Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English humorist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels, especially comical works. He is best known for his Discworld series of 41 novels and for his collaboration with Neil Gaiman on the book Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.
Biography[]
In May 10, 1990, Gaiman and Pratchett wrote Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch in collaboration.[1] Pratchett and Gaiman had planned to adapt Good Omens as a movie for years, with various directors and writers attached to the project along the way. In 2011, a television series, written by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott, was first reported to be in the works but no further plans were announced.[2]
In August 2007, Pratchett was misdiagnosed as having had a minor stroke a few years before, which doctors believed had damaged the right side of his brain.[3] In December 2007, he announced that he had been newly diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which had been responsible for the "stroke".[4]
In an article published 2009, Pratchett stated that he wished to die by assisted suicide, a term he disliked, before his disease progressed to a critical point.[5] He later said he felt "it should be possible for someone stricken with a serious and ultimately fatal illness to choose to die peacefully with medical help, rather than suffer".[6]
In September 2012, Pratchett told an interviewer: "I have to tell you that I thought I'd be a lot worse than this by now, and so did my specialist." In the same interview, he said that the cognitive part of his mind was "untouched" and his symptoms were physical (normal for PCA).[7] However, in July 2014, he cancelled his appearance at the biennial International Discworld Convention, citing his condition and "other age-related ailments".[8] Pratchett died at his home from complications of Alzheimer's disease on the morning of March 12, 2015. He was 66 years old.[9] The Telegraph reported an unidentified source as saying that despite his previous discussion of assisted suicide, his death had been natural.[10]
After Pratchett's death, Gaiman refused to ever consider working on the adaptation alone but changed his mind when he received a letter from Pratchett, written to be sent after his death, urging him to finish the project.[11]
On Jun 28, 2019, the Prime Video streaming series Good Omens was being helmed by Gaiman paid tribute to him.[12]
Promotional Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1991 Award Winners & Nominees - Worlds without End
- ↑ Good Omens: Neil Gaiman to adapt Terry Pratchett collaboration for TV - The Guardian
- ↑ Sir Terry Pratchett: Author’s Discworld series of novels sold millions and he faced early-onset Alzheimer’s with courage and wit - Independent
- ↑ Pratchett announces he has Alzheimer's - The Guardian
- ↑ Sir Terry Pratchett: coroner tribunals should be set up for assisted suicide cases - Telegraph
- ↑ Sir Terry Pratchett suicide film prompts 'bias' claims - BBC
- ↑ Sir Terry Pratchett: "I thought my Alzheimer's would be a lot worse than this by now" - The Telegraph
- ↑ Terry Pratchett forced to cancel appearance by Alzheimer's - The Guardian
- ↑ Terry Pratchett, Novelist, Dies at 66 - NY Times
- ↑ Sir Terry Pratchett dies, aged 66: the tributes as they happened - Telegraph
- ↑ First Good Omens Table Read Reveals Character Looks, Major Casting News, and More - Vanity Fair
- ↑ Terry Pratchett From Good Omens Tribute | Prime Video - Youtube