Author Iain Banks has terminal cancer

[muriel_volestrangler]

Author Iain Banks has revealed that he has late stage cancer and is unlikely to live for more than a year.

The Scottish writer posted a message on his official website saying his next novel The Quarry, due to be published later this year, would be his last.

The 59-year-old's novels include The Wasp Factory, The Crow Road, Complicity and the Culture series.

The statement said his health problems came to light when he saw his doctor, suffering from a sore back.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22015175

Crap. Of the 3 authors I like the most from the past 30 years or so, Douglas Adams died suddenly in his 50s, Terry Pratchett has early-onset Alzheimers, and now Iain Banks is unlikely to live another year.

[In_The_Wind]

1. Did you intend this to be a Lounge post?

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. I don't know - it's a bit of a downer for a Lounge post

but it isn't current affairs, so I'm not sure how suitable it would be for GD - I really don't know how many DUers have heard of him. It's a big item on British websites like the BBC, Guardian and Independent, but may not mean much to average Americans.

[In_The_Wind]

3. My thoughts: Post this information in LBN.

Your link clearly shows this is a current news item. We have many British DUers.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Someone else has now:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014442809

[In_The_Wind]

5. I'm glad someone did post it there.

Leave this thread here.

It just needed better coverage than a Lounge thread.

I'm sorry for the pain you must be going through.