Monday, September 17, 2007

The Wheel stops

I shouldn't laugh. I shouldn't. But I did. Because the dismay in my husband's voice was so pitiful it was amusing. I'm a bad, bad person. He has been reading the "Wheel of Time" series since it came out almost 15 years ago. And to be left hanging, with half a book to go, can be pretty devastating. I hope they find someone to finish it!

Wheel of Time Author Robert Jordan Dies
By BRUCE SMITH

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Author Robert Jordan, whose "Wheel of Time" series of fantasy novels sold millions of copies, has died of a rare blood disease, his aide said Monday. He was 58.

Jordan, whose real name was James Oliver Rigney Jr., died Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina of complications from primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, his personal assistant, Maria Simons, said. The disease attacks the body's major organs; in Jordan's case, it caused the walls of his heart to thicken.

He wrote a trilogy of historical novels set in Charleston under the pen name Reagan O'Neal in the early 1980s. Then he turned his attention to fantasy and the first volume in his Wheel of Time epic, "The Eye of the World," was published in 1990 under the name Robert Jordan.

Jordan's books tells of Rand al'Thor, who is destined to become the champion who will battle ultimate evil in a mythical land.

Book 11, "Knife of Dreams," came out in 2005; there was also a prequel, "New Spring: The Novel," in 2004. The other titles in the series include "The Great Hunt," "Lord of Chaos" and "The Path of Daggers." Jordan was working on a 12th volume at the time of his death, Simons said.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet McDougal Rigney.

14 comments:

Lisa said...

Now that's the ultimate cliff hanger, yes?

Jenn said...

No kidding! I offered to finish writing it for him, but he wasn't all that impressed. I guess he doesn't think I'd do a good job, considering I haven't actually read the series.

Sona said...

I read this series, but I also knew he was in poor health. From what I understand he had someone working with him who might have been able to take over the series should he die before it was finished.

Anonymous said...

That is actually really funny. . . my first good laugh for the day!

Nell said...

Oh God! Steve is going to be devastated, but he knew this would happen, every time a new one came out, he just knew this would happen. Poor dear.

Anonymous said...

I did too, I admit. He did leave extensive notes and outlines for someone to finish the last book (which I think he's actually started but wasn't far into).

Unknown said...

OK, now I read the first nine books in that series, then stopped because it was getting ridiculously stupid and needed to end. If he had finished it at, say, seven or eight books it would have been one of the best fantasy series of all time.

J. A. Blackburn said...

At first I thought this was some sort of practical joke. JUST WAIT till I tell Jay... (evil laugh)

Anonymous said...

Is this kind of like when John Denver left me??? Sorry hubby of Jenn.

Jim Thomsen said...

Just create your own fantasy world. It's fun once you really sink into it.

I'm sure he'll live on through fan fiction.

MP said...

Jenn I thought the SAME thing...I didn't read those but I get it..could you imaging if JK died before the Harry Potter series was over..or what if James Patterson doesn't put an end to Alex Cross..or the murder chick series..then there is Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich... Yes, it is a cruel thing to laugh..when it doesn't happen to YOU! :-)

Jim Thomsen said...

Can you imagine living a real life that ends before it's finished?

Jenn said...

It's kind of like when a favorite TV series gets canceled at the end of the season and you're left with a cliff-hanger. Like "Farscape." When they canceled that one, I was devastated.

Goat roper...poor John Denver. I remember when he died. Can you believe I like John Denver and have his songs on my MP3 player?

Ninja...but would you know if it ended before it was finished?

Wendy said...

I was thinking of the tv version too, for me Gilmore Girls when the creator left the show with one more season to go with the actors. Sure, it finished out but not like the maker would have done it, I'm sure! Major disappoint!