RIP Terry Pratchett

[Algeroth]

Fantasy author Terry Pratchett has died aged 66 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

"The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds," said Transworld Publishers' Larry Finlay.

Sir Terry, best known for the Discworld series, wrote more than 70 books over his lengthy career.

He was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007, but continued writing, completing his final book last summer.

The author died at home, surrounded by his family.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31858156

 

[Plotinus]

I'm very sad and shocked to see this news. His last two books showed a marked decline (in my opinion) but I put this down to his reduced ability to read back and edit. I didn't expect to hear news as sad as this any time soon.

First Iain M. Banks and now Pratchett. At least they both left us a lot, but it's very sad in both cases to know there will be no more.

 

[warpus]

RIP.

I haven't read any books by him, but he was always on my radar. What were some of his best? Any recommendations?

 

[ArneHD]

"For what can the harvest hope for, but the mercy of the Reaper Man?"

-Death, Mort

 

[EgonSpengler]

Well, crap.

 

[Borachio]

Oh dear. He's dead! That's sad. 66 with Alzheimer's. (66 seems astonishingly young to me. It's funny that the older I get, the younger people seem to die.)

RIP.

I haven't read any books by him, but he was always on my radar. What were some of his best? Any recommendations?

I've not read anything but his Disc world novels*. And they're really all much of a muchness. They're a very light read, though. And really quite funny.

Begin with the Colour of Magic. It's as good as any, imo.

*I don't mean I don't read anything but Disc world novels! I mean I haven't read anything else of his, and I have read his Disc world novels.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Sad, just plain sad. His books form how I behave to a great degree - for the best, in most cases. Characters like Vimes are the closest that is a role model I have.

 

[Borachio]

Ooh. I think of myself more as a Vetinari. Or a Corporal Nobbs, more like. Nah. Rincewind it is, for the most part.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Ooh. I think of myself more as a Vetinari. Or a Corporal Nobbs, more like. Nah. Rincewind it is, for the most part.

To be fair, Rincewind isn't a very good "model".

 

[Borachio]

No, indeed. You're right. It's a matter of who you identify with, rather than try to emulate perhaps?

Vimes is OK. I guess. But he's too much of the "good" policeman for me to want to emulate him.

 

[gay_Aleks]

No, indeed. You're right. It's a matter of who you identify with, rather than try to emulate perhaps?

Well, if that were the case, based on reality, I'd be a taller Nobbs - ugly, unwanted, morally and otherwise corrupt, emanating foul smells and who is honestly thinking he's smart, when he isn't.

 

[Borachio]

Ah. But he gets a superbly beautiful girl friend at one stage. Because no one else asks her out because they don't think they've got a chance with her. While he expects nothing but rejection from everyone. But asks them anyway.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Unfortunately, that turns out to be merely a brutal deconstruction - she's told by other police...women, that he isn't for her.

 

[Borachio]

I know. I thought that was dreadfully cruel of them.

 

[Zelig]

 

[Plotinus]

Don't start with The Colour of Magic. Even Pratchett himself said that. He hadn't worked out what the books were really about. They began as simple parodies of low fantasy epics, and only later turned into something more serious (while still funny).

Start with Mort, which is the funniest of the early ones. Or with either Wyrd Sisters or Guards! Guards!, which are arguably where he really gets going. Small Gods is an excellent stand-alone one from the early to middle period.

Of the later ones, Going Postal will work well to start with as it focuses on new characters; or Monstrous Regiment, which I had the good fortune to proofread.

 

[Samez]

Nightwatch and Soul Music were also great...


Was his death natural or an assisted suicide?
In the end it probably doesn't matter but would still be interesting to know.

 

[Borachio]

Despite campaigning for assisted suicide after his diagnosis, Sir Terry's publishers said he did not take his own life.

BBC News correspondent Nick Higham said: "I was told by the publishers his death was entirely natural and unassisted, even though he had said in the past he wanted to go at a time of his own choosing."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31858156

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Last year Banks, now Pratchett. Both not really surprising, but nonetheless sad.
I have only read a few Discworld books, but I enjoyd them tremendously. My first was Night Watch and I think it was a pretty good starting point.

 

[IglooDame]

Don't start with The Colour of Magic. Even Pratchett himself said that. He hadn't worked out what the books were really about. They began as simple parodies of low fantasy epics, and only later turned into something more serious (while still funny).

Start with Mort, which is the funniest of the early ones. Or with either Wyrd Sisters or Guards! Guards!, which are arguably where he really gets going. Small Gods is an excellent stand-alone one from the early to middle period.

Of the later ones, Going Postal will work well to start with as it focuses on new characters; or Monstrous Regiment, which I had the good fortune to proofread.

Ditto the above (other than regarding proofreading, which is jealousy-inducing).

http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-guide-20.jpg

Mort is where I'd start, too.