The Power of One

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

"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

Best Audiobook I have ever heard!

This book is one of the most enjoyable and inspiring books I have ever heard. The story line is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. All of the characters are full of life and are wonderful representations of all types of people. The narrator is fantastic with an amazing talent for accents, but somehow avoiding those horrible cliched accents so often heard in audiobooks. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Africa, boxing, growing-up or, simply, a fan of a great story.

Humphrey Bower is my new favorite narrator.

Don't get me wrong, the narrator isn't everything. But Bower carries an engaging story into superb territory. I could listen to his wonderful South African narration all day, and he brings a wide variety of voices and accents to life with great aplomb.

Courtenay's story-telling is very well-crafted, and we are instantly drawn into the childhood adventures of the very lonely hero Peekay. The story flows quite naturally and draws the reader/listener on, although I will say it bogs down a little in the last third during Peekay's school days, his friendship with Hymie, and their schemes to make their fortune.

Overall, a must-read. You'll at least like the story, and you'll love the narration. I'll definitely be seeking out more by both Courtenay and Bower.

One of the best books I've ever read

I have been a voracious reader for more years than I'd like to admit. This is an engrossing story that is read extremely well. Enjoy!

A new favorite

I could stop listening to the story. Well written and character developed superb. The narrator brings all the accents to life.

Great story

What I love about audiobooks is you can sit back and listen while someone else tells you a story. It's like being a kid during bedtime, only instead I can do chores or drive. The Power of One is a great tale to do any of the aforementioned activities. It has everything a book needs added with a little corniness. The story also takes the reader into the world of WW2 in South Africa and gives the reader the inside happens of the country during that era. I had no idea racism was such an issue in South Africa until hearing this story. Originally, I bought the book and read half of it. Then I got into audiobooks and realized this was the perfect sort of book to listen to. As a reward, Bryce Courtenay himself introduces the story and it's read by Humphrey Bower who clearly loved the characters as much as the writer. I'm looking forward to listening to the sequel, Tandia, where PK reappears as the hero.

Although I do recommend this wonderful book, it isn't without flaws:
Peachy
A lot of stereotypes such as a chosen white man being the black people's savior. Oh, and let's make his best friend Jewish so he's super cultured and heroic.
Age of the protagonist is hard to believe, but this part is debatable. I into a lot of trouble at 5
Ambiguous points
Another narrator with a hero complex
One could argue this is based on a BC's life. But, the truth is it's only based on bits of his life:
He grew up in a small town in South Africa very similar and had an old german friend as a child. That's mostly it. There are a few other similarities you can discover through online research. The main plots of the story are fictitious.

That said, this is one of the best books of the late 1900s and is probably among my favorite titles now. Look past the flaws and give the book a listen.