passed away yesterday, April 14, at the age of 87 after a long battle with heart disease. It’s early enough that many of the genre news outlets haven’t posted the news. Here’s the only one I’ve seen so far, from Tor.com. As more tributes become avaialbe, I’ll post links in the comments as they become available. Feel free to post them as you come across them.

I met Gene Wolfe once, at the World Fantasy Convention in Corpus Christi in 2000. He was a true gentleman. I’ve not read a great deal of his work, but I’ve liked everything I’ve read by him.

I may have to stay up late after everyone has gone to bed, but I’ll be reading something he wrote tonight and raising a glass in his memory.

10 thoughts on “Requiescat in Pace, Gene Wolfe (1931-2019)”

Matthew April 15, 2019 at 5:11 PM

I heard about this earlier. He’s my favorite writer. I’m not surprise since I knew he was getting up their in age, but I am sad.

I recently reread “Petting Zoo” which is one of my favorite stories of his. I am also rereading The Devil in the Forest, his young adult historical novel.

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Jason M Waltz April 15, 2019 at 10:51 PM

He was quite the gentleman. The Goodreads S&S earthier group is voting on our next group read and Mr. Wolfe’s works have entered the fray. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/80482-sword-sorcery-an-earthier-sort-of-fantasy

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1. Keith West Post authorApril 16, 2019 at 7:49 AM
  
  He is worth reading, although he isn’t usually a light read. Well worth the effort, though. I need to read more of his work.
  
  Thanks for the link. I’ll have to check that group out.
  
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deuce April 19, 2019 at 2:53 AM

What a towering talent. From all accounts, a very nice guy, as well. I still remember where I was when I opened up THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER and began reading it for the first time. Like nothing else I’d ever read, before or since. I found out about his death on the day Notre Dame burned. A black day, indeed. His like will not be here again.

Gene was, also–among his numerous admirable traits–a fan of Robert E. Howard

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1. Keith West Post authorApril 19, 2019 at 7:43 AM
  
  Yeah, it’s been a black week. I’ve read a few of Gene’s short stories this week, and the result was a desire to read more Wolfe. I’m not surprised he was a Howard fan. His death leaves a huge, gaping hole in the world.
  
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2. Matthew April 19, 2019 at 11:04 AM
  
  I also found out about his death the day Notre Dame burned.
  
  Wolfe also corresponded with Tolkien. Something about the etymology of the word Warg (appropriate for a guy named Wolfe.)
  
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  1. deuce April 20, 2019 at 12:44 AM
    
    Wolfe talks about that in “The Best Introduction to the Mountains.” A great essay that’s hard to find. I happen to have the full text.
    
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    1. John Hocking April 24, 2019 at 4:36 PM
      
      To my great shame I’d never read that essay by Wolfe on Tolkien.
      But here it is…
      
      http://www.scifiwright.com/2015/10/the-best-introduction-to-the-mountains-2/
      
      Wolfe’s soul-deep appreciation of JRRT and REH is molten on the page.
      
      JCH
      
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      1. Keith West Post authorApril 24, 2019 at 8:22 PM
        
        Thanks for the link, John.
      2. Matthew April 26, 2019 at 10:36 AM
        
        Read that a long time ago, but I’m glad to read it again.