John Varley has died
a day ago
- #John Varley
- #science fiction
- #literary obituary
- John Varley, a renowned science fiction writer, passed away on December 10, 2025.
- In the mid-1970s, Varley gained fame with his 'Eight Worlds' stories, set in a future where humanity survives across the Solar System after Earth's destruction.
- His stories were known for their inventive and bright narratives despite bleak settings, featuring themes like gender fluidity and memory banking.
- Varley's work, including stories like 'In the Hall of the Martian Kings' and 'Air Raid,' introduced impressive new ideas to the genre.
- He was once considered the new Robert Heinlein, setting high standards in science fiction.
- Varley's career took a turn when he went to Hollywood, where he worked on scripts, including 'Millennium,' but found little satisfaction.
- After returning to writing, his ideas no longer seemed as groundbreaking, overshadowed by writers like William Gibson and Neal Stephenson.
- Varley's legacy is remembered by fans and peers, including Isaac Asimov, who acknowledged his fleeting moment of unparalleled influence in the genre.