Hatrack River Forum: RIP Terry Pratchett

This is topic RIP Terry Pratchett in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :

You will be missed [Frown]

Posted by NobleHunter (Member # 12043) on :

Would it be wrong to hope he's left a note somewhere: I Aten't Dead.

Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :

I used to love the bit in his author blurb 'Terry Pratchett was born in 1948 and is still not dead.' I loved the amount of tempting fate and pushing luck that went into it. Fantastic.

They haven't been using that one recently.

I've never been so glad to see the death of someone I admired, respected and wished would live forever and keep giving us works of genius. I may have even punched the air. I'm so glad he didn't linger about on this planet losing his mind completely. No, he got out in the best escape you can have when your brain starts to give you gyp.

Since in Terry's world, when you die you get whatever you expect to get, I hope Death really did turn up, and that they went out for a curry.

Posted by Dogbreath (Member # 11879) on :

Oh man, this really sucks. [Frown]

I finally, finally began reading the Discworld books 3 years ago and absolutely fell in love with his writing. I still have about 20 books to go, but it's a little sad knowing that there won't be any more. Still, like Bella I'm very relieved he died now while he was still fully himself, and apparently very at peace with the idea. I'm glad he didn't suffer.

His daughter had this to say after his passing:

quote:
Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.

RIP.

Posted by Sean Monahan (Member # 9334) on :

Okay, I haven't read any Terry Pratchett, and I've *never* heard anyone say, "Don't read this one." It's a little daunting, I have *no* idea where to start. Suggestions?

First response wins.

Posted by Dogbreath (Member # 11879) on :

I took a rather unconventional approach and just started from the beginning. A lot of people gave me suggested reading orders or different points to start from, I finally decided just to read them in the order he wrote them.

I will warn you that his writing style and worldbuilding are pretty different in the first two books (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic) - Equal Rites is (IMO) the first book where he adopts a more "serious" (or I suppose, less overly droll) tone. Mort is great, Sourcery is completely skippable, as is Eric IMO. (I tend not to like the Rincewind books in general)

Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :

Guards! Guards!

Or Wyrd Sisters, if you like Shakespeare.

Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :

I have only read The Colour of Magic (and Good Omens with Gaiman), and almost stopped there. At the suggestion of several others, Guards! Guards! will be my next read. I just need to grab a copy.

RIP, Sir.