Clearly, god is dead and Satan has decided to skull F**K our eyes out for the sheer GOD-DAMN enjoyment of it!
I’m not going to link to it, because that means I’d have to say something meaningful. Even in my wildest dreams, I’m not nearly as eloquent as Terry Pratchett…
11th December 2007
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. |
-o-
This response is similar, I think, to Robert Jordan’s in that it is both heartfelt and upbeat. I know, were I forced to consider the possibility of going through what Terry Pratchett likely will (or RJ had to) I might very well consider ending it. But I’m a coward.
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December 12th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
This is indeed sad news, but just the same, I believe in the optimism that Pratchett’s showing. I think he would be telling it straight and letting everyone know if there was a Ronald Reagan level of concern that should be attached to this. Since he’s not coloring it that way, I’ll be taking him at his word. He’s in the for the long hall, and I think he might be an excellent candidate for the first human ever to not-be-allowed-to-die-strictly-by-the-sheer-force-of-will-of-other-humans(his fans)… I’m not sure if that’s a good thing in his eyes or not. Only the future will tell.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
I come here for shits and giggles, not to be bummed out man. Alzheimer’s took my Poppop and it is pretty fierce, he is a brave man. Damn you fate! Why can’t you take out an Ellora’s Cave author for once? *shakes fist*
December 12th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
This sucks. At least Pratchett is up to fighting this. One of the psychiatrist I worked with at the hospital has been doing research with his brother in using some new meds to help combat early onset Alzheimer’s. Last time I talked to him, he indicated they were seeing some really good results and that they were seeing it begin to plateau in it’s debilitating effects. He said that the key was catching it early and starting aggressive treatment. Once it’s accelerated though, it makes it hard to combat.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I’m so sad.
Terry Pratchett is my hero.