“First with the head, then with the heart.” ― Bryce Courtenay, The Power of One

November 23, 2012 5:43 AM

Bryce Courtenay, prolific Australian author, dies. "Courtenay, who has been suffering from stomach cancer, died in Canberra late on Thursday with his wife Christine, son Adam, and his family pets, Tim the dog and Cardamon the Burmese cat, by his side. He was 79."
posted by Fizz (15 comments total)

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posted by Fizz at 5:44 AM on November 23, 2012

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posted by frijole at 6:05 AM on November 23, 2012

l love that book.
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posted by k8t at 6:17 AM on November 23, 2012

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posted by onwords at 7:02 AM on November 23, 2012

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posted by tatiana131 at 7:25 AM on November 23, 2012

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posted by Jilder at 7:31 AM on November 23, 2012

In a final interview for Penguin, the man who has regularly been Australia's most popular novelist said he was going to die at precisely the right time, while he still had his intellect and energy. ''The time is right, it's beautiful, it's gorgeous.''

What a beautiful attitude. And I do believe he meant it.

I was vaguely aware of his name and at least one of his books before this, but I'll have to read at least one now based just on the final interview video in that article. There's a lot to admire about someone who can write humane and readable mass market books, and he seemed like an entirely humane and admirable man.
posted by maudlin at 7:55 AM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]

There's a lot to admire about someone who can write humane and readable mass market books, and he seemed like an entirely humane and admirable man

I am glad someone has this attitude. I think people often forget that all of those "airport novels" are written by humans. I always remind myself that just because I don't like these writers, doesn't mean that they're any less a person. They live, they breathe, they write, they contribute to a larger cultural community, they do have value.
posted by Fizz at 8:48 AM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]

“First with the head, then with the heart.”
― Bryce Courtenay, The Power of One
Goodbye & Thankyou Mr. Courtenay
posted by slothhog at 10:41 AM on November 23, 2012

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The Power of One is a great read. I read a few of his others too, but none of them were as good, but they always had that idea that people are people & there is no excuse for racism.
posted by Fence at 11:54 AM on November 23, 2012

I think people often forget that all of those "airport novels" are written by humans. I always remind myself that just because I don't like these writers, doesn't mean that they're any less a person. They live, they breathe, they write, they contribute to a larger cultural community, they do have value.

I was about to come in here and launch a bit of a critique about various things I found frustrating with his books, but then that very same thought occurred to me. People enjoyed his books. I enjoyed his books. He bought joy to people, and that's all that needs to be said.

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posted by Jimbob at 12:28 PM on November 23, 2012

. I've loved every single one of his books that I've read - they are the very few stories I have kept with me through each move.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 12:40 PM on November 23, 2012

I think it takes a talented writer to make me care so much about fictional characters that I cry. There was one character in one of Courtenay's books whose death made me bawl my eyes out. And it wasn't even a human character.

Vale, Mr Courtenay.

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Edited so very carefully to avoid spoilers.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:11 PM on November 23, 2012

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posted by gomichild at 1:32 PM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]

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posted by OHenryPacey at 9:40 PM on November 23, 2012