In less than a week two men who had an early, and lasting, influence over my love of science fiction have garnered recognition, one because of his sudden passing and the other for receiving word of a great accolade.
Oddly enough, both men share the initials “L.N.”
Last week ended in sadness, this week has begun with a smile.
Early Friday morning I saw a link to a New York Times article confirming that Leonard Nimoy had passed away at age 83. For most of the television-viewing world, Leonard Nimoy is best known for his role as “Spock” on Star Trek. I grew up watching Star Trek in syndication. The show would air at 6 p.m. on Saturday nights, and I have memories of my brother and I sitting with rapt attention, caught up in the adventures of Kirk and McCoy, Scotty and Uhura, Chekov and Sulu…and of course Mr. Spock. These actors embodied their characters, bringing a life to them that went far beyond the cheap sets and uneven scripts. It is because of this that the characters live on in our memories, far after the show was over and the movie franchise (at least for most of these actors), faded away.
I couldn’t imagine life without Star Trek. The only thing that influenced me as much in my childhood was Star Wars. I never cared about the lousy special effects or the lackluster set design. The Enterprise was a cool ship, and her crew were family. The trio of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy played off each other so well, and over the years we came to know, or felt like we knew, these actors as well as we did their characters.
It was such a pleasure to see Leonard Nimoy embrace the character once more for the J.J. Abrams films. It helped create a nice transition to the new actors while also giving long-time fans just what they wanted: a chance to see Nimoy once again in the role that made him famous. Who didn’t want to go on a 5 year mission with this crew?
Provided you weren’t issued a red shirt, that is.
Every time a member of the Original Series passes away, I feel a particularly poignant sadness. Through television, film and books, Mr. Spock and the rest of the Enterpise crew allowed us to dream of a different world, a place of adventure and excitement, danger and loss…but also one of camaraderie.
Thank you, Leonard Nimoy, for the gift of entertainment. You will be missed.
On a more upbeat note, Tor.com noted on Monday that author Larry Niven has been announced as the recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, which will be conferred upon him at the 50th annual Nebula Awards ceremony later this year.
Outside of Star Wars-related material, Larry Niven’s was the first science fiction I read as a kid. His novel, A World Out of Time, drew me towards Earth’s far distant future, and it remains a favorite novel to this day. I have re-read it many a time.
Over the years I have experienced a number of Larry Niven’s works, most recently a short story in the first volume of The Man-Kzin Wars. I find his Known Space universe to be fascinating. Larry Niven always manages to weave plausible scientific details into his stories in a manner that enhances to overall reading experience. I love his imagination and I am very excited for him.
He is a great choice for a Grand Master award. Congratulations!!!
Both Leonard Nimoy and Larry Niven have had a hand in stirring my imagination and by doing so they have cultivated an abiding passion for stories set out among the stars. I look up at the night stars with sadness at the loss of an iconic character and the actor who brought him to life. I also look up and think of Jaybee Corbell, of Louis Wu and Puppeteer Nessus. I think of the Draco Tavern and wish such a place existed here on Earth. I would belly up to the bar, by a round for the various aliens who had stopped by good ol’ Earth for a visit, and raise a glass to the newest Grand Master.
Sláinte!
I don’t usually get all emotional about celebrity news, but I think Leonard Nimoy’s passing hit a lot of us hard. He will be sorely missed.
Yes he will, and we will be reminded of it again when the next Trek reboot film comes out and he is not a part of it.
Leonard Nimoy’s “Mr. Spock” character was iconic. I was happy when he was included in the STAR TREK “reboot.” Larry Niven was one of my favorite writers back in the 1970s. RINGWORLD was an amazing concept for its time.
He certainly was. I’m going to miss seeing him when the next film comes out.
The more I read Niven, the more I like him. Whether it is his solo novels or the ones he has written with other authors, there is something about the subject matter and the way he outlines/writes it that strikes a cord with me. I’m sure that has something to do with the early influence of reading him when I was around 11 or 12.
It was with sadness my man and I read about the passing of Leonard Nimoy. Your tribute here is well done.
I have never read Larry Niven and now I feel the need to rectify that.
Definitely sad, though he did live a long life and was still working near the end.
It seems rare that I’ve actually read the Grand Masters when they are announced, let along actually having read them while they are still alive. I have a knack for saying that I’m going to make an effort to read a certain author, and then never manage to get to their work until long after their passing.
Fine post. Nippy was better in the role than critics gave credit back in the original airing of the show, which was pretty much dismissed as si-fi trash. Only later was it’s entertainment and imaginative value perceived. Nimoy’s was the strongest character in the show, and he had to put up with a lot over the years. A consummate professional.
Niven’s work is wonderful and he’s a very nice guy as well. I keep thinking I’ll reread all his Known Space stories in order but never seem to get around to it.
Yes, he was always very good at the part. I’m glad that, as the years went on, he got positive recognition for the show and that he was able to re-embrace the role later on.
I was already in a Niven mood this year, and the recent announcement has turned that up a notch. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was the author I read most this year.
Damn auto correct. That should have been “Nimoy”.
And here I thought you had the inside scoop on one of his super-secret nicknames.
What a lovely piece. (And yes, I loved Star Wars and Star Trek too.) Nimoy : He lived long and prospered. Plus he made an impact on so many of us!
Lynn 😀
Thanks Lynn. He did indeed!
I liked Leonard Nimoy a lot and was glad to see him continue to have roles in the recent Star Trek movies and in Fringe.
I have only read a bit of Larry Niven, three of the Dream Park books. But I am sure I would enjoy trying something else by him. I am glad he is being recognized for his work.
I am sad that in all the times I went to Star Trek conventions when I lived in Tulsa, that I never got to see him.
I have three of the Dream Park books on my shelf, but have yet to get to them. They are on the list though, as they sound like books I would enjoy.
Leonard Nimoy created such a great character in Spock. The original series, the movies, a great story arc in Next Generation, and finally in the Star Trek reboots. I think his voice is one of the most memorable I have heard.
For many years the Omni Theatre at the Boston Museum of Science had Nimoy’s voice do the sound check. Always a treat, filled with humor.
Yes he did. How cool that his voice was the sound check at the theater. I love being a geek!
Larry Niven… wow, so many amazing stories.
I started reading his stories in the late 70’s and it is always a delight to introduce him to my “younger” friends.
Legacy of Heorot and its sequel Beowulf’s Children might just be my favorite SF books. Have you read them Carl?
I loved Destiny’s Road so much I gave away my paperback and hunted down a hardcover version. Highly recommend this story too.
Read on…
Funny that you mention Legacy of Heorot, despite what my sidebar indicates, it is the book I am currently reading. Very gripping. I literally just put it down a minute ago to jump on here before going to bed. I picked it and a copy of Beowulf’s Children up from Half Price Books just last week.
I had picked up a copy of Destiny’s Road not long ago, as much for the Whelan cover as for the fact it was written by Larry Niven. If I ever find a nice hardcover copy, I’ll be picking it up.
I was very sad about Leonard Nimoy’s death. I had no idea he had been ill. From all I’ve heard about him it seems he was a really good person. I will always remember him as Mr. Spock though and his constant struggle to reconcile his Vulcan-Human sides.
Thanks for this; the Niven news was a good uplift!