The turtle moves.

[hannahrorlove]

I can now say with complete certainty and truth I've shook the hand of a knight. Sir Terry Pratchett came to New York this weekend, and I was there in line to say hello

Comments

[nightdog_barks]

I just want to say how excellent this is -- the event, the people, the fine, keen observations.

He took the ramp up to the stage, not the stairs - that was something I noticed. And the way he held his hands, how he picked up his coffee cup in three distinct movements and was very careful about drinking from it and putting it back. The times when he had to look inside himself for his words, and when the words flowed out of him. I know he's going. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would to see it. He was very much there on the stage, very much happy to be there.

This is simply wonderful.

[hannahrorlove]

Thank you.

Before the event, we were talking about who might be in the two reserved seats in the front row - I suggested journalists, someone else joked about Neil Gaiman showing up. Someone said how great that would be, and then I said it'd be nice to see Gaiman, though I haven't before, but I'd rather see Pratchett. There aren't going to be many more chances to see him.

It's a delicate joy, seeing someone at the end. But still a joy.

[tourmaline1973]

Fantastic! Glad it was so awesome for you. Didn't realise he'd been knighted.

[hannahrorlove]

He got knighted with his own sword forged out of thunderbolt iron. He's that awesome.

[nachtschade]

I kept looking around like a meerkat
Ah, you captured the anticipation perfectly there. I'm so glad you got a chance to meet him, and were able to share some words.

You're posting the picture of you two together, right? :)

[hannahrorlove]

I'll be sharing it as soon as the Flickr group goes live.

[smtfhw]

I was lucky enough to hear him talk in London a while back at the Guardian book club event and he's a very good speaker (as well as a damn fine writer).

[hannahrorlove]

He really is, on both counts. I'm saving Dodger for a rainy day, when I need a reminder why I want to write.

[smtfhw]

I loved Dodger and could not exercise your restraint. It arrived on the day of publication and I'd finished it a day later. I usually go back and re-read Pratchett pretty much the same month so it's sitting there while I finish what I'm reading at present, and then I'm going back in. He plays very cleverly with both real Victorian history and the version of "history" that most people believe in.

[hannahrorlove]

If I don't start it, I won't be tempted to finish. I'll see about making it either the last book of this year, or the first one of the next.

[evilmissbecky]

This is a wonderful story. I'm so glad you had this chance, and that you got to meet him.

[hannahrorlove]

I am, too.