Posted on 09/16/2007 10:13:39 PM PDT by burzum
His official blog seems to be overloaded with traffic right now, but his cousin posted earlier that James Rigney, the author of the Wheel of Time series, died earlier today after a year long fight against amyloidosis. Author Patrick Nielsen Hayden has a discussion on his blog.
James Rigney was a good guy and his death is sad news for all of his fans. Not only was he a great author, he was a great patriot as well. He served in the army in Vietnam earning (from Wikipedia) the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm, worked as a nuclear engineer for the Navy (until a shipyard injury started him writing), and always took the time to thank our brave soldiers for their service. He was also a perfect southern gentleman.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting. The world has lost a great storyteller, a great warrior and a great gentleman.
Without finishing the cycle...
RIP.
That was my first thought when I heard about it...how it must have grieved him to have died with it unfinished. RIP Robert Jordan.
He had a library of notes and even though he was too weak to write he was dictating much of the story. He had the story completed just not completely written down and edited. He told the story to his wife and his cousin before his death so they will have to pass it on after compiling his notes and his recordings. He was aware of the danger of losing the story with his death and he took the appropriate precautions. For this we have to thank him (as he thought of his fans even though he was very ill). Apparently he had also talked to other writers in case he died before the final book was written.
His work brought joy to a great many people. He will be missed.
Missed indeed. He was an inspiration to many.
I suppose he was a good writer, but those darned covers kept turning me off from his books.
Woah!
Rest in Peace. Shelter in the Light and the hand of the Creator...
This is the other reason why I weaned myself off of the Waste of Time series. I knew he’d die....
Still, sorry to see it, I kind of thought I’d go back and finish the series when he was done.
Oh, dang.
“Studying his blade, Ingtar did not seem to hear. “Humankind is being swept away everywhere. Nations fail and vanish. Darkfriends are everywhere, and none of these southlanders seem to notice or care. We fight to hold the Borderlands, to keep them safe in their houses, and every year, despite all we can do, the Blight advances. And these southlanders think Trollocs are myths, and Myrddraal a gleeman’s tale.” He frowned and shook his head. “It seemed the only way. We would be destroyed for nothing, defending people who do not even know, or care. It seemed logical. Why should we be destroyed for them, when we could make our own peace? Better the Shadow, I thought, than useless oblivion, like Carallain, or Hardan, or . . . . It seemed so logical, then.”
...
Rand did not know what to say. It was as if Egwene had told him she had murdered children. Too horrible to be believed. Too horrible for anyone to admit to unless it was true. Too horrible. After a time, Ingtar spoke again, firmly. “There has to be a price, Rand. There is always a price. Perhaps I can pay it here.”
“Ingtar, I - “
“It is every man’s right, Rand, to choose when to Sheathe the Sword. Even one like me.”
Before Rand could say anything, Hurin came running down the alley. “The patrol turned aside,” he said hurriedly, “down into the town. They seem to be gathering down there. Mat and Perrin went on.” He took a quick look down the street and pulled back. “We’d better do the same, Lord Ingtar, Lord Rand. Those bug-headed Seanchan are almost here.”
“Go, Rand,” Ingtar said. He turned to face the street and did not look at Rand or Hurin again.
“Take the Horn where it belongs. I always knew the Amyrlin should have given you the charge. But all I ever wanted was to keep Shienar whole, to keep us from being swept away and forgotten.”
“I know, Ingtar.” Rand drew a deep breath. “The Light shine on you, Lord Ingtar of House Shinowa, and may you shelter in the palm of the Creator’s hand.” He touched Ingtar’s shoulder. “The last embrace of the mother welcome you home.” Hurin gasped. “Thank you,” Ingtar said softly. A tension seemed to go out of him. For the first time since the night of the Trolloc raid on Fal Dara, he stood as he had when Rand first saw him, confident and relaxed. Content.
Rand turned and found Hurin staring at him, staring at both of them. “It is time for us to go.”
“But Lord Ingtar - “
” - does what he has to,” Rand said sharply. “But we go.” Hurin nodded, and Rand trotted after him. Rand could hear the steady tread of the Seanchan’s boots, now. He did not look back.”
~Robert Jordan; The Wheel of Time, Book II: The Great Hunt
Blood and bloody ashes.
I’ve been praying that he would make it to finish the story - only criticism is that several of the recent volumes have been exercises in character development that didn’t advance the plot much - he could have finished the story at around book #7, I think, but instead chose to make the series more of a literary achievement.
My daughter will be sad - she said that he can’t die before Elayne has her babies.
RIP, Mr. Rigney, and prayers for his family.
TS
sci-fi ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.