The Power of One: A Novel by Bryce Courtenay
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Book Reviews of The Power of One: A Novel
Book Review: Arturian mythology in South Africa
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm amazed at the power of this book. Courtenay not only delivers action and excitement, he delivers them through the story frame of legend. Reading along, I was astounded to see how comparable Peekay's story is to that of King Arthur: He's a child with no father, raised in a land where the native is the slave. He's a child with a destiny--a destiny even greater than he can imagine. He's also a warrior who will use his skill to inspire the people.
He is fostered by such magical mentors, who together make up a sort of unified Merlin: Doc, the scientist and musician who teaches Peekay how to observe and think, the closest thing Peekay has to a father; Inkosi-Inkosikazi, the Zulu witchdoctor, most renowned medicine man of all the tribes who gives Peekay the gift of transcendence; Geel Piet, the sly prisoner who becomes Peekay's boxing coach and gives him the power of a warrior; and Hoppie Groenwald, the boxer, the first man to ever take Peekay under his wing--he gave Peekay the maxim that would make him great: "First with the head, then with the heart."
As we read the story, we watch the growth of a boy who will one day become something of a king. The people call him Onoshobishobi Ingelosi--the Tadpole Angel. They love him. They revere him. Thousands of black South Africans converge in peace to witness the warrior skill of a little boy who somehow has the power to liberate them.
The only problem is that the story doesn't end with this book. The story continues in the sequel called "Tandia" where Peekay the man uses all the skills he's obtained to try to liberate South Africa from hatred.
If you read The Power of One and don't read (or cant' read--it's very hard to find in the US) Tandia, you may feel somewhat disappointed. But if you can read both, your life may very well never be the same.
Book Review: Bryce Courtenay shows how one person CAN make a difference
Summary: 5 Stars
PeeKay is not special, except that he is able to think for himself and always strive to do and believe that which is right. I don't think the aim of Bryce Courtenay's incredible, semi-autobiographical novel is to set up this boy and young man as someone to simply be admired. I think his aim, demonstrated in the way Courtenay has continued to live his own life, was to show that there is wonder in all of us, an inconcieveable amount of power and strength -- if we only can think for ourselves and live life based on our convictions.PeeKay is no superhero. For most of this story he is a scared and bullied young boy -- but one who would not yield. His belief in himself and determination to always do the right thing is what gives him the real power in his life, for which the boxing gloves and muscles he gains as an adolescent are but mere physical manifestations.
The "power of one" is real. It can change a person's world or the whole world. And it is within all of us.
Many may see PeeKay as an innocent, who refused to accept oppression or injustice because -- as a victim of it himself as a "rooinek" boy sent to a school full of Afrikaaners -- he simply didn't understand the advantages of it because he never learned to use it to enjoy the trappings of power, as many in our world do.
But I don't think that is true. I think PeeKay was simply honest about the sense of justice within us all; that's what made him love others. And in the end, nothing is more powerful than love. For "though I have strength enough to move mountians," the Apostle Paul wrote, "but have not love, I am nothing."
PeeKay refused to be "nothing," and the real message of this book is that all of us can do the same. If you read this book and don't realize that, then you miss the point.
Book Review: An absolutely amazing and riveting novel
Summary: 5 Stars
The Power of One is without a doubt, one of most compelling novels I've ever read, and what prompted me into researching a bit into the history of the African (and European) people under Apartheid living in South Africa. The book, although from a British perspective, seems very unbiased, unlike what you might be thinking. The Power of One begins with the main character (who names himself Peekay) heading off to boarding school, away from his beloved nanny, and into the arms of Boers (Dutch, also called Afrikaners), who not only despise him for being British but despise him as a human being. Throughout boarding school, Peekay is ridiculed but promises himself that he'll never cry again. Although Peekay looses a friend (Grandpa Chook- a chicken of all things), he comes to realize the horrible riff that lies between the Dutch and the British. After leaving boarding school, Peekay encounters a man who teaches him about some of the essentials of what he believed was the power of one, and from this man (a Boer) he discovers his love of boxing, which became his obsession, becoming Welterweight Champion of the World became his goal and his life. This is just the idea behind the power of one, and the introduction of the story. From there, the book tells about the many people Peekay encounters throughout his life and the influence they had upon him and what he believed was the power of one. But what struck me was really how beautifully written the novel is and the way it combines wit, humor, drama, and the everyday troubles of life, and still manages to get its message across and entertain the reader. Just an absolutely incredible novel that sets across a striking vision of South Africa before and during the terror that was Apartheid.Book Review: The life of a boy who becomes a man
Summary: 5 Stars
The novel The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay to me was a very interesting and intellectual, because of the great obstacles that were overcome by the main character, Peekay. He is an Englishman raised in Nava, Africa where at the time the Germans were racist toward the English. He had to be raised there by an African American woman who after his mother's nervous breakdown had to be like a mother to him. Another point in his life that I found challenging in his life although very sad was that he was sent all alone to a boarding school where every kid was prejudice against him. To survive he had to adapt to that lifestyle, but in reality he had no other choice. I can't believe how he adapted to a life in which peers made fun of his "hatless snake", they called him "pisskop", which in English terms means pisshead, but what I believe just crossed the line is that they peed on him! Don't they know that he has feelings too? As a way of protecting himself, he developed certain qualities others obtain in a later age. One of these are independence, he couldn't trust anyone but himself. Another quality he obtains is strength, even when he is abused verbally, physically, and emotionally he stays strong, doesn't let out a tear, and goes on with his life. This book in my opinion is pretty lengthy and for those who don't enjoy reading long books probably won't enjoy this story. Those who enjoy a challenge such as reading and learning some new complex word most likely will love this book. I believe that the gender this book is pointed toward male audiences, not only because there is death involved, but a major part of this book revolves around the sport of boxing. I don't know whether girls like or dislike boxing, but if you don't you probably won't enjoy this book as others did.Book Review: I don't need to buy another book ever again
Summary: 5 Stars
I have found THE book for me. I don't ever need to buy another book again, I can just read this one over and over again. I have read some of the other reviews (I find myself drawn to the more negative reviews to find what flaws they saw in the book) and I have to admit I understand the points they are making. I had a friend say once that so many of the movies that are out there are about some wonderful white person saving the day for under-priviledged minorites: african-americans, hispanics, etc. and that's why so many of those movies appeal to white people. They like to feel as if they are these wonderful people who are bettering the world for others. And I can also see how some would say that this book is simply a written version of the same damn thing.
But I still love it.
It all started when I saw the movie that was made from this book. It was on TV probably 10 years ago now and is actually quite different from the book in many ways. I've watched it many times since then and I love it. For some reason I have always been facinated with Africa and one day hope to go there and this movie fed that fascination.
Not too long ago I was out on the wonderful internet and came across a link for this book. I had no idea that the movie had been based on the book and was unaware that there even was a book. I went out the next day and bougt it at the store and instantly fell in love.
Obviously, in written form, there can be so much more detail and depth and with an imagination like mine, I was easily able to transport myself to Africa and lose myself in the story. I was thrilled with Courtenay's ability to so thoroughly illustrate the surroundings and the story. I love this book and definitely recommend it for anyone who has any interest in Africa.