Acclaimed novelist Frederick Forsyth, known for his thriller 'The Day of The Jackal', passes away at the age of 86.
Famed British author Frederick Forsyth, who captured worldwide attention with his 1971 smash hit novel "The Day of the Jackal," passed away at the age of 86 on Monday. Curtis Brown, his literary agents, confirmed the news.
Known for whipping up suspenseful tales about dangerous endeavors, the legendary writer crafted his most popular opus in just 35 days following a tough patch. Forsyth penned the book about an imagined assassination attempt on French President Charles de Gaulle by extremists. The story was later transformed into a box office hit, starring Edward Fox as the assassin. A 2021 Netflix adaptation, starring Eddie Redmayne, also graced screens.
"We bid farewell to one of the world's finest thriller writers," shared Jonathan Lloyd, Forsyth's agent.
According to Curtis Brown, the former journalist and pilot spent his final days at home surrounded by loved ones, following a brief illness. Forsyth published more than two dozen books, including "The Odessa File" (1972) and "The Dogs of War" (1974), selling over 75 million copies worldwide. Numerous adaptations of his novels also graced the big screen.
Recalling their last meeting, Lloyd shared, "Only a few weeks ago, I sat with him, watching a captivating documentary about his life, and was reminded of an extraordinary life well-lived."
Astonished by what he witnessed during a stint in the secret service, Forsyth penned down his first and arguably most famous work, "The Day Of The Jackal," his agent added. A sequel to "The Odessa File" titled "Revenge Of Odessa," co-written with thriller writer Tony Kent, is scheduled to hit the shelves in August.
Forsyth's journalistic background instilled a sense of meticulousness and efficiency into his work. He was adept at sniffing out a compelling narrative and kept his stories both contemporary and fresh, said Bill Scott-Kerr, Forsyth's publisher.
Forsyth attributed his success to "spectacular luck," referring to a brush with death during the blood-soaked Biafra civil war in Nigeria between 1967 and 1970, when a bullet whizzed past him. "I have been blessed with extraordinary fortune throughout my life," he told The Times in 2021.
After deciding to retire from writing, Forsyth eventually returned to it, explaining in 2016 that he'd "run out of things to say." However, adventure beckoned him. "I can't just sit at home and write a romance from within my study. I must explore places like Modagishu, Guinea Bissau, both hellholes in different ways," he said.
Forsyth was survived by his two sons from his first marriage, and his second wife, Sandy, who passed away in the previous year. Conservative MP David Davis mourned his friend, calling him a "fabulous wordsmith." Davis remarked that Forsyth was a firm believer in traditional values such as honor, patriotism, courage, and directness, and a staunch defender of the armed forces.
Books filled his life, serving as both entertainment and inspiration throughout his magnificent literary journey. Forsyth's extensive collection includes numerous bestsellers, such as "The Odessa File" and "The Dogs of War," which have sold over 75 million copies worldwide and been adapted into films.
