The Power of One: A Novel by Bryce Courtenay
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Book Reviews of The Power of One: A Novel
Book Review: The Power of One
Summary: 5 Stars
In Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One the author describes a world where one small boy can make a difference. The author's stellar uses of literary terms help bring this world to life. The book starts out with the main character, Peekay, in a small boarding school where he is picked on almost everyday. Courtenay uses a very descriptive tone of writing which makes the book flow really well. This adds to Peekay's adventure by describing each adventure, which makes the reader not want to put the book down. One of the best features of the book is the antagonist. Peekay is always faced with adversity, so it is adversity that plays the role of the antagonist. Either it be a lose of a loved one or being forced to make a change Peekay handles the problem exceptionally, even at a young age. The way Courtenay writes portrays Peekay as a young boy who is very advanced for his age. The book is written in a first person through the view of Peekay, which enables the author to use large vocabulary words, and in depth thought because of Peekay's high intelligence. Courtenay is able to show Peekay through a time of innocence and show how much Peekay learns from the surrounding characters by his style of writing. Throughout the novel it becomes more and more advanced as Peekay learns.
Courtenay also uses good local color. He is constantly using African words to further implicate the setting. He also uses local tradition to tell his story of Peekay.
This is easily one of the best books I have ever read and if you have not read it you should. Who knows maybe you will be inspired by The Power of One
Book Review: --Riveting and Powerful--
Summary: 5 Stars
Bryce Courtenay makes THE POWER OF ONE seems so authentic that the reader is carried right into the story.The book begins when a five-year-old boy is being sent off to boarding school. He's small for his age, white and of English descent. His name is Peekay and he lives in South Africa. Up to this point in his life he's known only his family and his beloved black Nanny. Now, he's forced to take care of himself and survive under the most brutal of circumstances. The time is World War II and Peekay spends years in a boarding school where he's the only English student among Afrikaners who are sympathetic to the Nazi cause. He's beaten, tortured and treated as a "prisoner of war" by the older boys. The Afrikaners are the descendents of the Dutch and there has been a great deal of conflict between them and the English settlers who came to South Africa at a later period of time.
When I first started reading this novel, I wasn't sure if I could handle the passages about the brutal treatment of the little boy. However, I quickly learned that Peekay is a spirited survivor and would make it through that horrible period of his life. On his vacations from school, he meets several people, both black and white who really influence him and teach him to work hard in order to fulfill his dreams. I found an uplifting joy in every success that Peekay experienced.
This is a big book, but I looked forward to my reading sessions every day and I'm sure that part of this story will remain in my mind forever. The character of Peekay is very inspiring.
Next, I plan to read the sequel, TANDIA.
Book Review: Story Telling at its Best
Summary: 5 Stars
The Power of One is the story of Peekay, a young boy growing up in South Africa during World War II. After being tormented by an older bully and his stooges during his initial year of boarding school (why would anyone send their small children to boarding school--if you've been exposed to any literature at all you know boarding school is clearly a horrible experience at best), six-year-old Peekay determines to become the welter-weight boxing champion of the world. With hard work and mentoring from some unique and genuine individuals, Peekay is driven by his ultimate goals. In the meantime, Peekay transcends local racial strife to become beloved by all races in South Africa. Peekay is a true "outlier" as described by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers. He is also likable and great fun to cheer on.
The writing is splendid. In a single scene, Courtenay takes the reader through a multitude of emotions without feeling manipulated. The book is full of humor, love, sorrow, pain and joy and still doesn't feel contrived. The characters are unique and intriguing--Peekay is coached, taught and enlightened by the grizzled African criminal; the German ex-patriot professor of music and the beautiful Jewish intellectual. People are simply drawn to Peekay's sincerity, determination and potential. He is fiercely loyal to those he loves. There is something magical about this boy.
The setting is exotic and teaming with stories of racism, adventures and chances. Courtenay is, quite simply, a natural and gifted story teller.
Book Review: Eleven Out of Ten -- Absoloodle.
Summary: 5 Stars
The measure of a truly great novel is the persistence with which it occupies the reader's thoughts after he finishes it. Such is the case with Bryce Courtenay's fine work ' a semi-autobiographical coming of age story that takes place against the backdrop of South Africa during and after World War II.'The Power of One' is a treasure trove of mentors, friends, villains, history, and boxing. The tension between Englishman and Boer is prominently displayed, as is confusion over the African's place in society and the emergence of apartheid. The protagonist's struggle with a childhood tormentor, aptly named Botha, is symbolic of the struggle against nationalist Boer repression.
While most histories of the British Empire brush upon the antagonistic relationship between the English and Boers, Courtenay's first-person account illustrates the visceral distaste and odium that these two peoples had for each other. Many of the memorable characters appearing in this book are drawn from the author's life, and were vivid enough to provoke reactions from this reader.
Overall, the writing is balanced, properly descriptive when needed, and uncluttered when not. The plot is engaging and leaves one staring longingly at the book from across the room when forced to put it down.
Much has already been said about this excellent book, and most of it put in more eloquent terms. Suffice it to say that because it celebrates the boundless nature of human spirit, 'The Power of One' is a novel that truly deserves to be classified as modern literature.
Book Review: The most powerful and uplifting book ever written!
Summary: 5 Stars
Set in the Transvaal region of South Africa, "The Power of One" is the heart-warming story of Peekay, a six year old boy who experiences early in life the ravaging effect of racial division during the WWII era. He is left with a wisdom and intelligence which serves him well throughout his life.
Bryce Courtenay has written this truly magical novel about boxing, education, success, inner strength and the meaning of life, based on his own experiences in South Africa as a child. The author has captured the epitomy of political and racial turmoil in South Africa while presenting the reader with a fast-paced, balanced book.
All I could say (I was too dazed) as I finished the book was "Wow!!!" I'm quite sure you will too, especially if you are looking for a magical touch or enchantment in a book. I hope this book will warm your heart and change your life forever, as it did mine. I'll leave you with a quote about life from our narrator Peekay:
"The power of one is above all things the power to believe in yourself, often well beyond any latent ability you may have previously demonstrated. The mind is the athlete; the body is simply the means it uses to run faster or longer, jump higher, shoot straighter, kick better, swim harder, hit further, or box better...'First with the head and then with the heart,' means more than simply mixing brains with guts. It means thinking well beyond the powers of normal concentration and then daring your courage to follow your thoughts."