Janet Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 The US author, Sidney Sheldon, has died aged 89. From the BBC website: Sidney Sheldon, best-selling US author of Rage of Angels and The Other Side of Midnight, has died at the age of 89. He died of complications from pneumonia at a hospital near Palm Springs, California, his publicist said. Before turning to novels at the age of 50, Sheldon had a successful career writing Broadway plays and films. He won an Academy Award in 1948 for The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, starring Cary Grant, and created long-running TV series Hart to Hart. But it is his hugely popular novels - devoured by readers though scorned by critics - for which he will be remembered. Born in Chicago in 1917, Sheldon sold his first poem at the age of 10 and sold his first script to Hollywood at 17. After serving as a pilot during World War II, he established himself as a prolific playwright on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for the musical Redhead. A Hollywood career beckoned, but it was on the small screen that he would make his mark thanks to writing successful sitcoms like The Patty Duke Show and I Dream of Jeannie. When the latter came to an end in 1970, he turned his hand to fiction, topping the bestseller lists with his first novel The Naked Face. Speaking in 1982, Sheldon likened his writing style to that of "the old Saturday afternoon serial". "I try to write my books so the reader can't put them down," he wrote. He went on to attribute his popularity with female readers to his ability to create strong female characters. "I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but [who] retain their femininity," he said. Sheldon published his most recent novel, The Other Side of Me, in 2005. He is survived by his second wife Alexandra, his daughter Mary - also an author - and two grandchildren. I read a lot of his books in my late teens. RIP Mr Sheldon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Awww. I know he was famous and have heard a lot about him. Don't think I read anything of his though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I read a lot of his books a long time ago. Still have some. Thought he was younger though. What a pity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 31, 2007 Author Share Posted January 31, 2007 I was surprised to read he was nearly 90 - I thought he was only in his early 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 :ob_sad:That's a sad to hear about the passing of Mr Sheldon and now he's at peace. it's hard to put something like this into words. the words we can put them into is to remember him by all the good words he gave us in his novels. Words that will touch our hearts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger53 Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I think his earlier books were better, Bloodline and The Other Side of Midnight, for instance. Really raced along. Thrillers with an international background. Plenty of excitement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I think his earlier books were better, Bloodline and The Other Side of Midnight, for instance. Really raced along. Thrillers with an international background. Plenty of excitement. Yes I read these 2 in my teens with great enjoyment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I wan never a great fan of Sheldon's books, but his sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie is one of my great favourites. I have the DVD of the series and like to watch it as a stress reliever. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrathofkublakhan Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 RIP, indeed ... a true icon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I've just seen a book of his upstairs in the gym (I don't go in there often). It looks interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 Which one Icecream? I read most of his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 Morning , Noon and Night. I would have posted it yesterday but couldn't be bothered going back up to the gym to look (it's on the top floor). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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