Iain Banks diagnosed with terminal cancer

[TheFifthElement]

If you can tear your eyes away from the travesty that is the BBC class calculator today, there is some rather sadder news in literature: http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/a...bladder-cancer

[Calidore]

That's very depressing. His "literary" work doesn't really do it for me, but his Culture novels have been some of the best SF around for quite a while.

Just saw in the paper today that Roger Ebert's cancer has made a comeback as well. I hope he can beat it again, and I especially hope without taking the physical toll on him that the first go-round did.

[Paulclem]

I read about it today too. It's a shame. His Sci Fi books are brilliant as Calidore says. One of them - Use of Weapons - was discussed by The Guardian Book Club last year.

[kev67]

I have read three of his books. Whit from his non sci-fi books, and Inversions and one other from his science fiction books. Inversions was good. Whit was okay. I cannot remember the other book but I didn't think much of it.

[qimissung]

I haven't read anything by him, but it's always shocking to hear such news, and it's always sad to lose a member of the literary community, particularly in such an untimely manner.

[TheFifthElement]

Just saw in the paper today that Roger Ebert's cancer has made a comeback as well. I hope he can beat it again, and I especially hope without taking the physical toll on him that the first go-round did.

Further sad news. Roger Ebert has passed away.

[Calidore]

I just saw that. Wow. At least it was quick, which is a blessing where cancer's concerned. Not many people with cancer get to live all the way until their last day of life.

[qimissung]

That is sad. He had only recently discovered that cancer had returned to his body. His film critic partner, Gene Siskel, died from a brain tumor in 1999. RIP guys, and we'll see you at the movies.

[Vota]

I hope Mr. Banks is surrounded by his loved ones in his final days, and perhaps will take some comfort knowing he created works that gave enjoyment to countless people.

I read the Algebraist, as well as The Player of Games. I enjoyed both very much, and the latter novel is one of my all-time favorite science fiction books.

[Calidore]

I read the Algebraist, as well as The Player of Games. I enjoyed both very much, and the latter novel is one of my all-time favorite science fiction books.

Agreed. I read Consider Phlebas first and loved it, then read Player of Games and was blown away. Those two made me a fan for life.

[TheFifthElement]

Sadly, Iain Banks has passed away: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013...ain-banks-dies

[Calidore]

Very sad. I'm glad he got his wishes to see his last book on the shelves and to marry his girlfriend.

[lichtrausch]

I was just starting with my first novel of his, Consider Phlebas, when I found out he had cancer. From all I've read from him in the past couple months, it seems like he was a really great guy. I'm really sad to see him go.

[Paulclem]

Sadly, Iain Banks has passed away: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013...ain-banks-dies

I'm shocked. it was very quick. I really liked his sci fi work and agree that the Algebraist, which was my first introduction to him, is very good. I followed this with The Player of Games which is one of the few sci fi's I'm re-reading. One of his best is Surface Detail which is complex tale but discusses the morality of a digital hell in which criminals and radicals can be imprisoned. I think there's much more to the books than just thumping stories, and they would be a good topic for study.