Author Robert Jordan Dies at 58

[12stones]

For those of you fantasy novel geeks like me, the Wheel of Time series is one of the best...and it will never be finished properly. At least his suffering has ended...and some great stories go with him Rest in peace.

Wheel of Time Author Robert Jordan Dies
By BRUCE SMITH, Associated Press Writer
4 hours ago

CHARLESTON, S.C. - 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.

[scoutmaster022]

Sorry to hear this . He was a great writer.

[jinny]

wow... I remember seeing him a couple times back when I thought the wheel of time series was going to be a trilogy... he surprised me by letting me know that he had enough in his head to make it to 7 or 8 equally tome-like books...

I guess even he didn't know what was in him... I guess it's over now... although, I have to admit, the series was getting a little to long and repetitive for me... although that might be purposeful.

[jinny]

Originally Posted by jinny

wow... I remember seeing him a couple times back when I thought the wheel of time series was going to be a trilogy... he surprised me by letting me know that he had enough in his head to make it to 7 or 8 equally tome-like books...

I guess even he didn't know what was in him... I guess it's over now... although, I have to admit, the series was getting a little to long and repetitive for me... although that might be purposeful.

hmmm... I have signed first editions of the first three books... I wonder if they are more valuable now...

[Ashcan Bill]

That's truly a shame. I knew he was ill, but I didn't realize how seriously.

He was a great fantasy writer.

RIP Robert.

[SmokeyTheKid]

A shame. I didn't care for his work (he's no George R.R. Martin), but a lot of people did. Too young.

[woobie]

I just discovered the WOT series last year after seeing it on the shelves for years and ignoring it. It sad that he died no young and his work will never be completed.

[earnold25]

i read this as well. terrible news. he was doin so well with his health issue. may he rest in peace.

on a side note, i did read that towards the end, he must have known he was going to go, and he told someone how he wanted the series to end, and handed over the partially finished last book, as well as any notes he had so it would be completed.

[12stones]

Originally Posted by earnold25

i read this as well. terrible news. he was doin so well with his health issue. may he rest in peace.

on a side note, i did read that towards the end, he must have known he was going to go, and he told someone how he wanted the series to end, and handed over the partially finished last book, as well as any notes he had so it would be completed.

According to his website, he pretty much narrated the whole story to his brother and wife before his death. Much of the book had already been worked on afaik. His wife was his editor for years, so my guess is that the book will be finished.