And now let us mourn our loss . . .

[voluptuary_manque]

http://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-terry-pratchett-dead-20150312-story.html

 

[sr71plt]

God, I wish people would put some context to the links they just drop into threads.

 

[lovecraft68]

Sad to see him go, but considering his illness its for the better,. The cases that go on for years are horrific.

I only read a handful of his books, back during my fantasy phase and they were damn good.

40 novels in the series....amazing.

 

[Katiecat]

Good Omens, one of my favorite books ever.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Never heard of him.

 

[lovecraft68]

Never heard of him.

Than on your next book prowl grab Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaimen

 

[Swilly]

God, I wish people would put some context to the links they just drop into threads.

Why? Did you think you were dead and no one told you about it?

 

[JackLuis]

RIP Sir Terry.

I read almost all the Disc world series and love them over and over. I just finished reading all the ones on my shelf and enjoyed them all. "Going Postal" is still my favorite.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Knew who this was about before even checking the link title :-/

And LC's right, better this than going out brain-first, but still.

Never heard of him.

I can believe that.

 

[Handley_Page]

For the benefit of those who, due to accident, stupidity or plain ignorance, let me explain a little.
Terry Pratchett was a skilled journalist and very entertaining author.
Some of his books are strictly for younger folk but the set that got many people roaring with laughter was the "Discworld" books (I got sent back into the house one summer evening and got told to close the doors; the neighbours might not want to hear me laughing quite so much).
Who didn't get the reference to RAMTOP ?

So what's the disc, then ? [I hear you ask]

Through the vastness of space there travels a giant Turtle (Great A'Tuin). Upon the mighty back of this beast are 4 huge elephants which manage to support a flat disc upon which are oceans, continents, magic & mystery. Much of the land mass is populated rather in the same manner as medieval Germany or Italy - city-states.
For our purposes the principle one is Ankh Morpork.

If you would care to try just one book out of them all, I can recommend "Men at Arms" as a complete work which does not rely on others to give extra information.
("Going Postal" is another.)

Go to it, folks; you will laugh your lungs out.

 

[LastLostIdols]

I've only read Reaper Man and Moving Pictures, as well as watching the sky one specials; Going Postal, Hogfather, & the Colour of Magic/The Light Fantastic. But I was genuinely upset to hear about this he's been a big influence on my writing and I absolutely loved him, I feel bad for his daughter Rhianna.

She's been posting poetry on her facebook wall, Rhianna is also a writer for anyone that doesn't know. While she has written some books she mainly specialises in video games, having written games such as; Overlord, Mirror's Edge, & Tomb Raider. All great games with good stories.

I urge everyone to give Terry's books a try as well as Rhianna's games if you're into gaming.

-LLI

 

[Bramblethorn]

I urge everyone to give Terry's books a try as well as Rhianna's games if you're into gaming.

-LLI

Agreed on all counts. But don't start the books in chronological order; it took him a few years to really get into his stride. I drifted away from him after the first few, then rediscovered his work years later and was very impressed by how he'd developed from slapstick to intelligent satire.

The TV adaptation of "Going Postal" was also very good; I haven't seen the others.

 

[Hypoxia]

I read his early works when they were new. I was not impressed. I never bothered with later stuff, which from the reviews I read seemed full of references to cultural items of no interest to me. Pratchett? Feh.

 

[Handley_Page]

Agreed on all counts. But don't start the books in chronological order; it took him a few years to really get into his stride. I drifted away from him after the first few, then rediscovered his work years later and was very impressed by how he'd developed from slapstick to intelligent satire.

The TV adaptation of "Going Postal" was also very good; I haven't seen the others.

I recently saw the production of "Going Postal" and I wasn't overly impressed despite David Suchet's brilliant Reacher Gilt. It was the ending that was mucked up although the last postman was Terry Pratchett himself, so presumably he had a hand in the creation.
Best read the book, I feel.

I read his early works when they were new. I was not impressed. I never bothered with later stuff, which from the reviews I read seemed full of references to cultural items of no interest to me. Pratchett? Feh.

I urge you to consider them now. When he got into his stride, he produced really good humour. Try this set:
Guards, Guards
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
[If you really, really, MUST read only one, please try "Men at Arms" because it is a murder mystery and complete of itself, requiring no previous knowledge of the City.

I have found that you can read some of these books twice in 3 weeks and find something new and funny every time.

.

 

[Hypoxia]

I urge you to consider them now. When he got into his stride, he produced really good humour. Try this set:
Guards, Guards
Men at Arms
Feet of Clay
[If you really, really, MUST read only one, please try "Men at Arms" because it is a murder mystery and complete of itself, requiring no previous knowledge of the City..

Okay, I'm peeling my eyeballs at this very moment. Thanks.

EDIT: I just started MEN AT ARMS and it's not really grabbing me. I'll try again when I'm bored.

 

[49greg]

I've only read his Discworld books, and not all of them, yet. I love his books and I'm sad, very sad, to see him go.

He is one of the few authors that make me laugh out loud when I'm reading his books.

 

[Handley_Page]

Okay, I'm peeling my eyeballs at this very moment. Thanks.

EDIT: I just started MEN AT ARMS and it's not really grabbing me. I'll try again when I'm bored.

It may take a chapter or two, but I promise you it is well worth it.

 

[LastLostIdols]

I've just started reading Guards! Guards! I've been meaning to pick up another Discworld novel for ages since having read Moving Pictures & Reaperman, it's just a shame I had to wait till he died.

So far I'm loving it; Sam Vimes, Sgt Colon, & Corporal Nobby are awesome.

 

[Handley_Page]

I've just started reading Guards! Guards! I've been meaning to pick up another Discworld novel for ages since having read Moving Pictures & Reaperman, it's just a shame I had to wait till he died.

So far I'm loving it; Sam Vimes, Sgt Colon, & Corporal Nobby are awesome.

I suggest you follow it with 'Men at Arms'.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

All the watch stories are great. While my favorite character is Archchancellor of Unseen University Mustrum Ridcully (my hero!) as a series the Watch are unbeatable.

 

[Handley_Page]

All the watch stories are great. While my favorite character is Archchancellor of Unseen University Mustrum Ridcully (my hero!) as a series the Watch are unbeatable.

The librarian talks a lot of sense [Ook]

 

[Handley_Page]

Okay, I'm peeling my eyeballs at this very moment. Thanks.

EDIT: I just started MEN AT ARMS and it's not really grabbing me. I'll try again when I'm bored.

His humour can take a little getting used to (well, it's English, ain't it?)

Some of his better quotes:-

Most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally evil, but by people being fundamentally people

It is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you're attempting can't be done

Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom

Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry

Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom

Personally, I think the best motto for an educational establishment is: 'Or Would You Rather Be a Mule?'

 

[Bramblethorn]

Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom

I like this one, long as it is:

"All right," said Susan. "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need... fantasies to make life bearable."

REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—"

YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

"So we can believe the big ones?"

YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.

"They're not the same at all!"

YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

"Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

MY POINT EXACTLY.”

One of the funny things about Pratchett is that even when he's writing about a world full of gods and wizards and so on, his later stories have a very strong atheist sensibility to them (without being obnoxiously preachy about it). His heroes don't look to the gods to tell them what's right or wrong.

 

[Handley_Page]

One of the funny things about Pratchett is that even when he's writing about a world full of gods and wizards and so on, his later stories have a very strong atheist sensibility to them (without being obnoxiously preachy about it). His heroes don't look to the gods to tell them what's right or wrong.

But he does leave the door open to the possibilities.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I've never been sure whether Pratchett was a genuine atheist (like the gollum watchman) or an honest agnostic. There was always the possibility that somewhere might be on the other side of the black sand desert though he was always careful to point out that the destination could be of the individual's choosing and therefor creation. Very philosophical chap, Sir Terry.