- Paperback: 518 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.; 1st Ballantine Books Trade Ed edition (31 Dec 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 034541005X
- ISBN-13: 978-0345410054
- Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 2.9 x 20.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,226,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
“The Power of One has everything: suspense, the exotic, violence; mysticism, psychology and magic; schoolboy adventures, drama.”
–The New York Times
“Unabashedly uplifting . . . asserts forcefully what all of us would like to believe: that the individual, armed with the spirit of independence–‘the power of one’–can prevail.”
–Cleveland Plain Dealer
In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams–which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the power of one.
“Totally engrossing . . . [presents] the metamorphosis of a most remarkable young man and the almost spiritual influence he has on others . . . Peekay has both humor and a refreshingly earthy touch, and his adventures, at times, are hair-raising in their suspense.”
–Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Marvelous . . . It is the people of the sun-baked plains of Africa who tug at the heartstrings in this book. . . . [Bryce] Courtenay draws them all with a fierce and violent love.”
–The Washington Post Book World
“Impressive.”
–Newsday
“A compelling tale.”
–The Christian Science Monitor
–The New York Times
“Unabashedly uplifting . . . asserts forcefully what all of us would like to believe: that the individual, armed with the spirit of independence–‘the power of one’–can prevail.”
–Cleveland Plain Dealer
In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams–which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the power of one.
“Totally engrossing . . . [presents] the metamorphosis of a most remarkable young man and the almost spiritual influence he has on others . . . Peekay has both humor and a refreshingly earthy touch, and his adventures, at times, are hair-raising in their suspense.”
–Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Marvelous . . . It is the people of the sun-baked plains of Africa who tug at the heartstrings in this book. . . . [Bryce] Courtenay draws them all with a fierce and violent love.”
–The Washington Post Book World
“Impressive.”
–Newsday
“A compelling tale.”
–The Christian Science Monitor
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
This is what happened. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
This is what happened. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bryce beautifully captures the thoughts and actions of a boy age 3 all the way though teenage life. You will laugh or cry each time PK learns something new, meets an interesting character or discovers the harsh realities of life. The language is easy but punctuated with little gems, that I'm sure you will remember for a long long time. Well worth a read. Go for it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is so awesome. It shows you how one person makes a difference and the stuggles he had to overcome. The writing is superb. There is also a movie out, and when you watch the movie you think it is great, but when you read the book it changes your life. I recommend watching the movie first because it shows you a basic of what the story is about, and then watch the movie because it goes into so much more detail. It will be one of the best books you have ever read, I promise, and definitely worth the time.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I first read this book back in 1992 it helped to explain the South African situation from the eyes of a little boy who knew no predudice in his life and was confused about the reasons behind the conflict in his country. I have since read the book several times, as I have all of Bryce Courtney titles, and still find it as moving and evocative as ever. Don't bother with the Film adaptaion as it bears very little resemblance to the book and will only serve to confuse. After you have read this move swiftly on to TANDIA which is the second in the series and you will find that just as brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Power of One
I know I only paid a pound for the book, plus postage, but it did say the book was in good condition. Read more
Published on 3 April 2010 by Mrs. E. Plumb
Can you put this book down?
This is a book which I found difficult to put down once I started reading it. The language is very vivid and the descriptions of locations and characters allows your mind to... Read more
Published on 28 Nov 1998
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