Recently, British newspaper, the Daily Mail, conducted a survey about the nations authors. In total, about 40,000 votes were counted and from that they drew up the table on the right. 

     As you can see, Terry is reaching deserved dizzy heights at number 3 trailing behind Roald Dahl and J K Rowling. However, Terry finished above greats such as Catherine Cookson, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. 

     I have to ask the question of how many of the survey sample were children? I would imagine a large percentage since J K Rowling made a huge impression with her children's books after only 3 books! It is questionable whether she is truly the nations favourite, but she certainly is now.

     Don't get me wrong, I am not questioning the talent of the authors, to be noticed in this day and age is an achievement, to make it into the Top 50, which didn't feature Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins.

     What I do find suprising, however, is the comments made by the writer of the accompanying article. He comments on Pratchett's books as being 'comic fantasy', however also says that Cookson surely would have topped the list if adults votes only had counted. Is he implying that Terry Pratchett is a childrens writer? Surely not. He has written a few books for the younger generation but given his established fan base for the Discworld, he cannot be considered a childrens writer.

     I certainly found the list interesting and hopefully so did you...have your say and send me your comments.