dead Iain Banks

[TAFKAG 70]

Iain Banks has terminal cancer.

[Spade_Cooley 9,538]

"I am officially Very Poorly.

 

After a couple of surgical procedures, I am gradually recovering from jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct, but that – it turns out – is the least of my problems.

 

I first thought something might be wrong when I developed a sore back in late January, but put this down to the fact I’d started writing at the beginning of the month and so was crouched over a keyboard all day. When it hadn’t gone away by mid-February, I went to my GP, who spotted that I had jaundice. Blood tests, an ultrasound scan and then a CT scan revealed the full extent of the grisly truth by the start of March.

 

I have cancer. It started in my gall bladder, has infected both lobes of my liver and probably also my pancreas and some lymph nodes, plus one tumour is massed around a group of major blood vessels in the same volume, effectively ruling out any chance of surgery to remove the tumours either in the short or long term.

 

The bottom line, now, I’m afraid, is that as a late stage gall bladder cancer patient, I’m expected to live for ‘several months’ and it’s extremely unlikely I’ll live beyond a year. So it looks like my latest novel, The Quarry, will be my last.

 

As a result, I’ve withdrawn from all planned public engagements and I’ve asked my partner Adele if she will do me the honour of becoming my widow (sorry – but we find ghoulish humour helps). By the time this goes out we’ll be married and on a short honeymoon. We intend to spend however much quality time I have left seeing friends and relations and visiting places that have meant a lot to us. Meanwhile my heroic publishers are doing all they can to bring the publication date of my new novel forward by as much as four months, to give me a better chance of being around when it hits the shelves.

 

There is a possibility that it might be worth undergoing a course of chemotherapy to extend the amount of time available. However that is still something we’re balancing the pros and cons of, and anyway it is out of the question until my jaundice has further and significantly, reduced.

 

Lastly, I’d like to add that from my GP onwards, the professionalism of the medics involved – and the speed with which the resources of the NHS in Scotland have been deployed – has been exemplary, and the standard of care deeply impressive. We’re all just sorry the outcome hasn’t been more cheerful

 

If he makes it to 2014 he's gonna be the joker of this entire forum, right?

[Dr. Zorders 1,271]

Is Iain M. Banks going to be okay?

[Bibliogryphon 9,588]

"I am officially Very Poorly.

 

After a couple of surgical procedures, I am gradually recovering from jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct, but that – it turns out – is the least of my problems.

 

I first thought something might be wrong when I developed a sore back in late January, but put this down to the fact I’d started writing at the beginning of the month and so was crouched over a keyboard all day. When it hadn’t gone away by mid-February, I went to my GP, who spotted that I had jaundice. Blood tests, an ultrasound scan and then a CT scan revealed the full extent of the grisly truth by the start of March.

 

I have cancer. It started in my gall bladder, has infected both lobes of my liver and probably also my pancreas and some lymph nodes, plus one tumour is massed around a group of major blood vessels in the same volume, effectively ruling out any chance of surgery to remove the tumours either in the short or long term.

 

The bottom line, now, I’m afraid, is that as a late stage gall bladder cancer patient, I’m expected to live for ‘several months’ and it’s extremely unlikely I’ll live beyond a year. So it looks like my latest novel, The Quarry, will be my last.

 

As a result, I’ve withdrawn from all planned public engagements and I’ve asked my partner Adele if she will do me the honour of becoming my widow (sorry – but we find ghoulish humour helps). By the time this goes out we’ll be married and on a short honeymoon. We intend to spend however much quality time I have left seeing friends and relations and visiting places that have meant a lot to us. Meanwhile my heroic publishers are doing all they can to bring the publication date of my new novel forward by as much as four months, to give me a better chance of being around when it hits the shelves.

 

There is a possibility that it might be worth undergoing a course of chemotherapy to extend the amount of time available. However that is still something we’re balancing the pros and cons of, and anyway it is out of the question until my jaundice has further and significantly, reduced.

 

Lastly, I’d like to add that from my GP onwards, the professionalism of the medics involved – and the speed with which the resources of the NHS in Scotland have been deployed – has been exemplary, and the standard of care deeply impressive. We’re all just sorry the outcome hasn’t been more cheerful

 

If he makes it to 2014 he's gonna be the joker of this entire forum, right?

 

Well Clive James reckoned he was at Death's door last year!

[Dr. Zorders 1,271]

Well Clive James reckoned he was at Death's door last year!

 

I think this is a bit different. Compared to this situation, Clive James was basically just being a bit of a drama queen because he has a lung condition. I seem to remember his agent or someone like that even saying (shortly after "Clive James: I'm dying" became a media thing) that he'll be around for a while (although we'll see obviously).

 

With Banks we're talking about end-stage cancer. And he's quoting his doctors. Let's give the NHS some credit. If there's one thing they understand, it's death.

[Bibliogryphon 9,588]

Well Clive James reckoned he was at Death's door last year!

 

I think this is a bit different. Compared to this situation, Clive James was basically just being a bit of a drama queen because he has a lung condition. I seem to remember his agent or someone like that even saying (shortly after "Clive James: I'm dying" became a media thing) that he'll be around for a while (although we'll see obviously).

 

With Banks we're talking about end-stage cancer. And he's quoting his doctors. Let's give the NHS some credit. If there's one thing they understand, it's death.

 

I agree and was just playing Devil's advocate. Iain Banks is not usually one for seeking our media attention for his private life and so I have no reason to doubt his sincerity.

 

However if we get on to discussing the merits of his books I may have to be less generous.

[charon 4,943]

Damn, just finished 2 culture novels on Saturday past.....probably have all bar 2 of his.

 

 

And my ex lol, was in The Crow Road BBC version.

[Godot 149]

Given that he's an author wouldn't it be tidier to put him in to the author's thread? It's what it's for after all.

[themaninblack 2,112]

Given that he's an author wouldn't it be tidier to put him in to the author's thread? It's what it's for after all.

 

Indeed. Except who will have a thread to himself come January 1st?

[Godot 149]

Given that he's an author wouldn't it be tidier to put him in to the author's thread? It's what it's for after all.

 

Indeed. Except who will have a thread to himself come January 1st?

 

I see what you mean, if he lives that long.

[the_engineer 1,415]

"I am officially Very Poorly.

 

After a couple of surgical procedures, I am gradually recovering from jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct, but that – it turns out – is the least of my problems.

 

I first thought something might be wrong when I developed a sore back in late January, but put this down to the fact I’d started writing at the beginning of the month and so was crouched over a keyboard all day. When it hadn’t gone away by mid-February, I went to my GP, who spotted that I had jaundice. Blood tests, an ultrasound scan and then a CT scan revealed the full extent of the grisly truth by the start of March.

 

I have cancer. It started in my gall bladder, has infected both lobes of my liver and probably also my pancreas and some lymph nodes, plus one tumour is massed around a group of major blood vessels in the same volume, effectively ruling out any chance of surgery to remove the tumours either in the short or long term.

 

The bottom line, now, I’m afraid, is that as a late stage gall bladder cancer patient, I’m expected to live for ‘several months’ and it’s extremely unlikely I’ll live beyond a year. So it looks like my latest novel, The Quarry, will be my last.

 

As a result, I’ve withdrawn from all planned public engagements and I’ve asked my partner Adele if she will do me the honour of becoming my widow (sorry – but we find ghoulish humour helps). By the time this goes out we’ll be married and on a short honeymoon. We intend to spend however much quality time I have left seeing friends and relations and visiting places that have meant a lot to us. Meanwhile my heroic publishers are doing all they can to bring the publication date of my new novel forward by as much as four months, to give me a better chance of being around when it hits the shelves.

 

There is a possibility that it might be worth undergoing a course of chemotherapy to extend the amount of time available. However that is still something we’re balancing the pros and cons of, and anyway it is out of the question until my jaundice has further and significantly, reduced.

 

Lastly, I’d like to add that from my GP onwards, the professionalism of the medics involved – and the speed with which the resources of the NHS in Scotland have been deployed – has been exemplary, and the standard of care deeply impressive. We’re all just sorry the outcome hasn’t been more cheerful

 

If he makes it to 2014 he's gonna be the joker of this entire forum, right?

 

 

Well Iain or Valerie Harper.

[EGN 121]

About a month ago i was at a Chris Brookmyre signing and jokingly asked him whether he was considering releasing his upcoming Sci Fi works (of which Bedlam is the first) as Christopher M Brookmyre.

 

Rather worryingly, he could now actually find himself as Scotland's most high profile Sci Fi writer, which given the standard of Bedlam (far from his best work, in fact its not even his best Sci Fi work) would be something of a travesty.

 

Still, if anyone is a collector, Bank's early editions are still reasonably priced if you want to start buying them up. A signed copy of the book that is to be his last, 'The Quarry', should go for a fair bit once its released as he wont be doing a signing tour in support of it.

[Spade_Cooley 9,538]

Given that he's an author wouldn't it be tidier to put him in to the author's thread? It's what it's for after all.

 

Eh, anyone who is going to die "in the public eye" should get a thread, I always thought. I've never been one for all the "Chilean Sci-Fi Actors" or "Famous Topiarist" threads that get set up around here, but with Banks you're going to get "the final interview", pre-obits from other dudes, An Honest Report Of What It's Like To Die written by him in The Guardian, etc etc etc.

[Razor Boy 19]

Great shame. I loved The Wasp Factory and the Crow Road. Go in peace I will miss the books.

[Phantom 2,535]

Great shame. I loved The Wasp Factory and the Crow Road. Go in peace I will miss the books.

 

The books will still be there, he just won't be writing any more

[DevonDeathTrip 2,358]

Great shame. I loved The Wasp Factory and the Crow Road. Go in peace I will miss the books.

 

When I was at university in Glasgow, I worked in a residential home on the Crow Road. I believe that former DDP favourite Edwin Morgan ended his days there. I just thought I'd share that useless piece of trivia with you all.

[Ra Ra Rasputin 99]

"I am officially Very Poorly.

 

After a couple of surgical procedures, I am gradually recovering from jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct, but that – it turns out – is the least of my problems.

 

I first thought something might be wrong when I developed a sore back in late January, but put this down to the fact I’d started writing at the beginning of the month and so was crouched over a keyboard all day. When it hadn’t gone away by mid-February, I went to my GP, who spotted that I had jaundice. Blood tests, an ultrasound scan and then a CT scan revealed the full extent of the grisly truth by the start of March.

 

I have cancer. It started in my gall bladder, has infected both lobes of my liver and probably also my pancreas and some lymph nodes, plus one tumour is massed around a group of major blood vessels in the same volume, effectively ruling out any chance of surgery to remove the tumours either in the short or long term.

 

The bottom line, now, I’m afraid, is that as a late stage gall bladder cancer patient, I’m expected to live for ‘several months’ and it’s extremely unlikely I’ll live beyond a year. So it looks like my latest novel, The Quarry, will be my last.

 

As a result, I’ve withdrawn from all planned public engagements and I’ve asked my partner Adele if she will do me the honour of becoming my widow (sorry – but we find ghoulish humour helps). By the time this goes out we’ll be married and on a short honeymoon. We intend to spend however much quality time I have left seeing friends and relations and visiting places that have meant a lot to us. Meanwhile my heroic publishers are doing all they can to bring the publication date of my new novel forward by as much as four months, to give me a better chance of being around when it hits the shelves.

 

There is a possibility that it might be worth undergoing a course of chemotherapy to extend the amount of time available. However that is still something we’re balancing the pros and cons of, and anyway it is out of the question until my jaundice has further and significantly, reduced.

 

Lastly, I’d like to add that from my GP onwards, the professionalism of the medics involved – and the speed with which the resources of the NHS in Scotland have been deployed – has been exemplary, and the standard of care deeply impressive. We’re all just sorry the outcome hasn’t been more cheerful

 

If he makes it to 2014 he's gonna be the joker of this entire forum, right?

 

 

Well Iain or Valerie Harper.

 

Both of whom have not been given more than "several months" to live (or in Valerie Harper's case, considerably less ) so 2014 looks unlikely. Still, we've all probably said similar about Zsa Zsa...

[Bibliogryphon 9,588]

Are those who visit this thread speculating on the demise of Iain M Banks going to be referred to as Culture Vultutres?

[Razor Boy 19]

Oi go get your coat !

[Tempus Fugit 214]

Rather worryingly, he could now actually find himself as Scotland's most high profile Sci Fi writer, which given the standard of Bedlam (far from his best work, in fact its not even his best Sci Fi work) would be something of a travesty.

 

 

 

Are you forgetting Ken MacLeod ?

[gcreptile 10,979]

Health update:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/21/iain-banks-updates-fans-cancer

 

Either his health is already too bad for chemotherapy or he'll try it. We'll know soon enough.

[Spade_Cooley 9,538]

Dead.

[Guest Guest]

that is so unfair. didn't even give us a chance to get him on t h e list and Bernie Nolans still going.It's a cruel world

 

PS tragic news.Condolences to iain's family etc

[Youth in Asia 1,087]

now dead

 

incidentally, if he had written that long missive in December, imagine the carnage in DDP - he would have probably been the most popular pick and joker in DDP history.

[EGN 121]

The flash to bang time seems incredible from the initial report of his illness to his sad death. I googled him only last week and found that he was blatting about the highlands in an M5 and considering chemo options. Next thing, he's popped his clogs.

 

Very sad news indeed.

 

Regards the Ken MacLeod/Chris Brookmyre thing, while I'd agree that ken is by far the superior Sci-Fi writer, I think Chris is still the higher profile author.