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Title: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: murdoc on March 12, 2015, 09:10:16 AM http://www.pjsmprints.com/
Quote It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce that author Sir Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66. Larry Finlay, MD at Transworld Publishers: "I was deeply saddened to learn that Sir Terry Pratchett has died. The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds. In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him. As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirize this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention. Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come. My sympathies go out to Terry's wife Lyn, their daughter Rhianna, to his close friend Rob Wilkins, and to all closest to him." Terry passed away in his home, with his cat sleeping on his bed surrounded by his family on 12th March 2015. Diagnosed with PCA1 in 2007, he battled the progressive disease with his trademark determination and creativity, and continued to write. He completed his last book, a new Discworld novel, in the summer of 2014, before succumbing to the final stages of the disease. We ask that the family are left undisturbed at this distressing time. https://twitter.com/terryandrob/status/576036888190038016 Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: K9 on March 12, 2015, 09:27:31 AM FUCK THIS NEWS
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: satael on March 12, 2015, 09:36:00 AM He was one of my favorite authors (and I have over 50 of his books on my shelf). Also Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer's (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1388873/) is a pretty frank documentary on his illness and well worth the watch if you happen to come by it. :sad:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Teleku on March 12, 2015, 09:37:47 AM :cry:
Fuck. Looks like a bad year to be a Nerd icon. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 12, 2015, 09:54:50 AM http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/12/terry-pratchett-author-of-the-discworld-series-dies-aged-66?CMP=fb_gu (http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/12/terry-pratchett-author-of-the-discworld-series-dies-aged-66?CMP=fb_gu)
Sadness. :heartbreak: Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Thrawn on March 12, 2015, 09:56:53 AM http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=24749.0 (http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=24749.0)
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Hammond on March 12, 2015, 09:57:16 AM Oh my....
:heartbreak: Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: RhyssaFireheart on March 12, 2015, 09:57:36 AM :heartbreak:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: IainC on March 12, 2015, 09:59:16 AM Rest in peace Sir Pterry.
I found that his writing mirrored the evolution of Douglas Adams quite closely. The first couple of books were all about slapstick, farce and shoe-horning in puns; later they became much more thoughtful and pointed, lampooning and stabbing at their targets while keeping the same sense of humour. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Kitsune on March 12, 2015, 10:15:42 AM I'm frankly glad that he went rather than lingered with his mind gone. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, much less someone as awesome as he was.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 12, 2015, 10:32:32 AM Apologies, the original thread simply wasn't there when I posted. I checked, even in the lesser death thread (in case someone was MENTAL) and useless news.
I'm sure the lovely Trippy will perform the necessary merge asap. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Chimpy on March 12, 2015, 10:35:55 AM :crying_panda:
RIP Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Xuri on March 12, 2015, 10:39:30 AM FUCK THIS NEWS This :( He was... no, he IS my favourite (with a 'u') author, of any genre. :sad_panda:Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: apocrypha on March 12, 2015, 11:18:50 AM Very sad :-(
Loved his work, and while a lot of it was very 'easy reading' (not meant in a derogatory sense in the slightest) his later books started to get very interesting, really felt like he had something more to say. I'm also sad that he didn't have more success in campaigning on assisted death laws in the UK, but also glad that AFAIK his Alzheimer's hadn't got to the stage where his life became unbearable for him and those around him. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Bzalthek on March 12, 2015, 12:21:06 PM "Death does have it's positive aspects you know. It's easy to do lying down. Also, have you ever considered saving on food, rent, and clothing?"
I'm gonna go cry a little now. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Mattemeo on March 12, 2015, 01:36:38 PM To say I am not coping with the news would be an understatement of elephantine proportions.
My favourite author from age 11 onwards, one of my two 'surrogate father-figures' (the other being the late John Peel, both fully approved of by my actual father) and one of the nicest people I have ever met. I even completely changed my university thesis to write about dealing with Alzheimer's and Dementia in Children's Books when the news came in that Pratchett had started suffering from it, it shocked me so much. I knew this was coming, but it hasn't made the result any less devastating. At least he's gone before Alzheimer's took everything from him, which is what he wanted. I feel like someone's pulled the ground out from beneath me. +++Divide By Cucumber Error. Please Reinstall Universe And Reboot+++ Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Kail on March 12, 2015, 01:46:32 PM :cry:
He's one of the few authors I read that my parents also like. They get me a couple Pratchett books for Christmas most years, and I was just reading through The Long Earth this morning. That's pretty sad, he was one of the funniest authors I've ever read. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Engels on March 12, 2015, 01:57:24 PM The last I read was Monstrous Regiment, and I don't think I'm gonna read anything by him any time soon again, simply because I don't want to spoil that perfect memory of a perfect book. At the back of my mind I knew it was over, and I agree its best that he went before it became unspeakable torture, but fucking GUT PUNCH.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ingmar on March 12, 2015, 02:00:03 PM I can't think of any other author who has so many relevant quotes about death to have put in his obituaries.
One of my favorites, sad day. :heartbreak: Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: eldaec on March 12, 2015, 02:23:12 PM Fuck.
And you should read past Monstrous Regiment. The Moist Von Lipwig stuff in particular has some fresh ideas that make Ankh Morpork interesting again. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Mattemeo on March 12, 2015, 02:26:17 PM The last I read was Monstrous Regiment, and I don't think I'm gonna read anything by him any time soon again, simply because I don't want to spoil that perfect memory of a perfect book. Outside of Good Omens which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman (which stands as my most treasured book) Monstrous Regiment is my favourite Discworld novel. His ability to use satire in such a meaningful, politically on-the-nose discourse about human rights, journalistic ethics/propaganda, feminism and the effect of war on small countries presented in that book elevates it into something completely incredible. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Engels on March 12, 2015, 02:48:12 PM Agreed. And I will, eventually, read on past that, but today it just hurts.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: ezrast on March 12, 2015, 02:49:56 PM I've never felt such strong mixed feelings about a celebrity death. He knew his mind was leaving him and was pretty concerned at the prospect of lingering for years as a husk. It's a relief that he went out with peace and dignity, but still... a world without Pratchett is a world substantially less worth living in.
Rest in peace, you magnificent bastard. Bring an apple for Binky. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Miasma on March 12, 2015, 02:55:48 PM It's hard to imagine someone so clever being mortal.
Thread title should have been in all caps. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: tar on March 12, 2015, 03:51:57 PM The end of an era :heartbreak:
I like to think that Terry is one of those authors who won't just be remembered for a lifetime but for as long as human literature is known. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: ezrast on March 12, 2015, 03:58:34 PM I like to think that Terry is one of those authors who won't just be remembered for a lifetime but for as long as human literature is known. For 30th-century anthropologists wondering what contemporary life is like, I can't imagine a better source.Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Miasma on March 12, 2015, 04:03:00 PM I like to think that Terry is one of those authors who won't just be remembered for a lifetime but for as long as human literature is known. For 30th-century anthropologists wondering what contemporary life is like, I can't imagine a better source.Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: NowhereMan on March 12, 2015, 08:01:15 PM :cry:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 12, 2015, 08:41:56 PM Well, shit.
I mean I'm glad he went before he degenerated too far, but damn -- I wasn't really for a world without new Pratchett books, you know? First Banks, and now Sir Terry? Damn. I think I'll go ahead and but the whole Tiffany Aching collection for both my nieces. Neither one can read yet, but when they get there -- the books will be waiting. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Cyrrex on March 13, 2015, 12:27:05 AM AH FUCK NO.
I stopped reading his new books probably 7 or 8 years ago. The only reason I did that was because after marathon reading them one after the other, I decided I couldn't stand reading any of the new ones and then continually having to wait for the next one to come out. I wanted to build up another backlog so that I can read those back to back as well. I guess it is soon time to do that. A magnificent, hilarious genius. And here's hoping that his legacy goes on well past his own lifetime, because it damn well should. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: DraconianOne on March 13, 2015, 02:55:34 AM (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_9eIO5UQAAfWis.png:large)
:heartbreak: Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 13, 2015, 03:21:04 AM Good Ole Neil Summing it Up. (http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/24/terry-pratchett-angry-not-jolly-neil-gaiman)
This content should not come as news to those who read his books properly. :grin: Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Korachia on March 13, 2015, 06:11:05 AM Yeah sad to see him leaving with Death already.. :heartbreak:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: HaemishM on March 13, 2015, 08:49:54 AM I'll admit that the only thing I ever read of his was Good Omens (though I expect to change that this year). I only read it once and that's been close to 20 years now. But holy shit, that book was so incredibly funny and good that there are parts of it I still remember to this day.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 13, 2015, 08:53:55 AM I find that really, really odd.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 13, 2015, 10:22:38 AM I'll admit that the only thing I ever read of his was Good Omens (though I expect to change that this year). I only read it once and that's been close to 20 years now. But holy shit, that book was so incredibly funny and good that there are parts of it I still remember to this day. If you're gonna start his other stuff, I'm pretty sure we have enough people here to set up a statistically significant poll on "Where should you start". :)Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Phildo on March 13, 2015, 10:35:10 AM I started with Small Gods and Night Watch, probably two of the worst books to begin with. I'd say read the initial two books (Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic) to get a sense of the world, then Guards! Guards!
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: IainC on March 13, 2015, 11:01:54 AM The first two novels aren't IMO a good place to start. There is a very definite improvement after the series gets up and running. The Colour of Magic and Equal Rites were the first two and they are funny but in a more slapstick way that relied a lot more on punnery than later ones. I'd say they are his weakest books by far. By about Mort or Pyramids, Terry's writing style had matured a lot and the books, while still being funny, became a lot more thoughtful and characters started to be better defined. The character of Death for example changes quite a lot from his first introduction to his starring role in Mort. In any case there are several different storylines, each of which can be read as standalone series in their own right, they share a setting and some background characters but they take place in geographically different areas with entirely different protagonists.
This handy chart summarises them quite nicely. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: WayAbvPar on March 13, 2015, 11:19:08 AM I haven't read any of his stuff yet. I was thinking it was Terry Brooks that died and couldn't understand why anyone gave a shit :why_so_serious:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 13, 2015, 11:38:39 AM If only there was a way to resize pictures.
If only we had a wheelbarrow ! Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Mattemeo on March 13, 2015, 12:08:03 PM I could sit here and nit-pick the hell out of that chart but I've seen much worse.
The Shepherd's Crown, his final novel and the last Tiffany Aching book will be out in autumn this year. And I thought 'I Shall Wear Midnight' was already throat-clenchingly poignant... Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: HaemishM on March 13, 2015, 12:10:19 PM Most of the time when picking up a new author or series, I just go in chronological or series order, regardless of whether the novel is a prequel or shitty. I do the say with albums.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ironwood on March 13, 2015, 12:34:07 PM It's not the best way to do Pratchett, to be honest, but if you're going to stick with them, it'll work.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: DraconianOne on March 13, 2015, 01:22:01 PM You cannot min/max Pratchett books. While some books may be better read after others (the most relevant that come to mind are the first few Guards books and Witches Abroad/Lords and Ladies) you can pretty much read them in any order. A colleague at work came to Pratchett late and now reads whatever he can get his hands on in whatever order. It annoys the fuck out of the geek in me but quite frankly, it doesn't diminish our chats about the books. Also, I know that he's still got some great fucking books still to read and I can't wait to share that joy with him. :drill:
Don't neglect Pratchett's teenage and non Discworld books either. The Johnny Maxwell books are well past a re-read in this house and Nation is terrific. IMO of course. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Ingmar on March 13, 2015, 01:23:53 PM I like chronological order simply because that way you ensure you get all the references he throws in to previous books in other 'lines'.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: MahrinSkel on March 13, 2015, 01:41:58 PM I'm probably weird: I actually started with Strata, which is not at all a Discworld novel even though it introduces it. But I had burned out on Fantasy because of the wasteland of Tolkien imitators and "Parallel Universe Portal" dreck that made up most of the genre in the 80's, and Strata is Sci-Fi. Discworld was my gateway drug back into Fantasy, the idea that it could be fun and funny instead of ponderous and "Epic" wouldn't soak into the rest of the genre for another decade.
--Dave Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Mattemeo on March 13, 2015, 01:56:56 PM I adore Strata. Long, long overdue a lavish reprint. Which, I guess, is more likely now.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Miasma on March 13, 2015, 03:03:27 PM I think I started with Guards! Guards! which, at least for me, was probably one of his best. After that I went chronological and the books were still great even if I didn't think they were as perfect as Guards! Guards!. Out of the dozens of books of his I have read I only found two a chore to get through, Monstrous Regiment and the goblin one. Fake edit: Snuff.
You don't have to read discworld itself in order but you should probably start with the first book of any given multi-book series like Rincewind, night watch, witches, Lipwig. The only thing you would lose bouncing around series is the evolution of Vetinari, which would be a shame because after death he is my favourite. I've never read his young adult books, maybe I will try those. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Rendakor on March 13, 2015, 03:23:23 PM I started with Hogfather, because I got it from one of those mail book club things that I'd forgotten to cancel. Loved it, and read a decent chunk of Discworld thereafter. Shame Terry's gone, but better now than after his mind fell apart.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 13, 2015, 04:10:04 PM I had a problem with Monstrous Regiment at first. Having finished it, and later reread it, it became one of my favorites.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Comstar on March 13, 2015, 05:10:49 PM I started with Guards Guards! and kept on, still need to read Raising Steam. Reading the discussion between him and Death got my eyes cleaned out of the eye drops I had.
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 13, 2015, 05:24:35 PM I started with Guards Guards! and kept on, still need to read Raising Steam. Reading the discussion between him and Death got my eyes cleaned out of the eye drops I had. The way Death has evolved has probably been one of the best parts of his work. Then again, who else is better suited to look at the big picture than Death?Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: NowhereMan on March 13, 2015, 07:13:53 PM Most of the time when picking up a new author or series, I just go in chronological or series order, regardless of whether the novel is a prequel or shitty. I do the say with albums. As others have said, if you're fairly determined to get through it that's a fine way to read them (there really isn't a wrong way) but just be aware you'll be starting with some of this weakest books. The writing is more slapstick and they're really pastiches of fantasy literature at the time. The world isn't particularly deep, the plot is barely anything and the jokes get thrown into your face with big flashing signs going 'I am a joke'. They're not really bad books by any stretch but they're definitely not the Discworld fans think of. Also some characters or series don't jive with certain people. If you're not liking it two books in then feel free to drop that and take up another series. Except for the Guards series. Everyone of sound mind loves the Guards books. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 13, 2015, 07:56:56 PM Also some characters or series don't jive with certain people. If you're not liking it two books in then feel free to drop that and take up another series. Except for the Guards series. Everyone of sound mind loves the Guards books. It's the only universally accepted test of literary taste.Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Cyrrex on March 14, 2015, 12:47:38 AM I tend to go chronological as well. The first two books might be weak in comparison to his other stuff, but I still loved them. When I first read Color of Magic, I had no idea what kind of book it was and who the author was....I thought it was just some typical fantasy novel. I even remember the first bit of slapstick involving Rincewind. I had to go back and read the paragraph like three times just to realize what had just happened. And his use of the footnotes - I have seen a few other attempts to pull it off, but his were genius comedy, even in the early going. And while Rincewind might be in the weakest books in general, he is still somehow my favorite character overall.
So I would actually recommend starting with the first two. Enjoy it for what it is, and realize that it will only get better. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Kail on March 14, 2015, 04:06:37 PM And while Rincewind might be in the weakest books in general, he is still somehow my favorite character overall. I suppose it depends what you're looking for, I've always thought his Rincewind stuff was his funniest. It was actual parody of fantasy cliches so it worked really well with the setting, instead of the setting seeming like a bit of a hindrance (like it comes off as in some of the Vimes and Ankh-Morpork stories). But in terms of actual plot and story and drama and developed characters and stuff, yeah, it's probably not as strong as his other arcs. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Chimpy on March 14, 2015, 04:53:17 PM The Librarian and Death of Rats are my favorite characters I think. Maybe because both can make a single word mean so much :grin:
Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: K9 on March 14, 2015, 05:38:25 PM Wyrd Sisters was my first Discworld book, then Moving Pictures; I'd read all the books from the Bromeliad previously, and The Carpet People.
Small Gods is probably still my favourite of them all, but I'm quite tempted to do a complete Discworld re-read sometime and actually rank them all. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: NowhereMan on March 14, 2015, 06:33:24 PM And while Rincewind might be in the weakest books in general, he is still somehow my favorite character overall. I suppose it depends what you're looking for, I've always thought his Rincewind stuff was his funniest. It was actual parody of fantasy cliches so it worked really well with the setting, instead of the setting seeming like a bit of a hindrance (like it comes off as in some of the Vimes and Ankh-Morpork stories). But in terms of actual plot and story and drama and developed characters and stuff, yeah, it's probably not as strong as his other arcs. I'd say Guards! Guards! is about as fantasy parody as you can get while doing a really fantastic job of utterly ignoring the story tropes for nearly every cliched character in it. Vimes and the other guards obviously grew much more as characters than Rincewind too. I think Colon and Nobbs would be my favourite Discworld characters, though Granny Weatherwax is a close second (which is saying something since I didn't even like the Witches novels that much outside of her). Oh God I'm going to have to start a reread at some point, might need to see if there's a cheap deal on Kindle or something since all my books are on another continent. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Cyrrex on March 14, 2015, 11:40:46 PM The Librarian and Death of Rats are my favorite characters I think. Maybe because both can make a single word mean so much :grin: Ook. Ook. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Morat20 on March 15, 2015, 08:02:32 AM It's funny, I've been reading Pratchett for years -- but listening to people talk about his books has led me to a few tidbits I never actually noticed. Like one of the benefits the Librarian has is he can now learn "knowledge men were not meant to learn".
Or that the reason Granny flipped out so much when the invitation for the christening/naming of the kid didn't arrive? Because Granny knows damn well how the old witch is supposed to react to being snubbed when a child is born. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Teleku on March 15, 2015, 02:22:26 PM I started way back when with Sourcery. Absolutely loved it, and didn't even realize that books came before it. Rincewind stuff still remains my favorite no matter what people say, though all of it is great (watchmen stuff obviously being some it the top).
I have a small collection of his books, but it was always a pain to find his stuff at the used book stores because so many people wanted them. In Berkely they even had a small sign on the book shelf where his shit should have been saying they were paying even more money for anything of his, since it sold out so fast. I had been thinking of going on a buying binge when I go on home leave, but with this news it will be impossible to get any of his old books. Guess it's time for me to see how much it will cost to get every single discworld book as a kindle/ebook now..... Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Quinton on March 16, 2015, 04:16:32 AM So very sad.
The Watch series is my favorite of the major discworld storylines, and I did find his first few books a bit rough, but they're an interesting part of the overall mythology and worth reading at some point. Small Gods (which I just started re-reading) and Good Omens are favorite standalone stories. I don't think I've *disliked* anything he's written, though some books don't grab me the way others do. He definitely is best when it's clear he's writing in a righteous fury about something deeply broken in our world -- utter agreement with Gaiman's assessment. Title: Re: Terry Pratchett has passed away Post by: Tebonas on March 16, 2015, 06:34:44 AM Damn, thats really sad. Thats the second time after Freddy Mercury I really feel a personal loss with the death of a celebrity.
My favourite books were the Watch ones as well, with the Witch books a close second. Farewell Pterry, I'll go and I finally read those Tiffany Aching Books in your honor! |