David Gemmell dies at 57

[GOLLUM]

I've never read anything by Mr. Gemmell although I knew of him. Having said that it's always sad to see a writer of Fantasy pass on and at such a relatively young age. Condolences to family and fans...

[drosdelnoch]

When David died on Friday, I felt as many fans have done that our safety net in a chaotic world had disappeared. A man who made sense of everything in a world where everything was confusion. David was a man who brought the Heroic Epic back for a new generation, and I for one am amongst many have judged our own life trials against those within his work for the past 22 years.

Perhaps the greatest testimony to David is not his amazing output or the sheer scale of the tales he told, but the way in which he affected his readers. So many tributes have poured in for the “big man” and everyone spoke of the personal way in which his work affected them. Everything from giving their lives a moral code to judge themselves by through to direct action against what “violated the code” such as the fan who after finishing one of David’s books, ran to the aid of a woman being attacked by two men.

This to me was David’s essence, he never thought that he was anything other than a regular guy with his own beliefs and principles taking time out to listen to what others thought and aid people where he could. A fact that was pretty obvious to all who attended one of his signings. Every signing he would begin by saying that “this isn’t a book reading…”, he didn’t believe in things like that, he wanted to meet the fans and always took the time to do so, it didn’t matter which of his books you went there for, it was never about the sale, it was purely the chance to meet the fans that he loved. The outcry at his passing is something I think would have shocked David, never expecting to see how many lives he has touched with his work and for me is a testimony to the talent that the world has lost.

For David, family was a key element to all of his books, and as such it is to his family that a Memorial Book has been set up. The family would like to thank everyone for their comments on David’s passing that has so far appeared on message boards as well as hopefully in the Official Memorial Book (http://pub40.bravenet.com/guestbook/3359808728 ) . A small private funeral will take place shortly with a service of celebration of David’s life in due course. For those wishing to send a tribute, please send a donation to the charity of your choice in David’s name. If you do donate, the family would like to know how much is raised in Davids name so if you do, please mail me with the information (charity and amount) so I can collate the information to pass on.

Obituaries will be appearing in The Independent (Contributor: John Clute),The Times (Contributor : Stan Nicholls), The Guardian (Contributor: Chris Priest), The Telegraph (Contributor: Andy McKay) this week (Tuesday onwards.)

To sum up David has been hard, but to me, in the end, David was a man with a heart as big as he was tall, a man as he would have said “to walk the mountains with.” It was a pleasure to know you David. May the source guide you and follow the prayer lights home.

[drosdelnoch]

When David died on Friday, I felt as many fans have done that our safety net in a chaotic world had disappeared. A man who made sense of everything in a world where everything was confusion. David was a man who brought the Heroic Epic back for a new generation, and I for one am amongst many have judged our own life trials against those within his work for the past 22 years.

Perhaps the greatest testimony to David is not his amazing output or the sheer scale of the tales he told, but the way in which he affected his readers. So many tributes have poured in for the “big man” and everyone spoke of the personal way in which his work affected them. Everything from giving their lives a moral code to judge themselves by through to direct action against what “violated the code” such as the fan who after finishing one of David’s books, ran to the aid of a woman being attacked by two men.

This to me was David’s essence, he never thought that he was anything other than a regular guy with his own beliefs and principles taking time out to listen to what others thought and aid people where he could. A fact that was pretty obvious to all who attended one of his signings. Every signing he would begin by saying that “this isn’t a book reading…”, he didn’t believe in things like that, he wanted to meet the fans and always took the time to do so, it didn’t matter which of his books you went there for, it was never about the sale, it was purely the chance to meet the fans that he loved. The outcry at his passing is something I think would have shocked David, never expecting to see how many lives he has touched with his work and for me is a testimony to the talent that the world has lost.

For David, family was a key element to all of his books, and as such it is to his family that a Memorial Book has been set up. The family would like to thank everyone for their comments on David’s passing that has so far appeared on message boards as well as hopefully in the Official Memorial Book (http://pub40.bravenet.com/guestbook/3359808728 ) . A small private funeral will take place shortly with a service of celebration of David’s life in due course. For those wishing to send a tribute, please send a donation to the charity of your choice in David’s name. If you do donate, the family would like to know how much is raised in Davids name so if you do, please mail me with the information (charity and amount) so I can collate the information to pass on.

Obituaries will be appearing in The Independent (Contributor: John Clute),The Times (Contributor : Stan Nicholls), The Guardian (Contributor: Chris Priest), The Telegraph (Contributor: Andy McKay) this week (Tuesday onwards.)

To sum up David has been hard, but to me, in the end, David was a man with a heart as big as he was tall, a man as he would have said “to walk the mountains with.” It was a pleasure to know you David. May the source guide you and follow the prayer lights home.

[Lacedaemonian]

Aye he finally climbed that mountain....

[Lacedaemonian]

I am partly in denial. The Drenai sagas have finally ended. Druss will not return again.

[MJRevell]

Wow. My condolances to his family.

[Nesacat]

A very sad loss to the realm of fantasy. I was shocked and very much saddened to read the news. I loved his books and they've kept me company through many very bleak days. He truly was 'a big man'.

[j. d. worthington]

Another light gone... damn it!

[Smoking Mirror]

It always sad when you lose good author and he not there to create anymore of his work

[sanityassassin]

I have added a comment to his memeorial

[hugo]

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]

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]

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.