INTERVIEW: With Fading Memory, Terry Pratchett Revisits 'Carpet People'

[kaine123]

[IMG]http://media.npr.org/chrome/books/npr-books-logo-color.png[/IMG]
[QUOTE][IMG]http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/10/29/terry-pratchett-photo-credit-rob-wilkins--a7bcfbce57cbb8655a65d8e4848ee8e371a587a2-s3-c85.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE][I]Best known for the Discworld fantasy series, Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer's disease in 2007. But that hasn't kept him from continuing to write.[/I]
[QUOTE]Sir Terry Pratchett is one of Britain's best-selling authors. His science-fiction series Discworld has sold millions of copies worldwide. Pratchett is incredibly prolific — since his first novel was published in 1971, he has written on average two books every year.

But in 2007, 59-year-old Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. As a result, Pratchett can no longer read.

"When you read, I'm sure you don't realize that your eyes are going backwards and forwards and to this place and that place. Mine don't do that," he says.

Yet he continues to write, using dictation software. His latest book, The Carpet People, was originally published when Pratchett was just 17 years old. As the author struggled with memory loss, he went back to the story and re-edited it line by line. The new edition is being released in the U.S. this fall.

Pratchett spoke to NPR's Arun Rath about his long career, his approach to science-fiction and his memory.[/QUOTE]

[B]LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE:[/B][url]http://www.npr.org/2013/11/03/241630751/with-fading-memory-terry-pratchett-revisits-carpet-people[/url]

[person12]

It's god damn heartbreaking that he is losing his memory. Recently saw a documentary about his wanting to make assisted suicide legal.

At least he got to publish dozens of books and make a sword out of meteorite after being knighted? Good life.

[Jamsponge]

I remember, a few years back he posted an article about his 'embuggerance'. He has a rare form where he's still self-aware enough to know that it's happening, and honestly I don't know if that's better or worse. If it wasn't for the fact he had that specific type of Alzheimer's, he wouldn't have been able to write any more. But at the same time, only being able to, fully consciously, watch as your very being is dragged out of your body bit by bit must be the most soul-wrenching thing one could possibly experience.

[Xystus234]

[QUOTE]"When you read, I'm sure you don't realize that your eyes are going backwards and forwards and to this place and that place. Mine don't do that," [/QUOTE]I really hope this isn't gonna happen to me, I'm pretty self aware, and I consider things like this from time to time.