Comments on: Memories of Michael Shea by Marc Laidlaw

By: John Maddin

John Maddin — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:46:21 +0000

It’s over a year later, and I just learned of Michael Shea’s passing. The SF/Fantasy world has lost one of it’s unsung giants, and I can’t begin to describe how sad I am at hearing this. I had the fortune to get his signature on my set of his books when he came to Portland for the Lovecraft Festival several years ago. He was gracious and kind, and I will treasure that memory. His ferocious, majestic fantasy and horror prose has been a source of awe and wonder for me since I first picked up a copy of the DAW Books edition of Nifft the Lean back in the early 1980’s (still have it, now with his signature). I don’t know what is more tragic; the fact that his passing was almost unmarked in the SF/Fantasy fan community, or the fact that we’ll never get another story of Nifft and Barnar. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. I hope they know that there are a few of us out here that treasured every line he ever wrote, and because of that his memory will live on.

By: Robert Szeles

Robert Szeles — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 03:10:21 +0000

Marc,
Thanks so much for sharing these poignant memories of such a great writer. I did not “discover” Shea’s work until early this year. The Fishing of the Demon Sea is one of the greatest fantasy stories I have ever read. Along with the other greats—Leiber, Howard and Vance—he will be missed.

By: fran skala

fran skala — Sun, 04 May 2014 04:07:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing. I was friends/neighbors of Michael & Linda in LA…. 1971/72. Enjoyed reading your memories.