Christopher Koch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christopher Koch AO
Christopher Koch in 1979
Born	Christopher John Koch (1932-07-16)16 July 1932 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Died	23 September 2013(2013-09-23) (aged 81) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Occupation	Novelist
Language	English
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Tasmania
Notable works	The Year of Living Dangerously
Notable awards	Miles Franklin Award (1985, 1996)
Spouse	Irene Vilnonis ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1979)​ Robin Whyte-Butler
Children	Gareth Koch

Christopher John Koch (born 16 July 1932 – died 23 September 2013) was a very important Australian writer. He is best known for his exciting 1978 novel, The Year of Living Dangerously. This book was so popular that it was made into an Academy Award-winning movie! Christopher Koch even helped write the movie's script. He won the famous Miles Franklin Award twice, which is one of Australia's top literary prizes. In 1995, he received a special honor, being made an Officer of the Order of Australia, for his amazing contributions to Australian literature.

Early Life and Learning

Christopher Koch was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, in 1932. He went to several schools there, including Clemes College and Hobart High School. Later, he studied at the University of Tasmania.

When he wanted to join the university, there was a small problem. The university board initially didn't want to let him in because he hadn't studied enough math. But the head of the university, John Morris, stepped in and allowed him to enroll.

In 1954, Christopher finished his studies with a special degree in Arts. After that, he started working as a young journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He then traveled to places like South Asia and Europe. He lived and worked in London for a few years. He eventually came back to Australia to avoid having to join the British Army.

Writing Journey

While living in London, Christopher Koch worked as a waiter and a teacher. During this time, he started writing his very first novel, called The Boys in the Island.

Before his first novel came out, he had some poems published in magazines like The Bulletin. When he returned to Australia, he worked as a radio producer for the ABC again. His first book, The Boys in the Island, was then published in the UK. People really liked it!

Because of the good reviews, Christopher decided to become a full-time writer in 1972. In the 1960s, he even got a special writing scholarship to Stanford University in the USA. There, he taught literature and met other famous writers.

His most famous novel, The Year of Living Dangerously, tells a story set in Jakarta, Indonesia. It takes place during a time of big political changes in the country. This book was turned into a popular movie directed by Peter Weir. Famous actors like Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson starred in it. The story was partly inspired by his brother's experiences as a journalist in Indonesia. Christopher Koch also worked in Jakarta for a short time, helping UNESCO.

Later Years

Christopher Koch passed away at his home in Hobart on 23 September 2013. He was 81 years old.

Family Life

Christopher Koch married Irene Vilnonis in 1959. Their son, Gareth Koch (born 1962), grew up to become a talented classical guitarist. Later, Christopher married his second wife, Robin Whyte-Butler, in the late 1990s. She was with him when he passed away in 2013.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Christopher Koch received many awards for his writing. Here are some of the important ones:

Books by Christopher Koch

Here is a list of the books Christopher Koch wrote:

• The Boys in the Island (1958, revised ed, Angus & Robertson, 1974)
• Across the Sea Wall (Heinemann, 1965)
• The Year of Living Dangerously (Nelson, 1978)
• The Doubleman (Chatto and Windus, 1985)
• Crossing the Gap: a novelist's essays (Hogarth Press, 1993)
• Highways to a War (Heinemann, 1995)
• Out of Ireland (Doubleday, 1999)
• The Many-Coloured Land: A Return to Ireland (Picador, 2002)
• The Memory Room (2007)
• Lost Voices (2012)
• Noel Henricksen, Island and Otherland: Christopher Koch and His Books (Educare, 2003).

See also

In Spanish: Christopher Koch para niños