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Terry Pratchett: A Life with Footnotes

The Official Biography

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Terry Pratchett: A Life with Footnotes

By: Rob Wilkins
Narrated by: Rob Wilkins
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

WINNER OF THE BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR BEST NON-FICTION

'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.

©2022 Rob Wilkins (P)2022 Penguin Audio Alzheimer's & Dementia Art & Literature Authors Friendship Physical Illness & Disease Relationships Dementia Alzheimer's Disease Biography

Critic Reviews

"Of all the dead authors in the world, Terry Pratchett is the most alive." (John Lloyd)

"Always readable, illuminating and honest. It made me miss the real Terry." (Neil Gaiman)
All stars
Most relevant  
Rob Wilkins was Terry Pratchett's personal assistant. There is a point, chronologically, when Rob Wilkins enters the narrative. At that point: a 2nd hand retelling morphs into a 1st hand recollection; the tone softens and the quality improves.

A touching memoir following an adequate retelling

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The audiobook version. You can hear Rob Wilkins choking up in *that chapter*, and it made me cry.

On the shop floor at work.

I started the book the day it came out, and delayed it by reading every book mentioned as it was mentioned, and watching the Sky shows as they were mentioned. I've yet to read Rising Steam and Shepherd's Crown, as they were mentioned while I was at work, but they're next.

Damn, that book is well written and makes me feel like I knew Sir Pterry too.

Do not read last chapter in public.

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I wish I had found Pratchett earlier in life but that is my loss. The world has him through his stories which will never end and Rob this is a lovely rounding out of the man, thank you.

I wish....

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After reading The Shepard’s crown I struggled to feel adequate closure for THE AUTHOR (Terry Pratchett). Rob, thankfully years later has come to my rescue. I can tell he has skill as an author in his own right. I’m very grateful for his service as most of my favourite TP books have been released while working for Terry. It’s clear me Rob is responsible for making sure many of my cherished books didn’t end up in the pit or destroyed on a train line. But most importantly I now know (to some degree of narrative certainty) how the story ends.

P.S. Expect to laugh and cry.

Closure

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I thoroughly enjoyed the Autobiography of Sir Terry Pratchett! Having it read by his best friend and personal assistant Rob Wilkins made it even more authentic and special. To learn so much about his life and inspirations for his writing was very satisfying and interesting. Much like when I read the end of his last story The Shepherds Crown I found myself weeping at the end of this book as it covered his last
moments and reminded me that we will have lost one of the greatest authors and observers of human nature of all time.

A fascinating insight into the life of my favourite Author!

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Heart warming if also
deeply crushing. like watching a car crash in slow motion.

A read for every discworld fan and everyone who's loved ones suffer alzheimers.

GNU PTerry

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In this book, beautifully written and read by Rob Wilkins, the wonderful Terry Pratchett lives forever. I’m going back for a second listen.

Wow.

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A wonderful insight into a great man, written with painful honesty and great affection by Rob Wilkins. At times, it was very hard to listen to, especially the last hour.
This is something very special.

Simply stunning

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Engrossing, learned so much about my favourite author. a great read. very much enjoyed the actual perfomance too!

well read, well written

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Such a funny, touching and informative read. I loved the warmth with which this biography/ autobiography is told. You can tell Rob Wilkins really loved Terry but also wanted to let us see the true Terry, warts and all. I really felt like I got to know who Terry was and what made him tick. I have been a Terry Pratchett fan for 30 years but this book has made me revisit my love for his writing and start rereading from the beginning.

A touching and funny biography

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