Terry Pratchett

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Among his other notable works is the series of [[popular science]] books ''The [[Science of Discworld]]'', written in collaboration with Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen. Despite the apparent similarity to things such as "the science of Star Trek", the books had very little to do with the science ''of'' Discworld and instead the science of the real world. In a fairly ingenuous concept, the series explained common scientific principles by contrasting the real world, which runs on rules, with Discworld<sup>©</sup>, which runs on narrative principles and supposed [[common sense]].
 
Among his other notable works is the series of [[popular science]] books ''The [[Science of Discworld]]'', written in collaboration with Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen. Despite the apparent similarity to things such as "the science of Star Trek", the books had very little to do with the science ''of'' Discworld and instead the science of the real world. In a fairly ingenuous concept, the series explained common scientific principles by contrasting the real world, which runs on rules, with Discworld<sup>©</sup>, which runs on narrative principles and supposed [[common sense]].
  
Mr. Pratchett also wrote, along with [[Neil Gaiman]], the only nice and accurate description of the coming [[Armageddon|Apocalypse]] under the title ''Good Omens''. To date, Mr. Pratchett is the only author to speak directly with Death, and on further examination has deemed him to be a sensible fellow, if not with a dark sense of humour. (Gaiman's death is way cuter, though.)
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Mr. Pratchett also wrote, along with [[Neil Gaiman]], the only nice and accurate description of the coming [[Armageddon|Apocalypse]] under the title ''Good Omens''. To date, Mr. Pratchett is the only author to speak directly with Death, and on further examination has deemed him to be a sensible fellow, if not with a dark sense of humour.
  
 
==Charitable works==
 
==Charitable works==

Revision as of 06:16, 4 August 2010

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Sir Terry Pratchett[1] is a British fantasy writer and humorist/satirist.

Contents

Literary works

His best known books revolve around Discworld©, a world controlled by numerous gods where magic is real. Discworld is supported in space on the backs of four elephants, which in turn stand on the back of the Great A'Tuin, a gigantic turtle swimming through the vastness of space. Starting with The Colour of Magic, the series features such characters as a scythe-carrying Death and a deadly piece of luggage with legs. Unseen University - named after the Invisible College, the forerunner to the Royal Society - is where wizards receive their training in magic, or specifically, how to not use magic, as Pratchett himself finds the concept fundamentally boring so takes a more satirical stance on the traditional world of spells and sorcery.

His earlier works, such as The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic were straight parodies of the fantasy genre. However, as his writing matured he began to parody other genres, within a fantasy setting, these included; Mysteries, Crime Fiction, Political Fiction (The City Watch series), Horror (Reaper Man), Sports Fiction (Unseen Academicals), Action/Adventure Novels (The Last Continent, Reaper Man), Westerns and a little bit of Hacker Fiction (Going Postal). More importantly, his novels changed from being largely parodies to being satires as well, taking on a wide variety of subjects with incisive wit and humour.

It is not impossible to say that the Discworld series was one of the influences absorbed by the author of the popular Harry Potter series, and may well be one of the most influential fictional series of all time. At least the most influential without a multi-million dollar movie franchise based on it, which may or may not be a good thing.

Among his other notable works is the series of popular science books The Science of Discworld, written in collaboration with Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen. Despite the apparent similarity to things such as "the science of Star Trek", the books had very little to do with the science of Discworld and instead the science of the real world. In a fairly ingenuous concept, the series explained common scientific principles by contrasting the real world, which runs on rules, with Discworld©, which runs on narrative principles and supposed common sense.

Mr. Pratchett also wrote, along with Neil Gaiman, the only nice and accurate description of the coming Apocalypse under the title Good Omens. To date, Mr. Pratchett is the only author to speak directly with Death, and on further examination has deemed him to be a sensible fellow, if not with a dark sense of humour.

Charitable works

He is also a figurehead of a campaign to save the Orang Outan. The librarian of the Unseen University is a wizard who was changed into an orangutan in one of the accidents that frequently take place among the careless and somewhat incompetent university wizards. Uniquely, the Librarian has no wish to be returned to human form and has gone to considerable lengths to ensure that such can't happen.

News was released on 12 Dec 2007 that he is suffering from Early Onset Alzheimers. Since his diagnosis, he has made notable monetary donations and worked to aid Alzheimers research. He has also since become an outspoken supporter of assisted dying, giving an impassioned speech on the subject (albeit via his friend Tony Robinson) for the 2010 Richard Dimbleby Lecture.[2][3]

Other details

This list of miscellaneous information is endorsed by the RationalWiki Pub Quiz Team!

On one of his Usenet postings, Terry Pratchett mused that not before the computer video game Doom did anyone ever think of the shotgun as an appropriate way to stop a demon.

He received an Order of the British Empire (Commander) on New Year's Day, 2009.

Sir Terrence is a confirmed atheist. And a self-described "bad humanist" [4].

Pratchett is incredible. I mean, seriously, the man is amazing. Easily one of the great authors of his age.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Knighted New Year 2009
  2. The Guardian - Terry Pratchett: my case for a euthanasia tribunal
  3. 2010 Dimbleby Lecture on YouTube (If you don't laugh and cry while watching this you are dead inside)
  4. BBC Interview with Mike Lawson
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