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A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Nonfiction Audiobook
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A collection of essays and other non fiction from Terry Pratchett, spanning the whole of his writing career from his early years to the present day. Terry Pratchett has earned a place in the hearts of readers the world over with his bestselling Discworld series -- but in recent years he has become equally well-known and respected as an outspoken campaigner for causes including Alzheimer's research and animal rights. A Slip of the Keyboard brings together for the first time the finest examples of Pratchett's non fiction writing, both serious and surreal: from musings on mushrooms to what it means to be a writer (and why banana daiquiris are so important); from memories of Granny Pratchett to speculation about Gandalf's love life, and passionate defences of the causes dear to him. With all the humour and humanity that have made his novels so enduringly popular, this collection brings Pratchett out from behind the scenes of the Discworld to speak for himself -- man and boy, bibliophile and computer geek, champion of hats, orangutans and Dignity in Dying. Snuff was the bestselling adult hardcover novel of 2011. A Blink of the Screen, Terry's short fiction collection, was also one of the bestselling hardcovers of 2012.
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“Michael Fenton Stevens narrates this expansive collection of Pratchett’s essays, opinion pieces, and speeches with a journalist’s ear for getting the facts just so and keeping the remarks wry and pithy. Fenton is especially adept at reflecting Pratchett’s righteous indignation and gallows humor, which is aimed squarely at his battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and his fight for more research and understanding about the disease. As Neil Gaiman points out in his foreword, which he narrates himself, ‘Seriousness is not the opposite of humor.’ For Pratchett, humor is found in the details and in the fury of hard work.”
— AudioFile
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“The essays, letters, speeches, and articles feature all the wit and charm of his beloved novels and allow readers a more personal look at Pratchett’s life and beliefs…Nearly a third of the essays are devoted in some way to his struggles with Alzheimer’s and his ever-increasing role as an activist for those who also suffer from the disease. As a collection of nonfiction writings, the breadth, intelligence and humor would make it appealing even from an unknown author. Coming from such a beloved fan favorite like Sir Terry Pratchett, A Slip of the Keyboard is a must-read.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“[An] inimitable collection…His biting—often self-deprecating—wit is evident on nearly every page, as is his wonder at being the literary celebrity that he is. He most assuredly realizes and is profoundly grateful for his stellar fortune, and he defends his genre both with humor and with passion and repeatedly credits his predecessors and literary mentors, especially Tolkien, whose Lord of the Rings, he tells us, he used to reread every summer…He reminds us that at the heart of the genre is hope…Lit throughout by the bright star of wonder.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“The book begins as a fairly amusing journey through Pratchett’s career, interspersed with peeks into his writing process and the exciting world of signing tours…That all changes, however, when the book’s chronology reaches Pratchett’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. These pieces are universally poignant and occasionally challenging…Neil Gaiman’s introduction does a wonderful job of letting the reader know what to expect as well as foreshadowing the arc of the narrative…Strongly recommended for teen and adult fans of the author or of sf, as well as those dealing with dementia or similar issues.”
— Library Journal -
“Pratchett’s] wry wit is as good as gold.”
— Boston Globe, praise for the author -
“One of the most consistently funny writers around; a master of the stealth simile, the time-delay pun, and the deflationary three-part list.”
— Guardian (London), praise for the author
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About Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) was an English novelist known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series. His first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971, and after publishing his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983, he wrote two books a year on average. He was the United Kingdom’s bestselling author of the 1990s and has sold more than 55 million books worldwide. In 2001 he won the Carnegie Medal for his children’s novel The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature in 1998 and was knighted in 2009.
About Michael Fenton Stevens
Michael Fenton Stevens is an actor and comedian, as well as a founding member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees, a pop music group. He is known for his work in television and for his voice work on BBC Radio 4.