DiscWorld Author Terry Pratchett Passes Away
“Despite rumour, Death isn’t cruel – merely terribly, terribly good at his job.” – Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
Some may think it crass to start an article on the passing of Terry Pratchett with the quote above. Some may think it makes light of Pratchett’s demise. I think Pratchett would make light of his own demise. I’d like to believe that right now Pratchett is sitting in Death’s black and bone-white kitchen as the Grim Reaper offers him a spot of tea. ONE FOR THE ROAD, AS IT WERE?
Sir Terry Pratchett (he was knighted in 2009 for services to literature) was best known as the creator of the DiscWorld series of books. DiscWorld is a flat world riding on the backs of four elephants that in turn ride atop the star turtle Great A’Tuin as it swims through the cosmos. The DiscWorld started off as comedic fantasy spoofing the works of Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and Anne McCaffery among others. Over the course of 41 novels and a handful of short stories, the series developed a satirical voice that could teach a lesson or two if you weren’t careful.
Pratchett in a cameo as a toymaker in the television adaptation of Hogfather.
The DiscWorld’s Death, with his sympathy for humanity, is easily one of the most popular characters in the series. But part of what makes the DiscWorld such an enjoyable read is the number of well-developed personalities roaming its surface and the wealth of distinct stories to be told. Rincewind, Granny Weatherwax, Mustrum Ridcully, Commander Sam Vimes, Susan Sto Helit, and Moist Von Lipwig may occasionally cross paths but their tales stand on their own. When Pratchett began writing for a younger audience, the DiscWorld found room for the Amazing Maurice, Tiffany Aching, and the Wee Free Men.
Cover art by Paul Kidby for The Wee Free Men.
In 2007 Pratchett was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease. He made his battle with the illness, which he referred to as an “embuggerence”, public and became an advocate for Alzheimer’s research. In 2009 he worked with the BBC to make a two-part documentary on his condition. As the illness progressed, he was unable to use a keyboard or pen & paper but continued writing by means of speech recognition software and by dictating to his assistant.
Pratchett passed away in his home Thursday, March 12 2015 at the age of 66. He was surrounded by his family and his cat was sleeping on his bed. At the time of his passing his twitter account posted the following:
One of the concepts in the DiscWorld books was the idea that the afterlife may be exactly what each of us expects or thinks we truly deserve. For all the enjoyment Pratchett’s writing has provided, I hope he realizes that he deserves the very best.
