The Power of One: A Novel (#1 of 2) [B1609]

2008 PB reprint of the 1989 original, in nice clean condition. "The Power of One has everything: suspense, the exotic, violence; mysticism, psychology and magic; schoolboy adventures, drama." -The New York Times. "Unabashedly uplifting . . . asserts forcefully what all of us would like to believe: that the individual, armed with the spirit of independence-'the power of one'-can prevail." -Cleveland Plain Dealer.

In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams-which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the power of one. "Totally engrossing . . . [presents] the metamorphosis of a most remarkable young man and the almost spiritual influence he has on others . . . Peekay has both humor and a refreshingly earthy touch, and his adventures, at times, are hair-raising in their suspense." -Los Angeles Times Book Review. "Marvelous . . . It is the people of the sun-baked plains of Africa who tug at the heartstrings in this book. . . [Bryce] Courtenay draws them all with a fierce and violent love." -The Washington Post Book World.

From the MANY recent, enthusiastic Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "What a gem of a novel. Hard to believe a debut effort. The imagery and story stays long after the book is finished. (Spoiler: the movie based on this book was poorly done despite seemingly good intentions and sizeable budget.)"; "A very multidimensional book and extremely funny."; "I love Peekay and his mentors. Well written, interesting story."; "This is one of my favorite books of all time."; "An absolute classic. Beautifully written with a heartfelt story about the difference an individual can make on another's life."; "Courtenay's storytelling is bold, compassionate, and deeply human. He captures the ache and the triumph of growing up in a broken world with an honesty that lingers long after the final page. This is a novel that does more than entertain-it shapes. It challenges. It awakens. For me, it unlocked the world of reading. For countless others, it continues to do the same. If ever a book deserved its place on the shelf of modern classics, it is this one."