Sad news

Lloyd Alexander died today, at the age of 83. He died at home (where he had been receiving Hospice care), just two weeks after the death of his wife Janine, to whom he'd been married for sixty-two years. The couple had met in Paris at the end of World War II, and had settled in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Lloyd was the author of some of the finest children's fantasy novels of the 20th century -- including the much-loved The Chronicles of Prydain series. "My parents were horrified when I told them I wanted to be an author," he once admitted. "I was fifteen, in my last year of high school. My family pleaded with me to forget literature and do something sensible, such as find some sort of useful work." He went on to write over thirty books for children and adults, winning the prestigious Newbery Medal, the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, and many other awards and honors. He was a tireless advocate for children's literature, a great fan of folklore and mythology, a writer generous with his time to his legion of young (and not-so-young) fans, and one of the nicest men I've ever met.

In an article on fantasy for the Children's Book Council, Lloyd wrote: "The best fantasy it seems to me, is permanently relevant. Because it deals metaphorically with basic human situations, it always has something to say to us. Also, I think that fantasy offers a certain vividness and high spiritedness unique to itself. We shouldn't underestimate the value of sheer fun, delight, and excitement. In any art, boredom is not a virtue. Dealing with the impossible, fantasy can show us what may be really possible. If there is grief, there is the possibility of consolation; if hurt, the possibility of healing; and above all, the curative power of hope. If fantasy speaks to us as we are, it also speaks to us as we might be." (Read the full article here.)

His final book, The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio, will be published by Holt in August. It has been reported that Lloyd's comment on the novel was: "I have finished my life's work."

Comments

[Sarah]

Here's to Mr. Alexander. He made my childhood a happier one.

[chandracerchionepeltier]

Very sad news - Lloyd Alexander was one of my favorite authors when I was a child. I remember realizing at a very early age that he was on the editorial board of Cricket Magazine, and it seemed that such work, on the magazine and as an author, was quite marvelous, indeed!

To me, Lloyd Alexander will always remain The Wizard in the Tree, a companion of many adventures.

[sdn]

he was my godfather. i knew that after janine died, he wouldn't be here long. thanks for this.

[Midori]

Lloyd Alexander's work had a tremendous impact on me as a young fantasy author. Everything he wrote was just so good --funny, thrilling, and full of life. I read them over and over to my children (Time Cat was a favorite). He was a great gift to us all and will be missed.

[Terri Windling]

You're welcome, Sharyn. I know you were very close to him, and my heart goes out to you for the loss a dear friend.

[aysea]

Oh I'm so sad to just find this out. Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain were the very first modern fantasy I remember reading, at around 8 or 9. I loved those stories and they hold a special place in my memory because when I read them I didn't know what I was reading but oh my, did I want more of it.

They were pivotal books for me, nudging me down the road toward many other wonderful writers. The final book still brings tears to my eyes thirty (ahem ) years later. Thank you Mr Alexander.

[Daniel]

This is sad news. I used to read the Prydain books twice or three times a year when I was a teenager - and I never lost my love for them. When Jessica and I became engaged, we started reading the books again together.

He gave of himself fully, and his stories brought so much fire and wisdom to young minds.