[johnx2]

I've read all of both, I think, and his 'mainstream' could get pretty close to sci fi.

Eg I enjoyed 'Transitions' (not everyone did) set in alternative earths, which looked to be setting up for a sequel at some point. In it a character has the idea that most interstellar space travel, like most travel on earth, is likely to be tourism. So what's unique about earth to make rich aliens come here on hols?  Answer is that by some fluke our moon and sun are exactly the same size when viewed from the planet's surface, so unlike perhaps any other life-bearing planet, we get solar eclipses. So if you want to find aliens, the best place to look would be on that unregistered yacht, or in that funny looking SUV approaching totality... This was just one of many throw-away ideas that could be followed up in a new book. Ha well, won't get to read it now, not that I'm selfcentred or anything.   

The only book of his I've not read (bar the new one which I'll end up getting in hardback as I have with his last few: publishers love us impatient high-rollers.) is the one where he gets paid to go round Scotland's distillaries sampling the single malts. Which according to his obit was his specialist subject when he won celebrity mastermind. Lives I might have quite enjoyed having... 

[Falling Down]

Just goes to show life is too short.  Live it to the full.....

[SA Chris]

By a remarkable coincidence there's a programme about him on bbc2 at 9 pm tomorrow. assuming they still plan to show it.

[csurfleet]

Looks to have been cancelled

[SA Chris]

http://www.iainbanksforum.net/showthread.php?809-Iain-Banks-Raw-Spirit-BBC2-Scotland-Wednesday-12-June-2013-21-00

Looks like it might be / might have been BBC Scotland only. Maybe still on, and might be available on iPlayer, or you can get regional channels on some digi boxes. I'll know tonight.

[Pantontino]

Sad news - he was my favourite writer for a long time.

I loved Wasp Factory, Complicity, Player of Games, The Crow Road and best of all: Use of Weapons. I've been thinking of reading the latter again, although I'm a bit gripped I won't be quite so blown away by it as I was all those years ago.

[Pitcairn]

Sad news - he was my favourite writer for a long time.

I loved Wasp Factory, Complicity, Player of Games, The Crow Road and best of all: Use of Weapons. I've been thinking of reading the latter again, although I'm a bit gripped I won't be quite so blown away by it as I was all those years ago.

totally agree.  Really sad news.  His recent novels werent quite as good as Wasp Factory, complicity and Crow Road which were my favourites too, but they were still very good.

[Serpico]

That's a sad loss, I read a lot of his earlier stuff and one of his SciFi books.
I remember getting a lot of funny looks from people whilst reading 'Canal Dreams' in an airport, then I realised my thumb was covering the 'C'.
He said in an interview some years ago that when he died he'd like to be cremated and his ashes put into a massive firework, "nothing piddly mind".
I'd like think that happens.

[Fiend]

  with all of the above. A great, productive, and multi-talented author. I think his earlier, sharper novels and the whole sci-fi mythology of The Culture will stand the test of time.

[csurfleet]

I only discovered today (thanks bbc news!) that 'subliming' is to turn from a solid to a gas. Was strange to suddenly understand context on a major part of his culture universe, which I read long before his death, just after it.

RIP

[Mike Tyson]

RIP James Gandolfini

[tommytwotone]

Indeed - the man...will forever be Tony Soprano.

[johnx2]

Waddya gonna do?





(As has doubtless been posted all over the internet, but was my first thought hearing the radio this morning.  And what a line.)

[Oldmanmatt]

Mick Aston.

I confess to being a bit of a "Time Team" spotter (especially under the old format and haven't watched it much since he left).
He seemed way too young and healthy to go so soon.

I wonder if he's requested some really odd Grave Goods for his coffin, just to bugger up some future counterpart...

[JamieG]

T-model Ford. Proper bluesman!

'I'm the Taildragger from Greenville, Muz-sippi! Ooo-weee, I make the pretty womens jump and shout! They took my gun but I got my knife and I'll cut a motherfucker too. Can't read, can't write, I don't argue with folks about the Bible but I love the womens! I love 'em cause of that little split they got. I got three womens right now and they won't let ol' T-Model alone. I'm a bad man! I can't get around like I used to but if I can reach a motherfucker, look out! I knocked out that Winehead Jones with this.'

Link to full article about Fat Possum records on the Guardian website. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/nov/16/popandrock2

They've lost a few of the their old bluesmen over the last few years including the genius R.L. Brunside. Sad to see this generation dying out.

[dave]

Mel Smith, age 60.

[Oldmanmatt]

Mel Smith, age 60.

Shit.


The world just got a little less funny.

[dave]

[SA Chris]

Gutted. RIP. Thanks for all the laughter.
 (It's a whoop of gorillas)

[dave]

Goodbye is the hardest word to say, so lets just say kinda lingers

[SA Chris]

Word. Not a lot of mention on the telly, guess media is more interested in blue blooded sprogs.

[andy popp]

Really surprised there's been no mention of Bert Trautmann (89, last week: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/19/bert-trautmann), given the interest in football on here?

[Falling Down]

My fault....

He was a real hero for City fans.  Also did a lot to improve German British relations post war.

[andy popp]

I think he became a real hero to a lot of people; a fascinating story.

[chillax]

JJ Cale