Status
Available
Description
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, its 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.
Genres
Series
Publication
Little Brown & Co. (1995)
User reviews
LibraryThing member tuckerfrye
I'm sorry, but this book was terrible. Not so much the writing, which was actually quite good, but the main character. PeeKay is perfect. In every way, shape, and form. He's innocent, hard working, charming, brilliant, and a the best boxer ever. There is not a single flaw with this child. Reading
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this novel was like like having a bag of sugar forced down your throat. Show Less
LibraryThing member myra53
Bryce Courtenay knows how to tell a great story. P.K. is sent to boarding school as a young child, and as an English child in a Boer school during a time when tensions ran high, he is mercilessly taunted and abused. He learns to hide his intelligence, his differences, as best he can. He survives
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his years in the school, and through events in his life and a chance meeting with a boxing champion, becomes a superb boxer, graduates Oxford and goes on to demonstrate 'the power of one'. Unique and empathetic characters add to the excellent read; Courtenay has created a story you will never forget. Show Less
LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
Confessional One: I accidentally ordered the childrens' book version of The Power of One. Before I realized my mistake I was already half way through it.
Confessional Two: the version for children needed to be returned before I was finished so I jumped over the the adult full length story. I'm glad
Confessional Three: The Power of One started a little slow for me. Maybe because I started with a book for children? At times I thought it contained magical realism. Once the story picked up I was thoroughly engrossed.
Known only by the derogatory name of Pisskop, a child is born in South Africa and in the shadow of Hitler's rise to cruel power. In 1939 Pisskop seems destined for demise. He was born of the wrong color, white. He spoke the wrong language, English. He was raised by a woman of the wrong color, black. His own mother all but nonexistent. Pisskop knew fear, cruelty, humiliation and abandonment all before he turned six years old. Through a series of unremarkable events Pisskop is led to the people and opportunities that would bestow courage and grit on the young boy. Harry Crown, who renames Pisskop, Peekay. Hoppie Groenewald, who offers Peekay a green sucker at their first fateful meeting (a gesture Peekay will always remember). Doc, who becomes a mentor and a father figure for Peekay. Geel Peet, who takes Peekay's boxing skills to another level. Because of these early relationships, Peekay gains confidence and courage, vowing to overcome his color, his speech, his pitiful upbringing. In his dreams he survives to become the welterweight champion of the world.
Confessional Two: the version for children needed to be returned before I was finished so I jumped over the the adult full length story. I'm glad
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I did.Confessional Three: The Power of One started a little slow for me. Maybe because I started with a book for children? At times I thought it contained magical realism. Once the story picked up I was thoroughly engrossed.
Known only by the derogatory name of Pisskop, a child is born in South Africa and in the shadow of Hitler's rise to cruel power. In 1939 Pisskop seems destined for demise. He was born of the wrong color, white. He spoke the wrong language, English. He was raised by a woman of the wrong color, black. His own mother all but nonexistent. Pisskop knew fear, cruelty, humiliation and abandonment all before he turned six years old. Through a series of unremarkable events Pisskop is led to the people and opportunities that would bestow courage and grit on the young boy. Harry Crown, who renames Pisskop, Peekay. Hoppie Groenewald, who offers Peekay a green sucker at their first fateful meeting (a gesture Peekay will always remember). Doc, who becomes a mentor and a father figure for Peekay. Geel Peet, who takes Peekay's boxing skills to another level. Because of these early relationships, Peekay gains confidence and courage, vowing to overcome his color, his speech, his pitiful upbringing. In his dreams he survives to become the welterweight champion of the world.
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LibraryThing member PaulBerauer
I first picked up this book by chance really. One of my older brother's teachers had assigned it for summer reading, and I happened to pick it up one day and started reading. And while I was young at the time (12 or 13sh), I immediately fell in love with this book.
For those unfamiliar with the
To be quite honest, this book is simply beautiful. The images of Africa are simply stunning and the lessons that Peekay learns are universal. 'First with the heart, and then with the head' becomes the mantra of our young hero. He learns lessons on racism, endurance and perhaps most importantly, self-respect. Though he is tortured by his fellow classmates and mercilessly picked on, he endures none the less, and in the end, turns out better for it.
While this book definitely deals with some more adult themes, I recommend this book to all ages, including those making the awkward transition into the teen years. It deals with the issues that will become more predominate as life goes on, including dealing with your fears and of never, ever giving up on your dream, no matter how hard life seems.
The fact of the matter is, this is without a doubt a modern classic. Its imagery stunning, its themes eternally relevant. This is much more than a boxing book, it is a masterpiece.
For those unfamiliar with the
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book, it tells the tale of Peekay, a young English boy in a Boer South Africa. While suffering a brutal childhood at the hands of his classmates, he soon encounters the sport of boxing and becomes hooked for life. As he strives towards the goal of becoming boxing champion of the world, he encounters a multitude of teachers, from a German Pianist, to a Black Boxing coach to a Russian miner.To be quite honest, this book is simply beautiful. The images of Africa are simply stunning and the lessons that Peekay learns are universal. 'First with the heart, and then with the head' becomes the mantra of our young hero. He learns lessons on racism, endurance and perhaps most importantly, self-respect. Though he is tortured by his fellow classmates and mercilessly picked on, he endures none the less, and in the end, turns out better for it.
While this book definitely deals with some more adult themes, I recommend this book to all ages, including those making the awkward transition into the teen years. It deals with the issues that will become more predominate as life goes on, including dealing with your fears and of never, ever giving up on your dream, no matter how hard life seems.
The fact of the matter is, this is without a doubt a modern classic. Its imagery stunning, its themes eternally relevant. This is much more than a boxing book, it is a masterpiece.
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LibraryThing member PilgrimJess
"First with the head, then with the heart, you'll be ahead from the start."
Set in South Africa between 1939 to 1951 this novel traces the adventures of Peekay, an English-speaking South African boy, from age five to age seventeen. After his mother suffers from a nervous breakdown, the five-year-old
Despite the constant beatings and humiliations Peekay excels at school, but has learnt that surviving the system means that he must hide his brilliance, to take on a camouflage so as not to stand out from the crowd. However, after a while Peekay realises that the Judge is struggling with his own homework and offers to help him with it. This allows the Judge to pass his exams but doesn't diminish his hatred for Peekay.
At the end of the school year Mevrou informs Peekay that his family has moved to the town of Barberton and that he must take the train alone to join them. On the train to there, Peekay meets Hoppie Groenewald, boxing champion of the railways. Hoppie invites the boy to watch him box a man called Jackhammer Smit at a stop along the way. Despite Hoppie being much smaller than his opponent he wins the fight, making Peekay realise that it is possible to can stand up to bigger foes whilst also instilling in him the dream of becoming welterweight champion of the world along with the mantra-"First with the head, then with the heart".
Once at Barberton, Peekay meets an old German music professor, Karl von Vollensteen, who introduces himself as Doc. Because of his nationality Doc is imprisoned in the town's prison but Peekay is still allowed to visits him for music lessons. Whilst there Peekay joins the prison boxing squad where Peekay is coached by a Cape colored man, Geel Piet. Peekay quickly develops into an outstanding boxer and becomes a legend amongst black South Africans. One night Geel Piet is murdered by a warder.
At the end of WWII ends Doc is released from prison and Peekay wins a scholarship to the prestigious Prince of Wales school in Johannesburg.
Book Two of the novel describes Peekay's experiences at the Prince of Wales school where he becomes a stranger to failure, excelling at boxing and academics, until he fails to win a scholarship to attend Oxford University. After this failure Peekay to move to Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) to work in one of the copper mines there to earn enough money to pay his way through three years at Oxford.
Book Three features his time in the dangerous mines where he forms a close friendship with a Russian miner, Rasputin, who eventually saves Peekay during a mining catastrophe. But, before leaving the mines, he discovers that he has been working for his old nemesis, Jaapie Botha (the Judge). Peekay fights and knocks out Botha carving the letters "PK" into the latter's arm.
Given the time span of this novel apartheid is obviously a major factor in this story but despite it's abhorrent nature it is never tackled directly. Rather like the rise in National Socialism in pre-war Germany it just seems to slowly seep into the national psyche. Apartheid itself was never an official Government term but rather politician's in South Africa disguised it within what appeared outwardly benign legislation and many of the people didn't really realise what was happening until it was far too late. This sort of thing can even be seen today in countries across the world. Slowly curtail free speech, free press and protest is curtailed under the guise of protecting national security, in the creep in popularity of populist parties and politicians, so the public must be mindful of their own civil liberties. Equally we must also remember that Peekay is still only seventeen at the end of this novel so despite his precocious intelligence is not yet worldly wise.
As such I think that there is a certainly naivety in the author's writing style which I'm unsure was intended or not, it is after all the author's first novel. However, it is also touching and humorous at times whilst the action rolls along at a good pace. As such I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read and am now off to tackle it's sequel Tandia.
Set in South Africa between 1939 to 1951 this novel traces the adventures of Peekay, an English-speaking South African boy, from age five to age seventeen. After his mother suffers from a nervous breakdown, the five-year-old
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Peekay is sent to an Afrikaans boarding school, where he is brutally tortured by the other boys with constant stream of verbal and physical abuse. In particular they call him "rooinek" (redneck), a term used for Englishmen during the Boer War. Peekay gets very little protection either from the school administrators, in fact Mevrou, the Afrikaans woman who runs the boarding school, is just as brutal, prefers to hand out canings with her "sjambok" rather sympathy.Despite the constant beatings and humiliations Peekay excels at school, but has learnt that surviving the system means that he must hide his brilliance, to take on a camouflage so as not to stand out from the crowd. However, after a while Peekay realises that the Judge is struggling with his own homework and offers to help him with it. This allows the Judge to pass his exams but doesn't diminish his hatred for Peekay.
At the end of the school year Mevrou informs Peekay that his family has moved to the town of Barberton and that he must take the train alone to join them. On the train to there, Peekay meets Hoppie Groenewald, boxing champion of the railways. Hoppie invites the boy to watch him box a man called Jackhammer Smit at a stop along the way. Despite Hoppie being much smaller than his opponent he wins the fight, making Peekay realise that it is possible to can stand up to bigger foes whilst also instilling in him the dream of becoming welterweight champion of the world along with the mantra-"First with the head, then with the heart".
Once at Barberton, Peekay meets an old German music professor, Karl von Vollensteen, who introduces himself as Doc. Because of his nationality Doc is imprisoned in the town's prison but Peekay is still allowed to visits him for music lessons. Whilst there Peekay joins the prison boxing squad where Peekay is coached by a Cape colored man, Geel Piet. Peekay quickly develops into an outstanding boxer and becomes a legend amongst black South Africans. One night Geel Piet is murdered by a warder.
At the end of WWII ends Doc is released from prison and Peekay wins a scholarship to the prestigious Prince of Wales school in Johannesburg.
Book Two of the novel describes Peekay's experiences at the Prince of Wales school where he becomes a stranger to failure, excelling at boxing and academics, until he fails to win a scholarship to attend Oxford University. After this failure Peekay to move to Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) to work in one of the copper mines there to earn enough money to pay his way through three years at Oxford.
Book Three features his time in the dangerous mines where he forms a close friendship with a Russian miner, Rasputin, who eventually saves Peekay during a mining catastrophe. But, before leaving the mines, he discovers that he has been working for his old nemesis, Jaapie Botha (the Judge). Peekay fights and knocks out Botha carving the letters "PK" into the latter's arm.
Given the time span of this novel apartheid is obviously a major factor in this story but despite it's abhorrent nature it is never tackled directly. Rather like the rise in National Socialism in pre-war Germany it just seems to slowly seep into the national psyche. Apartheid itself was never an official Government term but rather politician's in South Africa disguised it within what appeared outwardly benign legislation and many of the people didn't really realise what was happening until it was far too late. This sort of thing can even be seen today in countries across the world. Slowly curtail free speech, free press and protest is curtailed under the guise of protecting national security, in the creep in popularity of populist parties and politicians, so the public must be mindful of their own civil liberties. Equally we must also remember that Peekay is still only seventeen at the end of this novel so despite his precocious intelligence is not yet worldly wise.
As such I think that there is a certainly naivety in the author's writing style which I'm unsure was intended or not, it is after all the author's first novel. However, it is also touching and humorous at times whilst the action rolls along at a good pace. As such I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read and am now off to tackle it's sequel Tandia.
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LibraryThing member bostongirl
One of my most favorite books of all time. A powerful story, beautifully told.
LibraryThing member caymil
This book starts off very good, but becomes tiresome long before it ends.
LibraryThing member readingyum
Unputdownable, read it all one Saturday
LibraryThing member erniepratt
Rated: PG13: There is a young adult version of this book... Don't Read This Version. There is too much that you miss.
This was one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I heard an interview with Bryce Courtenay once. He says that this book is mostly autobiographical.
This book illustrates horrible
This was one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I heard an interview with Bryce Courtenay once. He says that this book is mostly autobiographical.
This book illustrates horrible
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injustices about South Africa during the middle of the Twentieth Century and how one brilliant English boy deals with them. Show Less
LibraryThing member salgalruns
The Power of One is a richly told tale of Peekay, who is growing up with one single goal in mind - to be the welterweight champion of the world. I've got to hand it to him. He had the dream when he was 6 years old and it defined who he was, carving his path to success in life and gave him character
The author does an amazing job of introducing the reader to the various friends or acquaintances that Peekay has throughout the story. They all serve a purpose to further his life in some way, whether it's to instill a dream, teach him beyond his years, provide him with an income, tell him he has sinned, or provide conflict in some way. Doc was most likely the most influential in the eyes of the author as he kept reappearing, where many of the characters were in the story for only a brief time and then were never referenced again.
I loved the story (even though I realized I must have read most of it before), but was not as happy with the ending sequence. It just didn't seem to ring true to who Peekay was - what about a set fight? Wouldn't that have been better?The final scene actually annoyed me - it just seemed so out of character for him to get back in such a vindictive way. I would have expected him to rise above it and be a better person as a result.
Overall, a worthwhile read - just under a 4 star rating for me, but worthwhile.
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like no other. He is someone that you'd want to get to know and can understand why he has the admiration of so many he meets. The author does an amazing job of introducing the reader to the various friends or acquaintances that Peekay has throughout the story. They all serve a purpose to further his life in some way, whether it's to instill a dream, teach him beyond his years, provide him with an income, tell him he has sinned, or provide conflict in some way. Doc was most likely the most influential in the eyes of the author as he kept reappearing, where many of the characters were in the story for only a brief time and then were never referenced again.
I loved the story (even though I realized I must have read most of it before), but was not as happy with the ending sequence. It just didn't seem to ring true to who Peekay was - what about a set fight? Wouldn't that have been better?
Overall, a worthwhile read - just under a 4 star rating for me, but worthwhile.
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LibraryThing member bookseller525
I avoided reading this book for years, because I was put off by the boxing theme. What a great mistake that was. This book was about so very much more than boxing.
What an incredible, amazing book! I loved following Peekay's growing awareness as he grows to manhood. The characters who become part of
Some of the incidents may be a bit contrived (there are many coincidences), but they never, ever feel that way.
This novel is first and foremost about the social fabric of South Africa at the dawn of Apartheid, just after WWll, and about the rift between the Boers and the English caused by the Boer War. It is also about independence and self-reliance, finding one's true self (after attempting to blend in for many years)...and so much more.
The writing is brilliant, the fabric of the story is so rich and textured. The Power of One is truly an unforgettable, absolutely brilliant book.
One small bit of nit-pickiness: I would have liked Peekay to be a bit less of a messianic figure to the Africans...a bit less perfect in their eyes. But the book is so incredible that this complaint is nothing, really.
What an incredible, amazing book! I loved following Peekay's growing awareness as he grows to manhood. The characters who become part of
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his life are absolutely (absoloodle) unforgettable. Doc, Grandpa Chook, Nanny, Hoppie Groenewald, Mrs. Boxall, Geel Piet...and so many more are so important in Peekay's life, and are written so wonderfully. Dickens couldn't have written them any better! (In fact, now that I think about it, this novel is quite Dickensian in many ways.)Some of the incidents may be a bit contrived (there are many coincidences), but they never, ever feel that way.
This novel is first and foremost about the social fabric of South Africa at the dawn of Apartheid, just after WWll, and about the rift between the Boers and the English caused by the Boer War. It is also about independence and self-reliance, finding one's true self (after attempting to blend in for many years)...and so much more.
The writing is brilliant, the fabric of the story is so rich and textured. The Power of One is truly an unforgettable, absolutely brilliant book.
One small bit of nit-pickiness: I would have liked Peekay to be a bit less of a messianic figure to the Africans...a bit less perfect in their eyes. But the book is so incredible that this complaint is nothing, really.
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LibraryThing member eldavi
One of my all time favourites.Very powerful.
LibraryThing member smully
A virtually ignored, friendless English child suffers abuse at the hands of bullying Boers yet inspires a nation of African slaves to unite as one. Peekay's battles with adversity only strengthen him as do his friendhsips with 2 men- one black, one white- and lead to his success as a championship
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boxer. Heartbreaking lonliness, devestating loss, unlikely bonds and sheer spirit drive this truly inspiring tale that ends with an act of satisfying revenge for those of us seeking justice. Perhaps one of the only novels that has moved me to tears, I daresay "The Power of One" leaves some better people than they were before reading it. It is riveting, powerful, and Courtenay writes with a simple profundity that hits you where it counts...the heart. Show Less
LibraryThing member mommymouse
This is my all time favorite book. It does everything a great book should do...you laugh, you cry and you think. I highly recommend it.
LibraryThing member joyfulgirl
If you have seen the movie with Stephen Dorf the book is 10 times better. They changed the ending for the movie so they could not go on to make the sequel, namely Tandia.
Bryce Courtney is one of my favourite writers, and I am always moved by his books.
The power of one tells the story of Peekay and
Bryce Courtney is one of my favourite writers, and I am always moved by his books.
The power of one tells the story of Peekay and
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his journey from childhood to adulthood. It is set in South Africa and begins as Hitler comes to power in Germany. Race, friendship, death, and self-belief are all themes that run through this story. Show Less
LibraryThing member ahooper04
Excellent book about young South African boy who boxes. I can't remember much more, but I do remember absolutely loving this the summer before my freshman year of high school.
LibraryThing member vwbernie
I would have to say that this is one of the best books I have ever read and it made me a big fan of Courtenay's.It's the story of Peekay, a young English boy, growing up in South Africa, during WWII. The reader is taken inside Peekay's world and how he deals with racism, growing up and fighting for
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his dreams. I laughed, cried and smiled through the whole book. Show Less
LibraryThing member dougcrews
I love this book. I read it at least once a year.
LibraryThing member Webb
My Favourite Book I've ever read again and again!
LibraryThing member yorkjob
Read it in high school, it is still inspiring.
LibraryThing member lloew
This was one of those books that members loved or judged by it's cover and barely attempted to read. All agreed that it is a well written coming of age story and a good choice for book clubs. Interesting discussion as most didn't know much about South Africa pre-Mandela and did additional research.
LibraryThing member booksandwine
I f-in' love this book. It's got sports, it's got violence, it's got war, and one awesome story.
LibraryThing member Mockingbird-1993
The Power of One was one of these books I judged and thought I wouldn't like. However, after reading it and analysing it for enlish last year, I learned that it is an amazing novel.
LibraryThing member ngeunit1
This was an excellent novel. And it was good on many levels. First, the protagonist, known as "Peekay" was interesting and inspirational, granted to a level a bit beyond believable. But he was still very easy to connect with. He began the novel with problems that were very real and we saw how these
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small events early is his life really had an effect on just about ever aspect on the rest of his life. This perhaps was one of my favorite aspects of the novel, just how well this was captured in the novel. The effect of Peekay's various mentors in the novel were also interesting to witness. As each new mentor picks up on different aspects of his life and molds various aspects of his personality in different ways and for different reasons, he almost becomes a collage of the various people that helped him along the way. The novel also really had the coming of age aspect working well for it. We see the protagonist at few different age groups, and the effect of his own growth and the effect of his mentors is really apparent when time is shifted a bit. There are also some very interesting observations about the world due to his lack of information. Like when he aspires to become a Jewish person when he grows up because of a few people that he met along the way, not understanding the aspect of religion. Overall, this was an excellent novel. The only real negative in the novel, is that it is not realistic that a single person like Peekay would be lucky enough to meet the amount of amazing people and them all take such a passionate interest in helping him grow. But once you move on from that, it is a real pleasure to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member RachelPenso
A South African boy named Peekay is sent to a boarding school when he is five years old and discovers the racial prejudices of his country not only between the whites and blacks, but also between the English and the Afrikaners. He decides he wants to become the welterweight champion of the world
My only disappointment was that so much of the book dealt with Peekay's determination and dream to being the welterweight champion and his training to get there, but then the book ended before he even went pro.
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and discovers the power of one.My only disappointment was that so much of the book dealt with Peekay's determination and dream to being the welterweight champion and his training to get there, but then the book ended before he even went pro.
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Subjects
Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 1998)
KOALA: Kid’s Own Australian Literature Awards (Winner — 1995)
WAYRBA: Western Australia Young Readers Book Award (Winner — Older Readers — 1996)
Whitcoulls Top 100 Books (8 — 2008)
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
533 p.
ISBN
0316158259 / 9780316158251