This One Goes To You, Man. You Were My Hero. · 4:26pm Mar 12th, 2015
As of today, one of the greatest authors of the last century, Sir Terry Pratchett, is no more.
Sir Terry Pratchett, also named Pterry by its fans, was one of the best comedic authors in existence. And, like all good comedians, he was a philosopher. A master of science-fiction, of fantasy, of tragedy. He could write better romances in three pages than any of us in one million words. He could make you think, cry, sit on the edge of your chair, stay awake way past midnight so you could read just one more page.
The only real literary criticism I read of his words was “he doesn't use chapters”. He included it on the back of Hogfather. The first book of his I ever read.
Every time you read his words, you did it with a smile.
I'm fairly sure a lot of people will talk about this. He was the favorite author of many, and damn right so. I myself have been collecting his books since I was thirteen.
The best way to say goodbye to him, in my opinion, is with a smile. Mr Numbers took care of that already. I myself can't think if I can do it better.
But coincidences are a thing, especially when the chances are a million to one, as the old man certainly knew. Three days ago, I happened to finish Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett.
One of its messages is fairly simple, but powerful: a man's life doesn't end with his death. It ends when everything he's done is forgotten, when the clock he built breaks down, when his last harvest is recollected.
Right after finishing that book, I started a story homaging Sir Pratchett's style. The file is named “Pratchett” and everything, because I'm as original as a ridiculous comparison.
Now I'm morally forced to finish that story, and I'm going to make it the best one I've ever written. Because, in some way, I owe to the man. He taught me what “good comedy” meant. I refuse to forget that.
And, if you were a Pterry fan, I ask you to do the same. Don't write if you don't mind, but read his books. Talk about them. Recommend them to your friends.
Don't let Pterry die. He deserves to live forever.
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Lest we forget.
DON’T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death. JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH. – TERRY PRATCHETT (1948-2015)
NO! Not Terry!
I remember the first book I read of his: Wee Free Men, which remains to this day one of my top 5 favorite books. I love his stuff, and I can only hope he keeps on being loved and remembered.
This little strip goes out to him:
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He will not be dead until the ripples of his life's work fade away.
Let's make sure that never happens. Introduce the next generation to Terry. Make them love him as we did. Ensure they will do the same.
Here are the last things written on his Twitter:
i.imgur.com/Com42hz.jpg
Though his story in this world is finished, it is only beginning somewhere else.
Peace be with you, Sir Terry.
As long as somebody remembers him and his works, his legacy will never die.
Ashamed to say I've only just discovered the great man (heartfelt thanks to Numbers for this).
Beautiful words Aragon. <3
This has been a bad year. Voice of Space Ghost, Spock, and now Creator of the Discworld....
I have vague recollections of the chapters of Going Postal being partly a rebuttal to the criticism of his not writing in chapters; It has the old style of chapter headings.
As in, Jonathan Swift style old.
...Oh hell, this is how I find out?
*sigh*
He will be missed, and he will be remembered. No other author has made me laugh as much as Terry has.
A silent moment in memory.
*head bowed*
Well, I've got every Discworld book except Wyrd Sisters on my bookshelves and I haven't read three or so of them, I know what I'll be doing this week.