Rating: 
Summary: The Gift of reading
Review: I was given this book as a gift from my now-deceased grandmother about 9 years ago. Up until that point I can't recall any book that I had read from cover to cover (including college and high school). This book has truly changed my life as it has given me the LOVE of reading. The story is more inspiring than FOREST GUMP but with the same 'feather in the wind' spirit. Truly a great gift for book lovers. I hope that it would be added to reading assignments across the country. My wife and brother have had simular comments as well as my grandmother who gave me this wonderful gift.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but cinematic.....
Review: Bryce Courtenay certainly is a master of an easily readable style, and equally skillful in spinning a suspenceful story. Most of the characters are very well developed, and he is able to bring across a credible feeling for the country. My affection for the book actually grew in the details, such as the descriptions of Doc's and Peekay's wanderings through nature and the references to their botanical discoveries. However, my criticism corresponds to that of the reader from San Francisco who had troubles with the almost "Christlike" Peekay; he could simply do no wrong, never commit a mistake, he always achieved the highest level in whatever he attempted, he lost not ONE fight; it got to be a bit over the top and at times not quite realistic. I repeatedly had the feeling Courtenay had a movie score in the back of his mind. Equally I found the social picture of South Africa one-sided. In simple terms, all Boers are racist, and the blacks can do no wrong. Though Coutenay makes an effort towards presenting the apartheid problem credibly, it's a bit more complicated. If you want a truly informative historical picture of South Africa which includes all perspectives, then read James Michener's "Covenant". Bottom line: "The Power of One" is a great read, but it's not top literature.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put this book down
Review: I received The Power of One as a Christmas present, started it Dec. 31 and finished it Jan. 1st. What a great way to start the new year. It has adventure, history and sociology all wrapped up in a captivating story of a boy finding his way in life and overcoming difficulties with the help of diverse and fascinating people. He draws from different cultures and different socio-economic groups in a time and place where strong separatism is the norm, and this diversity of influences and experiences is the key to his success. That's a lesson the whole world should learn!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book.
Review: I am a pretty slow reader, and anybody that has read this book can tell you that it is 500+ pages long. At first, I cringed when I first picked it up and felt how heavy it was. (I had to read it for school.) But, I read this book in 4 days. It was sooooo good, I could barely put it down. It is well worth the time it takes to read it. The cast of characters is so well written, and the plot is so engrossing, that you get sucked into reading this for hours upon end. Go get this book. IT IS GREAT!
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Summary: This is a book that stays with you
Review: I first found The Power of One in hardback for $5.00 buried under a pile of sale books in a bookstore in L.A. about 10 years ago. I liked the blurb and bought it. I have read it about 6 times since then and given it to at least as many friends. This book sparked in me an interest in the history and events of South Africa and opened my eyes to the continuing trauma that has devastated the people there for centuries. - Still hasn't made me the slightest bit interested in boxing though... go figure... I think it's just me.
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK ROCKS!
Review: I'm in High School and was required to read the Power of One. It was a powerful read. Regardless of the fact that it was required, I thouroughly enjoyed it. If you're not looking for a book that tells it how it really is [ racisim ,poverty, and life in general] then don't read this book. Don't get me wrong this book is uplifting.
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Summary: A PROUD AUSSIE
Review: I am an Australian who has read all of Bryce Courenay's books and am proud to say he is one of the worlds greatest writters.With his way of trapping you into the story you feel like you are living the book. The characters are lifelike and become almost family they are so real. I had trouble putting his books down, and couldnt read fast enough so I could start the next. Thankyou Bryce for you creativity and imagination. And please keep writting.!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: This book made me focus my term paper on South African history. It is an amazing coming of age story, character novel set in the most intertesting and heart-rending of historical contexts. Everybody should read it
Rating:
Summary: By far one of the best books I have ever read!
Review: If one was ever asked to recogmend a true page-turner, the first book that they would respond with would be The Power of One. I first recieved my rather beat-up copy of this book for a Language Arts book report. My teacher highly recogmended this book, so I decided to give it a try. In a total of three days, I finished this nearly 600 page book, with a goal of 200 a day. Considering the fact that I am NOT a speed reader, this is quite a feat. Peekay, the young star of this brilliant novel is the kind of person that we all wish to become. I personaly hate to lie, and so I must admit that if I were to call this novel great, it would be considered the greatest sin ever commited. This novel is truely perfection, with the world's biggest cherry on top! A must-read for anyone 10-100!Caution: This book contains material that may not quite be suitable for children below the age of 10. This novel has frequent swearing, erotic descriptions, and is so good that it may make you sick from a lack of sleep!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliance, pure brilliance!
Review: This story is the ultimate opportunity to learn of South Africa, and for those of us who have lived there, to recall the things that made us fall in love with that country. Mr. Courtenay weaves a wonderful tale of courage, triumph and hope. Courtenay has lost his readership for some reason since the publication of this, his first book. It is followed by TANDIA. He also wrote THE POTATO FACTORY, TOMMO & HAWK, and their final chapter, the third in that trilogy, SOLOMON'S SONG, which is due to be released in the rest of the world very soon. Other almost unknown works by Courtenay are: THE NIGHT COUNTRY, THE FAMILY FRYING PAN, A RECIPE FOR DREAMING and JESSICA. I encourage all of you who read this review to discover ALL of Courtenay's novels, not just THE POWER OF ONE. I do not know why he isn't more popular over here in the USA. Feel free to email to chat about Courtenay or collecting his books, of which I have many, many and some to spare!
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