R.I.P., Gene Wolfe

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Gene Wolfe, one of the greatest science fiction and fantasy authors and a faithful Catholic, passed away on Sunday.

Born in 1931, Wolfe fought in the Korean War and became an engineer (he even designed the machine that makes Pringles!) before turning to writing full time.

[Author and Grand Master Gene Wolfe, 1931-2019 | Tor.com]

He is best known for the Solar Cycle, a collection of interconnected novels set in a far future Earth of which The Book of the New Sun is the opening series of novels, and which was deeply informed by his Catholic worldview; The Fifth Head of Cerberus, exploring questions of identity and colonization; and numerous other novels and short stories. A kind and generous man, he taught and mentored and inspired a generation of new authors. The passing several years ago of his beloved wife Rosemary, for whom he converted to the Catholic faith before marriage, took a toll on him. He has gone to be home with Rosemary and the Author of all things.

He was my favorite author, and I am heartbroken.
 
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May the angels come to greet him and may heaven be far more amazing than even what his brilliant mind could conceive.
 
I have heard his name before, but never read any of his work. Perhaps I will pick up that first book in honor of a faithful Catholic writer.

May God have mercy on his soul, and grant him the joy of the Beatific Vision!
 
RIP. He was obviously very talented, but I was never a fan of his writing. It was tough to follow.
 
I had been a correspondent with Gene, for over 25 years, and met him on a number of occasions. He was, in all respects, a gentleman, a giant in the world of science fiction, and did me the honor of mentioning me in one of his books. It has been several years since we had exchanged letters and I was greatly worried that he was in declining health, especially since his wife Rosemary died, back in 2013. I have been remembering him in my prayers and will continue to do so. The world is poorer with his passing and my life is a little darker.

Rest in peace, my friend. I miss you, and so will all who knew you and your works.
 
I am sorry for the loss of your friend, GKMotley.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Amen.
 
He was a legend, a true legend. This is very sad news indeed. I knew he was getting up there in years, but as far as I know he continued writing until the end. He seemed in later years to be consciously broadening the appeal of his work, as if trying to hit one out of the park popularity-wise, but he will probably always be best known for ‘the Book of the New Sun’, although he’s written many other gems: ‘Free Live Free,’ ‘The Fifth Head of Cerberus,’ ‘The Island of Doctor Death and Other Stories (and Other Stories),’ ‘Soldier in the Mist,’ ‘The Devil in A Forest,’ etc. So many wonderful memories! Thank you, Mr. Wolfe, for sharing your genius with us.
 
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One day later and still no obituary in the New York Times? It boggles my mind.
 
I went ahead and picked up Shadow & Claw. Once I finish Dr. Sleep I’ll start in on it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I hope to enjoy it.
 
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That is very sad, I had just finished the New Sun opening series after hearing of him for the first time a couple months ago. Rest in Peace.
 
April 19th the New York Times published an obituary for Gene Wolfe.
 
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