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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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Still one the best books I’ve read

Still one the best books I’ve read and now even better with the wonderful narrator!

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

wow, such a great story, so much good stuf

amazing, what a story we couldn't stop listening, the accents were spot on, can't wait to start the next one

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What a great book

My wife recommended this book to me and I’m so glad she did. I think this book includes a lot of life lessons that need to be shared, I strongly recommend

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

Very Inspirational

This is an amazing novel! It is full of sadness, happiness, and inspiration! I loved pretty much every minute of it 🙂

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  • Overall
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Performance absolutely Outstanding

Love this story!! Powerful words of hope, guidance and strength. Wish there was another one! One of the best books I’ve ever read

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

A story about unyielding perseverance amidst profound adversity.

A raw portrayal of life's trials, humanity's harshness, and the indomitable spirit that triumphs through unwavering resilience.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

STOP! don't watch the movie.

Although I truly enjoyed the film (with the same title) it is the worst adaption of a book I have ever seen. Now I say this after watching the movie about a dozen or more times and not having read "heard" the book. If you enjoy movies and seek out the book versions like I do, this book will BLOW your mind!!!!!! This book is beyond the common trimuph over of adversity. Please take the time to enjoy this novel. It is even worth not waiting for credits to become aviable before you add it to your library.

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53 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

a couple of reservations

This was a great story with excellent narration. I had a paper copy for years but did not get past the first few chapters - the audio version I crammed into every free moment over four days.

I enjoyed it even though "coming of age stories" are not my usual picks and I abhor boxing (several matches are described in detail).My main motivation for reading "Power of One" was its presentation of historical background to racial strife in S. Africa. That aspect is very well done in one sense, but in another sense , it is just one more tale of a white man hero among the Black masses, and I wonder how Black South Africans evaluate the book. The author's self-deprecating introduction to the audiobook mitigates this "great white hero" aspect, though, as he explains that he wrote the novel as a exercise to learn the craft of writing and hadn't planned to submit the manuscript. In the process he expanded the "power" of the PK character, who is based on the author. Despite my criticism, I'm very glad he did publish, and I will download more of his work and read up on his life.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Addicting Duo

What can I say. After reading Shantaram I had to find other books narrated by Humphry Bower. This is my third Bryce Courtenay novel and next week I get 2 more. Already I have them picked out.
Bryce is working on a new novel, it may be out now. Surely hope we get it here. Life will be dimmer without his stories and narration of Humphry.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

An amazing and uplifting book. It is has meaning on so many levels. Wonderful writing. The beginning is somewhat difficult in that the story's begininng is disturbing. Stick with it, and you will be rewarded.

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6 people found this helpful