- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Laurel Leaf Library; Rep Abr edition (1 Jan 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0440239133
- ISBN-13: 978-0440239130
- Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 2.6 x 17.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 464,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In 1939, hatred took root in South Africa, where the seeds of apartheid were newly sown. There a boy called Peekay was born. He spoke the wrong language–English. He was nursed by a woman of the wrong color–black. His childhood was marked by humiliation and abandonment. Yet he vowed to survive–he would become welterweight champion of the world, he would dream heroic dreams.
But his dreams were nothing compared to what awaited him. For he embarked on an epic journey, where he would learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the mystical power that would sustain him even when it appeared that villainy would rule the world: The Power of One.
From the Hardcover edition.
But his dreams were nothing compared to what awaited him. For he embarked on an epic journey, where he would learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the mystical power that would sustain him even when it appeared that villainy would rule the world: The Power of One.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I just loved the whole feel of the African Continent that is hovering barely below the surface of this book. I felt the superstitious beliefs of the people that led them to adopt a small boy as a tribal chief and follow his boxing prowess throughout the years.
We meet Peekay at the age of 5 when his mother is admitted to hospital after a breakdown and he is sent to boarding school. As the youngest by 2 years and the only Rooineck (British South African), he gets a really rough time, but it paves the way for the person he is to become. He becomes adept at blending into the background and begins his life search for 'the power of one' - the strength that keeps him one step ahead of his tormentors and results in a fierce determination to learn to box.
As we follow him through his school years he meets some very unusual and influential people, all of whom help to map his character and develop him into a rather unbelievable yet charismatic all-rounder.
I would have dropped a point for these super-man qualities, but the book was a gem in spite of this.
I would never have read this if it hadn't been chosen as a (rather long!) book group read and I am so pleased I did. At the end I felt there was need for a sequel and it seems that one was written. Tandia is the story of an African woman who meets Peekay after he leaves us in the copper mines. At 920 pages it's a huge tome, but I'll certainly keep my eyes open for it.
We meet Peekay at the age of 5 when his mother is admitted to hospital after a breakdown and he is sent to boarding school. As the youngest by 2 years and the only Rooineck (British South African), he gets a really rough time, but it paves the way for the person he is to become. He becomes adept at blending into the background and begins his life search for 'the power of one' - the strength that keeps him one step ahead of his tormentors and results in a fierce determination to learn to box.
As we follow him through his school years he meets some very unusual and influential people, all of whom help to map his character and develop him into a rather unbelievable yet charismatic all-rounder.
I would have dropped a point for these super-man qualities, but the book was a gem in spite of this.
I would never have read this if it hadn't been chosen as a (rather long!) book group read and I am so pleased I did. At the end I felt there was need for a sequel and it seems that one was written. Tandia is the story of an African woman who meets Peekay after he leaves us in the copper mines. At 920 pages it's a huge tome, but I'll certainly keep my eyes open for it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Young Adult Version disappointing
27 Feb 2009
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the adult version of this book very much, and thought it would be edifying for young adults. I wanted to offer it to a friend who's a teacher. I thought the author would condense this book by removing some of the description and more adult side stories. Unfortunately, instead of presenting the whole story in a condensed form, the book is only half of the story. Also, it continues to contain profanity, which renders it unacceptable for public schools. I cannot recommend this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AN EXCELLENT BOOK
13 Aug 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Like the Kite Runner, this is a great come "full circle" book. Hard to put down. You will not be disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
The Power of One
2 May 2009
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
THE POWER OF ONE and THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE-Two totally dissimilar books but each read avidly by middle school kids across the world- It helps if the teacher provides a background of the Boer War, Apartheid and the Blitz but after that-the kids eat up these two. The strength of the two is in the "power of one" but more than that both books have stories and plots and the good guy wins!
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