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Blogs by Christine Amsden
Robert Jordan 9/17/2007 7:01:44 AM
I can’t believe I have to write another farewell to a favorite author. This one has me so choked up. Robert Jordan, author of the Wheel of Time series, died yesterday after struggling with cardiac amyloidosis, which he first announced to the public a year and a half ago. He was 58.
The Wheel of Time took the epic fantasy adventure to a whole new level. Though clearly inspired by great authors like Tolkien, The Wheel of Time was unique in its richness and complexity. It’s hard to believe that a single man could hold the complex details of an entire world in his head at one time. Every country, every political system, every culture, and every character was distinct and came alive. More so than any other book or series of books I have read, these characters lived in my head as I read and even after I put the book down.
Admittedly, I have only read 9 of the current 11 books. This is primarily because each new book took so long to come out that I forgot important details of the previous books. My plan was to wait until the last book, A Memory of Light, came out and read from book 1to the end, back to back.
I’ll never get that chance now.
I’m not saddened by this because I won’t get to read the ending. I understand Jordan kept extensive notes (he’d have to) and I’m sure someone will take up the task of bringing the story to a conclusion. Us readers will get our ending, albeit without Jordan’s distinct voice.
No, I am saddened by the loss of a man who did not get a chance to complete his great work before the end. There will always be a piece of him missing from the world.
My prayers and well wishes go out to the family of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (Robert Jordan is a pen name.)
