Power of One author Bryce Courtenay dead at 79

Updated

Bryce Courtenay, the Sydney advertising executive turned blockbuster author who sold more than 20 million books, has died at home in Canberra at the age of 79.

The South African-born Courtenay, who moved to Australia in the 1950s, had been suffering from stomach cancer.

He died yesterday at 11:00pm at home in Canberra with his family by his side.

'Master storyteller' After more than 30 years as an advertising executive, Bryce Courtenay burst onto the literary scene with his first novel, The Power Of One, in 1989. Read our full obituary.

In a statement, his wife Christine Courtenay said: "We would like to thank all of Bryce's family and friends and his fans around the world for their love and support for me and his family as he wrote the final chapter of his extraordinary life.

"May we make the request for privacy as we cherish his memory."

In a video message posted online earlier this month to mark the publication of his final novel, Courtenay said: "My use-by date has finally come up and I've probably got just a few months to live."

"I don't mind that, because I've had a wonderful life," he said.

"But part of that wonderful life has been those people who have been kind enough to pick up a Bryce Courtenay book and read it, and enjoy it, and buy the next one, and be with me in what has been for me an incredible journey.

"All I'd like to say is, as simply as I possibly can, thank you."

Courtenay was best known for The Power of One, his novel about a child's journey to adulthood under South Africa's apartheid regime.

The book, published in 1989 when he was 55, sold more than 8 million copies and was translated into 18 languages as well as being made into a Hollywood film.

Courtenay came to writing late, after 30 years working in advertising in Sydney.

Candid to the end, Courtenay recently responded to claims he had embellished details of his life.

"I take a fact and put a top hat on it, and a silk shirt and a bow tie, but I don't ruin the fact," he said.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra in October 2012.

Courtenay is survived by his second wife Christine, and his children Adam and Brett.

Another son, Damon, died as a result of HIV/AIDS contracted during treatment for haemophilia in 1991.

His long-time publisher Bob Sessions says Courtenay's "experience of life, of advertising, of living in a number of different countries, of working in the mines in Rhodesia" helped define his works.

Sydney bookseller Jon Page says Courtenay changed Australian publishing.

"There's always been literary value and cultural value to Australian novels, but Bryce showed that there was real commercial value as well," he said.

Bryce Courtenay | Life and times Obituary : Bryce Courtenay, Australia's master storyteller.

: Bryce Courtenay, Australia's master storyteller. Watch : Look back on the life of Bryce Courtenay, whose books sold more than 20 million copies.

: Look back on the life of Bryce Courtenay, whose books sold more than 20 million copies. Tributes : Leave your tributes to Bryce Courtenay, and read what others are saying.

: Leave your tributes to Bryce Courtenay, and read what others are saying. Bibliography: Bryce Courtenay's first book came out when he was 55 and he wrote 21 in total.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, books-literature, author, australia, canberra-2600, act, south-africa

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