This story is a great book about a young English boy growing up in a South Africa with racial discrimination. The boy, Peekay is discriminated against for being English by the Boers (Dutch), but is still strong and due to his genuis and boxing skills and strength comes to lead all the tribes of Africa. "First with the head and then with the heart, that's how a man stays ahead from the start." Hoppie Groenewald, advise that Peekay will carry with him through his life.
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A great book, relative to Post Colonial Literature where you are able to see the effects of the colonization of Africa. The book is humurous and easy to read, extremely enjoyable for all. It is a story of a young boys dream to rise above discrimination and to fight for racial equality.
The review of this Book prepared by milkiwei
This book starts out by explaining how a young white boy named Peekay who lives on a farm with his black nanny because his mom had a mental break down. It takes place in South Africa during WWII. He goes to a Boer boarding school and is made fun of for being English.
Then he leaves because his mom comes home. He goes home on a train and the guard teaches him about boxing. He decides he wants to become a boxer. Then, he meets another guy who teaches him piano. That guy goes to jail, and Peekay learns to box there. He becomes superman (in a sense) with the perfect combination of wits and boxing ability. He goes to a new school for geniouses and furthers all of his talents.
This book is so unrealistic it is offensive. It tries to explain the difficulties of being English in South Africa but strays from this dramatically. It talks about magical chickens and other "cute" things.
The review of this Book prepared by Alexander Simon
The Power of One is a coming of age story of a young white boy and the obstacles he faces in South Africa, a country rife with racial discrimination and hatred. At a young age he learns to box out of a desire to defend himself. Boxing continues to play a central role in his life in the challenges he faces. It is a book of immense inspiration, friendship, overcoming obstacles and self discovery.
The review of this Book prepared by Sara Mitchell
