Bryce Courtenay Books In Order

Publication Order of The Power of One Books

Publication Order of The Potato Factory Books

Publication Order of The Persimmon Tree Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Bryce Courtenay was an Australian novelist who was born on August 14 in 1933 in a secluded property in the Lebombo Mountains, South Africa. His two parents raised him; Maude Greer a dressmaker and his father Arthur Ryder, who was a salesman.

but when he was five years old only, he was sent to boarding school, which by his own account it was a blend between a reform school and an orphanage. Here, he stated that he was often bullied, and he had to figure out how to enclose request to survive. So, his mechanism of defense was storytelling that eventually was able to distract his bullies and at the same time developed his storytelling skills. He then moved to Barberton in the North Eastern part of South Africa and met a German music teacher called Doc, who was unendingly drunk. Bryce and Doc spent most of their time meandering in the African bushes together. He later went to a prestigious private secondary school, and afterward concentrated on Journalism at an English college. He was banned out of South Africa after he started a weekend school for black people at his secondary school. He then met an Australian lady, Benita, when he was studying in where they went together to Sydney, where they were married and started a family; three children and two grandsons.

Although he began journalist at an early age, Courtenay wrote his first novel namely “The Power of One” at the age of fifty-five. The Novel, published in 1989 and later filmed in 1982 turned to be the Australian’s bestselling book and sold over nine million copies worldwide. This book is what laid Courtenay literary career. “The power of one” is a fast-paced, hyperbolic coming of age with South Africa settings in 1930’s and 40’s. The story revolves around the life of a young English Boy namely Peekay. It later emerged that the story was more about Courtenay’s life experiences in South Africa.

The foundation of this novel is unmistakably World War II and at the beginning of the politically-sanctioned racial segregation period in South Africa. The boy, who was sent to boarding school at a young age, is frequently harassed. His fellow students call him Piskop meaning piss-head a name given to British during the war. The physical and verbal abuse do not end even when he become old enough to defend himself, and there is a time one of his partners namely Judge, who is a Nazi sympathizer and had a hatred for the English forced Peekay to eat feces and kills his beloved chicken.

On the train ti Barberton, Peekay meets Hoppie Groenwaid, where he is inspired to be a welterweight champion of the world. He later meets a German professor, to whom he calls as “Doc,” who apparently offers Peekay Piano Lessons. He is later imprisoned, where he become friends with Geel Piet, a boxer and Peekaay skills in boxing leads this young man into victories. Peekay became famous in prison, and his fellow mate calls him “tag pole Angel” a reference from his former piano teacher being the ‘frog’.

This book has almost all scale of measurement, from suspense, exotic, violence, mysticism, psychology and magic. Despite the fact that Bryce Courtenay never had a win than he did on this book scale again, he pumped out doorstop-size books every year and then. This includes “Jessica,” about the tribulations of a ranch young lady, set in the Australian bramble nation against the scenery of World War 1. “The Potato Factory,” another picaresque novel set in nineteenth century London and Australia, highlighting the undertakings of a cheat and a whore, among others — whose verbose, episode filled, regularly world-voyaging substance routinely moved him to be one of the best Australian booksellers.

“Jessica” is about a young lady experiencing childhood in the mid-1900 who is a definitive Tomboy. This is not every last bit of her making but rather because her dad didn’t have a son, so the second girl turned into to be his partner in the farm. The firstborn under this case Meg was permitted to be exceptionally female and spoiled, Jessica, being the second born was supposed to take a position of the son that her dad never had. It is a story of betrayal and disloyalty with both sisters needing the same man yet for different reasons; Jessica for affection, Meg for cash. It is such a stark indication of how tough our grandparent’s lives were. How cash, transport, equity and even food were all things that were difficult to find. Injustices happen all through the book both to Jessica as a ‘male’ and female. This book is a recall for women who were mistreated and wronged in the society, even less so for aboriginal women yet there was likewise little help for the poorer classes with the rich ones having the law on their side.

The book is set before, during and after the First World War and is based on the NSW region of Narrandera along the Murrumbidgee River. The story takes you from the shearing sheds where Jessica ruins ‘his’ life leading to prompts murders, unfaithfulness, and deplorability. It is interesting that the book is based on a true story.

Bryce Courtenay was one of the most successful author and a successful advertising executive noteworthy by his work until he lost his life in November 2012 after being diagnosed for a long time with terminal gastric cancer. He built his success by promoting himself and developing a relationship with his readers as well as marketing his books. In 1995, he was recognized to be a member of the order of Australia, honored on an Australian Postage Stamp and received two honorary degrees. He is the author who is also known to be generous with advice to young authors as well as supporting different charities. More of his books has been translated into more than 17 languages and has sold more than 20 million copies and one his first books ‘The power of one’ has been filmed. Most of his works are so incredible that they appear strange and real more than fiction. Like he predicted his novels has left a footstep that will take a might tide to wash them away.

Many search for Bryce Courtney.

9 Responses to “Bryce Courtenay”

1. Cheryl Walsh: 11 months ago

   Have all his books and just wish he could still be alive to keep writing in his very unique way. One of the best authors anywhere.

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2. Paul.russell: 11 months ago

   I have just finished reading April fools day
   Where did Mr Courtney find the strength.to write this..a brilliant but sad narrative of a life of illness and its effect.on all the family and friends
   Having read this I must be a better person

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3. Janet Giffin: 2 years ago

   I have just discovered this amazing author while I’m briefly staying in New Zealand. I’m from Canada and wonder if I can buy any of his books when I get home. I just read “Jessica” and I was blown away. Stayed up a few nights because I couldn’t put the book down! I want to read them all now! The man was an incredible writer.

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4. Julie Brown: 2 years ago

   I absolutely LOVE this author and his brilliant narrator! I want to shout it from the rooftops. The discovery of Bryce Courtenay is like an angel has touched me and made me calm in this turbulent year of 2022.

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5. Lynette: 2 years ago

   I have just discovered Bryce Courtney at aged 76 and have read The Power of One and Tandia. I could not put the books down and was sad when I had finished them! Although my local book shop say most of his books are out of print I have found a good second hand online source and am looking forward to reading the next 19 books. It is a pity that Mr Courtenay died on 2012 as I would have liked to have told him how wonderful his books are but am content to listen to his interviews online at least. What a remarkable man. Thank you for writing so eloquently and thrillingly. RIP.

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6. Sue Lindner: 3 years ago

   I’m now in my mid sixty’s & confess that I’ve never been a reader. I could never understand how people would rave over a writer.
   I read the potato factory last November. I’ve just finished reading my 10th book. I just love his style of writing & happily admit, I can’t get enough of his story telling.

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7. karen steinhardt: 3 years ago

   love his work

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8. Vivian Nesen: 3 years ago

   A very talented writer who is able to get readers like me to be fully engrossed until the ending. So far have read ten titles.

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9. roy gaynard: 3 years ago

   have loved all of his books, would have loved to be able to thank him personally. to his family, I say thank you for you father, and his depth of writing

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