R.I.P., Philip José Farmer (1918-2009)

[eldritchhobbit]

To Your Scattered Bodies Go
Uploaded by Just_Plain_Bobert

A true speculative fiction pioneer passed away this morning.

Philip José Farmer (January 26, 1918 - February 25, 2009) was best known for his Riverworld and World of Tiers series, his daring development of sexual and religious themes in his works, his use of pulp heroes such as Tarzan, Doc Savage, and Sherlock Holmes in his books, and his writing of pseudonymous "fictional author" stories. He won his first of three Hugo Awards in 1953 for his controversial (and now classic) The Lovers; he also won the Nebula Award, the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, and in 2003, the Forry Award for Lifetime Achievement. He leaves behind family, friends, a devoted following of "Farmerphiles," and more than 75 books.

Visit his official website.

(Thanks to domynoe.)

Comments

[metal-aria.livejournal.com]

That's very sad... :-(

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed. It's good, though, that he had such an excellent run.

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

That's sad.

I'm getting to an age where all my adolescent authors won't be around much longer. It's been a bad few months in that respect.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean. :( I feel the same way.

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

I know the name well, but I don't think I ever read any of his books. It is sad to see the greats pass away.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

It is sad - the passing of an era.

[vyrdolak.livejournal.com]

I've always felt bad about not going to Jack Chalker's funeral, it was held a few blocks from my house. I really enjoyed the Well of Souls books. That's all of his stuff I ever read though; my brother said "Dancing in the Afterglow" was some of the worst crap he ever read.

[mackiedockie.livejournal.com]

I think I always -knew- about Twain as a kid, but reading the Riverworld series made me actually go out and read Twain, too, and for that alone, Farmer will always be top shelf.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant! The sign of a great author: that he/she leads you to others. And he did write a great Twain, didn't he?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you for letting us know about that, eldritchhobbit.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome. I wish it had been happier news!

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

He lived to a good age.

Thanks for the link to his site, I've had a good wander reminding myself of some of his books. I didn't always enjoy what I read of his (Riverworld I loved), but he was always different and inventive.

PJF

[mrwednesday7.livejournal.com]

Yes, I cut my S.F. teeth on the Tiers books. Strangely enough, Riverworld made me go out research Richard Francis Burton! S.F broadens the mind!