I don't know if any of you are fans of this Australian author, but we got some sad news today about him, so I thought I'd post it off-topic:

Australian author Bryce Courtenay reveals cancer battle
by: Carleen Frost
From: News Limited Network
September 08, 2012 4:41AM

Best-selling author Bryce Courtenay says he wants to be buried vertically in a cardboard box and have a tree planted on top of his grave when he finally succumbs to stomach cancer.

The highly acclaimed writer tonight told Channel Nine's A Current Affair he only had months to live.

He said he had had most of his stomach and part of his intestines removed in a bid to conquer the disease but had come to accept the fact that his days were numbered.

"I would (want) to be buried vertically,'' he said.

"And I want to be buried in a cardboard box. And then they are going to dump this thing vertical in.

"And then they are going to plant a tree on top of it. A beautiful tree's going to grow up.''

Born in South Africa, Courtenay emigrated to Australia where he penned more than 20 works including The Power of One, The Persimmon Tree and Jessica.

The father-of-three became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 and has been also honoured with a postage stamp after being named an Australia Post Literary Legend.

Wife Christine said the diagnosis was devastating.

"Bryce is Australia's Dickens,'' she said.

"He's an inspiration. I'm the luckiest girl in the word to be married to him and I know he'll live in our hearts forever.''

Courtenay's fans inundated his Facebook page tonight, paying tribute to the "remarkable storyteller''  after the 79-year-old posted a moving statement.
"It is with great sadness that I am writing to let you know that Jack of Diamonds, my new book due out in November this year, shall be my last," he wrote.

"It is the usual big, bulky Bryce Courtenay saga, and I do hope you enjoy reading it.

"I have been diagnosed with terminal gastric cancer and am expected to have only some months to share with my adorable wife Christine."

Courtenay said he was keeping busy gardening and writing a collection of short stories.

"May I thank you all for your tremendous loyalty over the past 21 books,'' he wrote. "I feel immense gratitude and am humbled by your support over so many years.

"Our greatest wish is that your lives also continue to blossom. Goodbye and God bless from us both."

This post was last modified: 09-08-2012 04:07 AM by Alison.

I haven't read any of his books, but by many accounts he is as much Australia's Walter Mitty as Australia's Dickens.

Sad news. I hope that the coming months are not too tortuous for him and his family.