Terry Pratchett's unpublished works destroyed

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Are Tolkien, Herbert and the rest really at fault for the actions of their heirs?

Of course. It's their responsibility to make sure their wishes for their WIP are known, and to make sure the people they put in charge of their estate can be trusted to see that their wishes are honored. If it's important enough to you, then you make every effort to ensure that your wishes can't be easily thwarted after you die. If all you do is make a passing reference to not wanting your unfinished stuff published, then it's most definitely your fault.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Of course. It's their responsibility to make sure their wishes for their WIP are known, and to make sure the people they put in charge of their estate can be trusted to see that their wishes are honored. If it's important enough to you, then you make every effort to ensure that your wishes can't be easily thwarted after you die. If all you do is make a passing reference to not wanting your unfinished stuff published, then it's most definitely your fault.

I figure Terry learned from mistakes in the past. Did Tolkien or Herbert know any better at the time?

There's also the fact that just because the estate is going to publish an endless amount of further works there is nothing compelling me to read them. I learned that I can just read Dune or The Lord of the Rings and then be done.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I figure Terry learned from mistakes in the past. Did Tolkien or Herbert know any better at the time?

There's also the fact that just because the estate is going to publish an endless amount of further works there is nothing compelling me to read them. I learned that I can just read Dune or The Lord of the Rings and then be done.

Had it not been for Christopher Tolkien we would not have "The Simarillion", which for me is the greatest of Tolkien's works.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Had it not been for Christopher Tolkien we would not have "The Simarillion", which for me is the greatest of Tolkien's works.

Hey man, don't quote me. I'm not the one grousing about further work from dead writers

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Had it not been for Christopher Tolkien we would not have "The Simarillion", which for me is the greatest of Tolkien's works.

Tolkien always intended it to be published. He just couldn't finish it. A lot of other stuff has been published which is just texts with editorial notes on previous versions, etc. I very much doubt Tolkien planned for that to be published. But personally, I'm glad it was.

But the Herbert stuff is dreadful.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Had it not been for Christopher Tolkien we would not have "The Simarillion", which for me is the greatest of Tolkien's works.

Guy Gavriel Kay had a hand in its greatness, too.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Guy Gavriel Kay had a hand in its greatness, too.

I didn't know that. How was he involved?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I didn't know that. How was he involved?

Here you go Harry...

https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2014/...-exhilarating/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...he-summer-tree

[HarryT]

Interesting - thanks!

[Tarana]

I don't have any issue with it so long as it is clearly labeled on the book that another writer wrote/finished the book. Then I, as a fan, can decide if I want to spend the money for it. At the same time, I'm not going to blast those books when clearly, lots of people like the follow-up books to Dune or they wouldn't be in continual publication (clearly marked who the author's are).

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There are such things as libel laws.

Maybe where you are

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would urge caution in such speculation. There are such things as libel laws.

Surely even UK laws aren't so insane as to prosecute someone's idle speculation on a random website...

[HarryT]

Who knows, but I don't personally think it's right to make accusations of a breach of professional ethics against someone when you haven't one shred of evidence to support such an accusation.

[Philippe D.]

Thanks AnemicOak for the links to the Guy Gavriel Kay story. Makes me want to reread his books - most likely I'll end up buying them as ebooks and may end up not finding the time to read them, which is something I'm not thankful for...

[gmw]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Had it not been for Christopher Tolkien we would not have "The Simarillion", which for me is the greatest of Tolkien's works.

I wouldn't go so far as saying it was his greatest work, but I am pleased it was published. There are some great moments in it, but mostly I found it fascinating to see the depth of the world Tolkien created.