Losses

[pecunium]

Octavia Butler died. Many of you know this already, because it has been making the rounds.

I found out from Steve Barnes who did a swell eulogy for her.

I wasn't really planning to write anything about this becauseI didn't know her. But I did get to meet her, a couple of times while I was in Seattle. I suppose, as I look at the praises, and pain, her death has brought, I can thank the Army for getting to meet her, as I can blame it for not having been able to meet Zealazny. The few hours I got to spend in the same room with her showed a warm person, with a gentle sense of humor. Active whimsy. Reading the obituaries (and the Seattle Post-Intellgencer did a very nice one, which was picked up on the wire) and the comments of those who did know her, I wish I'd gotten to know her.

I guess, and a sad reason to pick them up, I'll go read some of her work now, and from the comments of her friends, and fans, perhaps those of you who, like me haven't done so either, might want to think about doing the same.

Comments

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I only just this last year picked up Kindred. It's a totally amazing book, and a helluva read. I commend it to you. I had meant to tell her how much I loved it the next time I saw her. Now, there won't be one.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

That's the part that sucks. There won't be a next time.

It's funny, because she's about my mothers age, a trifle younger than my father, so it wasn't expected.

Don Knott's, I can understand. Dennis Weaver, Ok, Abe Vigoda passing away wouldn't be a surprise (though it would destroy a running gag), but the young ones?

And I wonder what it says that we are looking at people in their late 50s and early 60s as being young.

TK