The Power of One: A Novel

This is one of those journeys that you should definitely take. You will sympathize with every character that makes an appearance in this novel and enjoy this tale. It is not light reading,

Beware, if you are reading this for a school assignment, the movie is not the same story!

This book, while not one I would normally chose was higher recommended by another avid reader. I found it both hard to read (the violence and vile language) and a beautiful and well written story. It's classified fiction, but I believe it is a valid representation of South Africa in the 40's and 50's.
The character development by the author was exquisite. Be prepared for great sorrow and triumph of spirit as you read this 500+ page book. Kleenex supply recommended for the last hundred pages.

I have since purchased not only the sequel Tandia, but his trilogy, The Potato Factory, Tommo and Hawk, and Solomon's Song.

This book is an excellent read for teens and up... specifically boys. The underdog rises to the top through life lessons and great friendships (the book follows boyhood to college). A wonderful, classic style drama, this book will be enjoyed over and over again.

This was a great book which I strongly recommend everyone to read, especially young ones. Very inspirational and motivational. I will keep this book to read again in the future. Became one of my most favorite.

This book is a long time favorite.
Recommended to almost any audience about the age of about 14.
Raw. Real. Based around actual incidents.
Insightful. Empowering. Passionate.
And really helps us appreciate what it is we have in our current society.

I believe that Bryce Courtenay is the greatest living writing in the world. His use of character, plot, brevity, force and imagination make his writing almost poetic. He is a tremendous steward of his words.

It was fun read, no doubt, and I have recommended it to my friends and family but...I think there are some unsatisfying, contrived scenarios and disappointing chances. The concert given by the professor in the town square was built up but then the actual event was almost a non-event for this reader. Often scenes were contrived in such a way as to make the reader believe that the Professor or Peekay were doomed, but nothing much ever happened to them after the arrest. Who would have expected the Professor to live through it all and die of old age? Why didn't Peekay sound the alarm when he saw the light and heard the sounds of the beating of Geel Piet? He said nothing but instead went off to lead his black adorers in song. Strange. I admit I am jealous of Peekay's gifts. So intelligent that he didn't really have to study, he just had to read the book and he remembered everything. Or in the case of the advanced math, he just had to glance over a shoulder to learn it. Jeez, must be nice. And then all of those wonderful mentors just show up in his life. Wouldn't we all like to have just one of those six or seven people in our lives. So he had a miserable fifth and sixth years of his life. Prior to that, and after that he had anything he wanted. Okay, he didn't get the Oxford scholarship but he would have in another year or two. It was mentioned in the book that Dee and Dum were taken out of their village and brought to Barberton to serve Peekay, his mother (who treated them like kak) and grandfather. They were forced to dress and behave differently and lost all contact with their tribe and culture. Did Peekay ever think to give up a weekend in the hills with the Professor and take them home for a visit? He treated them good, just like old Tom Jeffersonn did his slaves, but they were still his "paid" slaves and he didn't give them up, or fight for their freedom, did he? I thought the ending was silly. All of this mystical thinking and fretting over what to do with his opportunities and intelligence comes down to a fistfight with a grade school bully. The Judge was what? Nine or ten years old in school. Also not content with the beating he gave him he sliced him up like chopped liver. Come on. So that is what all of that learning and searching came down too? Kick his ass. Give us a better moral than an eye for an eye. What would Miss Borstein say? And how come they never got together anyway? I was waiting and hoping for Peekay to make his move. But all the women in his life mothered him. Nanny, mother, Dee, Dum, Miss Borstein, Mrs. Boxall. Is Peekay gay? Is the author? We can see from his bio that the author worked in the mines and I think he wanted to write something about his experience even if it didn't work properly. This whole thing about Peekay being a God to the blacks of Africa is like some white African's daydream. I think male South Africans love the idea of the black Africans lining the roads smiling, singing and prostrating themselves as the Boer or Rooinek waves from his Mercedes. Hell, I'm American and that's sounds good to me too but it ain't gonna happen.

Bryce Courtenay brings his characters to life in this novel. I am no fan of boxing, but his descriptions of the fights and the planning of each punch were fascinating. I really empathised with the protagonist and would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good drama with action. An interesting look at Anglo-Afrikaans relations in SA too.

This most inspiring story of a young boy who, having lost his mother and anchor in life, has a vision to got forward and not only win by his inner power, but inspire those around him. A must read for anyone that believe they are hard done by and that life has dealt them a poor set of cards.

Cover is misleading; makes book look like a childs story. Once you open book and start reading, it draws you into a powerful story of one man's life.
Bryce Courtenay has been a long time favorite of ours. This is the third time reading this book.

Interesting - Liked the relationship between the blacks and Peekay. In RSA I get on very well with the blacks. Have a good relationship and in the shops they cannot do enough for one. Certainly did not have that kind of treatment when the whites were in charge of the supermarkets. Have now started reading the related book Tandia.