Reviews

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

jadew's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

avi08's review

adventurous inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mbfeeney's review

5.0

I read this before the film was released and abosolutely LOVED it. The film simply did not do it justice. I had cried, laughed and gasped throughout the doorstop of a book, and the film had none of that emotion.

I was drawn into the world of Peekay and the troubles he faced. Sadly, I have lost my copy of this so am unable to read it again until I replace it.

I didn't enjoy the follow up "Tandia as much". I've tried to read other books by the same author, but have never been able to get into them as much as this.

trippali's review

5.0

This is one of the best books ever.

thoughtsofahawk's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hannahpom's review

4.0

The middle was way better than the beginning or the end but a fascinating tale that I’m glad I read.

thecrematedwizard's review

3.0

Such and incredible and inspiring book. It took me a while to read as the concepts were very thought provoking and I wanted to take my time and really ponder the different issues that Courtenay highlighted throughout the book. It had a really compelling storyline with complex and layered characters that added to the experience. I laughed, I cried, and now I have this sudden desire to start boxing. And give Peekay the biggest high-five in the world. What a legend.

emerygirl's review

3.0

The first chapter of this book was awful. The poor things that Peekay went through in boarding school made me squeamish. And then to realize he was 5 which is the same age as my boys. I put down the book and hugged and kissed on my little boys and wondered if I should keep reading. But I did. I’m not sure what I thought about it. I was expecting this remarkable life changing book, maybe because the title is “Power of One”? Instead I got a decent book, beautifully written, but not motivational (at least for me).

I didn’t realize I was reading a young readers version until the very end when the author had a note stating this was a young readers version and if I wanted to learn more about Peekay’s life I should read the whole book. I didn’t want to, so instead I googled what happened and read the synopsis.

alicemotion's review

4.0

I LOVED 80% of this book. It’s a gripping story, wonderfully written and with engaging characters who really come to life on the page. It also gave a wonderful sense of life in pre-apartheid South Africa, and the senselessness of the racism in the country at the time.

I struggled with the final book within the book, set in the mines. It felt rushed with limited character development compared to the rest of the book, and elements such as the fate of Rasputin didn’t really ring true. However, overall I’d thoroughly recommend it. I couldn’t put it down.

chaosmavin's review

3.0

If i was grading this audio book I would give it a solid B+... It was very well written... With many good quotes and memorable characters. I think it should be marketed as a fairytale versus an autobiography. The impossible true adventure quantity got irritating in the middle. That said I loved the reader and I found the end very satisfying!