Like millions today, I was rocked by the news of Iain Banks' terminal cancer. I can't add anything which has not already been (justifiably) lauded on the man, especially by those who know him.It seems selfish that I could be so effected by news of someone I don't know, to whom this does not deserve to happen.
All I can say is his work helped me realise I wanted to become a writer, and showed me the possibilities of what that could entail. My boys each have a full set of Banks' Culture novels ready for then they're old enough to read them. One proof among thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, that his life will effect others he does not even know of after his passing. How any of us will be able to say the same?My thoughts are with Iain and his family.Michael