The world was left a little less lustrous following yesterday’s death of beloved fantasy author Terry Pratchett who had battled Alzheimer’s since 2007.
His daughter Rhianna documented the author’s last moments in a series of humorously saddening tweets in which Pratchett’s character of Death comes to take him away.
AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.
— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015
Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night. — Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015
The End.
— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015
However his legacy is set to continue enchanting children of all ages as local booksellers prepare for an increase in demand for his works due to his passing.
A spokesperson for Daunt Books on Fulham Road said: “I am sure there will be renewed interest, and we will be making sure we have all his works in stock.”
Patrick Kelly of Bookmongers on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton said Terry Pratchett books have always been ‘really popular’ in his shop.
Pratchett, who wrote his first story at the age of 13, published 70 books which have been translated into 37 languages over his career, with the last one published in the summer of last year.
He is best known for his creation of the Discworld universe, a world of fantasy which was at the same time familiar and groundbreaking, and which made him the 2nd best selling UK author behind JK Rowling.
He wrote over 40 titles set within the Discworld, using his outlandish settings to lampoon all manner of contemporary issues from the economy to religious tolerance in titles like Small Gods and Making Money.
His work has even transitioned onto the small screen with adaptations of The Hogfather, The Colour of Magic and Going Postal.
His passing has seen tributes from all corners of society including fellow author Philip Pullman who praised his warmth saying ‘there is nothing spiteful, nothing bitter or sarcastic in his humour’.
Following his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s in late 2007 Terry also became an avid campaigner for Dementia awareness in the UK.
He also became a spokesperson for assisted suicide, though he loathed the term, and had made comments in the past that he would like to have the choice to die before the disease reached a critical point.
However this was unnecessary as he died peacefully at his Wiltshire home surrounded by his family following a chest infection yesterday afternoon.
As Terry Pratchett himself once wrote, death isn’t cruel – merely terribly, terribly good at his job.
Picture courtesy of Federico Giacanelli, with thanks
