Rating: 
Summary: A coming of age story for every reader
Review: In his novel, The Power of One, Courtenay lets his readers take a peek into the joy and angst of a young boy growing into a young man. His skillful writing and colorful characters bring the book onto a personal level and create a realistic and powerful coming of age story. As Peekay grows and learns, the reader grows and learns with him, and this results in a meaningful and lasting literature experience.
Rating:
Summary: Right up there with the best
Review: This book is soooo good. This was my favourite book until I read "Lord of the rings". Still in my top 3.Don't be put off by negative reviews, read it for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite Superficial but fun to read
Review: The Power of One is deeply entertaining, and a quick-fun read. It is somewhat uplifting to learn the story of a child that is somewhat of a loner and really abandoned by his family, but learns independently through very different role models and teachers, and applies diverse skills from boxing to music and cactus cultivation to learn not only survive but succeed. However, and this is a big however, the book really fails to relate the deep emotions, relationships, and realities of the diverse population of South Africa, which is continually alluded to, throughout the novel. The novel would be amazing, if Bryce Courtenay could have spent more time truly bringing to terms the emotional and inside view of how the English, Afrikaaner, Coloured, Jewish, Asian, Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Tswana, etc. populations of South Africa relate to each other, rather than merely playing off stereotypes of each group (whereas the English are proper post-Victorian snobs, the Afrikaaners are racist, athletic, physical brutes, the Jews are crafty and money grubbing, and the Africans are repressed and quiet about their inequity.) This is not to say all American novels must dig deeper into the multi-ethnic melting pot of the United States, unless that is an underlying theme or backdrop of the novel. But Courtenay seems to hint at and wants to mention the diversity of South Africa throughout the novel, but he only delves on the matter very superficially, and really leaves the reader quite empty on the actual history of South Africa. Nonetheless it is a fun book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: I refused to read modern novels before this book was recommended to me - I generally kept to the classics. However, three friends absolutely demanded I read this book. I tend not to find coming-of-age stories interesting in any way, but this book was positively riveting. It even got me interested in boxing. The story of Peekay in Southern Africa as a young English boy having to deal with the hatred of both the Africans and the Dutch just before WWII is positively gripping. Courtenay writes with incredible ease and a flowing prose. I absolutely could not put this book down. I have rarely felt so connected and invested in a literary character as I was in this young boy struggling to survive in a strange, lonely, and grown-up world. I found his strength intoxicating. I recommended this book to two friends - each bought their own copy after reading mine; my brother found my copy and read it 3 times - I now go around giving this book to friends as presents whenever I can. Definitely a book not to be missed! If I could only recommend one book to everyone, this would be it.
Rating:
Summary: From a true perspective
Review: This book is undoubtedly the best book i have read in my life. Having lived in South Africa my entire adolescent life, I understand the importance of this novel. Its hard for many white people to comprehend what happened in South Africa and this book is a shocking real interpretation. And for many black people its hard to comprehend that there were white people who felt differently to the government.
this book was a learning experience for me and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in an emotional experience.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Emotional Buy-In Novel
Review: It seems a little cliche, but I'm afraid I'll have to evoke the "Power of One" here. This book is by no means classic in any sense. In fact, I almost feel insulted when people proclaim it as "great" and "moving" and all that. The power of one is a book for children, and even then is patronizing to its audience. It follows the coming of age of perhaps the most eminently unlikable characters I have ever read about. His persistent cutenesses, and innocence to reality make sense, to a point, but no ones childhood is so long as his. He is completely unrelatable to any but the most arrogant of people (Which seems to be everyone by the time they finish this book) The book hoodwinks its readers, and the fact that so many buy it hurts all the more. Either make it myth, and mysticize the character, or make it factual and relevant. Instead, Byce Courtney confuses the two in a hopless jumble of something so sardonically sweet, it makes me want to throw up. I dislike greatly when and author looks down upon me as a reader, and here it bristled in every page. This books only value is that by reading it, perhaps we can all learn what's wrong with this style of writing. Sadly, I'm not a cynic usually. I love disney stories, and fairy tales, and forays into the fanciful and fantastic. But to be insulted in the manner of this book hurts beyond measure. All those who love it so, read it again, and this time, follow your head. Don't Bryce Courtney's puppet.
Rating:
Summary: I don't need to buy another book ever again
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: An all time favorite?.... I'm afraid not
Review: I know I'm venturing out into unpopular territory by giving this novel less than a five star rating I will however risk the negative votes by being honest with my review. This seems to be one of those stories that elicits a strong emotional response in it's readers; and while I found the story enjoyable and often compelling, something was lacking for me in the character of Peekay. Oh, I felt for him during the trials and tribulations of his childhood, but for me something just didn't ring true. Everything about Peekay seemed just a notch over the top, just a little too much to be genuine. Brilliant, athletically gifted, loved by young and old, black and white, never at a loss for the right thing to say and do in any circumstance, the list goes on and on. There is nothing wrong with "idealistic" characters, but Peekay often struck me with a certain smugness that I found unappealing. I still think this is a story worth reading, but as far as idealized characters go, I had a much easier time with say "Owen Meany" than I did with Peekay.
Rating:
Summary: what The Power of One book can do!
Review: Simply wonderful book! I bought this book on the recommendation of a clerk in a bookstore when I was visiting Australia. I had only heard of it here in the States because of the movie (which I have not seen). He said that on their stores list of 1,000 best of all time, this book was #2. I think it should have been #1 on that list. I could not put it down. I was reading during every break at work, on the train home, even walking to the bathroom! The writing is excellent and it paints such a beautiful picture of Africa, you feel like you are there. It makes you laugh and cry, what more can you ask for? If you liked this book, there is another Australian author who writes about Africa that I recommend you check out, her name is Beverly Harper.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book has to be the most incredible books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Given to me as a High School graduation present, I was intimidated by the length of Courtenay's Novel. I then found that I became so immersed in it that I would spend hours a day reading it, and unable to go to sleep at night because I was so excited to read on. This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys reading, and an even greater read for young men who do not think they enjoy to read. This is one inspiring book that can change the way you look at the World and the challenges that you face in your life.
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