Acclaimed Scottish author Iain Banks has died at the age of 59, two months after announcing he had terminal cancer. In an announcement made April this year, Banks revealed he was in terminal stages of gall bladder cancer, with predictions of "several months left". Following the announcement, Banks withdrew from the public in order to spend his remaining time with his family and friends.
Iain Banks is best known for his science fiction novels under the name Iain M. Banks, most notably the Culture series, and also his weird, awesome and quite sick debut novel, The Wasp Factory. He has won numerous literary awards. I heartily recommend everything he has ever written.
His publisher Little, Brown Book Group released a statement:
"On behalf of Iain's wife, Adele, it is with enormous sadness that Little, Brown announces the death of Iain Banks.
"Banks has been one of the country's best loved novelists for both his mainstream and science fiction books.
"After his own recent announcement of his cancer Iain Banks was hugely moved by the public support for him via his website.
"Just three weeks ago he was presented with finished copies of his last novel, The Quarry and enjoyed celebration parties with old friends and fans across the publishing world.
"Iain Banks' ability to combine the most fertile of imaginations with his own highly distinctive brand of gothic humour made him unique. He is an irreplaceable part of the literary world."
Rest in peace, Iain.