A eulogy with a feline vibe – In memory of Sir Terry Pratchett

Unless you’ve been stranded on a desert island, you’re likely to be aware of the recent passing of one of the biggest names in modern day literature, Terry Pratchett. Sir Terry’s Discworld series is a firm favourite with many fantasy readers and not just for his human characters either….

The first cat that springs to mind has to be “The Amazing Maurice.” Maurice becomes sentient after eating a rat who has consumed waste from The Unseen University; which is the wizard’s place of study. The rat had also become sentient before he became Maurice’s lunch….

Then there are the Discworld witches who, naturally, share their lives with cats. Granny Weatherwax has a kitten that was presented to her by the young apprentice, Tiffany Aching.  The kitten is merely referred to as “You” and for a time it feels there’s no actual compassion for the small cheeky bundle. But anyone who knows the Pratchett’s characters knows the steely veneer is just that, and soon it becomes apparent Granny feels rather a lot of affection for the new friend she’s been given. (This is illustrated when it’s revealed she lets You sleep under her hat; she claims it’s to keep her head warm, but the reader knows different.)

The most notorious feline in the series in my opinion though, has to be Nanny Ogg’s rather fine specimen of a tom; Greebo. Greebo is a rough, tough bruiser of a cat; but as with any cat carer, Nanny Ogg doesn’t view him that way at all. He’s her fluffy little angel, and she adores him.  Greebo is mentioned regularly in the Discworld novels featuring the witches and on one occasion, even has a stint as a human when Nanny Ogg casts a spell on him; which means he can cause mayhem in a whole new way.

Sir Terry also mirrored his high regard and fondness for felines with an opinion held by one of his better known Discworld characters.  In the book Sorcery, when Death is asked “what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?”, Death responds eventually by saying “Cats. Cats are rather nice.”

His begrudging admiration for cats can be seen no more clearly in the book “The Unadulterated Cat” which begins “….Our garden was debated territory for five local cats, and we’d heard the best way to keep other cats out of the garden was to have one yourself. A moment’s rational thought here will spot the slight flaw in this reasoning.” I think the book recognises that cats are smart enough to ingratiate themselves into human society when the cat feels it will be of benefit in some way.

The fact is, once a cat came into Sir Pratchett’s life noone can dispute they were inspirational to him judging by how he wrote about them. The fact that his passing was reported using the words the author died at his home “with his cat sleeping on his bed, surrounded by his family”  goes a long way to giving people an insight as to how much his own feline became part of his family.

Rest Easy, Sir Terry. Your wonderful, inspiring and giggle inducing creations will be sorely missed.