When an author passes on, sometimes they’re survived by the uncompleted work they left behind, released as a tribute to their memory. That won’t be the case for the dearly missed Sir Terry Pratchett, however, who declared before his death that his final works would never be released — and that wish was granted in style.
Image: Oli Scarff / Getty Images
It’s been known since Pratchett’s passing that he wanted his unfinished work destroyed, very specifically, by steamroller. At the Great Dorset Steam Fair, his request was finally granted, with his friend and estate manager Rob Wilkins on hand to mark the event:
About to fulfill my obligation to Terry @SalisburyMuseum @Wiltshire_flo pic.twitter.com/B0xr3V5Cbg
— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) August 25, 2017
Pratchett’s hard drive, filled with projects left unfinished after he passed away from Alzheimers in 2015, had the honour of being obliterated by a John Fowler & Co steamroller, awesomely named Lord Jericho:
The steam roller Lord Jericho at @steamfair proving modern technology is no match for the might of the Industrial Revolution @terryandrob pic.twitter.com/iLZjuRZnnD
— Richard Henry (@Wiltshire_flo) August 29, 2017
Despite the destruction however, you will be able to see Pratchett’s final works on display, in a certain way — the smashed remnants of Pratchett’s hard drive will go on display at the Salisbury museum in Wiltshire, England in September, as part of an exhibition about Pratchett’s life and work.
There goes the browsing history… Many thanks to @steamfair. Soon to be on display at @SalisburyMuseum in September https://t.co/Di8tvTO4Hi pic.twitter.com/onGGWLDYL4
— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) August 25, 2017
It might be sad to realise that this definitively means there’ll never be another Terry Pratchett novel for the world to enjoy, but it’s still a heartwarming moment to see one of the author’s final wishes realised, in a wonderfully quirky manner befitting the beloved writer.
[BBC]