Terry Pratchett passes away at 66

[Herr_Koos]

I'll also admit, I was really teary when I read some of the comments on the site.

Rincewind in Sorcery was some of the first wizard novels that I read. I instantly liked him and the style. Years after I would read the same books and start picking up some of the pop cultural references.

Brandon Sanderson wrote a great post on him: http://brandonsanderson.com/goodbye-sir-terry/

And then somebody sent me this and I completely choked up.

Wow. This might just explain why I love Brandon's books so much. Lovely tribute.

 

[Mars]

I.e, that it's magical, shaped like a disc, perched on the backs of four giant elephants, who are themselves standing in the shell of a giant turtle swimming through space?

totally.
Tho of course the parallels dealing with racism, gender equality, corruption, ethics, misinformation, ect ect, were also pretty useful.

 

[Kaapie]

Damn. Never bothered to google him, just thought he was older since his books have been around since I was in school, and I am no spring chicken. Read a few and they were entertaining.

RIP

 

["D"]

That's two of my favourite writers, that has passed in my life time. Terry and Michael Crichton (2009).

* have passed away
* lifetime
* Terry as well as Michael (unless they're a couple)

 

["D"]

Diskworld

Spelling is skeptical, even for the world on Mars.

ect ect,

* etc.

 

[Paul C]

Absolutely love Terry Pratchett's books. Was gutted when he died. It felt like I'd lost a close family member. I first discovered Colour of Magic (and Life, the Universe, and Everything) in a second-hand bookshop in Scotland when I was 13, looking for something to read on the flight out here. It was the Josh Kirby cover that caught my eye.

I went to his signings at CNA in the Pavillion and wrote to him for writing advice, which he very kindly responded to. (I've still got the letter. This must have been back in '91 or '92 now - God, I feel old. ) Pratchett and Adams became huge influences on my own style. I re-read both their books all the time. They never get old.

 

[Johnatan56]

Was actually recently trying to get some copies of some of his works like going postal, couldn't find any in the book stores without back order, very sad.

Did a trip to Graz for the going postal copy, 5 EUR for a hardcover copy in English, actuary difficult to find in Austria, people do seem to also like it in German though which is nice.

 

[skimread]

Does his books translate to TV?

If so maybe more people get exposed to the guy as I never read his books.

 

[Paul C]

Does his books translate to TV?

If so maybe more people get exposed to the guy as I never read his books.

There were a couple of adaptations about 7 or 8 years ago, They adapted the first two books and it was good for what it was. Obviously constrained by budget. But the problem with this type of humour (the same with Douglas Adams) is that it's meant to be read and the jokes don't always translate. They also did an adaptation of Going Postal that was quite good. Ignore the recent series called The Watch. It's supposed to be about Vimes and the City Watch but it is terrible. None of the characters are anything like they are in the books. Even the city itself isn't recognisable as Ankh-Morpork. They took Pratchett's name and used it to sell a series that has nothing to do with the books. His own daughter disowned it.

 

[ebendl]

Augh, just re-read some of the comments in the Reddit thread (which is, as somebody put it, 7 - 8 years old) and now I'm teary again.

 

[Arzy]

The sun goes down upon the Ankh,
And slowly, softly fades -
Across the Drum; the Royal Bank;
The River-Gate; the Shades.

A stony circle's closed to elves;
And here, where lines are blurred,
Between the stacks of books on shelves,
A quiet 'Ook' is heard.

A copper steps the city-street
On paths he's often passed;
The final march; the final beat;
The time to rest at last.

He gives his badge a final shine,
And sadly shakes his head -
While Granny lies beneath a sign
That says: 'I aten't dead.'

The Luggage shifts in sleep and dreams;
It's now. The time's at hand.
For where it's always night, it seems,
A timer clears of sand.

And so it is that Death arrives,
When all the time has gone...
But dreams endure, and hope survives,
And Discworld carries on.