Sir Terry Pratchett

*plastroncafe* · 03-12-2015, 11:02 AM

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

Here's how his death was announced on his twitter feed:

And here's the chronological order to read all of his Discworld Books:

Quote:

“DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING," said Death. "JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH.”

The first book of his that I read was "Small Gods."
It was this passage in particular that grabbed me, and didn't let go.

Quote:

“Humans! They lived in a world where the grass continued to be green and the sun rose every day and flowers regularly turned into fruit, and what impressed them? Weeping statues. And wine made out of water! A mere quantum-mechanistic tunnel effect, that'd happen anyway if you were prepared to wait zillions of years. As if the turning of sunlight into wine, by means of vines and grapes and time and enzymes, wasn't a thousand times more impressive and happened all the time...”
― Terry Pratchett, Small Gods

I can't recommend his work enough. "Good Omens," his joint venture with Neil Gaimen, remains my very favorite book.

*MsMarvelDuckie* · 03-12-2015, 01:50 PM

This is sad news, indeed. Only read a couple of his books- Small Gods and Feet of Clay- but they were wonderful. He will surely be missed.

*ZariusTwo* · 03-12-2015, 02:52 PM

*pennydreadful* · 03-12-2015, 05:54 PM

He was a talented guy and will be missed. See you on on the other side, Terry.

*BubblyShell22* · 03-12-2015, 06:53 PM

Never read his books myself, but this is a sad day for those who were fans of his. He'll be missed.

*ProactiveMan* · 03-12-2015, 07:26 PM

I'm welling up a bit here - Terry Pratchett's books got me through some rough patches in my younger life. They're not to everyone's taste but I loved them, and I'm sad to see him go.

*DarkFell* · 03-12-2015, 07:48 PM

I think I'll read his books; not because he's gone, but because I never read any of his former works.

It's a sad day for fans of Sir Terry Pratchet, but now I know another author whose world(s) I can go explore.

senpai · 03-12-2015, 10:05 PM

I heard about this earlier today at work

It is definitely sad news. I love his books (haven't read all of them but I plan to finish the ones with Rincewind. He's my fav)

Ravenshell · 03-15-2015, 06:48 AM

Sir Pratchett has been a major influence in my life and my husband's, and our love for his works is one of the things that brought the two of us together, and influences both of our writing styles. No one, NO ONE could set up a joke like Sir Terry!

We were lucky enough to attend the North American Discworld Convention when it came to Phoenix, rather than going to what turned out to be the final Gargoyles Gathering. As Gargs fans, we were kicking ourselves about it, but given that this was our once chance to see Sir Terry in person before Alzheimer's took him, in retrospect, we feel like we made the better choice to see him.

For those who wish to start reading the series, I'd say, don't let the first book discourage you; he hadn't hit his stride yet at that point. I started with the second book in the series (Light Fantastic) by accident, and was hooked... I don't know if I would have been had I started with Color of Magic. "Eric" is generally one to give a miss.

My personal favorites are Soul Music, Going Postal, The Hogfather, and Good Omens (with co-author, Neil Gaiman).

And if you have an hour: The Importance of Being Amazed about Absolutely Everything

If you don't have an hour, tl/dw,

Spoiler:

*DarkFell* · 03-15-2015, 05:12 PM

I just checked out Raising Steam, and I'm still getting into the story.

*Prowler* · 03-23-2015, 05:51 PM

I've only read the first 4 books of Discworld so far, but I liked them for the most part and I'm interested in reading more.

Pratchett was clearly one of the biggest fantasy authors out there. His stuff can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. RIP.

Btw, thanks for the chronological order.

03-12-2015, 01:50 PM	#2
MsMarvelDuckie I Married a Duck! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: The bowels of Hell, Texas(otherwise known as Decatur) Posts: 8,773	This is sad news, indeed. Only read a couple of his books- Small Gods and Feet of Clay- but they were wonderful. He will surely be missed. __________________ "You IDIOTS! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -from "Spaceballs" "Where Science ends, magic begins." -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491 My various stories and fan-fics are now here- https://m.fanfiction.net/u/4770494/#end

03-12-2015, 02:52 PM	#3
ZariusTwo Overlord Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Britain, DINO THUNDER...POWER UP! Posts: 22,507	__________________ Spider-Man: The Rescue Spider-Man: The Galloping Cat Spider-Man: Scarlet Mirror Doctor Who: Child of the Daleks

03-12-2015, 05:54 PM	#4
pennydreadful trash Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Australia Posts: 4,546	He was a talented guy and will be missed. See you on on the other side, Terry. __________________ Creator of the Technodrome After Dark Discussion Group. PM for an invite (must be over 18 - no exceptions).

03-12-2015, 06:53 PM	#5
BubblyShell22 Leo-holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 16,912	Never read his books myself, but this is a sad day for those who were fans of his. He'll be missed. __________________ "A warrior who never fails, never learns."-The Ancient One. "Embrace your inner a**holiness."-Mr. Anderson.

03-12-2015, 07:26 PM	#6
ProactiveMan Spooky ghost Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,266	I'm welling up a bit here - Terry Pratchett's books got me through some rough patches in my younger life. They're not to everyone's taste but I loved them, and I'm sad to see him go. __________________ ProactiveMan!

03-12-2015, 10:05 PM	#8
senpai Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: new york sewers yo! Posts: 673	I heard about this earlier today at work It is definitely sad news. I love his books (haven't read all of them but I plan to finish the ones with Rincewind. He's my fav)

03-15-2015, 06:48 AM	#9
Ravenshell Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Netherlands Posts: 271	Sir Pratchett has been a major influence in my life and my husband's, and our love for his works is one of the things that brought the two of us together, and influences both of our writing styles. No one, NO ONE could set up a joke like Sir Terry! We were lucky enough to attend the North American Discworld Convention when it came to Phoenix, rather than going to what turned out to be the final Gargoyles Gathering. As Gargs fans, we were kicking ourselves about it, but given that this was our once chance to see Sir Terry in person before Alzheimer's took him, in retrospect, we feel like we made the better choice to see him. For those who wish to start reading the series, I'd say, don't let the first book discourage you; he hadn't hit his stride yet at that point. I started with the second book in the series (Light Fantastic) by accident, and was hooked... I don't know if I would have been had I started with Color of Magic. "Eric" is generally one to give a miss. My personal favorites are Soul Music, Going Postal, The Hogfather, and Good Omens (with co-author, Neil Gaiman). And if you have an hour: The Importance of Being Amazed about Absolutely Everything If you don't have an hour, tl/dw, Spoiler: It's the water cycle, stupid!

03-23-2015, 05:51 PM	#11
Prowler Emperor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,999	I've only read the first 4 books of Discworld so far, but I liked them for the most part and I'm interested in reading more. Pratchett was clearly one of the biggest fantasy authors out there. His stuff can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. RIP. Btw, thanks for the chronological order.