‘Discworld’ series author Terry Pratchett dies at 66

LONDON – Fantasy writer Terry Pratchett, creator of the exuberant, satirical “Discworld” series and author of more than 70 books, has died. He was 66.

Pratchett, who suffered from a rare form of early onset Alzheimer’s disease, had earned wide respect in Britain and beyond with his dignified campaign for the right of critically ill patients to choose assisted suicide.

Transworld Publishers said Pratchett died Thursday at his home, “with his cat sleeping on his bed surrounded by his family.” The firm said he died of natural causes, from a chest infection combined with the worsening effects of his dementia.

Pratchett’s death was also announced on his Twitter account, with a series of tweets that began: “AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.”

It continued: “Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.”

“The End.”

Transworld said Pratchett completed his final book, “The Shepherd’s Crown,” last summer. It is due to be published later this year.

Pratchett was best known for “Discworld,” a series of more than 40 comic novels set in a teeming fantasy world that began in 1983 with the publication of “The Colour of Magic.”

He sold more than 65 million books worldwide, and his novels have been translated into several dozen languages.

During the 1990s, he was Britain’s best-selling author – eventually surpassed by J.K. Rowling.

Pratchett is survived by his wife, Lyn, and their daughter, Rhianna.