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Summary: AN AWESOME READ!
Review: It's been YEARS since I've found a book I enjoyed this much...I was ecstatic. Try also 'The Potato Factory', by Courney. I loved that too.
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Summary: discovery through the eyes of a boy
Review: ya just gotta read this book. it was so beautiful. it's easy reading- funny, flowing, touching, creative.
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Summary: Enjoy this book for what it is: Well-written.
Review: The Power of One moved me in a way few books ever have. The ending did indeed leave me wanting more, but when I turned the last page and closed the back cover, I felt as though I had just completed something very important, that I had been introduced to a truly brilliant writer. When I took a voiceover class recently and we were required to read a passage from a novel, there wasn't a moment's hesitation: I knew exactly what passage I wanted to read, and it was from The Power of One. I was discussing books recently with a new friend and when I told her the title of this, my all-time favorite book, her jaw hit the floor. It was her's too, and she had never met another person who had read it. I recommend it to everyone. And almost everyone loves it. It's unfortunate that it wasn't more widely received in the States. I certainly don't begrudge anyone their opinion, but I do think that some people read novels looking for flaws. I've read some truly awful stuff (Does anyone dispute the fact that Mario Puzo did the world a disservice with The Fourth K?), but when a novel comes along that draws me in with its rich use of language and imagery, I go with the flow and don't try to distract myself by looking for problems.
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Summary: True Inpiration
Review: I have read maybe 3 books since my school days, this was one. A truely inspirational novel that really made me think that I can make a difference if I am only determined enough, the friendships Peekay develops through his childhood makes one reflect on the value we get from the people whom we come across in our lives.Heather one for you to read babes.
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Summary: At the risk of sounding naive...
Review: I enjoy it when the good guys win. -In modern literature there seems to be a tremendous amount of material that leaves the reader in need of a 13 week Prozac trip. I have been moved by these novels which are written with skill and insight. Yet, at their end, I feel depressed and pessimistic. While many say that is the impact the author intended, I almost want to go watch Rocky III again. Then, here comes a book that contains the same thunderous evils as many "dark" books, but counters them with an unfailing champion of good. It would be easy to call The Power of One "unrealistic" or "goody-goody", but in this dim landscape of literature, it is to me a refreshing sip from the rarely used cup of virtue.
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Summary: Arturian mythology in South Africa
Review: I'm amazed at the power of this book. Courtenay not only delivers action and excitement, he delivers them through the story frame of legend. Reading along, I was astounded to see how comparable Peekay's story is to that of King Arthur:
He's a child with no father, raised in a land where the native is the slave. He's a child with a destiny--a destiny even greater than he can imagine. He's also a warrior who will use his skill to inspire the people. He is fostered by such magical mentors, who together make up a sort of unified Merlin: Doc, the scientist and musician who teaches Peekay how to observe and think, the closest thing Peekay has to a father; Inkosi-Inkosikazi, the Zulu witchdoctor, most renowned medicine man of all the tribes who gives Peekay the gift of transcendence; Geel Piet, the sly prisoner who becomes Peekay's boxing coach and gives him the power of a warrior; and Hoppie Groenwald, the boxer, the first man to ever take Peekay under his wing--he gave Peekay the maxim that would make him great: "First with the head, then with the heart."
As we read the story, we watch the growth of a boy who will one day become something of a king. The people call him Onoshobishobi Ingelosi--the Tadpole Angel. They love him. They revere him. Thousands of black South Africans converge in peace to witness the warrior skill of a little boy who somehow has the power to liberate them.
The only problem is that the story doesn't end with this book. The story continues in the sequel called "Tandia" where Peekay the man uses all the skills he's obtained to try to liberate South Africa from hatred. If you read The Power of One and don't read (or cant' read--it's very hard to find in the US) Tandia, you may feel somewhat disappointed. But if you can read both, your life may very well never be the same.
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Summary: One of the Best Books Ever
Review: I read this book after sleeping through the movie in high school, and I wanted to know what I missed. (I did see the movie again later, and agree that it doesn't do the book justice.) From the very beginning, the book was intriguing. Everyone can learn from the persistence and heartfelt concern of Peekay toward others. His willingness to cross racial boundaries without raising his own status should be integrated into all our lives. I do admit that the ending didn't feel quite "finished" to me (I'd have given it a full "10" otherwise). It seemed that there was so much more that could happen. Peekay was only part-way done in growing up. Maybe a sequel would be a good idea, but only if it could be written with the same power and passion that this book has.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: This book is absolutely one of the best I have ever read. It was extremely difficult to put down. I would also like to point out that I made the mistake of renting the movie after reading the book. The movie was pathetic. It was hard to believe that they movie-makers could claim to have based their film on the book. So, if you read this book, do yourself a favor and don't see the movie.
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Summary: Incredibly Moving
Review: As a "modernised" South African, this book gave me a new perspective on racial hatred - between both black and white, and English and Afrikaans. I can't wait to recommend this book to one of my mates.
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Summary: WOW
Review: This is probably the best book I've ever read. For some of the previous reviewers, I have indeed read known masterpieces, and I found this book to be along the lines of a modern-day classic. Beyond inspiration and a good story, the novel was well-written. Overall, I enjoyed it immensely and would highly recommend it to anyone. I can't wait until I've forgotten enough of it to re-read with full enjoyment. Excellent!
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