Terry Pratchett. RIP

[Guy Profumo]

Has died at the age of 66.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31858156

[Various Artist]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Oh no no no, this is awful news. He'd confronted the struggle with Alzheimer's so bravely and publicly, and despite its ongoing effects he had still seemed all right in himself when appearing in the media really quite recently. To learn that it's claimed him so soon is terrible. RIP to a brilliant writer and humorist, someone who's made me laugh more than just about anyone on this earth.

[johnr]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Damn, that's ruined my day. Am halfway through his last book too...not his best, but his best was amazing, funny and profound.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

YOU HAVE BEEN EXPECTING ME, HAVEN'T YOU?

[Kevin S]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Velvet Android wrote: Oh no no no, this is awful news. He'd confronted the struggle with Alzheimer's so bravely and publicly, and despite its ongoing effects he had still seemed all right in himself when appearing in the media really quite recently. To learn that it's claimed him so soon is terrible. RIP to a brilliant writer and humorist, someone who's made me laugh more than just about anyone on this earth.

Well said, VA.

[blameless]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Rogin: I got it.

Desperately sad news, even if it has been inevitable for a while now.

What was amazing was how his books evolved over the years from fairly standard sci-fi fare to an ongoing critique of 21st century earth, cunningly hidden inside books ostensibly about trolls, elves and goblins.

[Kevin S]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

https://twitter.com/terryandrob

[Renart]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Very sad news. Though I knew of his illness, I didn't expect it to take him so soon.

I was never a Discworld obsessive like some of my friends, but the ones I have read I found very funny and inventive.

[evilC]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Bah! I've just started a thread over on 'Books' for this!

So much for your specificity!

[Sits]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

THAT'S AWFUL, SUCH A FUNNY WRITER, SUCH A SHAME. RIP.

I know that's someone else's gag but it seems appropriate. I'm also not sure which is now the "right" thread so I'll put this on the other one too.

[DCI Harry Batt]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

So when you die of alzheimer's, what kills you?

[gjw100]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

TonTon wrote: So when you die of alzheimer's, what kills you?

My mum died from Alzheimer's just over a year ago. She pretty much shut down, lost her swallow reflex which left her unable to eat or drink and effectively died of malnutrition after being in a coma like state for about a week.

[Lucy Waterman]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

I hope it was his choice.

[Gerontophile]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

I don't normally get depressed about famous people dying, but this one actually hurts.

The joy he has given me through the years has been unestimable. Was actually reading 'The Long Mars' when I heard the news, and I thought it was fitting. I hope he hasn't left it open ended (selfish? Damned right.)

Say Hi to Susan for me.

[Various Artist]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

There's meant to be a fourth all ready to go Gero, I gathered from looking at his website briefly earlier before it crashed — just about the most recent previous news on there was that the manuscript of The Long Utopia was back from the publishers for proofing, or similar.

And I should add that I concur entirely with what you said there, by the way.

[Gerontophile]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

Well, that is some sort of good news anyway VA.

Lucy, I heard on the Beeb, that it was at home, surrounded by family members, and a cat (Shi-mi?) asleep on his leg.

His death was apparently unassisted.

[Guy Profumo]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

evilC wrote: Bah! I've just started a thread over on 'Books' for this!

So much for your specificity!

OK. It's a fair cop. I'll come quietly, guv'.

[Jah Womble]

Terry Pratchett. RIP

So when you die of alzheimer's, what kills you?

My mum died from Alzheimer's just over a year ago. She pretty much shut down, lost her swallow reflex which left her unable to eat or drink and effectively died of malnutrition after being in a coma like state for about a week.

My mother also passed away from Alzheimer's recently - the chain of events was exactly as gjw100 has described.

RIP, Terry Pratchett, of course.