Wheel of Time Author Robert Jordan Dies

[Frosstbyte]

http://www.dragonmount.com/RobertJordan/?p=90 (This site is getting SLAMMED so it might take a while to load.)

As the topic says, Robert Jordan passed away late last night. As one of the most beloved fantasy authors of the modern era, his passing would be one marked with sadness by the great many of us who enjoyed his work. It is particularly tragic that he passed now during the writing of the final book to his epic series, "The Wheel of Time." Though I certainly enjoyed them throughout high school, I'd decided to put the series away until he concluded them. I guess only time will tell if those close to him will try to don the mantle and finish whatever part of the twelfth remains unwritten.

And so passes a wonderfully creative mind whose words gave me a wonderful world to lose myself in when I had little else but books to keep me company. In his own words:

"The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning."

RIP

[SecretMethod70]

According to someone else on a different site I frequent, apparently he had already done significant work on the final book and he spent his last days making audio tapes detailing his final thoughts on the book and all the plot points he wanted to happen, so it seems that someone will end up putting the finishing touches on it.

That said, I haven't read any of them. Onodrim has, though, and I know she really enjoyed them.

[pig]

RIP robert jordan.

i've actually been re-reading the wheel of time series bit by bit, so that i could hit the end of the 11th book about the time he thought his last would be released. he's been fighting cardiac amyloidosis for a while now. that's really too bad - and he's a native of charleston, sc. too. i didn't know he'd passed.

[amonkie]

*Cries*

Damn.. with Heinlein gone in '88 and L'Engle earlier this month .. this marks all 3 of my favorite authors being done for good.

Great great series though, some have often said he created the depth of world Tolkien built and stretched it immensely, adding his own character touches as well hitting the root of the major questions we all face.

RIP.

[Xazy]

I feel guilty because my first thought when I heard was more of if the last book will be finished properly.

[kramus]

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

According to someone else on a different site I frequent, apparently he had already done significant work on the final book and he spent his last days making audio tapes detailing his final thoughts on the book and all the plot points he wanted to happen, so it seems that someone will end up putting the finishing touches on it.

That said, I haven't read any of them. Onodrim has, though, and I know she really enjoyed them.

I never knew he was ill.
I am sad to hear he has died. I am glad he had time to tidy up some loose ends. Not everyone is given that opportunity. Especially when there is such a strong and unified body of work like WOT, which really needs the author's hand on the helm in order to fulfill his vision in his way. Here was a huge gift from the fates - the man had enough warning to do what he could to ensure his legacy would be dealt with as he wished.

*edit - I am reading New Spring, and selfishly wish Jordan had spent the time working on finishing his master work instead of filling in a sidebar - i.e. writing extra books not directly related to his main story.

[tecoyah]

What a pisser....I truly enjoy the Wheel of Time

[Shauk]

I find this kind of funny actually because I remember me and my ex getting into a debate over this series.

I thought it was entirely too long winded and detailed to the point of hyperbole about the "scene" setting that he liked to do with his books. (I foget which book in particular but I think he spent 3 pages describing a scene once before even indicating a character, and i'm impatient)

I also expressed beef that by the 8th book it was becoming kind of formulaic with the typical main character vs one of the lesser bad guy type encounters.

I half jokingly told her that he was milking people by writing so many books about the same thing again and again and that he'd probably never finish the series, that he'd die before there was a final book.

I didn't think I was gonna be right. :\

I know a few people who will be crushed by this

[Dragonlich]

Damn... I just finished reading his WOT books.

And I also thought about that last book. It reminds me of Roger Zelazny and his great but unfinished Amber series.

[SirSeymour]

Originally Posted by Xazy

I feel guilty because my first thought when I heard was more of if the last book will be finished properly.

You are not the only one feeling this way. I am sure a very large segment of the fan base is having similar thoughts today. I know I go back and forth between feeling bad for his family and worrying for the series end.

[Arc101]

That was a shock, while I think the later books of WOT series were long winded there was no getting away from the fact he was a very good author. His books were imaginative and gave me great joy.

[zed wolf]

I am a huge RJ fan and was sad to read of his passing on DragonMount (I visit the site daily).
I will admit my first thoughts also were, Will the last book be finished?
From reading his official blog on DM it sounds likely that he knew he would not live long enough to finish the book, although it was never stated in any posting.
Ive herd from other sources that His wife will likely finish the final book.

For Robert, May you shelter in the palm of the creators hand, and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home.

And for Harriet, You will do well.

[spindles]

- as has been said, hopefully book 12 will get completed, but you'd hardly think it is top of mind for his family atm.

[blahblah454]

An amazing author passed away on September 16th of this year. He was the author of the fantasy books The Wheel of Time. To date there were 11 completed books in the series and one uncompleted.

This is truly a terrible thing, I am sure he inspired lots of people with his works and he will be truly missed. I love novels and he was one of my favorite writers, it not my favorite.

Here is a wiki all about the man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jordan

Rest in Peace Robert Jordan.

[blahblah454]

I found out about this a few days ago and it truly is terrible. One of my favorite authors for sure.

[onodrim]

I was very sad to hear this news. While I got stuck halfway through the series a little over a year ago, I really enjoyed it and always looked forward to returning to it when I had the time. I'm glad to know that it will get the best possible ending given the situation.

[Strange Famous]

I read some of the books when I was younger... all the spanking and stereotyping got a bit much, but on the whole they were cool... it was an incredibly intricate imagined world.

I knew the guy was sick, I guess it must have been hard knowing he wanted to tell his story, and knowing he didnt have much time....

RIP