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Fantasy » alt.fan.pratchett » Experience with Mr Pratchett
| Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18287] |
Mon, 18 April 2005 23:05 |
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I went to a book signing at Ottakars in Staines to have my newly
purchased copy of The Fifth Elephant signed. Needless to say it was a
long queue, giving me ample time to think up something incredibly
eloquent, intelligent and funny. Then comes my turn, I look him
squarely in the eyes and managed only to say 'Love the books', to
which he replied 'I really appreciate the money'. I have been kicking
myself ever since.
I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
The reason I started reading them in the first place, is because I had
remembered seeing my mum reading 'Reaper Man' being a kid at the time
I mistook it for a horror novel. Then shortly after she died I wanted
to be able to know a bit more about her and what she liked. I went and
bought myself a copy, I think I was about 13 at the time. I really
enjoyed it, after finishing it in quite short order went out and got
myself 'Mort'. Well I was hooked, I then started from beginning with
'The Colour Of Magic' and 'The Light Fantastic' and went right through
to the end. And since then have been eagerly awaiting every new
release, so much so from about the middle of the series I have both
hard back and then paperback copies of the same title.
I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
these wonderful books.
Regards
Cyber Omega
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18292 ] |
Mon, 18 April 2005 23:41 |
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> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
It was about 5 years ago and I was volunteering at my local Salvation Army
in order to make the world a better and happier place. Okay, you caught me,
I was mainly volunteering so that I would have some volunteer work to put on
my college applications in a couple of years. But also the better/happier
thing.
My favorite part of the place is that they have tons of books for dirt
cheap, and my obsession with books is such that I need multiple rooms to
store mine in. I came across a hard bound copy of Hogfather and was
instantly intrigued. Which is to say I broke the cardinal rule of Judging a
Book By Its Cover and picked it up because it had red and white stripes and
raised text and was all shiny and, oh, also featured a skeleton dressed as
santa on a sleigh pulled by pigs. I bought it, read it, and then devoted the
next two months and three paychecks to getting everything I could find with
Mr. Pratchett's name on it.
--
Puck (onstage): I am that merry wanderer of the night!
Peaseblossom (in audience): I am that merry wanderer of the night,
indeed! "I am that
giggling-dangerous-totally-bloody-psychotic-menace-to-life and limb,
more like." -Neil Gaiman
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18306 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 00:35 |
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"Puck" <Kormos.4 [at] osu.edu> wrote in
news:d419j0$a15$1 [at] charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu:
>
>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
>> these wonderful books.
>>
>
> Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
Mine's even less interesting. My late uncle, an eclectic bibliophile who
had lent my mother and I various books without expecting them returned
over the years, and was already partly responsible for my interest in
Hitch-Hiker's Guide, thought we'd like The Colour Of Magic once he was
finished with it. We did. I noticed there were other books by the same
author on the inside cover, and mentioned to Mum I had a birthday coming
up...
--
Dave
Official Absentee of EU Skiffeysoc
http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/societies/sesoc/
"Phantom Menace wasn't as bad as everybody thinks
"Apart from the direction, the acting, the script and Jar Jar Binks"
-Mitch Benn, The Now Show 16/4/05
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18314 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 01:03 |
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On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 22:35:34 +0000, Daibhid Ceannaideach wrote:
> "Puck" <Kormos.4 [at] osu.edu> wrote in
> news:d419j0$a15$1 [at] charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu:
>
>
>>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading these
>>> wonderful books.
>>>
>>>
>> Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
>
> Mine's even less interesting. My late uncle, an eclectic bibliophile who
> had lent my mother and I various books without expecting them returned
> over the years, and was already partly responsible for my interest in
> Hitch-Hiker's Guide, thought we'd like The Colour Of Magic once he was
> finished with it. We did. I noticed there were other books by the same
> author on the inside cover, and mentioned to Mum I had a birthday coming
> up...
I've got an uncle like that, although he's never lent me Pratchett. He
claims he doesn't even like him that much although he *definitely did*
like GP.
I got into reading PTerry's work because I read a review of F^HE which
completely slated it. The reason for this seems to have been that the
reviewer loved Fantasy books and was horrified to think that PTerry was
making her niche popular. I couldn't stand the reviewer and decided that
any author who got that sort of review from her must be worth reading. So
I went out and bought TCOM and TLF there and then.
Whereas other readers approach PTerry's work from the SF/Fantasy angle, I
don't. I approach it purely from the humour angle, even though he has
written some of the most thought provoking books I have ever read.
--
Cyclops
Evil Heretic Infiltrator
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18318 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 02:03 |
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:03:50 +0100, Phil Davison wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 22:35:34 +0000, Daibhid Ceannaideach wrote:
>
>> "Puck" <Kormos.4 [at] osu.edu> wrote in
>> news:d419j0$a15$1 [at] charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu:
>>
>>
>>>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>>>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading these
>>>> wonderful books.
>>>>
>>> Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
>>
>> Mine's even less interesting. My late uncle,
<snip>
They're all interesting in their own way, because they're all different.
> I got into reading PTerry's work because I read a review of F^HE which
> completely slated it.
I had a false start. My mum, a teacher, asked an English teacher at her
school what she should buy me for my birthday, she probably said I liked
computers, so the English teacher thought "Kevin" and recommended
Pratchett. I got Only You Could Save Mankind. It was a favourite book for
ages, and I asked my mum for more from the library, so I read the Johnny
books, and Bromeliad. Then it stopped, since I'd run out, presumably my
mum was only looking in the children's section.
Then probably about a year/year+½ later, when I was 12¾, in Kevin style
I won a maths competition at school, and my prize was _Mort_ (and a maths
book, Curious and Interesting Numbers IIRC). This was quickly followed by
more requests from the library :-)
> don't. I approach it purely from the humour angle, even though he has
> written some of the most thought provoking books I have ever read.
I've read very little Sci-Fi, probably less than 10 books in all.
_Ringworld_, H2G2, Perseus Spur (Julian May) is the only Sci-Fi on my
shelf. Fantasy is another matter :-)
--
Matt
(back after another 3 month break)
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18329 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 05:33 |
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"Daibhid Ceannaideach" <daibhidchenedelh [at] aol.com> wrote in message
news:Xns963CEFFB53441daibhidchenedelhaolc [at] 130.133.1.4...
> "Puck" <Kormos.4 [at] osu.edu> wrote in
> news:d419j0$a15$1 [at] charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu:
>
>>
>>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
>>> these wonderful books.
>>>
>>
>> Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
>
> Mine's even less interesting. My late uncle, an eclectic bibliophile who
> had lent my mother and I various books without expecting them returned
> over the years, and was already partly responsible for my interest in
> Hitch-Hiker's Guide, thought we'd like The Colour Of Magic once he was
> finished with it. We did. I noticed there were other books by the same
> author on the inside cover,
These days, that section is available as a seperate book, "Other Books By
The Same Author", (T. Pratchett).
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18344 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 12:40 |
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Daibhid Ceannaideach <daibhidchenedelh [at] aol.com> wrote:
> "Puck" <Kormos.4 [at] osu.edu> wrote in
> news:d419j0$a15$1 [at] charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu:
>
>>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
>>> these wonderful books.
>>
>> Sure thing, although it is not at all interesting.
>
> Mine's even less interesting.
Mine's pretty standard. My brother said it was like The Hitchhiker's Guide,
except with fantasy instead of SF. It turned out to be quite a bit more
than that, but it was enough too get me hooked.
mcv.
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18348 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 14:47 |
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"Cyber Omega" <cyber_omega [at] nospam.com> wrote in message
news:gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com...
> I went to a book signing at Ottakars in Staines to have my newly
> purchased copy of The Fifth Elephant signed. Needless to say it was a
> long queue, giving me ample time to think up something incredibly
> eloquent, intelligent and funny. Then comes my turn, I look him
> squarely in the eyes and managed only to say 'Love the books', to
> which he replied 'I really appreciate the money'. I have been kicking
> myself ever since.
>
> I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
>
> The reason I started reading them in the first place, is because I had
> remembered seeing my mum reading 'Reaper Man' being a kid at the time
> I mistook it for a horror novel. Then shortly after she died I wanted
> to be able to know a bit more about her and what she liked. I went and
> bought myself a copy, I think I was about 13 at the time. I really
> enjoyed it, after finishing it in quite short order went out and got
> myself 'Mort'. Well I was hooked, I then started from beginning with
> 'The Colour Of Magic' and 'The Light Fantastic' and went right through
> to the end. And since then have been eagerly awaiting every new
> release, so much so from about the middle of the series I have both
> hard back and then paperback copies of the same title.
>
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
>
> Regards
>
> Cyber Omega
I think you should Email your post to him, Its more interesting then the
standard "I have to do a report, please answer these 50 questions" letters
that are what he probably gets. I also think that discworld is great for
young people, you can learn a lot about people from reading Pterry's books.
I just started reading WFM to my kids ( aged 6and 8) three nights ago and
they are already getting hooked. They might not understand all of it at the
moment, but I'm sure it's a great book for them to reread at a later age and
be really surprised by. Sort of a book to grow into, like Tiffany's boots.
naomi
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18352 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 15:36 |
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Cyber Omega wrote:
"I went to a book signing at Ottakars in Staines to have my newly
purchased copy of The Fifth Elephant signed. Needless to say it was a
long queue, giving me ample time to think up something incredibly
eloquent, intelligent and funny. Then comes my turn, I look him
squarely in the eyes and managed only to say 'Love the books', to
which he replied 'I really appreciate the money'. I have been kicking
myself ever since.
I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me . . . "
I know just how you feel, Cyber, old scream, and I'm sure many others
here do, as well. Heck, I'm sure even Pterry knows how you feel (he's
been a fan in his time, too; he talked about it at Worldcon last year).
But there are no words for some things, especially ones that can convey
such a depth of feeling in the 15 seconds you get at a book signing.
It's that damned existential angst, innit? Dreadful stuff, but nowt to
be done about it (though, to relieve your feelings, you could try the
letter to Mr. P. via his publishers thing. It'll still leave you
feeling strangely dissatisfied, but there it is).
I did okay when I met Mr. P at Worldcon because I had more than a few
seconds to talk to him (though I didn't even attempt to tell him how
much I like his writing - I know that's impossible, for me at least). I
did have a similar experience, though, when I met B. B. King. It was a
similar setup; standing in line for an autograph and all I could manage
to get out was "could you make it to Jean?" He said "I think I can do
that," did it, and I staggered away in a daze. I'm sure he must have
thought I was stoned or stupid or both. That was 15 years ago and I
still can't think of what else I might have said to him! No, there are
no words for some things.
Yours ever,
Jean
---------------
pighooey at mindspring dot com, actually
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18365 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 19:25 |
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Cyber Omega wrote:
> I went to a book signing at Ottakars in Staines to have my newly
> purchased copy of The Fifth Elephant signed. Needless to say it was a
> long queue, giving me ample time to think up something incredibly
> eloquent, intelligent and funny. Then comes my turn, I look him
> squarely in the eyes and managed only to say 'Love the books', to
> which he replied 'I really appreciate the money'. I have been kicking
> myself ever since.
>
<snip>
> I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
Cyber, we have all felt like this at some point, I'm sure! The first
book I got signed was Thief of Time. I felt like I didn't belong in
the queue - I had read most of the back-issues, but I thought I wasn't
a big enough fan! - and that knowing my luck, Waterstone's would shut
just three people before I got to see Pterry.
Waterstone's stayed open, he smiled quite nicely (I expected after that
long that he might be quite ratty) and said "Who to?" Having forgotten
my name, it was lucky that I was still wearing my work ID! He just
wrote "Deja fu!" and signed it. I couldn't string a sentence together.
Most people will say I must have been ill...
The last book I got signed was the Paul Kidby Art of the Discworld. I
apologised for being cheeky, but Pterry said it would only be cheeky if
I was wearing fewer clothes. At least *someone* can be witty in these
situations.
Perhaps you could plan a few months in advance, and practice on a
friend for next time!
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18369 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 19:41 |
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Cyber Omega cyber_omega [at] nospam.com wrote in
<gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com>:
>
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
I was aware of the books quite early on, around 1987, but didn't get
around to reading them for a while. Then I did a stage adaptation of a
Neil Gaiman graphic novel (Violent Cases) and during the early stages of
the production I met up with Neil to go over a few details of the
production after a signing at Forbidden Planet. After discussing Violent
Cases for a while over coffees we went off to get a beer or two and to
allow Neil to meet up with another collaborator on an entirely different
project.
So I met this charming, witty, and immensely knowledgeable bloke with a
beard and a hat, and decided that I really ought to make the effort to
read at least one of his books.
The following weekend, having achieved a state of psychoenlargement
incompatible with an eight mile cycle ride home, I spent the night on a
friend's sofa. Before dropping off to sleep I read a few pages of his copy
of The Colour of Magic. By the time I got home the following day I'd
bought the first three Discworld book and Strata.
--
eric - afprelationships in headers
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
all these years I've waited for the revolution
and all we end up getting is spin
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18370 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 19:44 |
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Naomi a [at] a.com wrote in <4264fde9$1 [at] news.comindico.com.au>:
>
> "Cyber Omega" <cyber_omega [at] nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com...
> >
> > I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
>
> I think you should Email your post to him, Its more interesting then the
> standard "I have to do a report, please answer these 50 questions" letters
> that are what he probably gets.
There's probably no need. The man himself often reads afp. It is a
touching story though.
--
eric - afprelationships in headers
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
all these years I've waited for the revolution
and all we end up getting is spin
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18378 ] |
Tue, 19 April 2005 21:32 |
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Cyber Omega wrote:
[Talking to Terry]
> I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
>
> The reason I started reading them in the first place, is because I
had
> remembered seeing my mum reading 'Reaper Man' being a kid at the time
> I mistook it for a horror novel. Then shortly after she died I wanted
> to be able to know a bit more about her and what she liked. I went
and
> bought myself a copy, I think I was about 13 at the time. I really
> enjoyed it, after finishing it in quite short order went out and got
> myself 'Mort'. Well I was hooked, I then started from beginning with
> 'The Colour Of Magic' and 'The Light Fantastic' and went right
through
> to the end. And since then have been eagerly awaiting every new
> release, so much so from about the middle of the series I have both
> hard back and then paperback copies of the same title.
In your case, I think you have a double reason for loving the books -
firstly, because you enjoy them yourself, and secondly, because they're
something you can still share with your Mum.
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
I can't really remember how I got into them, other than reading the
blurbs and thinking "Now *that* looks good."
I do remember reading Guards Guards, the first Discworld book I read,
on the beach. It was a very hot day back in 1993, and I was at Rest
Bay in Porthcawl, Wales, with my Mum. It's a very happy memory, and
since then the combination of good book and sunshine has always
appealed to me.
CCA
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #18594 ] |
Wed, 20 April 2005 01:03 |
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On 19 Apr, in article
<1113931500.384082.289430 [at] f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>
cw [at] medphysics.leeds.ac.uk "Clare" wrote:
> Waterstone's stayed open, he smiled quite nicely (I expected after that
> long that he might be quite ratty) and said "Who to?" Having forgotten
> my name, it was lucky that I was still wearing my work ID! He just
> wrote "Deja fu!" and signed it. I couldn't string a sentence together.
> Most people will say I must have been ill...
At least you didn't end up with a dedication to Emma Chisette.
--
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} bhk [at] dsl.co.uk
"Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n'ai pas eu
le loisir de la faire plus courte."
Blaise Pascal, /Lettres Provinciales/, 1657
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| Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19022 ] |
Wed, 20 April 2005 19:53 |
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"Cyber Omega" <cyber_omega [at] nospam.com> wrote in message
news:gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com...
<snippage>
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
> Regards
>
> Cyber Omega
I got started on Discworld by chance about 10 years ago. I was stuck
in bed ill and was moaning that I was bored and had read all my books,
was sick of daytime TV and had no decent computer games (this was
pre-www in the home).
My girlfriend of a few months (now wife of a couple of years) gave me
her copy of Lords and Ladies. A friend of her's had recommended it and
she thought I might like it, or at least stop moaning about being ill and
bored.
I'd never read anything of PTerry's, although people had said it was worth
a go.
I started reading and within a couple of pages I was hooked, and that was
it. I proceeded to devour the rest of the DW series and have done ever
since, although recently not with the same urgency - this 'grown-up' living
leaves me too knackered or not enough to time to read as much as I'd like.
I've been to 2 signings - one of which was successful. The first at
Waterstone's
in Edinburgh where I got the newly out CJ signed, and couldn't think of
anything
better to say that 'nk you', and the second at Borders in Glasgow which I
got
to far too late to stay - a loooong day of work then uni had taken it's
toll, the queue
was miles long, it was dark and wet outside, and I just couldn't face a few
hours
wait, so I left.
G
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19026 ] |
Wed, 20 April 2005 20:52 |
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"Gordon Welsh" <gordon [at] welsh01.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:d464u6$4ee$1 [at] newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Cyber Omega" <cyber_omega [at] nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com...
> <snippage>
>> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
>> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
>> these wonderful books.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Cyber Omega
>
Ah! I was a fervent hater of Master Pratchett.
Confirmed, dyed in the wool Pratchett puritan for AGES!
Would look scathingly on any friend who was "stupid" enough to read, let
alone PURCHASE, a book of his "drivel" .....
I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete waste of space
the
books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later I was shamefully found rooting
through
a friend's bookcase, mumbling something about trying the next one ... just
to show them!
As you can imagine, I had to put up with a fair amount of stick & scorn from
friends. I console myself with the thought that I was obviously dropped on
the head as a
child and it just took me over 30 years to recover :-))
Ssirienna
--
AFPfiancee to Delectable Jon the Warm Chocolate Bather!
AFPfiancee to Aquarion (the Phoenix-like!!!)
AFPrey to sjb351
Chocolate Covered Devotee of her Chocolate Covered Mentor, CCA
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19079 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 12:04 |
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Ssirienna wrote:
> Ah! I was a fervent hater of Master Pratchett.
> Confirmed, dyed in the wool Pratchett puritan for AGES!
> Would look scathingly on any friend who was "stupid" enough to read, let alone
> PURCHASE, a book of his "drivel" .....
Can you remember what your rationale was? Curious.
> I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete waste of space
> the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later I was shamefully found rooting
> through a friend's bookcase,
Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended for that
purpose.
> mumbling something about trying the next one ... just to show them!
Adrian.
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19087 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 13:22 |
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Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> Ssirienna wrote:
>
>> Ah! I was a fervent hater of Master Pratchett.
>> Confirmed, dyed in the wool Pratchett puritan for AGES!
>> Would look scathingly on any friend who was "stupid" enough to read, let
>> alone PURCHASE, a book of his "drivel" .....
>
> Can you remember what your rationale was? Curious.
I had a similar attitude. A colleague of mine used to read loads of trash
fantasy books, most of which had cartoonish covers; he had them lying all
over his workplace. Pterry's book looked similar (and were on the same
shelf, i.e. Fantasy) so I grouped them right with the trash. Yeah, I know:
never judge a book by its cover...
Then, in 1998, Pterry was in Hamburg for a signing on the day before my
birthday. The bookshop advertised him as "the Douglas Adams of fantasy".
Knowing I liked Douglas Adams, and looking for a present, my brother got me
TLF and ER. I liked it, even though the translation was crap, and got the
rest of the books in English.
Michae
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19092 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 14:02 |
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Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> Ssirienna wrote:
> > I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete
> > waste of space the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later
> > I was shamefully found rooting through a friend's bookcase,
>
> Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended for that
> purpose.
the question is, do we want to know how you know this?
Jade
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19965 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 16:04 |
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Michael Schuelke wrote:
> Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
>
> > Ssirienna wrote:
> >
> >> Ah! I was a fervent hater of Master Pratchett.
> >> Confirmed, dyed in the wool Pratchett puritan for AGES!
> >> Would look scathingly on any friend who was "stupid" enough
> >> to read, let alone PURCHASE, a book of his "drivel" .....
> >
> > Can you remember what your rationale was? Curious.
>
> I had a similar attitude. A colleague of mine used to read
> loads of trash fantasy books, most of which had cartoonish
> covers; he had them lying all over his workplace. Pterry's
> book looked similar (and were on the same shelf, i.e. Fantasy)
> so I grouped them right with the trash. Yeah, I know:
> never judge a book by its cover...
Similar experience here. I heard of Discworld, wanted to get a
book, saw the (in my opinion) butt-ugly covers by Josh Kirby,
went "ew" and away, and only came back after hearing many more
positive opinions about the books.
> Then, in 1998, Pterry was in Hamburg for a signing on the day
> before my birthday. The bookshop advertised him as "the
> Douglas Adams of fantasy".
It was exactly the other way for me. I liked Terry Pratchett,
and first heard of Douglas Adams on the backs of DW books.
When I saw an edition of the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
with all five books in one volume I got it because of that, and
was very disappointed. The basic premise and tone of "humanity
is stupid/worthless" got on my nerves.
~Anke
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #19974 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 17:02 |
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Anke wrote:
> It was exactly the other way for me. I liked Terry Pratchett,
> and first heard of Douglas Adams on the backs of DW books.
> When I saw an edition of the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
> with all five books in one volume I got it because of that, and
> was very disappointed. The basic premise and tone of "humanity
> is stupid/worthless" got on my nerves.
Have you tried Douglas' other books -- the Dirk Gently novels and Last
Chance to See? The Hitchhiker's Guide series is fun to read (extremely so
in places), but those are (IMO, of course) his better books. Its a pity
there aren't more like them.
Michael
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20000 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 21:09 |
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Anke wrote:
> It was exactly the other way for me. I liked Terry Pratchett,
> and first heard of Douglas Adams on the backs of DW books.
> When I saw an edition of the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
> with all five books in one volume I got it because of that, and
> was very disappointed. The basic premise and tone of "humanity
> is stupid/worthless" got on my nerves.
Goodness. Aren't people different? I think Hitchhiker's celebrates
humanity and its wonderful bumblingness. Oh well, more soup for me
(wait, that doesn't work for books, does it? OK, it would be a funny old
world if we were all the same, and no mistake. [1] Yup, that's better.)
Jen
[1] Who's that from? I thought at first it should have all the words
start with a capital and it was one of the golems, but it could also be
The Way of Mrs Cosmoplolite, or a postcard from Nanny.
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20009 ] |
Thu, 21 April 2005 22:29 |
|
"Jade" <jtr102030 [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
> Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> > Ssirienna wrote:
> > > I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete
> > > waste of space the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later
> > > I was shamefully found rooting through a friend's bookcase,
> >
> > Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended for that
> > purpose.
>
> the question is, do we want to know how you know this?
Simple geometry. While it is usually possible to get two people together
on a bookshelf, there's rarely enough room to be comfortable.
Richard
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20020 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 00:59 |
|
Jen Birren wrote:
> Anke wrote:
>
>> It was exactly the other way for me. I liked Terry Pratchett,
>> and first heard of Douglas Adams on the backs of DW books.
>> When I saw an edition of the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
>> with all five books in one volume I got it because of that, and
>> was very disappointed. The basic premise and tone of "humanity
>> is stupid/worthless" got on my nerves.
>
> Goodness. Aren't people different? I think Hitchhiker's celebrates
> humanity and its wonderful bumblingness. Oh well, more soup for me
> (wait, that doesn't work for books, does it? OK, it would be a funny
> old world if we were all the same, and no mistake. [1] Yup, that's
> better.) Jen
>
> [1] Who's that from? I thought at first it should have all the words
> start with a capital and it was one of the golems, but it could also
> be The Way of Mrs Cosmoplolite, or a postcard from Nanny.
I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
--
Stacie, fourth swordswoman of the afpocalypse.
AFPMinister of Flexible Weapons
Bondage-happy predator & AFPMistress to peachy ashie passion
AFPDeliciousSnack to 8FED
http://esmeraldus.blogspot.com/
"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible
warning." Catherine Aird, _His Burial Too_
"swordswomen of the afpocalypse" copyright Jon of afp, 2004.
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20042 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 06:12 |
|
Richard Bos wrote:
> "Jade" <jtr102030 [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> > > Ssirienna wrote:
> > > > I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete
> > > > waste of space the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later
> > > > I was shamefully found rooting through a friend's bookcase,
> > >
> > > Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended for
that
> > > purpose.
> >
> > the question is, do we want to know how you know this?
>
> Simple geometry. While it is usually possible to get two people
> together on a bookshelf < . . . snip>
I think I'm coveting either your bookshelves, or your sense of balance
Jade
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20046 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 07:21 |
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Jade wrote:
> Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
>> Ssirienna wrote:
>> > I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete
>> > waste of space the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later
>> > I was shamefully found rooting through a friend's bookcase,
>>
>> Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended for that
>> purpose.
>
> the question is, do we want to know how you know this?
The ability to foresee the consequences of possible actions has been
essential to the continued existence of the human race for quite some
time now.
Adrian.
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20049 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 09:00 |
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Stacie Hanes wrote:
> Jen Birren wrote:
>> OK, it would be a funny old world if we were all the same,
>> and no mistake. [1]
>>[1] Who's that from? I thought at first it should have all the words
>>start with a capital and it was one of the golems, but it could also
>>be The Way of Mrs Cosmoplolite, or a postcard from Nanny.
>
> I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
I think you're right, ta!
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| Re: Re:[I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20992 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 13:13 |
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Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> Jade wrote:
> > Flesh-eating Dragon wrote:
> >> Ssirienna wrote:
> >> > I finally said that I would prove to them all what a complete
> >> > waste of space the books were and read COM ..... 2 hours later
> >> > I was shamefully found rooting through a friend's bookcase,
> >> Do not attempt this here in .au - bookcases are not intended
> >> for that purpose.
> > the question is, do we want to know how you know this?
>
> The ability to foresee the consequences of possible actions has been
> essential to the continued existence of the human race for quite some
> time now.
oh, the "I thought about the logical consequences of
possible actions" explanation
. . . . that was my second guess :-)
Jade
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #20997 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 13:24 |
|
Michael Schuelke wrote:
> Anke wrote:
>
> > [I don't like "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"]
>
> Have you tried Douglas' other books -- the Dirk Gently novels
> and Last Chance to See? The Hitchhiker's Guide series is fun
> to read (extremely so in places), but those are (IMO, of course)
> his better books. Its a pity there aren't more like them.
Thanks, I'll get them when I get a good opponrtunity. :)
~Anke
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21033 ] |
Fri, 22 April 2005 09:55 |
|
On Thursday, in article
<jfW9e.9995$yq6.1771 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>
house_damodred [at] yahoo.com "Stacie Hanes" wrote:
> I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
I take it that everyone understands about the actor called Walter Plinge;
in anything?
--
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} bhk [at] dsl.co.uk
"Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n'ai pas eu
le loisir de la faire plus courte."
Blaise Pascal, /Lettres Provinciales/, 1657
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21037 ] |
Sat, 23 April 2005 00:42 |
|
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} wrote:
> On Thursday, in article
> <jfW9e.9995$yq6.1771 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>
> house_damodred [at] yahoo.com "Stacie Hanes" wrote:
>
>> I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
>
> I take it that everyone understands about the actor called Walter
> Plinge; in anything?
No, I didn't know there was an actor called Walter Plinge.
--
Stacie, fourth swordswoman of the afpocalypse.
AFPMinister of Flexible Weapons
Bondage-happy predator & AFPMistress to peachy ashie passion
AFPDeliciousSnack to 8FED
http://esmeraldus.blogspot.com/
"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible
warning." Catherine Aird, _His Burial Too_
"swordswomen of the afpocalypse" copyright Jon of afp, 2004.
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21040 ] |
Sat, 23 April 2005 00:48 |
|
"Stacie Hanes" <house_damodred [at] yahoo.com> wrote in news:M5fae.12136
$lP1.3369 [at] newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net:
> Brian {Hamilton Kelly} wrote:
>> I take it that everyone understands about the actor called Walter
>> Plinge; in anything?
>
> No, I didn't know there was an actor called Walter Plinge.
There isn't. The bit in Maskerade where we're told that people use
Walter's name when playing a part they don't want to be associated with is
actually true, but in RW there isn't (AFAIK) a real Walter Plinge they got
the name from.
--
Dave
Official Absentee of EU Skiffeysoc
http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/societies/sesoc/
"Hamish, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"No."
-Hamish and Dougal
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21042 ] |
Sat, 23 April 2005 00:58 |
|
Stacie Hanes house_damodred [at] yahoo.com wrote in
<M5fae.12136$lP1.3369 [at] newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>:
> Brian {Hamilton Kelly} wrote:
> > On Thursday, in article
> > <jfW9e.9995$yq6.1771 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>
> > house_damodred [at] yahoo.com "Stacie Hanes" wrote:
> >
> >> I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
> >
> > I take it that everyone understands about the actor called Walter
> > Plinge; in anything?
>
> No, I didn't know there was an actor called Walter Plinge.
>
There are many. Walter Plinge (or sometimes Sir Walter Plinge) is the name
that goes on the vast list as a default when there is no genuine actor's
name to put there. I've never been Sir Walter, but I have appeared with
him and have also directed him. In one case we had a late drop out and the
other was cast at very short notice and if I hadn't found somebody at the
last minute I'd have had to play it myself.
It was a more common occurrence in the days of weekly rep when shows were
often put together in a rush. In such circumstances it's easy to end up
with a situation where you know somebody will handle a minor role but
there's no way of knowing who will have time until after the programmes
are printed.
--
eric - afprelationships in headers
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
all these years I've waited for the revolution
and all we end up getting is spin
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21045 ] |
Sat, 23 April 2005 01:18 |
|
Stacie Hanes <house_damodred [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
> Brian {Hamilton Kelly} wrote:
>> On Thursday, in article
>> <jfW9e.9995$yq6.1771 [at] newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>
>> house_damodred [at] yahoo.com "Stacie Hanes" wrote:
>>
>>> I think it's Walter Plinge in _Maskerade_.
>>
>> I take it that everyone understands about the actor called Walter
>> Plinge; in anything?
>
> No, I didn't know there was an actor called Walter Plinge.
http://www.explore-biography.com/actors/W/Walter_Plinge.html
Regards,
--
*Art
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21144 ] |
Sun, 24 April 2005 22:22 |
|
Cyber Omega wrote:
> I went to a book signing at Ottakars in Staines to have my newly
> purchased copy of The Fifth Elephant signed. Needless to say it was a
> long queue, giving me ample time to think up something incredibly
> eloquent, intelligent and funny. Then comes my turn, I look him
> squarely in the eyes and managed only to say 'Love the books', to
> which he replied 'I really appreciate the money'. I have been kicking
> myself ever since.
>
> I wanted to let him know how much his books mean to me.
>
> The reason I started reading them in the first place, is because I had
> remembered seeing my mum reading 'Reaper Man' being a kid at the time
> I mistook it for a horror novel. Then shortly after she died I wanted
> to be able to know a bit more about her and what she liked. I went and
> bought myself a copy, I think I was about 13 at the time. I really
> enjoyed it, after finishing it in quite short order went out and got
> myself 'Mort'. Well I was hooked, I then started from beginning with
> 'The Colour Of Magic' and 'The Light Fantastic' and went right through
> to the end. And since then have been eagerly awaiting every new
> release, so much so from about the middle of the series I have both
> hard back and then paperback copies of the same title.
>
> I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> these wonderful books.
>
> Regards
>
> Cyber Omega
Well I don't read them. I did not find these books until after I lost my
sight. I lost my sight while going through colege. And to get out of
there with my papers I wound up doing 18 to 20 hour days and got rather
burned out on hearing people read text books that they did not like. so
when I got out I stopped getting books. Then one day I was lissening to
the news and they where going on about a new book that the kids where
going nuts over. So I got it. No it was not one of the disc world
books. In fact it was one of the harry potter books. But all the
characters that Jim dale did got me to look and ask people on the net for
other books that where well done.
I don't remember who sent me a note about the voice of death in the disc
world set of books but I went and found them on tape at a local library
and then started to buy them on CD's. Though I am a bit disapointed that
one or two of the books drop the deep eccoing voice witch means I don't
always know when death is speaking in thouse few books I still love the
stories.
I am also thankfull that His books tend to let you know when both audio
and paper books are comeing out. Many writers and there publishers don't
bother to post when the audios will come out.
--
Richard The Blind Typer
Lets Hear It For Talking Computers.
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #21162 ] |
Sat, 23 April 2005 17:40 |
|
On Friday, in article
<MPG.1cd391d8f306ca7c98c62c [at] news.dircon.co.uk>
web [at] ericjarvis.co.uk "Eric Jarvis" wrote:
> Stacie Hanes house_damodred [at] yahoo.com wrote in
> <M5fae.12136$lP1.3369 [at] newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>:
> >
> > No, I didn't know there was an actor called Walter Plinge.
>
> There are many. Walter Plinge (or sometimes Sir Walter Plinge) is the name
> that goes on the vast list as a default when there is no genuine actor's
> name to put there. I've never been Sir Walter, but I have appeared with
> him and have also directed him. In one case we had a late drop out and the
> other was cast at very short notice and if I hadn't found somebody at the
> last minute I'd have had to play it myself.
>
> It was a more common occurrence in the days of weekly rep when shows were
> often put together in a rush. In such circumstances it's easy to end up
> with a situation where you know somebody will handle a minor role but
> there's no way of knowing who will have time until after the programmes
> are printed.
IME, Walter Plinge appears in the printed cast list in the programme when
a part is played by an actor who has already got another rôle in the
production. (See the URL that someone else has usefully posted.)
--
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} bhk [at] dsl.co.uk
"Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n'ai pas eu
le loisir de la faire plus courte."
Blaise Pascal, /Lettres Provinciales/, 1657
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| Re: [I] Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #22046 ] |
Mon, 25 April 2005 12:47 |
|
richard e white wrote:
> Well I don't read them. I did not find these books until after I lost my
> sight. I lost my sight while going through colege.
Suddenly or gradually?
I have one good friend who is blind in the sense of not being able to
see anything at all, but he's been blind since birth. His name's Ian
and he works on a telephone switchboard about twelve thousand
kilometres away. I get long, conversational phone calls from him every
now and then, every year or two he visits my family (often to coincide
with cross-country tours that he likes to go on), and he's always
happy to talk about his disability. Also, my grandfather, whose name
is David, is legally blind due to macular degeneration. But I don't
think I know anyone who lost their sight early in life.
I imagine it would be very scary. Among other things, I think I would
be very worried about the loss of privacy if I were no longer able to
read the often very sensitive memorabilia and other documentation in
my possession. Like most of us, I live on the assumption that tomorrow
I will have as much control over my life as I do today, and I don't
know how I would cope if that turned out to be wrong.
Adrian.
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #24167 ] |
Mon, 25 April 2005 21:39 |
|
Eric Jarvis wrote:
> Cyber Omega cyber_omega [at] nospam.com wrote in
> <gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com>:
> >
> > I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> > would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> > these wonderful books.
> >
>
> I was aware of the books quite early on, around 1987, but didn't get
> around to reading them for a while.
My dad was reading them for a couple years before I picked one up. It
was TCM, I think, and I didn't finish it. (I was about 11 at the time.)
Then I read Mort, and was hooked. I have read everyone since then,
usually more than once. I've had to resort to borrowing some, when I'm
short on cash. Luckily I have a friend who buys them as soon as they
come out, so I often can read them before they come out in paperback or
I get a paycheck.
My sister, who is 10, just discovered Wee Free Men. She reads
everything under the sun, but I think she won't go on to the others
until she's a little older.
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #24169 ] |
Mon, 25 April 2005 21:48 |
|
Jen Birren wrote:
> OK, it would be a funny old
> world if we were all the same, and no mistake. [1] Yup, that's
better.)
> Jen
>
> [1] Who's that from? I thought at first it should have all the words
> start with a capital and it was one of the golems, but it could also
be
> The Way of Mrs Cosmoplolite, or a postcard from Nanny.
I think it's from one of the post cards Nanny sent Our Jason (and
company) in WA.
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| Re: Experience with Mr Pratchett [message #24181 ] |
Tue, 26 April 2005 00:16 |
|
In article <1114457964.267251.123300 [at] l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,=20
lbeyer [at] gmail.com says...
>=20
> Eric Jarvis wrote:
> > Cyber Omega cyber_omega [at] nospam.com wrote in
> > <gf6861hfi0gerl4clel8636p17q1v313is [at] 4ax.com>:
> > >
> > > I thought I'd share that with you all and maybe see if anyone else
> > > would like to share their stories on how they got started reading
> > > these wonderful books.
> > >
> >
> > I was aware of the books quite early on, around 1987, but didn't get
> > around to reading them for a while.
>=20
> My dad was reading them for a couple years before I picked one up. It
> was TCM, I think, and I didn't finish it. (I was about 11 at the time.)
> Then I read Mort, and was hooked. I have read everyone since then,
> usually more than once. I've had to resort to borrowing some, when I'm
> short on cash. Luckily I have a friend who buys them as soon as they
> come out, so I often can read them before they come out in paperback or
> I get a paycheck.
>=20
> My sister, who is 10, just discovered Wee Free Men. She reads
> everything under the sun, but I think she won't go on to the others
> until she's a little older.
My younger son picked up my Discworld books at age 11 (before WFM was=20
written) and read them at a steady pace over the next two years or so.=20
He may have blurred over a few concepts he couldn't handle, but=20
basically enjoyed them enormously. But he had read the Bromeliad before=20
I did, and we shared the first readings of the Johnny books.
--=20
[at] lec =A9awley
http://www.livejournal.com/~randombler
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