Bryce Courtenay
Encyclopedia
Arthur Bryce Courtenay AM
(born 14 August 1933) is a South-African-born naturalized Australian novelist and one of Australia's most commercially successful authors.
, Courtenay spent most of his early years in a small village in the Lebombo Mountains
in South Africa's Limpopo province.
In 1955, while studying journalism in London, Courtenay met his future wife, Benita, and eventually emigrated to Australia. They married in 1959 and had three sons, Brett, Adam and Damon. Courtenay entered the advertising industry and over a career spanning 34 years was the Creative Director of McCann Erickson, J. Walter Thompson & George Patterson Advertising. In 1991, Damon (who was born with the blood condition haemophilia
) died at age 24 from AIDS-related complications
, contracted through a blood transfusion.
Courtenay divorced Benita in 2000 and has acknowledged some indiscretions during their 42-year marriage. He now lives in Canberra
, ACT , with his partner, Christine Gee. Benita Courtenay died on 11 March 2007, at the age of 72, four months after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
, was published in 1989 and, despite Courtenay's fears that it would never sell, quickly became one of Australia's best-selling books by any living author. The story has since been made into a film—as well as being re-released in an edition for children.
Courtenay is one of Australia's most commercially successful authors. He has built up this success over the long-term by promoting himself and developing a relationship with readers as much as marketing his books; for instance, he gives away up to 2,500 books free each year to readers he meets in the street. However, only The Power of One has been published in the United States. Courtenay claims that this is because "American publishers for the most part have difficulties about Australia, they are interested in books in their own country first and foremost. However, we receive many e-mails and letters from Americans who have read my books and I am hoping in the future that publishers will recognize that there is a market for all my books in the U.S."
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 14 August 1933) is a South-African-born naturalized Australian novelist and one of Australia's most commercially successful authors.
Background and early years
Born in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Courtenay spent most of his early years in a small village in the Lebombo Mountains
Lebombo Mountains
The Lebombo Mountains, also called Lubombo Mountains, are an 800km long, narrow range of mountains in Southern Africa stretching from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal in the south to Punda Maria in the Limpopo Province in South Africa in the north. Part of the mountains are found in South Africa,...
in South Africa's Limpopo province.
In 1955, while studying journalism in London, Courtenay met his future wife, Benita, and eventually emigrated to Australia. They married in 1959 and had three sons, Brett, Adam and Damon. Courtenay entered the advertising industry and over a career spanning 34 years was the Creative Director of McCann Erickson, J. Walter Thompson & George Patterson Advertising. In 1991, Damon (who was born with the blood condition haemophilia
Haemophilia
Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken. Haemophilia A is the most common form of the disorder, present in about 1 in 5,000–10,000 male births...
) died at age 24 from AIDS-related complications
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, contracted through a blood transfusion.
Courtenay divorced Benita in 2000 and has acknowledged some indiscretions during their 42-year marriage. He now lives in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, ACT , with his partner, Christine Gee. Benita Courtenay died on 11 March 2007, at the age of 72, four months after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
Writing
His novels are primarily set in Australia, his adopted country, or South Africa, the country of his birth. His first book, The Power of OneThe Power of One
The Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published in 1989. Set in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s, it tells the story of an Anglo-African boy who, through the course of the story, acquires the nickname of Peekay. The Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published...
, was published in 1989 and, despite Courtenay's fears that it would never sell, quickly became one of Australia's best-selling books by any living author. The story has since been made into a film—as well as being re-released in an edition for children.
Courtenay is one of Australia's most commercially successful authors. He has built up this success over the long-term by promoting himself and developing a relationship with readers as much as marketing his books; for instance, he gives away up to 2,500 books free each year to readers he meets in the street. However, only The Power of One has been published in the United States. Courtenay claims that this is because "American publishers for the most part have difficulties about Australia, they are interested in books in their own country first and foremost. However, we receive many e-mails and letters from Americans who have read my books and I am hoping in the future that publishers will recognize that there is a market for all my books in the U.S."
Awards and honours
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM)Order of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
: 1995; in recognition of service to advertising and marketing to the community and as an author - Doctor of Letters (D.Litt)Doctor of LettersDoctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
(honoris causaHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
): 2005; from the University of NewcastleUniversity of Newcastle, AustraliaThe University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales... - Australia PostAustralia PostAustralia Post is the trading name of the Australian Government-owned Australian Postal Corporation .-History:...
Literary Legend: 2010; honoured on an Australian postage stamp
The African books
- The Power of OneThe Power of OneThe Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published in 1989. Set in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s, it tells the story of an Anglo-African boy who, through the course of the story, acquires the nickname of Peekay. The Power of One is a novel by Bryce Courtenay, first published...
(1989) - The Power of One: Young Readers Edition (1999)
- TandiaTandiaTandia is Bryce Courtenay's 1992 sequel to his own best-selling novel The Power of One. It follows the story of a young woman, Tandia, who was brutally raped and then banished from her own home...
(1992) - The Night Country (1998)
- WhitethornWhitethorn (novel)Whitethorn is a novel by Australian author Bryce Courtenay. It follows a white child in South Africa and was published in 2005.The novel follows a boy in South Africa...
(2005)
The Australian Trilogy
- The Potato FactoryThe Potato FactoryThe Potato Factory is a 1995 historical-novel by Bryce Courtenay, which was made into an Australian miniseries in 2000. The book is the first in a three-part series, followed by Tommo & Hawk and Solomon's Song...
(1995) - Tommo & HawkTommo & HawkTommo & Hawk is the 1997 second novel in the Australian Trilogy by Bryce Courtenay. The novel follows on from The Potato Factory and follows Mary's sons....
(1997) - Solomon's SongSolomon's SongSolomon's Song is the final novel in the Australian Trilogy by author Bryce Courtenay. It follows the novels The Potato Factory and Tommo & Hawk....
(1999)
Other fiction
- A Recipe for Dreaming (1994)
- The Family Frying PanThe Family Frying PanThe Family Frying Pan is a fixup novel written by Bryce Courtenay. It was first published in 1997, then re-written and reissued in 2001.-Background to the novel:The novel was originally published as a series of semi-linked short stories...
(1997) - JessicaJessica (novel)Jessica is a historical novel based in real facts by Bryce Courtenay. It has been published in 1998 and like other works from this author covers several years in the life of the main character: Jessica Burgman. It was adapted into a mini-series starring Leeanna Walsman and Sam Neill which aired on...
(1998) - Smoky Joe's CafeSmoky Joe's CafeSmoky Joe's Cafe, a novel by Bryce Courtenay, deals with the psychological and physical scars on "Thommo" left by the Vietnam War and Agent Orange...
(2001) - Four FiresFour FiresFour Fires is a novel written by Bryce Courtenay. It was first published in 2001.-Background to the novel:The title is derived from a quote :There are four fires of our dreaming...
(2001) - Matthew Flinders' CatMatthew Flinders' CatMatthew Flinders' Cat is a 2002 novel by Bryce Courtenay. It records the relationship between "Trim", a cat who traveled with Matthew Flinders on his voyage to explore Australia...
(2002) - Brother FishBrother FishBrother Fish is a novel written by Bryce Courtenay that was published in 2004.-Plot summary :Brother Fish is a story spanning four continents and eighty years though the story primarily takes place in Australia and Korea...
(2004) - SylviaSylvia (novel)Sylvia is a 2006 novel by Australian author, Bryce Courtenay. It follows a teenage girl, Sylvia Honeyeater, during the Children's Crusade. It explores themes of religion, womanhood, abuse and childhood.- Plot summary :...
(2006) - The Story of Danny Dunn (2009)
- Fortune Cookie (2010)
External sources
- Find Bryce Courtenay in Libraries Australia - click on the name 'Heading' to find related works in 800+ Australian library collections
- Official Bryce Courtenay Website
- Bryce on Jim Ball's radio program