Terry Pratchett : a Life with Footnotes

Hardcover, 453 pages

English language

Published Sept. 28, 2022

ISBN:: 978-0-85752-902-2

(6 reviews)

'PEOPLE THINK THAT STORIES ARE SHAPED BY PEOPLE. IN FACT, IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.'

At the time of his death in 2015, award-winning and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett was working on his finest story yet - his own.

At six years old, Terry was told by his headteacher that he would never amount to anything.

He spent the rest of his life proving that teacher wrong. At sixty-six, Terry had lived a life full of achievements: becoming one of the UK's bestselling writers, winning the Carnegie Medal and being awarded a knighthood for services to literature.

Following his untimely death from Alzheimer's disease, the mantle of completing Terry's memoir was passed to Rob Wilkins, his former assistant, friend and now head of the author's literary estate.

Drawing on his own extensive memories, along with those of Terry's family, friends, fans and colleagues, Rob recounts Terry's extraordinary story - …

'PEOPLE THINK THAT STORIES ARE SHAPED BY PEOPLE. IN FACT, IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.'

At the time of his death in 2015, award-winning and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett was working on his finest story yet - his own.

At six years old, Terry was told by his headteacher that he would never amount to anything.

He spent the rest of his life proving that teacher wrong. At sixty-six, Terry had lived a life full of achievements: becoming one of the UK's bestselling writers, winning the Carnegie Medal and being awarded a knighthood for services to literature.

Following his untimely death from Alzheimer's disease, the mantle of completing Terry's memoir was passed to Rob Wilkins, his former assistant, friend and now head of the author's literary estate.

Drawing on his own extensive memories, along with those of Terry's family, friends, fans and colleagues, Rob recounts Terry's extraordinary story - from his early childhood to the literary phenomenon that his Discworld series became; and how he met and coped with the challenges that 'The Embuggerance' of Alzheimer's brought with it.

'Of all the dead authors in the world, Terry Pratchett is the most alive.' - John Lloyd

5 editions

Paul reviewed Terry Pratchett : a Life with Footnotes by Rob Wilkins

A must-read for fans of Pratchett

4 stars

Despite being a fan of fantasy and puns, I came to most of Pratchett's works (especially Discworld) later in life, mostly after his self-described 'embuggerance'. Fortunately there are no major spoilers in this book, which is mostly about how Pratchett reached the giddy heights of the UK's bestselling author (until Rowling came around... don't mention it). Mercifully it doesn't fall into the trap of meticulously detailing every aspect of his childhood - probably because the author (his long-time assistant) wasn't there for it.

What we end up with is a very moving tribute to an author who continues to entertain millions (and, very thoughtfully, produced two books a year, thus sorting out birthday and Christmas presents for his fans). It's 90% humour, tinged with 10% sadness at the end.

If you are a fan of Pratchett, you will definitely want to read this, but I think there's also plenty here …

Despite being a fan of fantasy and puns, I came to most of Pratchett's works (especially Discworld) later in life, mostly after his self-described 'embuggerance'. Fortunately there are no major spoilers in this book, which is mostly about how Pratchett reached the giddy heights of the UK's bestselling author (until Rowling came around... don't mention it). Mercifully it doesn't fall into the trap of meticulously detailing every aspect of his childhood - probably because the author (his long-time assistant) wasn't there for it.

What we end up with is a very moving tribute to an author who continues to entertain millions (and, very thoughtfully, produced two books a year, thus sorting out birthday and Christmas presents for his fans). It's 90% humour, tinged with 10% sadness at the end.

If you are a fan of Pratchett, you will definitely want to read this, but I think there's also plenty here for anyone who is interested in writing or fantasy.