# Terry Pratchett dead at 66. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835 "2015-03-12T15:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/121 "2015-03-12T23:10:34Z")
Shit. I’ve never actually cried at a celebrity death before. Terry Pratchett basically shaped my childhood. There were many, many points in my life where I was closer with his characters and his world than with reality. Meeting him was always somewhere on my bucket list. Not near enough to the top, I guess. Goodbye Rincewind. Goodbye Lord Vetinari. Goodbye Foul Ole Ron, goodbye Susan, goodbye Tiffany, goodbye Carrot, goodbye Moist and Nanny Ogg and Greebo and Cheeri . . . Goodbye, Terry. It’s been fun. \*Shit. \* ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/122 "2015-03-12T23:18:09Z")
“No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away…” – Reaper Man Pterry will live as long as there are words to be read and imaginations to be challenged. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/123 "2015-03-12T23:18:39Z")
You know what I’m disappointed we won’t see? It’s kind of morbid, but at the same time, appropriate: I’m disappointed that we won’t get to see the death scenes for Granny Weatherwax, Vimes, Carrot, Vetinari, Rincewind, and several other major characters. I’m disappointed because Pratchett’s death scenes are all just so _good_, and make DEATH out to be such a, well, nice guy, and I’d love to see just how he and those other characters interact. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/124 "2015-03-12T23:20:46Z")
Buggery bastard. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/125 "2015-03-12T23:26:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m disappointed that we won’t get to see the death scenes for Granny Weatherwax, **Vimes** , Carrot, Vetinari, Rincewind, and several other major characters. We sort of got that in _Night Watch_. I’ve read it a couple of times, and it didn’t really hit me hard until this most recent time. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/126 "2015-03-12T23:45:56Z")
> [@Octarine](#): > > Meeting him was always somewhere on my bucket list. Not near enough to the top, I guess. I met Pterry at SF cons a couple of times. As you might have expected, he was likable, charming, cheerful, and a very funny and entertaining speaker. I remember he did a bit about how scientists have finally translated the songs of whales into human speech, but it turns out all they’re saying is “I’m going for a swim today! Swim! Swim!” Mere words cannot convey the impact, he did a real funny whale. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/127 "2015-03-12T23:51:34Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > You know what I’m disappointed we won’t see? It’s kind of morbid, but at the same time, appropriate: I’m disappointed that we won’t get to see the death scenes for Granny Weatherwax, Vimes, Carrot, Vetinari, Rincewind, and several other major characters. I’m disappointed because Pratchett’s death scenes are all just so _good_, and make DEATH out to be such a, well, nice guy, and I’d love to see just how he and those other characters interact. Of course, Granny and Rincewind (and many of the UU wizards) have met Death before. Vetinari has not (AFAICR) but has often . . . fed him, or employed him, whichever you prefer. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/128 "2015-03-13T00:11:09Z")
Yes, this one hurts. And I was – am – in the middle of a reading spree of Pratchett. To lose him in the midst of enjoying his books, chuckling as I read, then sighing, then staying up too late because, damn it, with no chapters, it is too easy to keep going and going… what a marvelous world he created, and such sharp observations of our own in it. When I saw the news flash from the Guardian today, I put my head down and cried. This one hurts. And can I say thank you to the Dope? I never, ever would have read a book about elves and dwarfs and suchlike, if not for reading these boards, and figured I’d give it a try. I picked up “Lords and Ladies” and it hooked me from the first paragraph. Such pleasure I’ve had, so many happy hours reading his books. And re-reading! The good stuff, you can re-read with as much joy. I’ll be doing some bittersweet re-reading this summer. This one hurts. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/129 "2015-03-13T00:51:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Vetinari has not (AFAICR) but has often . . . fed him, or employed him, whichever you prefer. As an assassin by training if not by trade, I expect Vetinari would muse that Death and him share crucial aspects in their respective work : trying to impose a semblance of order upon the terminally (heh) disorderly, and meeting interesting people in interesting circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/130 "2015-03-13T00:54:19Z")
RIP Mr. Pratchett; you done good. Thanks for everything. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/131 "2015-03-13T01:05:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Of course, Granny and Rincewind (and many of the UU wizards) have met Death before. Vetinari has not (AFAICR) but has often . . . fed him, or employed him, whichever you prefer. Kept him supplied? ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/132 "2015-03-13T01:06:38Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > Yes, this one hurts. And I was – am – in the middle of a reading spree of Pratchett. To lose him in the midst of enjoying his book s, chuckling as I read, then sighing, then staying up too late because, damn it, with no chapters, it is too easy to keep going and going… what a marvelous world he created, and such sharp observations of our own in it. When I saw the news flash from the Guardian today, I put my head down and cried. This one hurts. _Going Postal_ has chapters: some idiot reviewer sniffed at him as an amateur because he didn’t even have proper chapters, so Pratchett happily wrote chapters complete with deadpan 19th Century “In which” headers: > [@](#): > > **LOST IN THE POST** In which Stanley experiences the joy of sacks - Mr Groat’s ancestral fears - Horsefry is worried - Reacher Gilt, a man of Society - The Stairway of Letters - Mailslide - Mister Lipwig sees it - Hoodwinked - The Postman’s Walk - The Hat ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/133 "2015-03-13T01:11:11Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > You know what I’m disappointed we won’t see? It’s kind of morbid, but at the same time, appropriate: I’m disappointed that we won’t get to see the death scenes for Granny Weatherwax, Vimes, Carrot, Vetinari, Rincewind, and several other major characters. I’m disappointed because Pratchett’s death scenes are all just so _good_, and make DEATH out to be such a, well, nice guy, and I’d love to see just how he and those other characters interact. Oh god yes. Granny meeting Death for the last time would have been a truly brilliant scene. Shit. One more reason this day sucks. Thanks, **Chronos** , ya bastid… ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/134 "2015-03-13T01:16:38Z")
I came pretty late to this party; my step son gave me his vast Pratchett collection a couple years ago. I do not know how I overlooked these gems for so long. Not merely a funny and charming story teller, Pratchett was an expert in headology and the human condition. I found Granny Weatherwax, Vimes, Tiffany Aching and his many other protagonists inspiring and refreshing studies of what it is to stand up, be strong and face the tasks at hand. Heroes indeed. Thank you for everything Terry. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/135 "2015-03-13T01:28:32Z")
I’ve been crying all day long. Every nice thing I read just sets me off. I’m having a really hard time with this, which is kind of weird in that I knew he was sick and I’ve only been reading him a few years. I’ve been re-reading along with [MarkWatches](http://markreads.net/reviews/) (a guy who reads/watches stuff for the first time and it’s really amazing when you’re familiar with the work, to watch someone discover your favorite things just like you did) and it’s going to be hard to do that, to not start sobbing every time I pick one up. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/136 "2015-03-13T02:24:50Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Is there any reason \*not \*to read them in publication order, which was my plan? > [@gaffa](#): > > Just that the first few were notably weaker. Enjoyable enough, but more of a generic pastiche of fantasy novels, rather than being definitively “Discworld”. > > I read them in publication order myself, but we don’t necessarily \*trust \*you to become properly addicted if you start with the weaker ones. I think of it more as “It took him a while to find his voice”. Whatever order you read them in, you have to read _The Light Fantastic_ right after you read _The Color Of Magic_, as they’re really ONE book that the publisher divided into two. Or at least, that’s my call on them. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/137 "2015-03-13T02:42:00Z")
The biggest contribution that Terry Pratchett made to my life was teaching me that it’s okay to laugh at professors and academia. In fact it’s not just okay, sometimes it’s required. I will miss him. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/138 "2015-03-13T03:13:45Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Of course, Granny and Rincewind (and many of the UU wizards) have met Death before. Vetinari has not (AFAICR) but has often . . . fed him, or employed him, whichever you prefer. I could be imagining this, but I believe Vetinari met Death when he was ill in _Feet of Clay_. Gods, that was a great book. Now I’m thinking about Drumknott knocking on the Watch’s door in the rain and it’s setting me off again. When I was 13, I wrote a piece for English class talking about how my role model in life was Lord Vetinari because of his skepticism and impeccable fashion sense. I can’t remember crying like this in a long time. Gah . . . ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/139 "2015-03-13T03:16:59Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Oh god yes. Granny meeting Death for the last time would have been a truly brilliant scene. > > Shit. One more reason this day sucks. Thanks, **Chronos** , ya bastid… Uh, Granny does show up in every Tiffany Aching book so far, IIRC. There’s still a chance with the last book. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835/140 "2015-03-13T04:11:27Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Oh god yes. Granny meeting Death for the last time would have been a truly brilliant scene. I recall one situation where their paths crossed and they agreed the outcome would be resolved by a hand of cards. Death conceded the hand when Granny’s pair of fours (I think it was) beat his pair of… ones. Which book was that, anyway? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terry-pratchett-dead-at-66/714835.md?page=8)