The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

So...no one has posted here in the year 2011. And in fact, nobody has posted here in more than 6 months. I have still been reading--have you? Life is so busy I guess when you fall out of the habit of writing book reviews you just forget to start again. Tonight, however, I am feeling the need to put finger to keyboard and highly recommend this book. You see, I read it back in July/August (whenever I was in New York...?) but my Book Club finally discussed it tonight. Am I the only person who has a hard time staying in their seat when people are tearing apart a book you LOOOOOVE? I hope not. But if so, just know that its hard for me. As co-facilitator of the club, though, I can't make a scene. Instead, I know that I can come home from Book Club, hop onto this Blog, and tell y'all why this book is so awesome.

The cover of The Power of One labels this as the "Classic Story of South Africa." And I guess it is. Its set in South Africa in the years leading up to World War II. Our protagonist narrator, Peekay, opens the story when he's only about 5 years old and the tale follows him until his early twenties. Its historical fiction so you learn some about Apartheid and the political issues in South Africa and the world. But more than anything you get to know this amazing boy and all the incredible people--from varying walks of life--who impact him. The title could be interpreted to mean the power of one person in your life (and for Peekay, its several "one persons" he encounters), but it could also be about finding the power within yourself to stay strong when life throws a curve ball at you--or several hundred as the case may be. Overall, it is a fascinating and inspiring story. And I love it. I've been recommending it and buying copies for friends since I finished it this summer.

Warnings:
1) Its long. Something like 500 pages or more. But worth it, in my opinion.
2) There's some language. Its there. Deal with it if you're willing. At least its a cultural thing and not the author using profanity because he can.
3) You might fall in love with this book. Prepare yourself now.

Read it. Love it. But please don't go to your book club and get upset that this story is fiction because only if it was a true story could you really like and appreciate it. (Should you do the latter, I'd probably want to slap you. Just sayin'...)

A++