Author Gene Wolfe, 1931-2019

by Dan Stubbings and Alex Khlopenko

Gene Wolfe, SFWA Grand Master, Author of more than 30 books including classics like The Book of The New Sun, has died at the age of 87.

How do you quantify the legacy of Gene Wolfe?

A man whose voice impacted an unprecedented amount of people within the SFF community. His novels spanned decades. To many of us, he was a guiding light into the world of weird and wonderful ideas.

Constructing worlds and plots that ignited readers’ senses allowing them a level of escapism that most writers can only dream of achieving. Yet Gene was more than just an SFF writer in my eyes he could write anything. His use of language is enchanting, challenging us creatives to continue to push the boundaries.

Going beyond what we think is possible and see the world through a different set of eyes. Gene’s writing enables us to wander into the shadows exploring corners of own imagination with fresh impetus. His impact on generations of writers cannot be understated – no one could’ve said it better than Ursula Le Guin “Wolfe is our Melville.”

Mr. Wolfe thank you for memories and as you said, “All novels are fantasies”

You wrote some of the best.     

Wolfe’s fans include Michael Swanwick, Neil Gaiman, Patrick O’Leary, Ursula K. Le Guin, and many, many more, and he was praised for his exciting prose and depth of character.

He will be sorely missed.