His career spanned decades, his influence on the genre has and will stretch farther than that. Author Philip Jose Farmer, 91, died in his sleep this morning.
Philip was best known for his Riverworld Saga, an intriguing collection of books that tells of an afterlife wherein historical figures mingle amongst each other as they are spawned along a world wrapping river. They make for interesting reading. Farmer’s storytelling earned him 6 Hugo Award nominations (three of which became Hugo Award wins), 2 Nebula Award nominations, the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
Unfortunately, Philip J Farmer never reached the level of success here in the US that he enjoyed abroad. So, in tribute to him and in the vein of promoting interesting Science Fiction and Fantasy writing, perhaps you could keep your eyes out for his works.
Philip J Farmer leaves behind a large family of both relatives and fans around the world. Here’s hoping he’s enjoying good conversation at the shores of that mighty river that he so vividly brought to life.
View Philip Jose Farmers website here: http://www.pjfarmer.com/
View his library of works here: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/f/philip-jose-farmer/
A sad day.
But the man lived a long life and had the chance to write some of the best books of the genre. He will be missed and his body of work will now stand in his place.
It’s been a long time since I read him. I’ll have to be one of those people to go out and buy a book this weekend in his honor
That is sad news indeed. It seems like we’re losing a lot of pioneers in recent years. I’ve read many of his books and loved them.
I have a feeling one of our next ones will be either Harlan Ellison or Frederick Pohl, which would be just as sad. But like Farmer, both of them have lived long lives and contributed to the world in ways I can only barely fathom.