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Gore Vidal dies

01.01.70 | Benedicte Page

American author, essayist and political commentator Gore Vidal has died aged 86.

His works included 25 novels, such as Myra Breckinridge, Burr, The City and the Pillar, and Julian, as well as more than 200 essays and several plays.

Sales of his work through Nielsen BookScan since records began in 1998 total some 41,256 copies, with Point to Point Navigation: A Memoir and Lincoln: Narratives of a Golden Age among his works published by Abacus in the UK.

Little, Brown and Abacus publishing director Richard Beswick said: "The adjective 'brilliant' is over-used, but he genuinely was. The breadth of his talent was extraordinary: he'll be remembered for his essays, criticism, memoirs and novels—when to excel in just one of those disciplines is enough for most people.

"Spending time in his company was a little like being with his hero (and subject of one of those bestsellers), the Roman Emperor Julian, with whom he clearly identified: you felt you were in the presence of a man of extraordinary power and charisma who could be full of wit and warmth, but who might equally feed you to a passing lion if he didn't like his jacket copy.      
 
"He was a great, great man, and to publish his books a privilege."
  

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