This just makes me sad. My favorite sci-fi/fantasy author, Terry Pratchett, has "terminal early-onset Alzheimer's."
Terry is the author of the much-loved "Discworld" series. His novels are generally SF/fantasy "spoofs." But, in my mind, his is some of the most engaging, thoughtful writing on the planet. Terry has a way of developing characters, and turning phrases. I can pick up any of his books and turn to any page and begin reading just for the joy of hearing how he says things and listening to his marvelous insights on human nature, political power, economics and politics.
To make this news even more difficult, it appears that Terry is contemplating assisted suicide. This is illegal in Britain. But he has traveled to a Switzerland clinic that performs the "procedure," and has picked up consent forms.
He said: "The only thing stopping me [signing them] is that I have made this film and I have a bloody book to finish."
But he stressed that he was as yet still undecided whether he would eventually take his own life.
He said he changed his mind "every two minutes" but added that if he did choose to die would prefer to do so in England and in the sunshine.
Sir Terry, creator of the Discworld novels, was 60 when he was diagnosed with terminal condition and has since campaigned passionately for a change in the law to allow assisted suicide in Britain.
This is as shocking to me as when I heard that Douglas Adams had died. What a loss that was. I am really just processing this, and trying to come to terms with the "assisted suicide" issue.
One of the recurring characters in Terry's books is a character known as Death. He makes periodic solemn appearances in many of his books when another character is slated to "meet his maker." In fact, Death has starring roles in two of his books, "Mort" and "Reaper Man."
But my favorites have been the "City Watch" books, where Commander Vimes and his group of blundering night watch police (made up of ex-pick pockets, trolls [!], vegetarian werewolves, six-foot dwarfs, etc.) solve crimes and try to stay on the right side of the good/bad tyrant, Lord Vetinari. Their work is complicated by the fact that some crimes are actually "legal," if committed by the unionized "Thieves Guild" and "Assassin's Guild."
Magic abounds from Unseen University, where the librarian is a 300-lb. orangutan (don't ever call him a "monkey"). The University is run by Archchancellor Ridcully and is staffed by an assortment of inept wizards.
The city of Ankh-Morpork, where much of the Discworld action takes place, is a "character" all by itself. It's a dirty, steaming place, bisected by the River Ankh, which sludges through the middle of town.
Terry is also the author of many non-Discworld books. My favorite (I'm listening to it on audio book right now) is "Good Omens," co-authored with Neil Gaiman.
Despite the humor, his books cover war (Thud), technology (Going Postal), war (Monstrous Regiment), war (Jingo), time travel (Thief of Time), journalism (The Truth) and economics (Making Money).
But leaving that aside, I would like to offer this diary as a discussion point for appreciation of Terry and of his many joyful works.
What's your thoughts?
What's your favorite Pratchett novels?
What's your favorite Pratchett/Discworld quotes?