Tandia

Publisher's Summary

Tandia is a child of all Africa: half Indian, half African, beautiful and intelligent, she is only 16 when she is first brutalized by the police. Her fear of the white man leads her to join the black resistance movement. With her in the fight for justice is the one white man Tandia can trust, the welterweight champion of the world, Peekay. Now he must fight their common enemy in order to save both their lives.

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

Critic Reviews

"Humphrey Bower is brilliant....[Tandia] will resonate in the hearts and minds of listeners long after the final chapter." (AudioFile Magazine) 

Thanks for this wonderful collaboration

I read Power of One several years ago and was a fan of Courtenay already. I found Courtenay on audible when Brother Fish was released and bought that. I was immensely impressed with the Humphrey narration and wanted more. Then I discovered this sequel to Power of One and snapped it right up. Having just finished it, I was sorry to have it end. Humphrey's narration of this book was, like that of Brother Fish, superb. The best I have found on Audible. That is important since I try to buy only books over 20 hours for my bike commute. I was moved by this sequel to Power of One and would recommend it to anyone-- although I would strongly recommend reading or listening to Power of One first. There are enough back references that much will be lost without the experience of Power of One. (And the movie is no substitute; not even close. I saw the movie when it first came out and it kept me from reading the book for years. The book is lightyears better than the movie.) In Tandia, I am impressed with Courtnay's ability not to paint all Afrikaaners with one brush, and the same for the South African blacks and the rest of the cast. I am even more impressed with his ability to deal with themes of racial pride, hatred and tolerance; culture; religion; love; and faith without trivializing them. Thank you Courtenay and Humphrey for this wonderful collaboration !!!!

64 of 64 people found this review helpful

A wonderful story

I listened to the Power of One first, and was drawn deeply into Peekay's world, South Africa during apartheid, in no small part through the masterful reading by Humphrey Bower. Tandia, the sequel, is a more grown up tale, which is just as it should be as Peekay embarks on adulthood only towards the end of the first book. Tandia is where we see Peekay finally realise his full potential and where he puts into practice the convictions he developed as a child. Without this book, the story would have been half told. This book also introduces a number of unforgettable non-white characters who give a richer perspective on life in South Africa during this period. The author's love for his country of birth clearly shines through. A beautiful, emotionally draining story. The ending left me desperately wishing for a sequel.

21 of 21 people found this review helpful

Great narrator but hideously abridged.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Humphrey Bower is the best Australian reader I've heard. Period.

Any additional comments?

Tandia, although darker, is a worthy follow up to The Power of One, telling the story of life in apartheid South Africa from the other perspective and following on with Peekay's story.

Sadly, despite what Audible have been told by the publisher, this audiobook is definitely abridged. I've read the hard copy before and was surprised when both minor and pivotal scenes were cut. Further more, a number of plot points that are edited out are constantly referred back to later in the story – enough to cause confusion in a listener who lacked prior knowledge of the story.

A very lazy job of editing a very well performed audiobook.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

The story of Peekay continues

Bryce Courtenay is one of my new favorite authors. He has excellent descriptions of his charactors and Humphry Bower is simply the best narrator I have ever heard. His range of charactor voices is unmatched.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Quite possibly one of the best books ever!!!

This was the fifth book I have read by Bryce Cortenay. The Potato Factory trilogy really got me hooked. I put off listening for almost a year, but after listening to Shantaram, also narrated by Bowers, I went ahead and took the plunge. The combination of Cortenay and Bowers is simply unbeatable. The Power of One was really good, but the follow up, Tandia was greatness all the way up the last line. I highly recommend this book...you won't be disappointed

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Excellent as always!

This is my second book by Bryce Courtenay. The first was "The Potato Factory." Both books were excellent, and the narrator is beyond excellent. I actually stopped my iPod at one section of "Tandia" and replayed about 5 minutes just for the sheer pleasure of the language and the narrator's interpretation. The only bad thing I can say about Bryce Courtenay is that his books are epics and require a commitment to listen to a very long story. It's worth it!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Powerful!

I hope this review doesn't get buried in the 25th page of reviews but never the less I have to add mine to the pile! This sequel to the Power of One is so worth the credit. Following the life of P.K. the story picks up in a very colorful and vivid way to see how the love of one's people and county in paid in blood. It's funny and is sad. It's an African "BraveHeart" story which is written in a way that you are proud of people who die for the cause of equality of all races. It is a love story that encompasses more than just P.K. and Tandia, but for friendships and freedoms. The narration is superb!

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Tandia by Bryce Courtney

Well developed characters and detailed plot.
Sometimes wonder if Courtney's books could be shorter but I am never disappointed in the time spent listening.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Fighting for RIGHT

This is my fifth Bryce Courtenay book, and I haven't been disappointed yet. I've listened to The Power of One, The Potato Factory Trilogy (which I also highly recommend), and now Tandia. Humphrey Bower narrates them all . . . flawlessly. I have learned so much about the history of Africa in listening to The Power of One and Tandia. Sadly, evil is so prevalent in the political and the powerful. And it has been so since the beginning of time. The beautiful story of Peekay, as a child and now as an adult, who chooses to fight for right is a rare jewel. To reject corruption and embrace truth in the face of even death . . . awe, this is the magic of the tadpole angel.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

awesome book!

Tandia and the Power of One are perhaps that best books/novels that I have read /listened to so far. At the end of these two books, I feel a deep love for Africa itself and feel as if the lead character PeeKay is someone I really know. The author has a wonderful way of describing about the native customs/beliefs of Africa with respect and without trivialising them. This is rare as most westerner academics/authors who study non-western customs rarely understand them and frequently trivialize them using their limited knowledge. Obviously, the author, Bryce Courtenay, is a real son of Africa, just like how PeeKay is potrayed.

The narrator deserves a special mention. I dont think I would have enjoyed this book as well as I did if I read it off a book. The different voices and tones and accent that Humphrey Bower uses throughout the two books is really entertaining.

I for sure will listen to more books from this Author-Narrator combo both for content and entertainment.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

excellent read

This is the sequel to power of one, and is just as good, and more adult, with more violence in some parts.
Lots of good boxing matches, to go along side the political plots which often come with South African books of the 2nd part of the 20th century.
A good return for your credit with well over 20 Hours of audio with a great reader.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Another triumph

After listening to Brother Fish, I wanted to experience another Bryce Courtnay novel and this did not disappoint.
The amazing characters once again drew me in and I felt the struggle of black South Africans.
Tandia experienced terrible brutality, but her strength of character helped her survive.
Another great story, brilliantly read. Don't miss it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Tandia and Peekay

What did you like most about Tandia?

the wonderful story of Africa its people and their lands..

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pee Kay i followed him through The power of one. And this wonderful book let me stay with him,right to the end of his fantastic journey.

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favourite?

oh ! that is a hard one to answer,as all his characters are just so pitch perfect.. The whole ; Sheebang !!!

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

not possible its very long, but I did find it difficult to put down... I wanted to put a Do Not Disturb Me sign near me most of the time...

Any additional comments?

Bryce Courtney is some story teller,I have read a good few of his books and loved them. Tandia is particularly good,it showed me just how bad things were in South Africa for the black and coloured people.If you have a Heart and a Soul, I think you will love this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another wonderful Bryce Courtenay story

This is a story that can be read on it's own, but has more meaning when read after The Power of One. It is as powerful, emotive and rewarding as that first novel covering similar topics from an opposite point of view and a female voice. The characterisations are, as ever, wonderful. From the moment the book starts you are drawn into the events by a shocking incident that sets the basis for the main character's struggle through the rest of the book.

Can't recommend enough!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Part two of a tragic story

When I read the power of one my mind was baffled with juxtaposition of innocence and strength in a terrible situation. Tandia follows on from this with a powerful portrayal of what happened next. The twist of two voices is a unique story telling feature and shows the story from two points or view. The ending ..... Now that was not expected..... Listen and you will be amazed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Superb

An excellent story with carefully woven characters and narration, with superb narration. I really enjoyed listening to this book - high recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Enthralling to the end

and a fitting sequel to the Power of One. As a South African there was an innate connection with many of the characters and rich environment and settings. Immensely conflicting and emotional of our harrowed past

Captivating

A must listen. Brilliantly read and hours of immersion. A definite must for all Courtenay fans.

UTTERLY BRILLIANT!

OMGoodness! What a duo! Author & narrator, seemingly as one, to tell this extraordinary story of Tandia! I couldn't stop listening to it. Bryce's descriptions are in such detail, you feel you are there, in the scenes yourself! And Humphrey Bower is by far, THE BEST NARRATOR I've ever listened to via Audible. (and I've listened to over 35 books!) ... So hard to know this story has ended ... I'm looking for everything else this winning duo are offering together... I can't imagine any other more supreme combination than Courtney & Bower. Thank you gents for everything you did to bring this story to Audible! Xxx

Fantastic

I've read both The Power of One and Tandia many years ago and decided to listen to them whilst decorating. Absolutely fantastic, great narration.