Terry Pratchett has Alzheimer's

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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)

Terry Pratchett

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.
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That....really sucks. I don't know too much about Alzheimers so I don't know how long he has left and how quickly it will affect him.

He's probably my favourite author and the man who got me interested in reading.
 
Love Terry Pratchett's work and the world will be that little bit less vibrant without him but as he said, he's not dead yet and hopefully he'll be around for a bit longer.
 
Bugger. That's really sad to hear, although I wouldn't expect him to deliver the news in any other way or with any other footnote. As he says though, we all have to go sometime and if he can deliver more superb books to us while he still can then I salute him (again) :)

Especially if they contain such gold as:

Terry Pratchet said:
"One of the [...] former masters had made a tick tock man, all levers and gearwheels and cranks and clockwork. Instead of a brain, it had a long tape punched with holes. Instead of a heart, it had a big spring. Provided everything in the kitchen was very carefully positioned, the thing could sweep the floor and make a passable cup of tea. If everything wasn't carefully positioned, or if the ticking, clicking thing hit an unexpected bump, then it'd strip the plaster off the walls and make a furious cup of cat. Then his master had conceived the idea of making the thing live, so that it could punch its own tapes and wind its own spring.
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It's sad to hear he's got Alzheimer's, especially as he's still quite young :(
Hopefully he'll be with us and still writing for many years, and at least he seems to be taking the news well.

It's good to see he's able to joke about it.
 
I've enjoyed reading the few books i've had chance to read.

I will definately be making more of an effort to read more of his works.
 
I hope he keeps writing for many years - in my eyes he's a genius, I'm always surprised he's able to produce so many books and keep the quality high and the ideas coming.

There aren't many authors with as many books in one 'series' as him.
 
Oh no.
Ive got all his books, in hardback, including the leather and parchment copies i didnt really need.
My favorite author and possibly one of the most entertaining writers ever once you see past the vessels he uses to convey his humor.
 
I've always said I was waiting for him to die so I could buy the Pratchett box set, thought he'd appreciate that...

Unfortunately he's about to lose his marbles, well, more so.

My grandomother who was always an incredibly wise, intelligent woman contracted Alzheimer's a few years back and is now completely oblivious. The condition is however quite changeable from person to person and if caught early can be managed.

I hope T.P. keeps his mind for a little while longer yet, if only to soak up some more of the recognition he deserves for his brilliant writing. Best wishes Terry!
 
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