|
I think I'm going to have to do a reread, for the nth time, of all the discworld books. If I don't, I'm going to keep putting it off and being sad. I might as well be sad and highly entertained instead.
|
#
?
Mar 12, 2015 23:56
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 19, 2024 15:47 |
|
|
Lake Effect posted:That's from Good Omens. Don't forget to re-read that too. I won't. The Bromeliad, too. In fact, I think The Bromeliad was the first of his books that I read... 
|
|
#
?
Mar 12, 2015 23:59
|
|
|
Megazver posted:Frankly she's right. If anyone could or would, it would be him. I never got around to reading And Another Thing..., but I'd like to think Colfer did Adams justice. Gaiman was close to Terry and I think he'd do his damnedest to make the best possible book he could if given the chance.
|
|
#
?
Mar 12, 2015 23:59
|
|
|
When I was eleven, I read my first Terry Pratchett book. It was Sourcery. I don't remember why I picked it out; I was a pretty indiscriminate reader back then, so I probably just vacuumed it up along with another fantasy novel or two from the discount bookstore. I read through it in the next couple of days, which was typical at the time. I remember thinking that I had never read anything that managed to balance humor and emotional resonance so finely. (Although I didn't use those exact words when I was eleven.) And then I put it aside and went on to other authors. But that wasn't the end. Much later, I nervously lent my copy of Sourcery, now coverless and with a much-creased spine, to a student at the school I had just transferred to. He liked it, and became my first friend there, and is now my oldest friend. I expect that might have happened anyway; who can tell? Regardless, that wasn't the end. I remember, when I had a half-dozen Pratchett books in a stack on my bureau (because I didn't really have my own bookshelves, per se, and the Pratchett books had to live in my room), and I read the author bio at the end of one. (I generally used to skip those.) It said that he intended to keep writing until they nailed shut the coffin. I remember being satisfied at that; I'd seen too many series end too soon and too many stories go unfinished. This was a guy who would go the distance, I felt. And, indeed, that wasn't the end. Once, I gave copies of his Witch series to my girlfriend. Maskerade, too. She's my wife now. I'm definitely not giving him credit for that one, but it probably bears mentioning. Every little bit helps, right? And that still wasn't the end. Some years ago (more than I care to think about right now), my sister passed away unexpectedly. There were a lot of things that I leaned on to help me through that time, and certainly Pratchett books were among them. It helps sometimes to remember that Death, whether it's an impersonal force or an affable skeleton that likes cats, is ultimately something that just has a job to do and is not after you personally. That isn't really what I was thinking about when I wrote this, though. What I was thinking about was a few years later, when I read Nation, and I thought, yes. Yes, this is what it felt like. But even that wasn't the end. Not too long ago, my mother-in-law started reading my Pratchett collection. The only real problem with that is that it's interrupted my plans to get my daughter to read them. But that's just temporary; I know I'll get them all back in time, and, after all, that wasn't the end. Today I read that Terry Pratchett died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, with a sleeping cat next to him, and I could not imagine a more appropriate way for him to go.* And no, this is not the end. But it's an end. His art will go down through the centuries, but the man himself will not, and we're all the poorer for it. Good night, Sir Terry, and thank you. * Apart from, of course, "later".
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:17
|
|
|
 Rest in peace.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:22
|
|
|
Wolfechu posted:I think I'm going to have to do a reread, for the nth time, of all the discworld books. If I don't, I'm going to keep putting it off and being sad. I might as well be sad and highly entertained instead. My plan as well.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:22
|
|
|
RIP time to dig up my much abused copies of the older books and start a new.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:24
|
|
|
Terry Pratchett was unquestionably my favorite author. The way he played with our minds, crafting an interesting and compelling world set up against the backdrop of British comedy and satire yet providing a deep and telling foil to our own, was unmatched, and some part of me doubts it ever will be. Vimes is my absolute favorite character of any fantasy series to this day. Man, I...I can't handle this. Going to have to reread everything once more...for the sake of prisoners, and the flight of birds. LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:36
|
|
|
I saw him speak at a convention in St Louis many MANY years ago before I really knew his work and was impressed by his storytelling and characterization. Since then, I've read every book and pre-order anything I see that has his name on it knowing that I am in for a treat. Thank you, Sir Terry, for Rincewind, Mort, the Hogfather, Vimes, Vetinari, Susan, the Luggage, the Librarian (Ook), Moist, Nanny Ogg and all the other characters and friends you created over the years. Time to go re-read.... something.. of the shelf. drat. It's not fair. *sigh* God speed.. and I hope you get to ride Binky (Correction: it's Nanny Ogg. I know that. Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg. My brain is misty) Lipumira fucked around with this message at 01:08 on Mar 13, 2015 |
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:46
|
|
|
I AITNT DEAD What's the thread title from? Can't remember. I discovered Pratchett around a year and a half ago, after hearing him being mentioned countless times. I read through most of the main Discworld series in a year. Still have to try his non DW stuff too. I hope we at least get some good reeditions/reprintings from this :/. And that Watch series better be good. What I really liked in his books was that they were genuinely funny, and didn't take themselves as serious as every other fantasy series. I mean, yeah LotR is good and important to the history of the genre as a whole, but god is it such a whole load of self masturbation. That's why I also like the Hobbit more, more lighthearted, more adventure-y.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:56
|
|
|
Terry Pratchett you will be missed. You have brought many things to our lives including fun, laughter, saddness and hope. I was lucky enough to see him when he stopped off in New Zealand promoting his new book at the time. I'm sad hes gone but I'm happy he is not suffering any more. 
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 00:57
|
|
|
He... he's just borrowing the minds of bees, right? ... Right?
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:03
|
|
|
Decided on Monstrous Regiment for my tribute read, got a long bus ride today.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:09
|
|
|
I always knew that I would have to live out my days in a world without Sir Terry at some point. Every year when a new one of his books came out I would say to myself "But it won't start this year". Now it shall. Thank you, Sir Terry, for being the man whose creations entertained and enlightened two generations of my family; and will do so for at least a generation more. My love to Binky.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:11
|
|
|
God damnit. I still remember when my mother brought me a silly looking book with three hags on the cover for my birthday. Said it was "just like that hobbit book you like". I think I need to go re-read Wyrd Sisters and remember the time when that silly old book awakened my lifelong love for literature. "Gods prefer simple, vicious games, where you Do Not Achieve Transcendence but Go Straight to Oblivion"
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:15
|
|
|
Terry had books for rent, Very Reasonable and I was glad for it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:39
|
|
|
RIP, you were always one of my favorite authors  .
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:44
|
|
|
Markovnikov posted:What's the thread title from? Can't remember. quote:LORD, WE KNOW THERE IS NO GOOD ORDER EXCEPT THAT WHICH WE CREATE...
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:46
|
|
|
Oooook.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 01:48
|
|
|
Codiekitty posted:He... he's just borrowing the minds of bees, right? NOT DEAD
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 02:06
|
|
|
Shamelessly stolen from Tumblr: GNU Terry Pratchett
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 02:18
|
|
|
Those last tweets. Unfortunately I read them while at work and was glad no one was near to see how much they upset me. Last time I felt like this was when Douglas Adams died. I feel like the world lost out for lack of them.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 02:38
|
|
|
Kurtofan posted:I wouldn't mind if she wrote a few Discworld novels, it won't be the same but it would made me feel She's writing a feature film adaption of Wee Free Men, too. 
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 03:23
|
|
|
Terry got me through some pretty terrible times, sad to see him go. RIP Terry. Those last tweets really got me.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 04:27
|
|
|
Well time to reread Small Gods and cry like a stupid baby because holy poo poo that ending makes me choke up just thinking about it even though I haven't read it in years. And then reread the witches and wizards and the night watch and also see if my friends with school age kids want to borrow some books because I think they would like them.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 04:27
|
|
|
Pidmon posted:Shamelessly stolen from Tumblr: GNU Sir Terence David John Pratchett 1948 - 2015 A man is not dead while his name is still spoken.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 05:13
|
|
|
Er. What does GNU stand for?
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 05:28
|
|
|
Clacks protocol: The G means, that the message should be passed on, the N means "Not Logged" and the U that it should be turned around at the end of the line. So as the name keeps going up and down the line, this tradition applies a kind of immortality as "a man is not dead while his name is still spoken". (I had to look it up because it was pinging my brain but not coming to the forefront. Copy mostly from a Discworld wiki)
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 05:33
|
|
|
Jedit posted:When Pterry realised he would not be able to attend the 2014 Discworld Convention due to his failing health, he compiled a small book as a gift for the attendees. The book contains a dedication, a poem, two small fragments, an essay about Pterry by his PA Rob Milkins, and the essay I typed here. Thank you so much for sharing this. Terry's books were/are a huge part of my life. I don't know what more to say because I know you all understand. Think I was about 8 when I first read The Light Fantastic (yup, started the series out of order). It's a great regret of my life that I never got to meet Terry himself. RIP.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 07:50
|
|
|
I am more upset by this than I feel entirely comfortable admitting to.
ActionZero fucked around with this message at 08:28 on Mar 13, 2015 |
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 08:12
|
|
|
Er. I'm now reading an obituary in a Spanish newspaper ( ), and I've just discovered that apparently Dibbler is translated Escurridizo, meaning "tricky, slippery"... So, I have to wonder, I'm not a native English speaker and Dibbler doesn't mean anything to me - in fact, dictionary.com doesn't produce anything very relevant... But does his name mean or imply something? In the meantime, Rincewind is unchanged.Also there's a quotation that I don't understand. Something like "Banking is a very old game that means 'To see where [something]'". Any ideas? Or maybe I should ask in the Spanish thread. supermikhail fucked around with this message at 08:47 on Mar 13, 2015 |
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 08:41
|
|
|
I can't help but feel reminded by the little Buddhist snippet in Thief of Time:quote:Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.' Terry Pratchett was referring to the principle of impermanence, a key notion of Buddhist thought. If you only focus on the present and not the past then it's clear you must practice compassion, kindness and generosity towards others, leave judgment to karma and above all, be happy. It's certainly a lump in my throat but Terry would ultimately want people to be joyful than to be sad. I'm very grateful I got this reminder instead of feeling completely miserable.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 08:51
|
|
|
supermikhail posted:Er. I'm now reading an obituary in a Spanish newspaper ( A pointed gardening implement used to make holes in soil, especially for planting bulbs or seedlings. tr.v. dib·bled, dib·bling, dib·bles 1. To make holes in (soil) with a pointed implement. 2. To plant by means of a pointed implement. That's why he's called Planteur (Planter) in the French translation.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 08:55
|
|
|
supermikhail posted:Er. I'm now reading an obituary in a Spanish newspaper ( It doesn't mean anything per se, but for me it's always been brilliantly evocative of that sort of small-time ducker and diver. (It's vaguely reminiscent of the word "dabble", which he does all the time.) I don't think it means anything or is a reference to anything, but it's exactly what someone like that should be called, if that makes sense. (In the same way that the Spanish waiter in Fawlty Towers could have had no other name but Manuel.)
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 08:59
|
|
|
supermikhail posted:Er. I'm now reading an obituary in a Spanish newspaper ( Translating Discworld must be a fun job. I bought a couple of books in Spanish and had to re-buy them in English because they lost quite a lot. supermikhail posted:Also there's a quotation that I don't understand. Something like "Banking is a very old game that means 'To see where [something]'". Any ideas? Or maybe I should ask in the Spanish thread. Do you mean the quote is in Spanish? It doesn't sound like a saying or adage that I know of. Could you give me the original?
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:09
|
|
|
Fat Samurai posted:Translating Discworld must be a fun job. Of course as I'm fond of saying you can just be Brandhorst and not give a poo poo, or realize.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:15
|
|
|
 At least they got to say goodbye  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5DJveHYslk
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:33
|
|
|
My Lovely Horse posted:Right until you hit a very specifically British cultural reference or a pun that is as integral to the scene as it simply doesn't work in your language. I think translators must drink a lot. I'm sure the first German translator did. Those translations are by repute pretty dire.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:40
|
|
|
The French translations by Patrick Couton are pretty great.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:42
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 19, 2024 15:47 |
|
|
Sad news Small Gods got me to break out of reading nothing but trash Star Wars EU books when I was like 13.
|
|
#
?
Mar 13, 2015 09:45
|
|
