Blackout

When I first read the news of Brian’s passing my reaction was the same as learning of a death in the family, as it has been for us all here. I've spent so many hours in his literary-company that I'd come to know his style by instinct, and his work was as familiar to me as a close friend. The shock and numbness subsided and turned to sadness (and gratitude, it has to be said), then at various points over the following week I’d suddenly remember Brian's not around, perhaps pottering over tidying up a story, and that emptiness briefly swelled up again. And yet every time this happens I also remember that I'm not even friends-and-family in the technical sense, I'm just a fan. Brian and his writing have been a part of my life for three decades now, and while I know he was easing into retirement it's a jolt to realise that flow has now stemmed. I never had the chance to meet him in person but we exchanged a couple of letters, and his graciousness and enthusiasm in replying to me is both humbling and overwhelming. We both grew up in pit villages in the North East of England, and adulthood took us both further afield (although our stories diverge there, I'm not cut out for the services and I'm no great international traveller). Certainly in terms of County Durham, London, Devon and Edinburgh, Brian wrote about streets I've walked around, which is where I think the connection was first cemented in Necroscope (which I first read while I was still pining for my Northlands). His atmospheric sense of place mingles with my own experience and I can innately feel the setting. Although to be fair, I haven't visited Romania, Greece, or Starside and I can smell the air there too, so let's put it down to Brian's skill as an author rather than anything I might be bringing to it. As well as showing me what real vampires are capable of, it's also Brian (via Titus Crow) who properly opened the door for me into Lovecraft country, lands I'm still in the midst of exploring courtesy of messrs HPL and Derleth. Many miles and authors left to go there, but none so exciting as in the company of Henri and Titus. But in the meanwhile, Brian will live on through the words he’s given us; a legacy for us to continue enjoying and to pass on to future generations. Sleep well Mr Lumley, you've earned it. And I still owe you that brandy 🥃 Ian.