Fantasy author: I have Alzheimer's [Terry Pratchett]

CNN.com ^ | 12/13/07

[Slings and Arrows]

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Fantasy author Terry Pratchett has admitted that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer's disease -- but says he plans to continue writing his multi-million selling Discworld books.

[Slings and Arrows]

This is terrible.

[brytlea]

Such a nasty disease. My MIL had it and it just robs you of yourself a little at a time. My prayers for a cure.
susie

[VictoryGal]

Prayers up. Sad news.

[Slings and Arrows]

Sad ping.

[Abathar]

Prayers up. I watched my grandfather go with it, probably one of the hardest things a family and friends can go through.

[Dutchguy]

Terry Pratchett is a living legend.. sad news, I hope he can still write some more of his wonderful books.

[stm]

What a shame. Hopefully he will respond to medication.

[Verloona Ti]

Early Onset Alzheimer's got the fantasist Charles Beaumont,too (and he was only 34!)-and the great Mervyn Peake fell victim to Parkinson's IIRC. Now Terry Pratchett. It's horrible when anyone acquires this dreadful disease-but it's a tragedy for all humanity when our finest artists fall victim, because we all lose what they would have created, if only.... :-(

My uncle had Early Onset Alzheimer's disease-he was completely senile before he was 50. :-(

[billbears]

Very sad indeed. I wish him the best and a slightly selfish part of me hopes he does get a few more books out. BTW, try to catch the Hogfather (I believe it’s been on the ION network) miniseries. It came out last year in the UK but this is the first time I’ve seen it over here. Absolutely wonderful rendition of a great book. Sure to become a Christmas classic ;) (well for some of us anyway LOL)

[OSHA]

Wow. Thanks. I have only been introduced to his books by my little British buddy about a week ago. I’m reading my 2nd one now.

Very sad.

[DeFault User]

He says in a statement on his own Web site that the series {Discworld} "started out as a parody of all the fantasy that was around in the big boom of the early '80s, then turned into a satire on just about everything, and even I don't know what it is now."

I'm not fond of fantasy either, but his parody/satire series is to fantasy what Don Quixote was to novels of chivalry. If you haven't read Pratchett, do yourself a favor and enjoy a great view of this world from a parallel world.

[Slings and Arrows]

Read ‘em all. How can you not love a man that makes jokes about analog computers?

G-d be with him.

[DeFault User]

That "machine" needs a real mouse and uses a quill pen for a printer.

I'm just finishing "Making Money", another great read.

[Slings and Arrows]

No, you’re thinking of Hex. The analog computer is the water-operated economic modeler in Making Money. It’s based on a real analog computer (check Wiki).

[DeFault User]

Each time Igor(s) appears in the novels I picture him as Marty Feldman.

Too bad he's no longer around to play that role again.

[Snake65]

I had the honor of sharing an awards banquet with him at MidSouthCon in Memphis this year. What an entertaining and genial gentleman in person. Terrible news.

[RedRover]

Very sad news. Pratchett is an absolute genius and his books are the best. Prayers up.

[ApplegateRanch]

Thanks. Knew about the ‘phantom stroke’, from:

WOSSNAME
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
November 2007 (Volume 10, Issue 11)
interact@pearwood.info

but this is new to me. as issues come out at the end of the month.

[null and void]

Damm. Just damm.

[packrat35]

I didn’t know there was a MidSouthCon. I will check about attending next year. I am from Memphis.