April Fool's Day

Book excerpt: In the end, love is more important than everything and it will conquer and overcome anything. Or that's how Damon saw it, anyway. Damon wanted a book that talked a lot about love. Damon Courtenay died on the morning of April Fool's Day. In this tribute to his son, Bryce Courtenay lays bare the suffering behind this young man's life. Damon's story is one of lifelong struggle, his love for Celeste, the compassion of family, and a fight to the end for integrity. A testimony to the power of love, April Fool's Day is also about understanding: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This life-affirming book will change the way you think. 'April Fool's Day is one of those rare, wholly beautiful books that lets life speak for itself without any attempt at artifice ... yet stands as a powerful work of literature ... Damon certainly lives in the pages of this vital book.' Weekend Australian 'Some books have such a powerful story to tell ... [April Fool's Day] is written with sustained rage, grief, raw love, and thank god, some dark humour ... I cannot remember when a book has moved me so deeply.' Weekend Telegraph brycecourtenay.com facebook.com/BryceCourtenay