"I'll Die Before the Endgame," says Terry Pratchett (re: assisted suicides in the UK)

[Withywindle]

Bestselling novelist Sir Terry Pratchett today enters the debate on 'assisted death' - and reveals that eventually he hopes to be 'helped across the step'.

The author of the hugely popular Discworld novels, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007, writes in today's Mail on Sunday: 'I intend, before the endgame looms, to die sitting in a chair in my own garden with a glass of brandy in my hand and Thomas Tallis on the iPod.

'Thomas's music could lift even an atheist a little bit closer to Heaven. Oh, and since this is England, I had better add, "If wet, in the library". Who could say that this is bad?'

Sir Terry says that 'right-to-die' campaigners trying to change the law on suicide are acting with 'furious sanity'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1203622/Ill-die-endgame-says-Terry-Pratchett-law-allow-assisted-suicides-UK.html#ixzz0N3PBNKSU



"Now, however, I live in hope - hope that before the disease in my brain finally wipes it clean, I can jump before I am pushed and drag my evil Nemesis to its doom, like Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty locked in combat as they go over the waterfall.

In any case, such thinking bestows a wonderful feeling of power; the enemy might win but it won't triumph."


:cry: :cry:

A very important antidote to the "deather" nonsense, from the greatest comic novelist since P.G. Wodehouse. (Why do comedians usually have a better grip on human nature than tragedians?)

[Nictuku]

1. I love Terry Pratchett's work!

So sad, and more power to him!

[Withywindle]

4. Me too!

I was really crushed when I first heard the news. I thought keeping your mind active was supposed to help protect against Alzheimer's! It's hard to imagine a more active mind than his. :(

[silverweb]

2. What a wonderful way of expressing it.

He provides a heartbreaking but uplifting visual image, one that I think could help more people see the value of free choice in this area.

[Withywindle]

5. It is, isn't it?

He wants to go out while he still has a mind that can face the experience with courage and even wit. Why is this so hard to understand for some people?

[bertman]

17. because it's Gawd's will, doncha know??

[Withywindle]

23. Right.

Never mind that in Biblical times, thoroughly helpless wasting-away people with no quality of life whatsoever would have died long ago anyway. They didn't have respirators and feeding tubes when the Ten Commandments were written.

[BB1]

3. Pratchett rules beyond his grave.

Since I'm Dutch, I'll be allowed to help him with it.

Humorists are more likely than not Atheists. They don't have to fear wrath nor hell, so they can all die happy. I certainly intend to. And afterwards, I hope to encounter Sir Terry on his own Discworld, where all Ateists go.

[Withywindle]

6. Where the Great A'Tuin swims through the stars.

I hope his Death character is the one who comes for me when it's my time. :)

[BB1]

9. DEAR MR OF MRS OR MS WITHYWINDLE

YOUR TIME HAS COME.

Death checks the little eggtimer hidden in the dark folds of his robe. YES, he thinks, THIS ONE IS DONE AND ON HIS WAY TO ANKH-MORPORK.
While Death thinks he's sending dead Earth people to hell, his subjects of decapitation actually lose their heads over going to Discworld.
"Hello, Death. How's Binky," Withywindle kindly asks after Death's horse. "And Albert?"
Puzzled, Death responds: ALL ARE WELL. YOUR TIME HAS COME. PLEASE DO NOT CAUSE A SCENE OR PROCRASTINATE. THERE HAS BEEN A DISASTER AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE BUSY.
"Allright, I'm ready to go. Chop away, old chap!"

HUH?

[Withywindle]

10. That's "Ms." Of course, where I'm going I suppose it won't matter.

"Hello, Death. Nope, no scene. I'm packed and ready. Ankh-Morpork? Oh dear. Will I need a sewing kit? I've heard a lady can make a good living - or deading, as the case may be - as a seamstress there. Can you say hello to Death of Rats for me? He was very sweet when my gerbil died when I was little. I've never forgotten it."

[BB1]

14. I think I could cope with Ankh-Morpork,

maybe I can assist Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler selling rats-onna-stick. Although the Watch could be my thing as well. Getting under Vimes's nerves, being dead and all.
WELL, BB1, WHAT DO YOU WISH TO BE. A SPIRIT, OR A MAN?
"Actually, mister Death, sir, I'd like to be a Nobby Knobs."
SIGH

Might see you there!

[timeforpeace]

7. I hope it's a ways off for the great man. He has a new book "Unseen Academicals" coming out in Oct.

[Withywindle]

22. I'm looking forward to it!

May he have many new books coming out for a good while yet.

[pscot]

8. There are few indispensable men

but Terry Pratchett may be one of them. This will be a loss we can ill afford.

[bemildred]

11. If you want to control your own death, you need to prepare early.

If you leave it to chance, other people will take control of it, and make money off of it.

[OwnedByFerrets]

12. A huge K and R to a wonderful sentiment.

[Prophet 451]

13. Alas poor Pterry

I agree with his views and respect his stoicism but, damn, we'll never be ready to lose him.

Comedians (and especially satirists, which Pterry crosses into quite often) tend to understand human nature because much of their work revolves around the flaws in it.

[Withywindle]

15. Yup, exactly.

That's just going to be fucking awful.

The thing about his satire is, it's never really mean-spirited no matter how sharp it gets. He's such a strong humanist and that always comes through. One of the greatest. I wish he was as well-known and loved in the US as in the UK.

[Prophet 451]

16. So do I

Pterry's stories are always slightly optimistic. The good usually win. Never easily and often at some cost but they tend to win all the same. His satire is rarely about "you fools, you ruined it all" and usually "you pillocks, here's how we can do it better". The two characters that most closely speak Pterry's views, Vimes and Granny, are both fundementally noble characters. They have their faults but, in the end, they're on the side of the right.

Damn, I am going to miss the guy when he goes.

[bertman]

18. The problem with Alzheimers and dementia is that even if the intent is there and

arrangements are made, one is apt to forget the mission and miss the flight. So to speak.

The timing in those cases would be very critical. And possibly difficult.

That appears to be what he's referring to in the "Now, however, I live in hope . . ." quote.

I don't know the work of this person, but the description of dying in his garden, brandy in hand, sweet music playing, is exceptionally elegant and eloquent.

[Withywindle]

19. Yeah, I can see how it could be difficult.

I can see how you'd have to make a pact with someone. And have peace of mind that person wouldn't be prosecuted!

He's a really amazing writer - he specializes in satirical fantasy that started out being about the cliches of the genre and became all about our world and human nature. I don't want him to die any time soon - it's early-onset Alzheimer's, he's only 60 or so--but if he must, he deserves to get his wish at least. :(

[SpookyCat]

20. That is sad, but I absolutely agree.

He is so wonderful, and I like to read the humor even in this painful statement. He is a treasure.

I have no intention of continuing past quality of life. I hope people can finally accept Death with Dignity.

[Withywindle]

21. I want him to get his wish.

I don't want to lose him at all - he's only 60 or so, too young! But even more than I don't want him to die, I don't want him to be stuck in the hellish existence he dreads. His mind! His brilliant mind with his vast store of arcane knowledge, his insight, his wit...

Who would want to "live" without a fucking MIND? Not me! Who would want to subject their loved ones to that?