By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/british-fantasy-author-terry-pratchett-dies-age-66 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter British fantasy author Terry Pratchett dies at age 66 Arts Mar 12, 2015 12:17 PM EDT Terry Pratchett, author of more than 70 books including the popular Discworld fantasy series, has died at his home, his publisher said Thursday. Pratchett announced in 2007 that he had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which he called an “embuggerance.” He died with his family and beloved cat with him. Pratchett “enriched the planet like few before him,” said Publishers Transworld managing director Larry Finlay. “All who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirize this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humor and constant invention.” He was deemed the UK’s bestselling author of the 1990s and has sold more than 85 million books worldwide, most of them in the Discworld series. The 40 Discworld novels depict a mythical world set on a flat disc balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle. The fanciful stories feature wizards, witches and trolls. Pratchett is survived by his wife Lyn and their daughter Rhianna. Some tributes from fans on Twitter: “No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away” ~ #TerryPratchett – RIP you amazing creator of worlds & words — BirgittⒶ Jónsdóttir (@birgittaj) March 12, 2015 Really sad about #TerryPratchett. His books set off fireworks in the head of teenage-me, and I'm glad to say I've not been the same since. — Frances Hardinge (@FrancesHardinge) March 12, 2015 Very sad to hear of the death of #terrypratchett. I vastly enjoy his playful, smart #Discworld books. — Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 12, 2015 Thanks for all the wonderful, wonderful adventures. #TerryPratchett pic.twitter.com/F2J4mXlSj1 — Ming Doyle (@mingdoyle) March 12, 2015 #TerryPratchett was my kind of humanist: intelligent enough to see the truth of life, but mirthful & loving enough to celebrate nonetheless. — Aaron Muszalski (@sfslim) March 12, 2015 The modern Dickens is dead. There are no words for how sad I am #terrypratchett — Anne Hegerty (@anne_hegerty) March 12, 2015 Fare well, #TerryPratchett. Your books brought me through the darkest and accompanied me through happiest times of my life. — Charlotte (@MissCharlez) March 12, 2015 A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Terry Pratchett, author of more than 70 books including the popular Discworld fantasy series, has died at his home, his publisher said Thursday. Pratchett announced in 2007 that he had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which he called an “embuggerance.” He died with his family and beloved cat with him. Pratchett “enriched the planet like few before him,” said Publishers Transworld managing director Larry Finlay. “All who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirize this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humor and constant invention.” He was deemed the UK’s bestselling author of the 1990s and has sold more than 85 million books worldwide, most of them in the Discworld series. The 40 Discworld novels depict a mythical world set on a flat disc balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle. The fanciful stories feature wizards, witches and trolls. Pratchett is survived by his wife Lyn and their daughter Rhianna. Some tributes from fans on Twitter: “No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away” ~ #TerryPratchett – RIP you amazing creator of worlds & words — BirgittⒶ Jónsdóttir (@birgittaj) March 12, 2015 Really sad about #TerryPratchett. His books set off fireworks in the head of teenage-me, and I'm glad to say I've not been the same since. — Frances Hardinge (@FrancesHardinge) March 12, 2015 Very sad to hear of the death of #terrypratchett. I vastly enjoy his playful, smart #Discworld books. — Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 12, 2015 Thanks for all the wonderful, wonderful adventures. #TerryPratchett pic.twitter.com/F2J4mXlSj1 — Ming Doyle (@mingdoyle) March 12, 2015 #TerryPratchett was my kind of humanist: intelligent enough to see the truth of life, but mirthful & loving enough to celebrate nonetheless. — Aaron Muszalski (@sfslim) March 12, 2015 The modern Dickens is dead. There are no words for how sad I am #terrypratchett — Anne Hegerty (@anne_hegerty) March 12, 2015 Fare well, #TerryPratchett. Your books brought me through the darkest and accompanied me through happiest times of my life. — Charlotte (@MissCharlez) March 12, 2015 A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now