Philip Jose Farmer Dies

[Andy Chalk]

Philip Jose Farmer Dies

Philip Jose Farmer, the prolific and award-winning science fiction Grand Master, has died.

Born in 1918, Farmer was well-known as an author of both short stories and novels in the science-fiction and fantasy genres. His career began in 1953 with Hugo Award [http://www.xs4all.nl/~rnuninga/PJFlovers50.htm] for Most Promising New Writer, and eventually spanned more than 50 years, resulting in dozens of novels, short stories and essays.

Farmer never achieved the level of success in his home country of the United States that he did elsewhere but he was often recognized by his peers for his outstanding work. He was nominated for Hugo and World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement [http://www.nebulaawards.com/].

"Philip José Farmer passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning," a message posted on the author's website [http://www.pjfarmer.com/] says. "He will be missed greatly by his wife Bette, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and countless fans around the world. We love you Phil." He was 91.


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[Kross]

His book Dayworld [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayworld] was one of my favorite Sci-Fi books growing up (The rest of the trilogy, less favorite). It's always sad to see good authors go.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

never heard of him

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Damn, I loved Tarzan Alive and Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life, brilliant revisionist pulp...

 

[dalek sec]

Sad to say I've never heard of the man but I am sorry that he has passed on.

 

[nova18]

While I've never read his works, its sad to see an acclaimed author die.

Same, now would be a good time for me to read some of his works.

 

[paketep]

Read an hexalogy from him years ago, kinda crazy, liked it.

RIP. He lived a long life.

 

[Elim Garak]

Too bad that he died, but his Riverworld thing? Meh. I've read only the last book, but it left me completely underwhelmed. Too many logical and scientific bugs in the story.

 

[Milkman Dan]

Read more, people! Blogs don't count!

 

[Andy Chalk]

I'm not sure what saddens me more: The fact that so many people haven't heard of him or idiotic comments like "people eventually die."

Anyway, Farmer was a groundbreaking sci-fi author who came of age during the 50s and 60s, in the heyday of guys like Asimov, Clarke, Pohl, Ellison and so many others. The announcement of his Grand Master award said he "pioneered the exploration of crucial human relationships" in the genre, which is a fancy way of saying he wrote about sex a lot. And while I certainly don't hold ignorance about the specifics of his work against people (I'm not terribly familiar with it by any stretch) it boggles my mind that so many people haven't even heard of him.

Maybe I'm being unreasonable or unfair but how anyone can look at that Grand Master list and not be awed is completely beyond me. The burden of a sci-fi nerd, I suppose. RIP, Mr. Farmer.

 

[GyroCaptain]

The announcement of his Grand Master award said he "pioneered the exploration of crucial human relationships" in the genre, which is a fancy way of saying he wrote about sex a lot.

Did he ever. There's a short story entitled something like 'Mother' which is a really trippy and disturbing bit about an explorer sort of going a male archer-fish route with a hill-sized alien lifeform. Between Farmer, Heinlein, and Anthony, classic sci-fi is full of more sexual weirdness/perviness than you can shake a stick at. Add a dash of Witchworld era Andre Norton feminism to taste.

 

[sirdanrhodes]

I've never heard of him...

 

[Pseudonym2]

I really liked To Where Your Scattered Bodies Go. It easily one of the most creative books I read in a long time.