Esteemed author Greg Iles, hailing from Mississippi and renowned for the 'Natchez Burning' trilogy, passes away at 65 due to cancer.
American novelist Greg Iles, known for his suspenseful historical fiction novels, has sadly passed away at the age of 65. Iles' literary agent, Dan Conaway, announced the news on Facebook on Saturday, following a decades-long battle with the blood cancer multiple myeloma.
A Career of Storytelling and Social Commentary
Born on April 8, 1960, in Stuttgart, Germany, Iles moved to Natchez, Mississippi, with his family when he was just three years old. After a brief career in rock music, Iles transitioned to writing novels, releasing his first book in 1993.
Iles' writing career spanned multiple genres, with his early novels focusing on World War II and Nazi intrigues. However, it was his later work, particularly the Penn Cage series and the "Natchez Burning" trilogy, that gained significant attention. These novels delved deeply into themes of race, class, and socioeconomic issues in Mississippi and the broader South.
A Unique Writing Style and Personal Challenges
Iles' writing style is characterized by its blend of historical and contemporary elements, often set against the backdrop of the Deep South. His novels frequently explore complex social issues such as racial tensions and class disparities, particularly within the context of the Jim Crow era.
Iles faced significant personal challenges, including a cancer diagnosis in 1996 and a severe car accident in 2000 that resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Despite these hardships, he continued to write, shifting his focus more intently on themes related to race and class. His final novel, "Southern Man," published in 2024, continued this exploration, reflecting his maturation as a writer and his deepening engagement with the social and historical complexities of the South.
A Lasting Legacy
Greg Iles will be remembered for his contributions to historical suspense and his courageous exploration of the South's complex social issues. His work has resonated with readers seeking a nuanced understanding of the region's history and its ongoing impact on contemporary society. Iles' legacy will continue to inspire writers and readers alike.
Iles spent eight days in a medically induced coma following the accident in 2000. He kept his illness private until completing his final novel, "Southern Man," which was published in 2024. Dan Conaway, Iles' literary agent, described him as "warm, funny, fearless, and completely sui generis." Iles' writing was characterized as fusing "story-craft, bone-deep humanity, and a growing sense of moral and political responsibility with the ferocious precision of a whirling dervish or a master watchmaker."
Iles developed a deep connection with the region and many of his stories are set in Mississippi. He performed with the musical group The Rock Bottom Remainders along with popular authors like Stephen King and Amy Tan. In March 2011, Iles suffered a ruptured aorta and a partial leg amputation after another driver struck his car on Highway 61 near Natchez.
The "Natchez Burning" trilogy is historical fiction suspense novels exploring race and class in the 1960s Jim Crow South. Conaway stated that being on the phone with Iles while he worked was witnessing "genius at work." Iles was initially diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1996.
Rest in peace, Greg Iles. Your stories and your courage will be missed.
Books providing an insight into the complexities of social issues and entertainment through engaging narratives and intricate plotlines defined the literary career of American novelist Greg Iles. Despite battling multiple myeloma for decades, Iles authored a series of suspense novels, including the "Natchez Burning" trilogy, which delve deeply into themes of race, class, and socioeconomic issues in Mississippi and the broader South, offering entertainment that doubled as a social commentary.
