The Light has gone out ...

Darth Mandarb · Mon 17/09/2007 05:57:30

It was when I was a young teenager, during the darkest years of my life when everything seemed bleak and pointless, that I found an outlet that gave me a way to leave behind my tortured reality and escape to another world. That outlet was a series of books called The Wheel of Time. Such creativity and incredible story telling I had rarely come across before. I cannot even beging to explain how these books helped me. They got me through those years ... I won't go so far as to say they saved my life, but I wouldn't say it was far off from it. When things got really bad, I would hide in my bedroom closet with a flashlight and dive into the books.

My forum nickname is partially inspired by these books (Mandarb is the name of a character in them).

They were penned by a man named Robert Jordan.

A few years back I had the extreme privelege to meet him at a book signing where he verified/acknowledge some of my work I had done for a Wheel of Time website. It is a hi-light of my life and something I will never forget.

On September 16, 2007 Mr. Jordan died.

The world has lost an amazing story teller ... the Light has gone out.

"May you shelter in the palm of the Creator's hand, and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home."

I don't have the words to express the loss I feel.

So long Mr. Jordan ... may you ride forever on the winds of time.

Stupot · Mon 17/09/2007 06:21:44

I never got round to reading any of the Wheel of Time books. I actually own one or two of them at home, bought for 50p or so at boot fairs and such.

Even though I've never even read any of the Robert Jordan's work I was somehow genuinely upset to read this news. More so than Colin McRae for some reason... maybe I have more of a bond towards writers.

Rest in Peace Mr Jordan. I promise to read Book one when I get back home.

[Edit]
By the way, well spoken post Darth.

[Edit 2]
And I just spotted your topical avatar. You really are mourning.

Darth Mandarb · Mon 17/09/2007 06:36:19

Thanks Stupot, yeah ... I really am in mourning. You should definitely read Eye of the World. It's an amazing book and just gets the ball rolling. You will not regret it.

Dragonmount, a website I helped create many moons ago, and which Robert Jordan regularly wrote a blog for, has officially announced the passing: Dragonmount announcement...

A Memory of Light, the 12th and final book of the Wheel of Time is, tragically, incomplete. It has been confirmed that Mr. Jordan passed on all the details to his wife Harriet and the president of Tor books so that the tale could be concluded ... but such a bittersweet ending it will be.

lo_res_man · Mon 17/09/2007 07:06:22

There is something so sad when an artist passes,you know that the final page has turned the last stroke painted, the last note composed. It is right to morn such passings, you know that part of what added to the sum total of beauty to this world, has passed. And that is a sad thing...

The moment passes
Life turns to Death forever
We Must Remember

There, I am not sure if it makes you feel any better, but that Haiku is for you Darth Mandarb

Nacho · Mon 17/09/2007 09:55:39

Hey Jeremy, I haven' t read those books, but I think I know about the facts that took you to that "dark age", and I must say that if they helped they must be really good... My condolences.

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Mon 17/09/2007 10:53:46

Only played the Wheel of Time game, but nevertheless the name is not unfamilliar to me.

Pavarotti, McRae and Jordan - three legends in their own field. Three in a row.

Thank the heavens we're all still alive, huh?

Andail · Mon 17/09/2007 11:28:13

Never got around to read them either, but I know they're considered important in the world of fantasy...probably the epitome of that endless fantasy series with 250+ characters and overly complicated plotlines

Anyhow, your post really moved me and I guess Jordan has had a great impact on so many teenagers' lives.

ThreeOhFour · Mon 17/09/2007 11:39:44

Darth, I am touched by your post.

It is always sad to lose a mentor, even sadder when that mentor was perhaps one of the most important ones in your life.

My sympathy towards you and others who mourn the passing of this man.

Radiant · Mon 17/09/2007 14:11:10

Hey, I actually met the man, years ago.

What happened to him?

Darth Mandarb · Mon 17/09/2007 15:31:54

Thanks for all the kind words guys ... means a lot to me.

He died from complications from cardiac amyloidosis. Basically a disorder caused by deposits in the heart tissue, which decreases the heart's ability to function.

The WoT community had known for some time that he was sick, but he was convinced he'd beat the odds and be around for another 30 years.

Alas the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills...

Baron · Wed 19/09/2007 00:03:00

My condolences as well. Although I wasn't all that attached to the ongoing Wheel of Time saga, I agree that the first book (Eye of the World) was a masterpiece in the fantasy genre.

AGA · Wed 19/09/2007 00:11:47

The Wheel of Time was good for a while. The last 3 books or so have been nowhere near as good as the rest though. Despite the fact I own them, and the prequel, I just can't bring myself to finish reading them.

Despite that, he was an excellent writer when at his best

Darth Mandarb · Wed 19/09/2007 00:59:02

Quote from: AGA on Wed 19/09/2007 00:11:47The Wheel of Time was good for a while. The last 3 books or so have been nowhere near as good as the rest though. Despite the fact I own them, and the prequel, I just can't bring myself to finish reading them.

Sadly, I would have to agree. The last few books really started to have a "I'm drawing this out as long as I can" feel to them. There were still some amazing parts, but on the whole they weren't as good as the first 4 books.

Book 1, The Eye of the World was just amazing, The Great Hunt was really good (but only on a second reading), The Dragon Reborn was great, but The Shadow Rising blew my mind! The final battle for the Two Rivers? Simply amazing story telling. It's the first, and only, time (so far) that a book actually brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't weeping, mind you, but I did well up a bit!

Andail · Wed 19/09/2007 01:28:35

I probably weep a bit every tenth or so book I read.

lo_res_man · Wed 19/09/2007 02:18:46

I have never CRIED during a book ( though I did once during an anime FMA if you must know) but Terry Pratchett has given me plenty full body "Woah" moments, I think the closest was with Lord of the Rings, plenty of almosts there. But enough about me, lets get back to your loss Darth Mandarb...

Tears upon the page
We close with a final sigh
A world has ended