A lovingly written biography of Australia’s most popular author.
Feature image credit: Penguin Books Australia
Bryce Courtenay was one of the most successful authors that Australia has ever had. Born and raised in the politically stormy regime of South Africa during the ‘30s and through to the mid-1950s, Courtenay experienced a life that would craft his ability to tell stories in a way very few have done before (or since).
Christine Courtenay first met the acclaimed author at the height of his success in the early ‘90s. After she had worked as his publicist for a while, it was clear that he had become fond of her. They married in the early ‘00s and remained loyal and faithful to one another until his passing in 2012. Christine’s own life would make a fascinating volume in and of itself — and indeed that was her initial intent — but soon she realised the real story that needed to be told was that of her late husband.
Christine’s biography draws upon letters that sat for a long time in their garage and were nearly thrown away, and much of the early part of this biography draws on that correspondence as well as from the many interviews Bryce gave before his passing. These early years are told in wonderful prose that keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Christine largely ignores Bryce’s advertising years (a mere two chapters), although does point out his biggest successes, including Louie the Fly for Mortein, the Stop, Revive, Survive campaign for the Motor Accident Commission, and the creation of the Yowie chocolates to promote our endangered species. It was during this time that Bryce learnt to hone his craft as a writer and it was this motivation that saw him pen his first novel, The Power Of One. At the time, Courtenay never rated the book (calling it a “practice novel”).
After the instant and global success of the novel and subsequent film (which Bryce was never really a fan of), he began an almost religious commitment to routine and he churned out a novel a year for the rest of his life, his final novel being finished only a handful of weeks before his passing.
It is in these chapters that Christine turns as much attention onto herself as her husband, often detailing her own trips away from Bryce. But what shines through is the absolute love for one another that these two had — a love that came on the back of failed marriages from both sides. This may be a little distracting and may aggravate some readers who really want to know more about Bryce and his life.
Like her famous husband, Christine is no slouch when it comes to vivid descriptions and painting an image through carefully chosen words. What is abundantly clear is that her love for her husband is still as strong 10 years on from his passing.
This is a delightful and easy-to-read volume that will sit beautifully alongside the novels written by one of our greatest writers.
Reviewed by Rodney Hrvatin
Twitter: @Wagnerfan74
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not necessarily of Glam Adelaide.
Published by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: November 2022
RRP: $39.99
More News
