bryce courtenay was an australian novelist, one of the country's best-selling authors. Best known for his novel, 'the power of one' which catapulted him to international fame and established him as one of the most popular authors in australia, he was also famous for his touching and poignant novel, 'april fool's day' which was a tribute to his late son, a haemophiliac who contracted hiv/aids through an infected blood transfusion. Born as an illegitimate child in south africa, courtenay had a difficult childhood and spent several years in an orphanage and was a victim of bullying. He started telling stories in order to distract the bullies and developed great story-telling skills. He struggled throughout his young life and finally earned enough money to go to london to study. There he fell in love with an australian girl and followed her to australia. Eventually he married her and made australia his home. He established himself in a highly successful career as an advertising executive and went on to serve as the creative director of companies like mccann erickson and j. Walter thompson. However, it was his cherished dream to write books, and he embarked into a writing career after his 50th birthday, and within a span of a few years became one of australia's most beloved authors