A literary icon has left this earth yesterday. The news came to me via Joe Hill's Twitter. At first it was dismissed as only a rumor without much to go on. As time flowed on, it was revealed to be the truth, much to the heartbreak of family and friends and fans. Mr. Hill's last tweet on the matter was a tact and ardent "oh f***". And as they say, there you have it.
The man who dreamed up a Heaven so beautiful with a Hell that fascinated and terrified us in What Dreams May Come, the man who made time travel a fantastic and scary affair in Somewhere in Time, made vampires scary and awesome in I Am Legend, and even wrote some excellent Twilight Zone episodes; Mr. Matheson dared to make some genuinely scary things and also find the beauty within the shadows and murky humanity.
I can't even begin tell y'all how much of an impact What Dreams May Come had on me. But my personal favorite moment would be that shortly after my sister read it (after I did and told her about it; at this point, we only seen the movie), we loved the ideas presented in it so much that we wanted to start a religion based on it. While the movie captured it visually, the book is so much of a masterpiece of spirituality and life after death. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do it now.
Condolences to his family and friends in this time of great mourning. And a collective hug and cry-fest to the fans and writers who loved him.
Thank you for everything, sir. You did so much and you are so beloved. I hope you knew that before your soul passed. Rest in peace.
Showing posts with label in memoriam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in memoriam. Show all posts
Monday, June 24, 2013
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Ray Bradbury: 1920-2012
What news to wake up to this morning, to hear that the iconic science fiction novelist has left this Earth the night before. What hasn't been said about him, the creator of works such as Fahrenheit 451 and Something Wicked This Way Comes? It is true, I have little to say in terms of his impact, you can only turn to the careers of writers like Richard Matheson and Stephen King to see just two examples of Mr. Bradbury's influence. Instead, I can only offer personal reflections and a few tears.
No writer stepped up in the writing world and made it okay to write about aliens and monsters, do it all straight-faced and still have the work be considered a form of literature, moreso than Mr. Bradbury:
Even though now he cannot do it now, with letters or even a phone call, I'm sure he'll continue to be science fiction's greatest cheerleader long into the years, up in the heavens. He'll have Isaac Asimov and Madeleine L'Engle, and of course, his beloved wife Marguerite, to join the squad once again.
You did so much for so many in so much time. Rest in peace, sir.
No writer stepped up in the writing world and made it okay to write about aliens and monsters, do it all straight-faced and still have the work be considered a form of literature, moreso than Mr. Bradbury:
I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.Besides his fantastic fiction that delighted several generations (so far), he also penned one of the most excellent writing books: Zen in the Art of Writing. In its own slim, succinct way, Bradbury gave you permission to dream, to write things that may not be true "literature". He rooted for you in each page, practically begging you to write whatever your heart and mind desired. He knew that you would have to go through the same trials of fire that he did, but you at least had a friend and supporting rock in him.
Even though now he cannot do it now, with letters or even a phone call, I'm sure he'll continue to be science fiction's greatest cheerleader long into the years, up in the heavens. He'll have Isaac Asimov and Madeleine L'Engle, and of course, his beloved wife Marguerite, to join the squad once again.
You did so much for so many in so much time. Rest in peace, sir.
The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.
- from Fahrenheit 451
Monday, February 7, 2011
Brian Jacques: 1939-2011
What else hasn't been said about this wonderful, imaginative writer? Over twenty years' worth of stuff, for starters. Redwall was a hit out of the ballpark from the word "go". The TV series was my first exposure to his work. After that, it was as they say "history".
He had written books that captured the imaginations of children, those born in the eighties, most of them now adults with jobs and bigger responsibilities. But, knowing how the world can be, there are those adults that still read the series and recommend it to friends. Or those like myself that will ensure his memory by recommending them to children that pass by the kids' section of the local bookstore.
Though he is mortally gone, I assure those young and old alike that he is still very much with us. Turn to the shelves in your favorite bookstore and library. See those titles: Redwall, Mossflower, The Sable Queen, Martin the Warrior. Print guarantees immortality. His words still ring with adventure and excitement, just like when they first were printed in 1986.
R.I.P., Mr. Jacques. You have done so much and the gratefulness for your contributions remains infinite. May your soul be at rest and may your loved ones be comforted through this unfortunate time.
~
Go here for the story. I have yet to find an obituary, one by an official newspaper, but I hope that this entry (among the others written by fans and readers at this moment) will collectively serve as one.
He had written books that captured the imaginations of children, those born in the eighties, most of them now adults with jobs and bigger responsibilities. But, knowing how the world can be, there are those adults that still read the series and recommend it to friends. Or those like myself that will ensure his memory by recommending them to children that pass by the kids' section of the local bookstore.
Though he is mortally gone, I assure those young and old alike that he is still very much with us. Turn to the shelves in your favorite bookstore and library. See those titles: Redwall, Mossflower, The Sable Queen, Martin the Warrior. Print guarantees immortality. His words still ring with adventure and excitement, just like when they first were printed in 1986.
R.I.P., Mr. Jacques. You have done so much and the gratefulness for your contributions remains infinite. May your soul be at rest and may your loved ones be comforted through this unfortunate time.
~
Go here for the story. I have yet to find an obituary, one by an official newspaper, but I hope that this entry (among the others written by fans and readers at this moment) will collectively serve as one.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A sad time for the literary world...
As a budding writer, it only makes sense to take this time to acknowledge a few shining stars that have joined their predecessors in the heavens.
This month has seen the loss of:
J.D. Salinger, writer of The Catcher in the Rye.
Howard Zinn, author of The People's History of the United States.
Robert B. Parker, writer of the Spenser series.
Erich Segal, writer of Love Story.
R.I.P., gentlemen. Thank you for your contributions to the letters.
This month has seen the loss of:
J.D. Salinger, writer of The Catcher in the Rye.
Howard Zinn, author of The People's History of the United States.
Robert B. Parker, writer of the Spenser series.
Erich Segal, writer of Love Story.
R.I.P., gentlemen. Thank you for your contributions to the letters.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sad day for the entertainment world...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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