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The Power of One  By  cover art

The Power of One

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Editorial reviews

Why You Should Download This Audiobook: Good character dramas are best shared with others, like good wine on special occasions. Bryce Courtenay's wonderful story of a child coming of age in a country ripped apart by racism is such a vintage—rich and complex, an experience you'll want to talk about long after the last words are spoken.

Publisher's summary

"First with your head and then with your heart." So says Hoppie Groenewald, boxing champion, to a seven-year-old boy who dreams of being the welterweight champion of the world. For the young Peekay, it is a piece of advice he will carry with him throughout his life.

Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Power of One

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

By far the best story and narrating I've yet to experience in Audible's collection. Bower's makes the listen all the worthwhile. The passion and dialects he's able to banter is exceptional. Although the story is a little far fetched at times, the book left me wishing for more.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Incredible Novel

Truly great books are centered about archetypal characters you can empathize with and genuinely feel for, and above all they need to tell a great story. The Power of One fits the bill. A genuinely awe-inspiring, powerful story, this is one book I'm ecstatic I bumped into... five stars!!!!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Raging Bull meets Harry Potter meets Huck Finn

I'm not sure why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. The protagonist, Peekay, sees a series of setbacks by the time he's 6, and just near the end, but he is otherwise unbeaten, and remains without flaw through the entire novel. It's pretty much the reverse of the classic fiction formula to "send your hero up a tree, and then throw rocks at him as he tries to climb down." It's probably a wise choice that it was written in the first person, making the story then mostly about all the other character's' actions toward and reactions to the faultless — and, as a result, mostly formless — Peekay.

He doesn't even seem to learn what should be the lesson of the novel, which is that we are all interdependent and that his "Power of One" philosophy would have left him for dead. Nor, in the course of the story, does he eventually achieve his stated goal — becoming world welterweight boxing champion — although that may be addressed in the sequel.

Which I will likely read or listen to. Because as I say, and as my rating makes clear, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the author's style and sense of humor, and even the mythic representation of the Stoic philosophy in action.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I regret not reading this book in 1996

Any additional comments?

I read the Power of One based on a recommendation from my local librarian. She was 100% on with her recommendation! Power of One is one of the best audio books I have experienced during my tenure as an Audible member. I feel a better person upon completing this book. In my naive opinion, Power of One conveys the impact and significance that one well meaning positive adult can have upon the development of a child. The best parts of the story focuses on the adult/child relationships and interactions that shape and set the occasion for future events. The book is deeply sentimental without being boring or pedantic. It is also very impressive that Courtney wrote this masterpiece at age 55 (which inspires me to accomplish something). The book may seem somewhat dated as the political and human rights scene of South Africa is more readily known to us now compared to the readership of 1996. However, the story and characters will keep this book relevant for decades to come.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

SOUTH AFRICAN NUANCES AND FLAVOUR

Loved the performance of this book - AND the characters. Mr Chook - What a chicken! Peekay did get me down a bit - so clever, so wonderful - and a bit of a goodie goodie two shoes. At times I gagged on his sweetness. Yet, evryone else absoludel made up for the treacly Peekay. Sad that the book ended....

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

WHAT HAPPENED? TWO DIFFERENT STORIES!!

First the story was going one way, then, it takes this strange turn and becomes an entirely different book towards the end. Also, the kid boxer??? A little unbelievable. -- I also didn't need to hear the author's ego trip in the beginning, telling us how he achieved his success. It was so trite. Ive rarely heard an author do such a thing.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What a story!!

After much deliberation I got the book and was captured from the first minute. It must be one of my all time favourites, and Bryce Courtenay kept me captivated all the way through.
Definately worth the time!!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

OK story and Excellent Narrator

Like all of Courtney's books, I loved the characters and the story, but it just kind of ended very anti-climatically. I did, however, love the narrator and the story was good, I just was disappointed at the end.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Powerful

A powerful book, somewhat spoilt by extreme characterizations drawn by Bryce Courtenay, otherwise a truly gifted story-teller. The book is set in that shameful period when South Africa moved into institutionalized Apartheid, and its strong anti-racism message is inspirational. However, the author’s near-universal portrayal of Afrikaners as moronic, sadistic and fanatic Nazis blemishes the book. The truth was bad enough without this extreme exaggeration. The large number of Afrikaners killed fighting against Hitler’s Germany and the leading roles played by Afrikaners such as Smuts and Reitz to counter the South African right-wing indicate complexities Courtenay chooses to ignore. Courtenay also tends to patronize black South Africans, who, according to his story, relied on the mysticism of belief in a little white boy, Peekay, rather than in their own rising leaders, this in a country that spawned many great leaders, including Gandhi, Luthuli and Mandela! Given that the author describes this tale as largely autobiographical, this indicates a spectacular ego! A more mundane note: his portrayal of Afrikaners as invariably being unable to understand black languages (in contrast to Peekay) is peculiar – in my experience, in rural areas (where Courtenay and Peekay grew up) young English and Afrikaans kids all had a reasonable grasp of the local black languages, and some were very fluent. Many (like Peekay) were raised by black nannies, and many (unlike Peekay) played with young black kids, until they went to all-white schools. Anyway, enough of that rant! The narrator, Australian Humphrey Bower is excellent in capturing the pathos of the story - however, his bizarre rendition of South African accents jars. Some illustrations: Murray (for Marie) biscuits, Teeekee (for tiekie), and daaaga (for dagga). A great pity a talented SA narrator was not used – perhaps Paul Slabolepzy or the late Bill Flynn. Having said that, a great listen!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

IT'S NOT ABOUT BOXING, A great listen!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Power of One to be better than the print version?

Although I haven't read the print version, this is a book that is perfect for audio. Set in South Africa, the reader does an excellent job separating the multiple characters in a beautiful accent.

What did you like best about this story?

This is an inspiration, riveting tale of how a young boy finds his way in life despite multiple hardships. It also does a wonderful job of exploring racial issues in South Africa from multiple perspectives.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

He is able to switch back and forth seamlessly between characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a story to savor and I was sorry to come to the end of the tale. An example of excellent storytelling.

Any additional comments?

This was a recommended book or I would have never found it. Whether truly a depiction of the author's childhood and life as a young man or just pure fiction, it was a delightful and thought provoking novel. Highly recommended

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2 people found this helpful