not a book an author
I had the misfortune of being sent to a boarding school because my older brother had gone and proved to be a fucking super star! literally when i arrived as a third former this tit was captain of the firsts rugby team and head of house, praeposter etc etc. Unfortunately we were nothing alike and i preceeded to get suspended, and countless detentions and letters home. Until eventually I was expelled (a massive 14 months later) Now the headmaster was a great guy and when he expelled me he sat me down for about an hour and we just talked about the future and my attitude, at the time i was very much throw punches first ask questions later, in fact one of my suspensions was for punching a sixth former. He gave me a book called legend by David Gemmell, it was heroic fantasy and not really my scene but he said i would like it so i gave it a go. Approximately 11/12 years later i own every book by the guy and he is my favourite author. Sadly he passed away recently before he had the chance to finish the third book in a wonderful series about Troy. His wife ended up finishing it and its fantastic.

I know a lot of you will know this author but for those who dont. He has a way of writing which makes you identify and empathise with the characters that is second to none. It's not all goblins and dragons either it's very character focused and they are all bloody good reads. Sorry for waffling but this is the best QOTW i've been on since i joined B3ta. In fact expect multiple posts from mr pires.

I also have a signed copy of my own autobiography, 12 quid oxfam. !!
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Thu 15 May 2008, 15:44, 5 replies)

Ooooh... David Gemmell...
Don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed each of his books that I've read, but they are astoundingly similar to each other.

Hero, tortured past, distrusts companions, lots of little fights, arrive at a big fuck-off castle, massive fight, some spiritual bobbins, annoying-character-that-became-loveable dies, hero wins.

He seems compelled to include a seige in every single book.

Fun though, especially Waylander.
( Mockingbird Practitioner of SCIENCE, Thu 15 May 2008, 17:58, closed)

the Rigante books
are my favouriter ones of his
(Foulkesy123 The one and only..., Fri 16 May 2008, 1:57, closed)

definitely
all the same but its comforting
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Fri 16 May 2008, 8:55, closed)

Not the same
Just formulaic. Still damn good reads for all. I will miss his books now he's gone
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Fri 16 May 2008, 23:32, closed)

Hiss!
Wolf in Shadow...ugh.

The only way you can identify with his characters (in that book at least) is if you buy into the thin wish-fulfillment that pretends to be the main character. How could you stand it?
(Musuko, Tue 20 May 2008, 17:19, closed)