R.I.P Terry Pratchett

Seems we're losing a lot of the greats lately: Robin Williams is gone, Leonard Nimoy and, today, most devastatingly, the great Terry Pratchett has died.

I remember first reading Pratchett when I picked up a copy of Men At Arms. Hysterically funny, but pointedly philosophical about the nature of the Human condition, too. I thought Small Gods, as funny as it was, was probably one of the best fictional treatises on the nature of religious belief and divinity - looking both at the craziness of organised religion, but also at the little quirks of superstition that constitute Human mythology and perception. He had something to say about everything, and in that, I think we've lost not only a great mind, but a true literary genius.

I only hope that Death (and the Death of Rats!) came to collect him in person. They only show up for the important people.

Either that or the hell hounds from Good Omens came up to howl his passing. Loved that book so much!

I think I'm in shock over this personally. We all knew it was coming though Small Gods, Night watch, The Truth, Equal Rites and Mort. These books were life changing for me.

My thoughts exactly, Brenna. It saddens me to think of all those people who will experience Pratchett for the first time, and learn that what we have is all we will get now. I always enjoyed the idea of that next little revelation, eye-opening thought where you're laughing until you cry, but then recognising the deeper implications. The world got a little darker because he's gone, I think.

My husband's response: Dude, no that's *'** up, I'll never get another Sam Vines book!

This past year he went to rereading the Terry Pratchett novels (the only reason I even know who this author is). Too bad, the guy was REALLY good at writing (from what few snippets Nathan read to me) from what I could tell.

I didn't know who Terry was until today. I've heard the name before, but I'm gonna go out and get a book tomorrow. Spring break reading!