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Terry Pratchett Knighted
ackthpt writes "Headlines have been popping up on Google News: 'Terry Pratchett declared himself "flabbergasted" to receive a knighthood as he led a group of writers, actors and performers honoured today.' The Discworld author and stalwart adversary of Alzheimers Disease has been a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to Literature since 1998. He will be entering the new year as Knight Commander. Well done and Oook, Sir Terry."
Gates knighting comes to memory.
I'm sorry - I've never heard of him.
he became a vampire?
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
Congratulations Sir Terry, a well deserved honour.
Really? That's knightable? Sir JK Rowling? Sir Alan Dean Foster?
why is slashdot SOOO behind in the news? why is there not article?
It's a shame he won't remember it soon :-(
Are supposed to call him "Sir Terry." I recall Ben Kinglsey being a prick about this, insisting everyone call him "Sir Ben Kingsley."
Well, since 1776, the US is no longer part of the UK, so no sir for you, except waiters asking of you want more tea.
Just a little FYI. Sorry if we republican (small r) Americans find the whole royalty thing anachronistic, not to mention flying in the face of the concepts of equality and consent of the governed. Who really does care what these inbred people think?
I've never been a huge fan of the French, but they did one thing right in 1789: "Off with their heads!"
Congratulations! I'm glad to see that you didn't settle for a new dartboard, even if Detritus does ruin them.
Good, inexpensive web hosting
The amount of film shot on those days before digital cameras must have been astounding.
Anyway, I was there on October 2nd this year, and while there, the Queen's Guard band played a Star Wars medley (including the Cantina music!) John Williams might be an O.B.E. by now too (heck, John Barry is), except he's American.
http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/20/95
I know I'll be modded down as troll or flamebait, but so what? Why is the QUEEN so special that she can give people special titles? She's nothing, she's a rich dinosaur that gets to live an easy life do to peoples' propensity for keeping around pointless traditions. Yeah, people talk about how great the royal family is with charity, but it's easy to be charitable when life is handed to you on silver platters.
Known mostly for his fantastic Discworld series - around 36 books - his work has brought joy and laughter to millions of people. Anyone who can create a characters as diverse as DEATH, who likes cats to our beloved Wizzard, Librarian and 'men' in the Watch.
If you have not tried his books, do yourself a favour. (Ok, I have to be honest the first one I tried was not my favourite, but after my second one I was hooked!)
Ook!
Bugrit, millennium hand an' shrimp
I'd have thought sergeant-at-arms would have been a better title :D
His books have been a delight, guards guards was always a favorite along with interesting times along with a plethora of his other discworld titles (You don't get the chance to say plethora often these days :P) I'm not liking the latest serial ones as well as I'd have liked, "wintersmith" and "making money" I found not to be as good as the books they are sequels to. I guess it's a feeling of he might no longer be writing to please himself and is perhaps wrongly trying to please some market-group as well, I'm guessing his childrens award is having an effect.
He's made me think, smile and even chuckle, and that's the good thing about his books.
The man is one of the best authors ever to have graced the earth.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
... need I say more? nudge nudge wink wink
Yours,
Sir "Big" Lancealot
I just read this and a big smile spread across my face. I've been a fan of Pratchett's books for many years now (mid 1980s I think) and it's surprising how well he is known around the world. Isn't he something like he sells the third most books of any British author? His work is fantastic, though sometimes slated by critics - undeservedly IMHO because his books can be so original and funny and still be insightful.
Just as an example, when a very close relative of mine was undergoing major high-risk surgery, the only way I could pass the time other than biting my nails was by reading one of his books.
Congrats Sir Terry! And thank you very much for all your work.
bang goes my karma... again...
I, for one, welcome our new fantastic overlords.
Congrats, Sir Terry!
But French or UK bashing, that's a troll. Got it.
considering what i've seen in the south, who the fuck are you to call any country inbred??
The difference being, 1) Most people from the US South are not, in fact inbred; 2) Inbred trash are looked down upon in the US, not placed into a higher ruling caste.
Why do we even have a moderation system here? It really is off-putting to see how people abuse it.
Most notable to be honoured is the Scot Sir Chris Hoy - triple Olympic medal winning, World Champion and all round good egg.
And I've been overtaken by him on the track at Meadowbank many many years ago...
-- NSY - SY OOT - Doric signs on local shop doors.
The man is one of the best authors ever to have graced the earth.
Ummmm... wow. I mean, I know his paperback genre fiction appeals to geeks and all -- I get a little tickle when I read Edgar Rice Burroughs, myself -- but seriously??
Breakfast served all day!
Yeah. Seriously. I judge authors based on how much I enjoy reading their books. He rates very highly for me.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
Hmmm. Well, no offense to Mr. Pratchett -- he's written a lot of books and they've been very popular and I know a lot of people enjoy them, so I'm sure the honor is well deserved -- but I, for one, could never read more than one or two before moving on to something else. It seems to me there's a whole universe of letters out there waiting to be read, rather than just revisiting the same thing over and over again. But I guess it's no worse than TV.
Breakfast served all day!
You know, that singer guy? From the 70s?
Breakfast served all day!
I see your point, however, I find that the variation in charachters and viewpoint is enough.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
He doesn't need to wear the tights, feathers, and shiny breastplate now does he?
Where does all this US loathing of the French come from?
Their ingratitude for WWII, wherein we lost 600,000 men liberating their country, including my grandfather. Then we defended them throughout the Cold War with our Pershing missiles.
And they have never forgiven us for it. My personal hate comes from their overt ratfucking of America during the leadup to the Iraq war to defend their sweetheart oil contracts with Saddam and his oil-for-palaces program. The French went so far as to sell Saddam weapons mere weeks before the invasion. And to think, they try to condescendingly assert the moral high-ground in the Iraq War.
They'd all be speaking German if it weren't for us, and they actively screwed us when we needed them. That's why there is hate.
And don't even get me started on Jacque Chirac.
Including a little spat that ended in 1776.
Yes, and the French lost what, 20 men in that spat 232 years ago? In a war to help defeat their historical enemy? Not exactly 600,000 men against the Nazis.
Took him how many years to get recongnised?
Wouldve been better to just ride a bike or swim fast or kick a ball, that way you get knighted in this fucking stupid country by the time youre 30 and called a "hero" - wankers
The man is one of the best authors ever to have graced the earth.
Ummmm... wow. I mean, I know his paperback genre fiction appeals to geeks and all -- I get a little tickle when I read Edgar Rice Burroughs, myself -- but seriously??
By sales, certainly. But it depends whether you want to define "best" as "popular" or "good quality writing". The latter is subjective.
been a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to Literature since 1998
He is indeed an OBE, being an Officer of the Order. The designation "Member" of the Order (MBE) is the more junior accolade.
I *think* you're calling us British folks who don't like the monarchy's powers a bunch of idiots... your right to do so I suppose (back to this in a minute) but I think the US 2nd amendment is rather different from the UK's monarchical power structure.
2nd amendment - created by the people and can be used by the people within the law.
Monarchy - bunch of unelected hereditary rulers from outside who have the final say. Cue Monty Python music - I didn't vote for them to be in charge, did you? Changing or getting rid of them definitely doesn't happen within the law, it's called treason. Death penalty for that was only abolished in 1998.
In the USA they had a revolution 200 years or so back because they didn't like unelected hereditary leaders from outside telling them what to do.
Personally I think we'd be better having the monarchy as figureheads for the tourists and to impress visiting presidents but removing them from the legal processes. Unelected monarchs (even those who don't claim the divine right of kings) seem a bit archaic these days. Having somebody that you have to bow down to and obey simply on the grounds that his mum or dad was in charge - no thank you.
More than one universe. L-Space theory shows that there are 10 to the power of N possible books, where N is the number of possible universes. This is why there is never enough shelf space.
"Software is too expensive to build cheaply"
Objectively, he's also very good. His handling of multiple cultures is excellent, his political satire is brilliant, his ability to link human themes such as sexism, aging, outrage at injustice, poverty, fondness of pets, bureaucracy, and courage into plots that are fun for both children and sophisticated adults who appreciate more of the subtlety is amazing. His characters are very human, often very warm, and he successfully captures the attitudes of both heroes and villains.
'Jingo' should have been required reading for the Bush Administration before the recent mid-easter mess, just as 'Making Money' should have been required reading for the loan officers of the USA before the housing credit crunch. The man captures important themes about all sorts of aspects of life.
I'll be bringing in the new year with The Rite Of Ashkente drink in his honor:
1 1/2 oz. Vodka (Peach flavoured)
1 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
1/2 oz. Sloe Gin
6 oz. Orange Juice
Mixing Instruction
Heres one for all the terry Pratchett fans:- Blend with ice and serve in chilled highball glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
Although younger wizards have discovered that the drink may be made with a shot of vodka and orange juice.
Terry Pratchett being made a knight is another example of the leftie Labour party, currently in power, manipulating the british honours system in order to undermine its purpose. In no way does Terry Pratchett merit being knighted.
> I, for one, could never read more than one or two before moving on to something else
You're not alone. I read one, thought it was great, really inventive. Quite amusing etc. Then I read a second and found it was the first one with a slightly different plot. Thought that may be an aberation and tried another - same thing. I gave up at that point. I'm very happy he's been knighted etc and I know a lot of people get a lot of pleasure from his books but he's not for me. Blasphemous as it sounds, I feel the same way about Douglas Adams. A great idea recycled to death.
I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
I like Prachett.
His lute/loot joke (you know the one) has me giggling still.
Not because it is good - it is terrible - but because it makes a pearl from dross.
His alzheimers is the very bugger.
But as soon as he gets a "knighthood" from the old county, you are pawing and slathering over him like little children.
You are either egalitarian iconoclasts or you are not (and to his credit, I suspect Pratchett is. Which makes him one up on you.)
America - the idea of "America" - far more precious than the absurd Bush tainted thing you have become - ain't what it used to be.
You have no pride.
Find Japanese addresses in English on Google Maps Japan: http://diddlefinger.com/
a +1 Funny/Sad mod. I've never seen a better place to put it.
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
Let me join the chorus of congratulations - if any author deserves it, it's him. He is one of the very few who has mastered the art of writing books that are not only funny, but deep and serious at the same time. In fact, I can't really think of any other author that comes close. I can keep re-reading his books again and again; I often go looking for new books, mostly SciFi or fantasy, and mostly go home empty-handed; and then in desparation I return once more to one of TPs books, certain that this time I will be tired of it - but it hasn't happened yet. I think his greatest strength is that his books are not actually funny - the stories are very serious, but written with a lot of humour.
As for the Alzheimer's - it would seem that there is hope of an actual cure in the not too distant future. I really hope he will benefit from the progress of this research.
You can be sure it's genuine, and not at all based on whim. Like another guy in another branch of this thread already said: The Queen hands out the knighthoods, but the guys/girls picked out for the knighthoods are chosen by the government, not the Queen.
Saying "she does it" and "it's sad to be praised by the status quo/those in power" is little more than being petty. The Queen (really the government) only praises those who made "substantial contributions to the country('s cultural or whatever) life".
Anyway, the "better" the literature you write is, the smaller the (contemporary) audience will be, (even though it will have a much longer history than more popular titles) so why do you feel that "writers should depend on praise given by (living) readers only"?
Not to harp too strongly on this, but reading Rowling, or Tolkien, actually doesn't do much. Reading Pratchett exposes people to all kinds of religious, philosophical, psychological and sociological ideas. He actually manages, not only to make political correctness and liberal tolerance funny, but also attractive. Just compare his ueber-policeman, Vimes, to Jack Bauer, and you see what I mean. Although they're both cardboard, Vimes has depth. He is a middle aged man who has accidentally married into high society and learns to adapt to it, even as marriage to a woman who understands powerful men opens opportunities to him he would otherwise not have had.
Another thing about Pratchett which may reflect his collaborationism: he can view his characters from outside. For instance, Vimes appears in books in which he is not the central character, and then we see him quite differently. Even minor characters do this: we see Cheery Littlebottom as a dwarf coming out as a woman in a gender-averse society, with all the conflicts that causes, but in another book we see her from outside the police force just as another faceless instance of authority. It's depth like this that justifies a knighthood.
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
Second, he has made his attitude quite clear as regards honours in his books. They're fine so long as they are earned. His Prince Charles character goes from jester to king. Vimes goes from the gutter to a dukedom - but you have to earn the right to call him "mister". Witches get paid in the "solid coin of respect"; Magrat goes from witch to Queen but the witches think she has settled for second best. Obviously you should not read too much into what a writer says in his books, but Pratchett's take is very consistent.
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
Sir Pterry isn't a Knight Commander (which is a title within various British Orders), but a Knight Bachelor (which is a title outside the Order system). Formally, there are no initials he can add to his name as a Knight Bachelor, but many add Kt. So he could be styled "Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE" (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), but not "Sir Terry Pratchet, KBE" (Knight Commander...).
Actually, IIRC he already had an MBE, so this Knighthood is an "upgrade". If you look, most sports stars get OBEs or MBEs unless they've actually won something of note (world cup or Olympic God medals etc).
If I have nothing to hide, you have no reason to search me
Well then perhaps you might simply says he's one of the best authors you've read.
Someone above has written about a world of literature out there. I've read (more than once) Trollope, Powell, Proust, along with all the usual stuff including the Russians in translation and the easier French and German classics, and I find it possible to appreciate them all. On the other hand, I couldn't get into Rowling.
DNA, there I agree with you. I read the books with pleasure but they are comparatively froth. Good froth, but not arise sir Douglas froth even had he not died young.
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
... so don't expect a long soliloquy when he come to get you, just a couple feet of cold sharp steel!
I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
In England if you are an amazing author you get Knighted and recognition of your entire nation.
In the United States you get lawsuits.
So? Lots of people post on this forum without knowing English...
Sir Pterrence, if you're an aged AFP graduate.
Is AFP still going strong?
I remember dialing up, grabbing as many articles as I could before my parents noticed I was using the phone, and reading/replying late into the night, then posting them the next morning.
You're not alone. I read one, thought it was great, really inventive. Quite amusing etc. Then I read a second and found it was the first one with a slightly different plot.
Then you need to try a few more. I agree that a lot of his books, particularly the early ones are quite "samey"... and I find that in particular the Rincewind / Wizard books are a bit repetitious, but you need to find other series of his and try them to give the guy a fair shake.
Even though most of his books are billed as "Discworld" books, there are in fact a number of sub-series within the overall series that are extremely different, and just provide other viewpoints on this rich and wonderful world he's created. My personal favourites happen to be the Guards books (starting with Guards! Guards!) and the History Monks books, but other friends of mine enjoy the Witches series more. There are also a few stand-alone novels that are excellent, of which I really enjoy Small Gods. Some people consider Mort a standalone, but it's really the first of the "Death Series". There are plenty of crossover stories as well that take elements that span two or more of the series, but in all honesty if all you've read are the Wizards books then you're reading what I feel are the weakest of the series.
His stand-alone non-Discworld books are also excellent... my first copy of Good Omens pretty much fell apart is was read and re-read so many times, and though that was a collaboration with Neil Gaiman it's obviously his humour that shines in that book.
Yes, I'm a fan of Terry Pratchett, and I'm glad to see his works being recognized, I stopped reading him for a few years because life got in the way (and lack of time)... now I'm catching up thanks to Audible.com, an iPod and the stereo in my car... now on Monstrous Regiment, another excellent stand-alone book :)
Does this put him in Twerp's Peerage?
Pfft. You are just being pedantic (no, I'm not new here), what I was saying was my opinion on the matter, and was simply another way of saying that.
-- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
Yep, they were all Rincewind ones I'd tried. I'll give some of your suggestions a go, thanks. /. needs some sort of email option for this sort of msg unless I've missed it)
(Methinks
I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
Well, if you're at all interested in email, it's the same as my user name at the same domain where my homepage is hosted :)
And you're welcome. :)
Off the top of my head:
Tim Berners-Lee
Elton John
paul mccartney
and now Sir Terry Pratchet!!
This is very, very cool. It's a shame Douglas adams didn't get one..
In my own country all these titles have no validity whatsoever.
When Mr Pratchet visits there he will be addressed as Mr Pratchet (in English), nobody will address him as Sir.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
That does not make them wise.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
The satirical Magazine, "Jueves", was fined for publishing a cartoon of the Prince and his wife having sex as social commentary to the benefit system for families with children.
This is just for starters, I am sure we can find such succulent tidbits about different European families without any problems.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
Those people have no democratic legitimacy whatsoever, they had even less before Blair tinkered with it.
How can somebody advocate that in a democracy, somebody unelected and whose position of influence comes from patronage, should have any role telling us which laws should govern us.
It is a travesty and a mentality only exhibited in countries where people have been brainwashed to believe there are people that deserve to be better by virtue of their parentage.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
Athletes, scientists and many other people with some natural talent have to work their socks off and probe themselves on their chosen disciplines.
Monarchs do nothing of the kind, and they don't need to, their position assured by being born in the correct family at the right time.
The mentality of subservience, which only remains in very few places with the distasteful institution of a monarchy, is an anachronism which will be seen with embarrassment by our children and grandchildren.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
And Fermat have proof of a little theorem, but did not write it neither.
Which in practice meant we had nothing.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
Honestly, you are really demanding far too much from friendship.
The two idiots that supported your adventurism, Blair and Aznar, are now retired and generally reviled as failed politicians.
The French saw through Bush's bullshit and decided to let him on his own.
BTW, the French have being helping in Afghanistan, as do the Germans and others that opposed Iraq.
Perhaps your country should listen more to those friends that do not always agree with you.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
More like 25% or thereabouts.
Look it up.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.