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Australian author Colleen McCullough dies

Australian author Colleen McCullough has died aged 77.

The author passed away on 29 January in hospital on Norfolk Island.

McCullough’s publisher HarperCollins has released a statement paying tribute to ‘one of Australia’s most prolific and successful authors’.

‘Colleen McCullough’s contribution to Australian writing—and to readers around the world—has been immense. She was one of the first Australian writers to succeed on the world stage: the signing and publication in 1977 of The Thorn Birds by Harper & Row in New York made international headlines, and the book went on to sell 30 million copies worldwide … The Thorn Birds’ popularity endures to this day: it remains the highest selling novel in Australia, as well as the highest selling Australian novel throughout the world.’

HarperCollins publishing director Shona Martyn said in the same statement that ‘it was a privilege to work with Col’. ‘Her determination to keep writing (via dictation) despite a string of challenging health and eyesight problems was an inspiration … The world is a less colourful place without Col.’

McCullough’s agent Georgina Capel described the author as ‘a wonderful writer and storyteller whose books will continue to thrill readers for many years to come’.

McCullough’s body of work included the bestselling The Thorn Birds, ‘Masters of Rome’ historical fiction series, ‘Carmine Delmonico’ crime series and a collection of essays and memoir, Life Without the Boring Bits.

 

Category: Local news