Nooo...

[lonelybrit]

Terry Pratchett's been diagnosed with a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's. There was announcement from him on Paul Kidby's official website (Discworld illustrator). There's also a bit more background at Guardian Unlimited.

I've fallen behind a bit on all his books, but I still love his work. Say what you like, he has an amazing imagination, able to hold this whole world in his head.

Alzheimer's. Horrid, horrid illness, I feel for anyone who has to suffer its effects.

Comments

[intrastellar.livejournal.com]

I've never enjoyed his writing (moral objection to pointless footnotes) and I still think this is really awful. Poor Terry. How incredibly unfair on him and his family. :(

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's dreadful news! I'm so sorry. I've been reading his books for 20 years now...

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

Oh hell. :(

[shapinglight]

Damn, that's upsetting.

I had no idea.

[lonelybrit]

Heh, actually I almost didn't make it past his book because I found the page-long footnotes so confusing, so I do understand where you're coming from!

His announcement does sound like he knows how to tackle this, but yes, it's wretched for him and those around him.

[lonelybrit]

That's just it, I've practically grew up on these books, they've always been around, and it's something that he can still find new things to stay and new facets to add to all the characters. I can't imagine anything attacking his ability to keep all those 'verses ticking over.

[lonelybrit]

It was a nasty shock when I saw the announcement, I honestly had no idea he had been anything less than perfectly healthy these past few years.

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

I'd heard about the not-a-stroke a while ago, and got the feeling there was something more to it, but I would never have thought of Alzheimer's.

He seems determined to keep writing, which is definitely a good thing - the more active he can keep his brain, the better.

[lonelybrit]

Yep, same here. From the sound of it he's known for a while now, his attitude about it all sounds so very him, humour but with an edge.

[lonelybrit]

Yep, from the sounds of it he's been aware of this for a little while, certainly I do admire the 'I'm not dead yet' attitude.

I am glad he's keeping writing, not just because I love reading his books, but as you say, its keeping his mind active and also he's continuing to just do what he's always done.