Why we all deserve a life worth living and a death worth dying for ‘Most men don’t fear death. They fear those things – the knife, the shipwreck, the illness, the bomb – which precede, by microseconds if you’re lucky, and many years if you’re not, the moment of death.’ When Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his fifties he was angry - not with death but with the disease that would take him there, and with the suffering disease can cause when we are not allowed to put an end to it. In this essay, broadcast to millions as the BBC Richard Dimblebly Lecture 2010 and previously only available as part of A Slip of the Keyboard, he argues for our right to choose - our right to a good life, and a good death too.
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terry Pratchett was a British author known for his satirical fantasy novels. He is best known for his Discworld series, which consists of over 40 books set in a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle. Pratchett's works combine humor, wit, and social commentary, making them beloved by readers of all ages. His most famous work, "Mort," follows a young man who becomes Death's apprentice. Pratchett's writing style is marked by clever wordplay, quirky characters, and insightful observations about the human condition. He was a prolific writer who won numerous awards for his contributions to literature, and his impact on the fantasy genre is undeniable. Terry Pratchett passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of beloved books that continue to enchant readers around the world.
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