Power of One

Rating:
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: This is a great story of life that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. This is a must read for anyone who has a beating heart. The book will also teach you about history, South Africa and race just to name a few things.

Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Novel
Review: I started to read this book because wanted a long book that I could pick up and read a few pages, then put it back down when I the book I was reading got boring. I started "The Power of One" two days ago and ended up reading the "first book" (all 320 pages) that day. Then yesterday I finished the book. I cried when it was over. I felt that Peekay had some how become a part of me, someone that I somehow knew, a friend maybe. I started "The Power of One" again this morning, hoping to get more out of it the second time, though it somehow seems impossible. Thank you, thank you Mr. Courtenay for writing a book that will forever stay in my heart.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful!
Review: This powerful book had me reading when I should be doing other things. Bryce Courtenay really gets the essence of South Africa. While Peekay, as a character, may be viewed as "too good to be true", I believe the story is in the overall message. I watched the film after reading the book, and angrily wondered how such a travesty was allowed to be made. The film chose to ignore what I consider to be many of the important elements - how Peekay was inspired by Hoppie & Doc, his home and community life, his role as a leader, in order to hammer home (not very well) the evils of Apartheid. This was just one of the themes which the book was able to put across in a much subtler way.

Rating:
Summary: This is the BEST book!
Review: I'm not even halfway into this book and I already totally love it! I think it is so good! I can barely put it down at night. I recieved the book as a Christmas present I didn't really know what to expect. I am so glad I started reading it!

Rating:
Summary: It was absolutly amazing
Review: I could not believe that this book absolutly captivated me. It was one of those books that you never want to put down. All in all great read.

Rating:
Summary: ENGROSSING, ACTION PACKED SUMMARY OF APARTHEID
Review: A COMBINATION OF RICHLY DEVELOPED CHARACTERS AND EVENTS AS WELL AS SOME BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORIES WITHIN A STORY PUT THIS IN MY TOP 5 OF ALL TIME (THE FILM DIDN'T COME CLOSE TO DOING IT JUSTICE)

Rating:
Summary: A complete course in ethics.
Review: If you want to give a teenager a sense of moral courage and ethical behavior this is the book to stick under their nose. It ought to be required reading in high schools since it goes where the tired out Catcher in the Rye could never even dream of venturing. Futhermore a good teacher could use it for history, geography, philosphy, and discussions of social concerns because the mindsets of the characters are not limited to the time and place of South Africa.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: The story of the life of one boy's struggle to grow up in a divided and intolerant South Africa, Bryce Courtenay's The Power Of One is undoubtedly one of the classics of it's time. Courtenay's characterisation and plot development are brilliant, and as you read through the pages you find yourself being drawn into the world of Peekay, feeling his pain and happiness as if it were your own. Peekay's experiences, both good and bad, along with the guidance of the numerous human mentors, help shape Peekay into a man of amazing character and integrity. As the reader journey's with Peekay they learn a valluabe lesson - that the strength of one person can be enough to ovrcome enormous odds and that the power that lies within all of us can allow to get us through. The Power Of One and its equally brilliant sequel Tandia will both enspire and intregue you, and I could not recommend them more highly.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic, inspirational read with a dose of history
Review: This book is one of the best. It tells the story of overcoming adversity on many levels. Sadly neither the sequel (Tandia) nor the movie (same name) reached the same heights. Still a wonderful story, great images and a clever ending.

Rating:
Summary: At least 6 stars maybe 7
Review: Being a kid when I first read this (age 9), I was amazed at how compelling a "thick" book could be. Now I am older and still read it every year. This book is the best story I have ever read. It is incredible how Bryce is able to change the setting and mind set as Peekay matures. This is the book that should be used in all high school english classes.