Celebrated Australian author Bryce Courtenay, who penned the bestselling novel The Power Of One died yesterday at age 79 after battling stomach cancer.
South African-born Courtenay moved to Australia in his 20s working in the advertising industry for several years before releasing his first book, the much loved bildungsroman The Power Of One which became an international bestseller and was later adapted for film.
Courtenay wrote many works of fiction and one non-fiction book, April Fool’s Day, a tribute to his son Damon Courtenay who was a life long haemophilliac and contracted HIV/AIDS via an infected blood transfusion. If Bladerunner was real life they would give people this book to read to test whether or not they were replicants, because it is impossible to not cry if you are a human being with a soul.
One week ago Courtenay posted this video on the YouTube profile of long time publisher Penguin to say goodbye and thank you to his readers.
Rest in peace Mr Courtenay, a wonderful storyteller and inspirational writer.
Photo by Lisa Maree Williams for Getty Images
