Terry Pratchett Dies Aged 66

[nightshade]

Author Terry Pratchett has died aged 66. He suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for eight years before his death.

Fantasy author and creator of the Discworld series Sir Terry Pratchett has died at home aged 66, having had Alzheimer's disease for eight years.

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

The author died "with his cat sleeping on his bed, surrounded by his family", he added.

Sir Terry wrote more than 70 books during his lengthy career, completing his final book last summer.

He "enriched the planet like few before him" and through Discworld, satirised the world "with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention," said Mr Finlay.
"Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely," said Mr Finlay.

"Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come."

Sir Terry leaves wife Lyn and daughter Rhianna.

The announcement of his death was made on Sir Terry's Twitter account on Thursday afternoon, with Rhianna later writing: "Many thanks for all the kind words about my dad. Those last few tweets were sent with shaking hands and tear-filled eyes."

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

 

[Wesley Pryce]

Rest in Peace, he's in my prayers

 

[Faith]

The way it was announced, those tweets....i'll openly admit I cried.

 

[Still a Scoobie]

I'm not one for getting emotional over people I don't know personally. That, along with knowing that Sir Terry would have hated to live on into the more severe stages of his illness, sort of means this hasn't hit me very hard (yet, maybe later...). On the other hand, I recently had to buy a new bookcase because his latest book had caused my first one to overflow and it sort of hits me right in the feelings when I think that second bookcase isn't going to see much more from him.

I'm going to miss him like hell.

 

[Mr Trick]

Someone gave us the news in class. I will admit that I have never read any of his books. But that isn't the point, still very sad. RIP.

 

[thetopher]

I loved his books, his Discworld novels are some of the best fantasy out there. And I was lucky enough to meet the guy once at a book signing- he was so warm, modest and kind.
Today the world is a slightly darker place because of his absence. 🙁

 

[Mr. Pointy]

I was so sad to hear the news of Terry's death. He was a wise, humane and extremely funny man. The world will be a much poorer place for his passing but I'm so glad he was able to share his stories with us. I was heartened last night to see all the Pterry love in my Twitter and Facebook feeds, not just from fans but also from many media A-listers who I hadn't a clue were fans. Some of the longer-standing BB members from back when I was more active will remember me trying to persuade everyone that they should read Terry's books...you should all go out and do it in his memory. You'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂 

The way it was announced, those tweets....i'll openly admit I cried.

Yea, my "allergies" were playing up yesterday too. 

Someone gave us the news in class. I will admit that I have never read any of his books. But that isn't the point, still very sad. RIP.

Please read some of his books...that is very much the point 😉 I recommend starting with "Mort" - the first truly great Discworld book (the previous ones were very good though but that is simply brilliant IMO)

 

[Mr Trick]

I was so sad to hear the news of Terry's death. He was a wise, humane and extremely funny man. The world will be a much poorer place for his passing but I'm so glad he was able to share his stories with us. I was heartened last night to see all the Pterry love in my Twitter and Facebook feeds, not just from fans but also from many media A-listers who I hadn't a clue were fans. Some of the longer-standing BB members from back when I was more active will remember me trying to persuade everyone that they should read Terry's books...you should all go out and do it in his memory. You'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂 

Yea, my "allergies" were playing up yesterday too. 

Please read some of his books...that is very much the point 😉 I recommend starting with "Mort" - the first truly great Discworld book (the previous ones were very good though but that is simply brilliant IMO)

Will give one a try. Its just that normally that sort of fiction doesn't appeal to me. Just wanted to point that out as I didn't want to seem like a hypercrip and pay my respects as I should anyway. He was also notable for being one of the key figures in speaking up for assisted death which ever view you take on that debate. And of course to die at 66 was a little unexpected.

 

[Mr. Pointy]

Will give one a try. Its just that normally that sort of fiction doesn't appeal to me. Just wanted to point that out as I didn't want to seem like a hypercrip and pay my respects as I should anyway. He was also notable for being one of the key figures in speaking up for assisted death which ever view you take on that debate. And of course to die at 66 was a little unexpected.

To be fair Terry's death was wholly expected, it's just that we didn't want it to happen quite so soon. I hope you enjoy his stories as much as I have.

 

[bespangeled]

He was an amazing writer, and a good man. I, too, am glad he didn't have to experience the fear of not knowing where you are and who you are with.

 

[AnthonyCordova]

This is very sad to hear, rip mr. Pratchett.

For good news, researchers at Stanford University have found what is quite possibly a cure for alzteimers. It was in the news a few weeks ago (sorry I can't provide the link, doing this from my phone). Future generations may never have to suffer from it.

 

[Mr Trick]

To be fair Terry's death was wholly expected, it's just that we didn't want it to happen quite so soon. I hope you enjoy his stories as much as I have.

No, I know that it is just that people who suffer from that condition tend to die much later than he did.