End of an era...
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More popular? By what standard? His sales are in the millions. His books are translated into a huge number of languages. There are Discworld Conventions across the world from USA to Australia. The play adaptations are amongst the most performed by amateur groups. There are cartoon and radio versions of many of the books and the mini-series actually number three (of which the one you highlighted is possible the least convincing).
Member 9082365 wrote:
By what standard?
Is there a standard? Maybe some ANSII standard for popularity? :laugh: What I meant was that I don't see Terry Pratchett or Discworld half as much as other fantasy books/movies/series/universes. I doubt you'll find anyone (in the Netherlands) that hasn't heard of LOTR, HP or GoT, but ask about Discworld and I think many people won't know it. Even with the worldwide popularity of Discworld there doesn't seem to be any blockbuster Hollywood productions.
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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Who says he's not popular in Netherlands?[^]
Wow, you found one Dutch amateur site that mentions Terry Pratchett's death... I wouldn't call that popular :doh:
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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...So here it is at last: The Shepherd's Crown[^] The final, last ever, never to be written about again, Discworld novel is finally out. I don't honestly know if I want to read it. If I don't, I can anticipate a "new" Discworld book for a long, long time. And perhaps that's a more fitting tribute to Sir Pterry than just keeping him in the Clacks Overhead Chrome extension. But if I don't, I'll miss out on (hopefully) his finest work. Does that make any sense?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
I know what you mean. I did see a news article on the Beeb or the Guardian from a midnight bookshop opening for the release of this book which mentioned that some fans would refrain from reading the last page for the same reason. I must admit though that of all his wondrous creations, the Nac Mac Feegle were my least favourite but I don't feel I can not read it.
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Who says he's not popular in Netherlands?[^]
Sander Rossel wrote:
I rarely see any of his work in the Netherlands
So he did, really! :laugh:
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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There are a couple of TV Movies (which I understand may be on Netflix, but I don't subscribe, so I can't check) I've seen them on Sky, and they weren't bad - pretty faithful to the original material (but with a lot left out, as usual). There was supposed to be a TV series "The Watch" but that seems to have gone all quiet since 2012... :sigh: I'm just guessing that he isn't "big" in the Netherlands because of the difficulty of translating him into Dutch?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
OriginalGriff wrote:
I'm just guessing that he isn't "big" in the Netherlands because of the difficulty of translating him into Dutch?
I'm pretty sure everything can be translated. The HP translations are the best ever by the way, better than the originals! Dumbledore is called Perkamentus, which, translated back, would mean Parchmentus. Diagon Alley is called Wegisweg, which, translated back, would mean Wayisaway (bit of a stretch, but in Dutch "road" and "gone/away" are both "weg", so the road is away (weg is weg)). Hermoine Granger is called Hermelien Griffel, which would be Hermoine Stylus (or Pen), but it goes very well in Dutch. It's great :D
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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Basically because is works are much less serious than those you mentioned - for example there exists the camera, except that it works by holding inside a tiny demon who paints very rapidly what he sees (and offers occasional wry remarks), there is the character of Death, who speaks only in UPPERCASE, and so on... That is a plus but attracts way less kids than those you mentioned :D
Geek code v 3.12 { GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- r++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X } If you think 'goto' is evil, try writing an Assembly program without JMP. -- TNCaver
THAT WOULD BE A GOOD REASON! :D
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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I know what you mean. I did see a news article on the Beeb or the Guardian from a midnight bookshop opening for the release of this book which mentioned that some fans would refrain from reading the last page for the same reason. I must admit though that of all his wondrous creations, the Nac Mac Feegle were my least favourite but I don't feel I can not read it.
I don't think I could do that - not unless there was a big sign on the second-to-last-page saying "the next one is the last" - but I do remember the final lines of David Eddings "The Seeress of Kell": "And so, my children, the time has come to close the book. There will be other days, and other stories, but this tale is finished." And then he went on to write two more... :sigh: Not sure if I want to see that in a Pterry book, but it's kinda fitting.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I don't know any Terry Pratchett story. Judging from all of the comments on CP he's pretty great and he has written A LOT. I know they made some Discworld games[^] a long time ago (read about it at the time) and there's a mini series[^], but why isn't he more popular? As in LOTR, HP or GoT popular? I rarely see any of his work in the Netherlands, while other fantasy, like the ones mentioned above and, to lesser extent, The Sword Of Truth (Laws Of Magic in Dutch) by Terry Goodkind and The Farseer by Robin Hobb are pretty popular in bookstores. I don't really read novels, so I'm really waiting for a Discworld movie. Is the mini series any good?
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
Sander Rossel wrote:
I rarely see any of his work in the Netherlands
I've received a few as a gift, should be available on Bol.
Sander Rossel wrote:
I don't really read novels
Read one of the books first, and then post your new opinion :)
Sander Rossel wrote:
I'm really waiting for a Discworld movie. Is the mini series any good?
What mini-series? I did enjoy the adventure-games[^], but those are a lot more fun if you actually read the books.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
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Wow, you found one Dutch amateur site that mentions Terry Pratchett's death... I wouldn't call that popular :doh:
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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...So here it is at last: The Shepherd's Crown[^] The final, last ever, never to be written about again, Discworld novel is finally out. I don't honestly know if I want to read it. If I don't, I can anticipate a "new" Discworld book for a long, long time. And perhaps that's a more fitting tribute to Sir Pterry than just keeping him in the Clacks Overhead Chrome extension. But if I don't, I'll miss out on (hopefully) his finest work. Does that make any sense?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
I am in the same dilema. Wants it and dont's at the same time. :sigh:
veni bibi saltavi
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I don't think I could do that - not unless there was a big sign on the second-to-last-page saying "the next one is the last" - but I do remember the final lines of David Eddings "The Seeress of Kell": "And so, my children, the time has come to close the book. There will be other days, and other stories, but this tale is finished." And then he went on to write two more... :sigh: Not sure if I want to see that in a Pterry book, but it's kinda fitting.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I don't think I could do that - not unless there was a big sign on the second-to-last-page saying "the next one is the last" - but I do remember the final lines of David Eddings "The Seeress of Kell": "And so, my children, the time has come to close the book. There will be other days, and other stories, but this tale is finished." And then he went on to write two more... :sigh: Not sure if I want to see that in a Pterry book, but it's kinda fitting.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
There are a few unfinished manuscripts in various states, but according to Rhianna, who now is the keeper of the flame, she will not 'in the foreseeable future' do anything with them and that we should consider all that has been published as canon.
veni bibi saltavi
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There are a few unfinished manuscripts in various states, but according to Rhianna, who now is the keeper of the flame, she will not 'in the foreseeable future' do anything with them and that we should consider all that has been published as canon.
veni bibi saltavi
And that's a good thing. They wouldn't be Discworld, without Pterry's wry twist, even if they followed his original plan (which I doubt he ever did, except in the broad outline). Good on yer, Rhianna! You honour your father more in refusing to bow to pressure. :thumbsup:
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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:rolleyes: I was attempting to draw your attention to the existence of a Dutch Discworld Convention. If this is the level of your observation powers perhaps your failure to notice PTerry on sale is just that?
Member 9082365 wrote:
a Dutch Discworld Convention
But how many people are attending? ;)
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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Sander Rossel wrote:
I rarely see any of his work in the Netherlands
I've received a few as a gift, should be available on Bol.
Sander Rossel wrote:
I don't really read novels
Read one of the books first, and then post your new opinion :)
Sander Rossel wrote:
I'm really waiting for a Discworld movie. Is the mini series any good?
What mini-series? I did enjoy the adventure-games[^], but those are a lot more fun if you actually read the books.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
should be available on Bol
The "Schijfwereldreeks" sounds awful, I think I just found out why it isn't more popular here! :laugh:
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
Read one of the books first
What part of "I don't really read novels" didn't you understand? ;)
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
What mini-series?
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
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Eddy Vluggen wrote:
should be available on Bol
The "Schijfwereldreeks" sounds awful, I think I just found out why it isn't more popular here! :laugh:
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
Read one of the books first
What part of "I don't really read novels" didn't you understand? ;)
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
What mini-series?
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
Sander Rossel wrote:
The "Schijfwereldreeks" sounds awful,
You read it in English ofcourse. The great masters are always read in the original language.
Sander Rossel wrote:
I think I just found out why it isn't more popular here! :laugh:
Combine that with the forced reading in school that prevents people from ever picking up a book again during their entire life..
Sander Rossel wrote:
What part of "I don't really read novels" didn't you understand? ;)
You read the Lounge.
Sander Rossel wrote:
Never seen them, and don't know whether I want to :)
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
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And that's a good thing. They wouldn't be Discworld, without Pterry's wry twist, even if they followed his original plan (which I doubt he ever did, except in the broad outline). Good on yer, Rhianna! You honour your father more in refusing to bow to pressure. :thumbsup:
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
That's not to say she won't do something with the legacy. She hinted that she may use the setting, places and maybe even characters in her later work but it would never be passed off as 'in the style of' or 'with additional material by'. Rhianna has the intellectual rites [sic], along with Lyne [Sir Pterry's widow], to do what the hell she likes with Discworld, including, but not limited to, a total re-imagination or shift forward 1,000 years. That does not mean she will. I think she will leave it ten or twenty years and when her writing has matured she'll start using it as a spring board for her own adventures. The Diske is in good hands.
veni bibi saltavi
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Member 9082365 wrote:
a Dutch Discworld Convention
But how many people are attending? ;)
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
The british DiscWorld Convention 2015 has 900 members and was sold out in 2 or 3 days.
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I am in the same dilema. Wants it and dont's at the same time. :sigh:
veni bibi saltavi
Having read every Discworld novel, in order of publication, right from the first, I am going to buy "Shepherd", read it (including the last page!), then put it on the bookshelf with all the others and pick up "The Colour of Magic" and start again. I believe in that way, there will always be a 'New' pTerry novel to look forward to.
Sometimes, it just is, OK!
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I don't know any Terry Pratchett story. Judging from all of the comments on CP he's pretty great and he has written A LOT. I know they made some Discworld games[^] a long time ago (read about it at the time) and there's a mini series[^], but why isn't he more popular? As in LOTR, HP or GoT popular? I rarely see any of his work in the Netherlands, while other fantasy, like the ones mentioned above and, to lesser extent, The Sword Of Truth (Laws Of Magic in Dutch) by Terry Goodkind and The Farseer by Robin Hobb are pretty popular in bookstores. I don't really read novels, so I'm really waiting for a Discworld movie. Is the mini series any good?
Visit my blog at Sander's bits - Writing the code you need. Or read my articles at my CodeProject profile.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger W. Dijkstra
Regards, Sander
One reason is that Pratchett's first Discworld stories were reasonably-good play-around-with-fantasy tropes parody. As he wrote more, his writing skills skyrocketed. They also fall into an odd category- they have humor, but the characters are in serious jeopardy and the stakes are usually high. In most humor/parody we just laugh at the jokes but don't care about the characters. When people decide to give his work a try, they usually start with the first books, and wonder what all the fuss is about. If you start with one of the later books, you don't know the backstories of many of the characters. Another approach is to read one of the standalone books, like Dodger or Nation. That way you can get a better appreciation for his style and themes, and see if it's worth your time slogging through the first few novels. Or you can watch the Hogfather movie. ;)
