Terry Pratchett Has Alzheimer's

Author Pratchett has Alzheimer's

Author Terry Pratchett is suffering from a rare form of early Alzheimer's disease, it has been revealed.

In a letter published on the website of artist Paul Kidby, the writer said the condition was behind a "phantom stroke" he had earlier this year.

Pratchett said his statement should be interpreted as "I am not dead" and that he had taken the news "philosophically" and "possibly with a mild optimism".

The Discworld author, 59, has sold more than 55 million books worldwide.

"I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while," he wrote in a letter headed 'An Embuggerance'.

"But because of upcoming conventions and of course the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems to me unfair to withhold the news."

The author said work was continuing on his latest works, Nation and Unseen Academicals, and that there was "time for at least a few more books yet".

"All other things being equal, I expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments."

"Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful," he continued, saying it was "too soon to tell" if the condition was immediately life-threatening.

Parallel universe

"I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think.

"I know it's a very human thing to say 'Is there anything I can do?' but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry."

Pratchett, whose work has been translated into 27 languages, was made an OBE in 1998 for services to British literature.

The Discworld series is set in a parallel universe supported on the backs of four elephants that stand on the shell of a turtle.

Making Money, the 36th novel in the sequence, was published earlier this year.

Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...nt/7141458.stm

Well, this is some sad news. He's one of my favourite authors - I've read almost everything he's written.

this is horrible news -- terry prachett is perhaps the greatest comedic writer ever; and to hear that he is afflicted with a disease that will slowly destroy is ability to write-- just makes me sad

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

this is horrible news -- terry prachett is perhaps the greatest comedic writer ever; and to hear that he is afflicted with a disease that will slowly destroy is ability to write-- just makes me sad

QFT! Nothing to add here...

A terrible end for such an intelligent and witty man...

Here's the letter:

AN EMBUGGERANCE

Folks,

I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while, but because of upcoming conventions and of course the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems to me unfair to withhold the news. I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early onset Alzheimer's, which lay behind this year's phantom "stroke".

We are taking it fairly philosophically down here and possibly with a mild optimism. For now work is continuing on the completion of Nation and the basic notes are already being laid down for Unseen Academicals. All other things being equal, I expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments but will discuss things with the various organisers. Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet :o)

PS I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think - it's too soon to tell. I know it's a very human thing to say "Is there anything I can do", but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry.

Orignal can be found here.

damn he is ****ing hilarious to the last word--- even in one of the most grim letters anyone ever had to write.

Thats a shame, I have always enjoyed his books and I keep on rereading them from time to time because they are so excellent imo..His writing style which mixes fantasy/history/modern politics and humour has always attracted me to his books, and he seems to be a very nice person aswell (atleast according to my sis who talked to him on a book signing)..

Terrible news indeed - one of my most favourite authors (and of at least a dozen from my friends), but it is not a death sentence yet.
I wish him all the best !

I've been reading Terry Pratchett since I was 9 years old (1990). Since then I've read and re-read his books so often they've moved into my mind like the furniture. They're part of the web and weave of my mental life. When someone told me about this yesterday it was like a physical blow landed on my physical and spiritual interior. Like a Beatles fan when he was told that John Lennon had been shot.

If I learned I had Alzheimer's I would be tempted to kill myself.

Remember everyone:

PS I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'.

For what I can grasp from his statements, he is suffering from a very early stage of Alzheimer. With today's medical and technological capabilities, he may have 10 to 15 years of health and sanity ahead of him.

A relative of mine lived - and lived well - 10 years with Alzheimer before a stroke finally killed him.

Honestly when I first glanced this thread I thought 'Jesus! She's only forty!'. Then I realised it was Terry Pratchett, not Teri Hatcher. Not my finest hour.

Anyways, as my grandad suffered form Alzheimer's disease I most certainly do not envy anyone diagnosed with it. He seems to be taking it with resolute fortititude which is the greatest compliment I can think of.

Nooooooo He's my favourite Author , my name is even after one of his characters!! Why? Why?!!

This "embuggerance" is a bit of a blight. No, its a lot of a blight - this is my favourite author, and he has Alzheimers. Of course, he's gonna pop out a few more books before he loses his mind (assume 5 years before he's unable to write, and that's pretty low as an estimate, and that's 5-10 books).

But in the end, I fear that when he stops writing, it'll be a bleak time for fantasy... what an embuggerance...