Gene Wolfe, ‘magnificent’ giant of science fiction, dies aged 87
Hailed by authors from George RR Martin to Neil Gaiman, Wolfe was most known for his magnum opus The Book of the New Sun
Gene Wolfe, a towering figure in science fiction whose magnum opus The Book of the New Sun was hailed as a masterpiece by Ursula K Le Guin, has died at the age of 87.
Wolfe’s publisher Tor, when announcing the news on Monday, described him as a “beloved icon”. “He leaves behind an impressive body of work, but nonetheless, he will be dearly missed,” said the publisher, pointing to The Book of the New Sun’s ranking in third place in a Locus magazine poll of fantasy novels – behind only The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.