Terry Pratchett

[Chinahand]

I've read so many Terry Prattchett books that they merge into one happy memory.

Some people will say that is the problem with his writing, but I feel that there is a deep humanity in his writing and more than a little wisdom in the mis-adventures of his characters.

So it was with deep sadness I found out about this announcement.

Folks,

.... I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early onset Alzheimer's, which lay behind this year's phantom "stroke".

We are taking it fairly philosophically down here and possibly with a mild optimism. ... All other things being equal, I expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments but will discuss things with the various organisers. Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet )


PS I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think - it's too soon to tell. I know it's a very human thing to say "Is there anything I can do", but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry.

 

[Whimsy]

Terry who?

[Minxie]

That is sad as I am also a big fan of Terry Pratchett's work

[Bananaman]

Sad news indeed

[When Skies Are Grey]

A truly distressing disease regardless of who contract it....the sharper the mind the bigger the fall but upsetting for anyone affected.....

[Rhumsaa]

damn shame - big fan of his work

[jagman]

Me too, Rhumsaa. Such sad news.

[bluemonday]

How terrible. His books have brought so much pleasure to so many, many people.

[Bananaman]

Go on then who's your favourite character?

 

I'm torn between Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Ogg, love to see your replies.

 

 

Also your first TP book, mine was Wyrd Sisters (thanks Uncle Don) - - scarily I read it in 1989 :shocker:

 

Edited to add this bit;

 

MacBest - According to Wikipedia, The German for the Wierd sisters, MacBeth, hubble bubble..........the penny is dropping.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyrd_Sisters

 

Damn I wish I had gone to a posh school!

[Minxie]

My favourite character is DEATH, and the first TP book I read was Mort, after that I read them all in sequence. The only ones of his that I didn't get into were Strata and The Dark Side of the Sun, but I might give them another go sometime.

[feelslikeitshould]

This is sad news. I love the discworld books. The first TP book I read was 'Truckers' when I was about 9 or 10 and I've been reading and buying his books since then really. I'm torn as to who is my favourite, I thought the Wizards of the Unseen University were my favourite 'organisation' but then I thought it was probably the Watch or the Assassins Guild. I like DEATH and Ventinari most I think, although Moist Von Lipwig is a recent favourite of mine along with Sam Vimes. The thing is, it's easy to have some many favourites because each character is so well constructed and they all have 'isms' that make them likeable and funny. The Disc World is so complex, I have no idea how TP keeps track of it all!

[jagman]

This is sad news. I love the discworld books. The first TP book I read was 'Truckers' when I was about 9 or 10 and I've been reading and buying his books since then really. I'm torn as to who is my favourite, I thought the Wizards of the Unseen University were my favourite 'organisation' but then I thought it was probably the Watch or the Assassins Guild. I like DEATH and Ventinari most I think, although Moist Von Lipwig is a recent favourite of mine along with Sam Vimes. The thing is, it's easy to have some many favourites because each character is so well constructed and they all have 'isms' that make them likeable and funny. The Disc World is so complex, I have no idea how TP keeps track of it all!

 

I think you've summed it up for me there. So many great characters. Even the lesser characters like the Librarian, C.M.O.T. Dibbler and Nanny Ogg's cat Greebo are always good for a laugh as well. I've enjoyed watching Discworld evolve too - particularly in the novels featuring Moist Von Lipwig.

[zephyr]

I love Granny Weatherwax. Wouldn't it be good if you could be so sure of your self all the time.

 

I also like DEATH, well I wear him on my arm (So I know where he is and he can't sneak up on me)

 

I adore 'Greebo' well what man wouldn't like to be as a cat.

 

Favourite is Rincewind. How can a useless bugger like him get on in life so well.

 

Nanny Ogg is brill. To be able to go through life with not a care would be great.

 

I think I'm more like 'Magrat' though.

 

Now as we are talking about characters, what about 'Carrot' He's dating a were-woman (angua) he started out being a dwarf and was quite happy, until his 'king' (leader of the mine), decided that he would be better off in the human world

[Chinahand]

Detris the Troll; Dios the High Priest; the most well read philosopher - Ibid; the Sweeper; there are thousands of brilliant subcharacters in the Disc world. I do think Vimes is my favourite major character.

 

And of course there is DEATH - I woke up my entire family reading of Rincewind the Wizard's meeting with DEATH in the Colour of Magic - I was probably about 17 - it was 3 in the morning and I was laughing so much no one could stay asleep! Happy memories.

 

Oh heck then there's Ridcully, the Bursar and the Librarian - no they are just too many wonderful creations for me to choose.

[Bananaman]

I do have a soft spot for the Demon Crowley in Good Omens