Phil Nicholson - 22 November 2007 01:27 PM

The BBC have also produced a 2 part film of the Hogfather which is very well done.

Actually I do believe that was produced by Sky UK.

Have you heard that Terry Pratchett has announced that at the age of 59 he has been diagnosed as having early onset Alzheimer’s Disease?

David McKay - 14 December 2007 11:25 PM

Have you heard that Terry Pratchett has announced that at the age of 59 he has been diagnosed as having early onset Alzheimer’s Disease?

We should remember him in our prayers, that the progression of his illness would be delayed as long as possible.

This is the full article :

Author Terry Pratchett has Alzheimer’s
Article from: news.com.au

By Alison Godfrey
December 13, 2007

BEST-selling British author Terry Pratchett has a rare form of Alzheimer’s.

The 59-year-old writer, who has sold 55million books worldwide made the announcement on Discworld illustrator Paul Kidby’s official website.

Prachett told Britain’s Mail on Sunday a month ago that he had been struggling with his hand-eye co-ordination and dexterity due to a a series of strokes.

But further tests had since revealed the famous fantasy author has early onset Alzheimer’s.

Prachett said he decided to disclose the news because it would be unfair to hide it from his fans and colleagues.

“I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early onset Alzheimer’s, which lay behind this year’s phantom ‘stroke’, he said in a statement on the website.

“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.”

David McKay - 22 November 2007 12:51 PM

I have not been much of a novel reader, but I hear so many good reports of Discworld. Where should one start?

me too. I definitely would like to have a read for myself to see what the fuss is all about. I’m sure it lives up to its reputation though

The Colour of Magic for the Rincewind books

Equal Rites for Granny Weatherwax books

Guards Guards for the Sam Vimes books

Wee Free men for the Tiffany Akin books, although I’d recommend getting familiar with granny Weatherwax first

Pyramids is on its own

Going Postal for the Moist von Lipwig books

Michael Allison - 14 December 2007 09:07 PM

Phil Nicholson - 22 November 2007 01:27 PM

The BBC have also produced a 2 part film of the Hogfather which is very well done.

Actually I do believe that was produced by Sky UK.

I saw in yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald that Channel 7 are showing this over two weeks starting this Sunday (23 Dec) at 8:30pm

Hi Owen,

Owen Atkins - 18 December 2007 08:28 AM

the Tiffany Akin books, although I’d recommend getting familiar with granny Weatherwax first

It’s Tiffany Aching, man!!

(Sorry, was Aching to correct you there.)

Also my throat is Aching, since I shrieked at the news about the Hogfather coming to Aussie TV.

As Susan’s grandfather says while filling in the Hogfather’s role:

“LET’S GET OUT THERE AND SLEIGH THEM.
HO. HO. HO.”

TZ.

Aaah
I stand corrected
I can’t make up my mind about Tiffany. She is largely Granny Weatherwax writ small, but I do love the pictsies!

And I am hugely aware of the relationship her name bears with mine.
Achin, akin, atkin,etc
Just useless at remembering which one applies.

And, aint Death cool?
I love his perpetual bemusement at humans.

Reading anything with the luggage is key to understanding passages such as 1 Samuel 4-6

Owen Atkins - 18 December 2007 08:28 AM

Equal Rites for Granny Weatherwax books

Just read it again yesterday. Laughed and laughed.

Heather, THIS is the book you should have started with!

What is most interesting for Granny is the way she’s always telling the apprentice witches - first Esk (in Equal Rites) and currently Tiffany (Wintersmith) - about how NOT to use magic...Yet by the end of Equal Rites you understand that she’s powerful enough to make the top wizard (UU Archchancellor Cutangle) think he should never have tried to fight her.

Equal Rites is the only book, I think, where we see what Granny is really capable of - and I think that’s what gives these Pratchett novels their charm...waiting to see just when Granny, Nanny, Magrat, Agnes/Perdita or Tiffany actually use their powers (because most of the time this is so rare).

Especially compared to the wizards, who use magic for common things then find themselves running around trying to patch up the holes they made.....The Last Continent was such a frustrating read for that reason! (And yet, for anyone who calls themselves an Aussie, it’s a must-read for all the cultural cringe jokes!)

Rambling on...want bikkit want bikkit NOW

TZ.

Interesting that just after someone mentioned that there was a DVD of Hogfather I found it at the video shop and borrowed it. Have to say, while I am a big Terry Pratchett fan, that I am a bit sad that this was the first one they gave the “live action” treatment to. Excellent production values, but I’ve always thought this was the one Discworld book that was the weakest. I think this is because he sort of lets his own philosophy of the Universe in, and there are lines where Death talks about people needing to invent “higher beings” to satisfy their needs- a line that you can tell he wants us to apply to Christianity as well. That said, it is also a bit freaky seeing the skeletal Death driving around in Santa’s sleigh, and I would certainly not be encouraging young children to watch it!
<Cringes expecting attacks from Hogfather fans....>

I agree
about him putting his own values in, but doesn’t mater. I tend to agree with Death but see it slightly differently. That is, while humans are trying to put order into a chaotic universe and develop a concept of higher things, the Highest Thing is reaching down trying to get us to do just that in order that, when the time is right, to meet us in the middle as it were.... hmmm, a very Advent appropriate thought really.

Wasn’t Teatime great in the movie last night? Can’t wait to see part 2.

I did like Death in the first part, not so much his costume but the late Ian Richardson’s very wonderful voice.