Just discovered he has terminal cancer and just months to live.
I'm a big fan of his SF works and gutted at this news.
Any one else a fan?
I'm a big fan of his SF works and gutted at this news.
Any one else a fan?
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Iain (M) Banks
- Thread starter Driver8
- Start date
Uncle C
Well-known member
Never heard of him and no idea what an SF is
queens park pete
Prog off!
Loved the Wasp Factory when it first came out. Culture novels an interesting contrast. An interesting chap all round, though I think he is SNP? He can only be early 50s. Always thought lucky sod- up till now.
- Thread starter
- #5
He's 59. No age really.
Barrel of Fun
Abort, retry, fail
"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"As a result, I've withdrawn from all planned public engagements and I've asked my partner Adele if she will do me the honour of becoming my widow (sorry - but we find ghoulish humour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.
"A website is being set up where friends, family and fans can leave messages for me and check on my progress. It should be up and running during this week and a link to it will be here on my official website as soon as it's ready."
Iain Banks
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.
"A website is being set up where friends, family and fans can leave messages for me and check on my progress. It should be up and running during this week and a link to it will be here on my official website as soon as it's ready."
Iain Banks
rcf0712
Out Here In The Perimeter
That is sim[ly awful news, I had no idea. I've read and proudly display in my trophy bookcase every book he's written either as Iain or Iain M. Personally, I like the Sci Fi best and cannot imagine there never being another Culture space opera. Cancer, what a ****er, he's barely 10 years older than me.....
- Thread starter
- #9
To be honest any of the "Culture" novels could be read in isolation but if you wanted to start at the beginning then "Consider Phlebas" is the first one.
Curious Orange
Punxsatawney Phil
I'm really saddened by this news, he is just about my favourite author. I hope he is able to enjoy the time that remains to him.
Herne Hill Seagull
Well-known member
I'd concur - Consider Phlebas is absolutely magnificent. The Player of Games was another favourite, but absolutely any Culture novel will enthrall. Gutted to hear this news - comfortably the best SF writer out there at the moment, and though I do also like his non-SF stuff, it's not a patch on the Culture novels. 
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hybrid_x
Banned
- Jun 28, 2011
- 2,225
read most of his SF.
love player of games and use of weapons - even conside phleabous - "easy in, easy out."
shame.
do you know what his new culture book is like?
get onto the Alextair Reynolds or Dan Simmons - better than Banks.....
Herne Hill Seagull
Well-known member
All opinions, hybrid, old boy. Reynolds and Simmons, both terrific, (I particularly like Reynolds of the two) but not better than Iain M. for me.
- Thread starter
- #15
Assume you mean Hydrogen Sonata? I really enjoyed it. There is a good review on the guardian website if you google it.