David Eddings is gone. :-(

[Mouseferatu]

According to numerous sources, including his publisher Random House, David Eddings passed away yesterday.

I'm absolutely crushed. While I'm not blind to their faults, the Belgariad got me through a lot of painful periods in middle and high school, and his Sparhawk series are both among my favorites to go back and reread. I consider Eddings to be in the list of authors who inspired me to go into writing myself, and while I've had the opportunity to communicate with several of them, I never got the chance to thank him.

But then again, his wife--who had been sick for years, and whom he always stood by--died a few years ago. So maybe this is what he wanted. I don't know.

Godspeed, Mr. Eddings.

 

[Mark]

Sad news. I read the Belgariad but I enjoyed the Sparhawk material even more. Condolences.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'm in the middle of rereading the Belgariad (again) right now

-Hyp.

 

[Rhun]

Very sad news. The Belgariad was excellent.

 

[stonegod]

Didn't know he was ill, nor did I realize he was 77. Hmm.

Sorry to hear. Did enjoy the Belgariad, though I can't say I read most of his latter efforts.

 

[Voadam]

Damn.

Thanks for the heads up. I was a fan in grade school as well.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Peace be with you, good sir.

I also benefited from reading your first fantasy series, when in primary school. It was fun, uplifting, inspiring. Though I never had the opportunity to thank you while you were on this Earth, I'll say it now: thank you.

 

[Blastin]

wow...I just re-read those a few months ago and was amazed that they actually were as good as I remembered from early college days. Sad news.

 

[Merlin's Shadow]

His Sparhawk books were also amongst my favorites.

 

[Darth Shoju]

That's sad news, though I've never read any of his work. RIP, good sir.