Bryce Courtenay says farewell with final book - Jack of Diamonds

Bryce Courtenay (left-photo by Tim Bauer) is  one our best-loved storytellers. He has sold more than 10 million copies of his books in Australia/New Zealand and countless millions more around the world, both in English and in 17 other languages, including Japanese and Chinese. 

Bryce’s debut novel, The Power of One, written when he was 55, went on to become a huge international success as both a book and a film starring Morgan Freeman and John Gielgud. The Power of One is also available in a special edition for younger readers. Jessica has been made into an award-winning television miniseries. His powerful memoir April Fool’s Day, about the death of his youngest son Damon, at the age of 23, from medically acquired AIDS is credited with helping change the public perception of AIDS and treatment of its victims. 

Bryce is also the author of Tandia, The Potato Factory, Tommo & Hawk, Solomon's Song, A Recipe for Dreaming, The Family Frying Pan, The Night Country, Smokey Joe's Café, Four Fires, Matthew Flinders' Cat, Brother Fish, Whitethorn, Sylvia, The Persimmon Tree ,Fishing for Stars, The Story of Danny Dunn, Fortune Cookie. 

Bryce lives in Canberra with his wife, Christine, and their beloved pets – Timmy the dog, and four rescue cats, Cardamon, Muschka, Ophelia and Pirate. He is also a passionate supporter of numerous charities including The Australian Himalayan Foundation, The Thin Green Line Foundation, Cure the Future Cell and Gene Trust, Save Foundation of Australia, The Bookend Trust, The Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Sane
Australia, and Voiceless.

In June 2012 doctors informed Bryce that there were no further options to cure his gastric cancer. At 79 years of age Bryce made the decision not to continue with further treatment and Jack of Diamonds, to be published in November 2012 will be his 21st and final book.