Just discovered that A. S. Byatt died

[MsAmerica]

(Sorry, but the search mechanism is so dismal that I'm not even going to try to see if it was mentioned here already, but I'm betting not.)

Her Possession is one of the only books that I unhesitatingly recommended to almost anyone.

A.S. Byatt, Scholar and Possession Novelist, Dead at 87
https://www.vulture.com/2023/11/as-byatt-possession-dead.html

Author A.S. Byatt, who wrote the best-seller 'Possession,' dies at 87
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/18/1213994881/british-author-a-s-byatt-possession-dies

AS Byatt, author and critic, dies aged 87
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/17/as-byatt-author-and-critic-dies-aged-87

How much are you betting?

I think it was a couple of months ago. It was in The Guardian.

i am sure I remember a couple of threads on this, I think this is the 3rd one

I have only read 'Possession'. I found it fascinating and intriguing and I was in awe of her ability to write all of the texts that make up the novel.

It was mentioned at the time, it’s how I found out!
I’m Currently listening to The Children’s Book and I love it. Took a little getting into, but I’m enjoying almost as much as Possession. She was an amazing person, her knowledge of literature, history and art was so vast. I feel like her books were written for me and my personal interests. Listen to her Desert Island Discs, it was wonderful to hear her voice.

I was in a lift with her once in Waterstones Piccadilly. Had to not stare too much.

@MsAmerica, advanced search is good.

I read possession about 30 years ago and I'm the type of person who loves books but forgets them instantly. This one has stayed with me. I might have to revisit. Thank you A S Byatt.

I remember reading Possession whilst it was on the Booker short list and wasn’t a fan at all. Definitely for artsy people.
John McGaheran’s Amongst Women was absolutely robbed that year.

I got half a dozen new books for Xmas but now I’m tempted to do a Possession re-read. I’ve read quite a few more of her books but that was the first and the one I really love best too, OP. I didn’t know she’d died, it’s sad to think there won’t be any more of her work.

Definitely for artsy people.

Definitely not just for artsy people, I'm a not very artsy at all scientist and it's one of those books I had to start reading again as soon as I'd finished it.

I didn't warm to the Virgin in the Garden trilogy though. Maybe I was missing something?

I’ve tried to start the Frederica novels twice. I just can’t get into them.
I’ve got Angels and Insects lined up.

@Santasbigredbobblehat Angels and Insects is pretty good. I like The Children’s Book too though I’ve never re-read it.

There was definitely a thread after Byatt died, because I’m fairly sure I remember other people saying they’d been permanently scarred by a certain plot event involving a kitchen appliance.