Watch a video message recorded two weeks ago from the master story-teller Bryce Courtenay to his readers.
- Much-loved writer penned 21 works in 24 years
- Born storyteller died peacefully at Canberra home
- Prolific author described as "latter-day Charles Dickens"
- Timeline: Bryce Courtenay's life
BEST-SELLING Australian author Bryce Courtenay has died at the age of 79, his family has confirmed.
The South African-born Courtenay, who moved to Australia in the 1950s, had been suffering from stomach cancer.
He died yesterday at 11pm at his home in Canberra with his wife Christine, his son Adam, and pets by his side.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard this afternoon offered her condolences to the family of Courtenay.
"Bryce Courtenay is such a well known name to Australians and much loved," Gillard said today.
Best-selling author Bryce Courtenay has died at his Canberra home.
"Bryce Courtney came to Australia from South Africa and the way in which he told that tale of apartheid really helped people understand at a human level what apartheid meant and what a great evil it was.
"He has delighted Australians and people around the world with his story telling.
"I want to pass my condolences on to his wife Christine and his sons Adam and Brett. "
Bryce Courtenay and his wife Christine in September 2012. Picture: Penguin Books
Obituary: Bryce Courtenay a great story teller
Courtenay penned 21 works including The Power of One, The Persimmon Tree and Jessica.
A statement from Penguin Books said the much-loved writer had passed away peacefully with his wife Christine, his family and his beloved pets by his side.
Christine Courtenay said: "We'd like to thank all of Bryce's family and friends and all of 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.
Bryce Courtenay. Picture: Tim Bauer
"And may we make a request for privacy as we cherish his memory."
Courtenay published his 21st and final book, Jack of Diamonds, on November 12.
Bob Sessions, Courtenay's long-standing publisher at Penguin, today paid tribute to the author, who took up writing writing in his 50s after a successful career in advertising.
"He was a born storyteller, and I would tell him he was a 'latter-day Charles Dickens', with his strong and complex plots, larger-than-life characters, and his ability to appeal to a large number of readers," Sessions said.
Bryce Courtenay in Sepember 2012. Picture: Penguin Books
"Virtually each year for the last 15 years, I have worked with Bryce on a new novel. He would write a 600-page book in around six months, year in, year out.
"To achieve that feat he used what he called 'bum glue', sometimes writing for more than 12 hours a day.
"He brought to writing his books the same determination and dedication he showed in the more than 40 marathons he ran, most of them when he was well over 50. Not to have a new Bryce Courtenay novel to work on will leave a hole in my publishing life. Not to have Bryce Courtenay in my life, will be to miss the presence of a very special friend.''
Timeline: The life of Bryce Courtenay
Courtenay, a father-of-three, soared to the top of the bestseller charts with his 1989 debut, The Power of One, which was subsequently made into a film starring Morgan Freeman.
At the time, he was married to his first wife, Benita, who he met while studying journalism in London in 1955. He followed her to Australia, the pair were married in 1959 and had three sons - Brett, Adam and Damon.
Damon, who was born with haemophilia, contracted HIV/AIDS through an infected blood transfusion in 1991 and died at the age of 24. Courtenay's 1993 bestseller April Fool's Day, was a tribute to his youngest son.
Courtenay continued to churn out bestsellers almost every year for two decades including The Potato Factory and Tommo & Hawk.
As with most of his books, his final novel, Jack of Diamonds, featured a talented young protagonist fighting the odds to reach great personal and professional heights amidst adversity.
The novel - Courtenay's 21st in 24 years - drew on his love of music and his own experiences working in a Rhodesian mine as a teenager.
Courtenay became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 and was also honoured with a postage stamp after being named an Australia Post Literary Legend.
with Fran Metcalf
A tribute to Bryce Courtenay to which he reflects on his personal achievement as a novelist and thanks you for sharing his life stories.
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