cassdcamp's review
5.0
I love this story, and I love the way the author has written it. I actually saw the movie first, and because of my time spent in South Africa, I was really attracted to it. This novel, however, is full of coarse, inexcusable language. The story would have been just as good without the language - I couldn't finish it - it just didn't sit well with me.
rynflynn12's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lori_loves_reading's review
3.0
I feel like I should have loved this book but I just didn’t. Although I did truly like the main character Peekay I found this book too long and was quite disappointed in the last 50 pages.
zazoye's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melissahoward's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with those who are dismayed by the lamentable writing.
However, the characters were engaging despite the poor writing and the concept of a living myth is handled nicely. The concept of The Power of One is lame, poorly defined, and could have been left out completely without hurting the story.
However, the characters were engaging despite the poor writing and the concept of a living myth is handled nicely. The concept of The Power of One is lame, poorly defined, and could have been left out completely without hurting the story.
rossbm's review
4.0
(listened as audiobook)
I first read this book when I was grade 4, 5 or 6. I remember really being moved by it so when I saw it on Audible 20+ years later, I listened to the sample. The narrator is really good, so I decided to purchase it and I am glad I did.
Apparently this was the author's (Courtney) first book. He didn't expect it to be published, since had heard that you need to write at least 5 books before you have one that is good enough be published. So the manuscript sat as a doorstop for a while before someone else read it and convinced Courtney to try and have it published. Interesting backstory, and apparently the book is partly biographical. Which makes the white saviour and the "Mary Sue" vibes from the main character, Peekay, all the more interesting.
The first part of the book when Peekay is at the boarding school is the most compelling. Apparently Courtney also went to boarding school and had a tough time. After that, Peekay is basically on a straight path to being the best at pretty much everything. He doesn't suffer any real setbacks, though he does lose some people close to him, which is a normal part of life.
Despite this, The Power of One is still a good book. I got engrossed and enjoyed it.
I first read this book when I was grade 4, 5 or 6. I remember really being moved by it so when I saw it on Audible 20+ years later, I listened to the sample. The narrator is really good, so I decided to purchase it and I am glad I did.
Apparently this was the author's (Courtney) first book. He didn't expect it to be published, since had heard that you need to write at least 5 books before you have one that is good enough be published. So the manuscript sat as a doorstop for a while before someone else read it and convinced Courtney to try and have it published. Interesting backstory, and apparently the book is partly biographical. Which makes the white saviour and the "Mary Sue" vibes from the main character, Peekay, all the more interesting.
The first part of the book when Peekay is at the boarding school is the most compelling. Apparently Courtney also went to boarding school and had a tough time. After that, Peekay is basically on a straight path to being the best at pretty much everything. He doesn't suffer any real setbacks, though he does lose some people close to him, which is a normal part of life.
Despite this, The Power of One is still a good book. I got engrossed and enjoyed it.
pamiverson's review
4.0
Very good novel of a boy of English heritage coming of age in South Africa in the 1930’s-1950’s. The Nazi influence, boxing, feeling like an outsider but being a natural leader. I understood some cultural and natural references (aloe candelabras). But I would recommend ending when he leaves South Africa -- the final "redemption" did not add a lot to me.
gwenaellelebail's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75