The Power of One

One person, one dream… The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay tells the story from the voice of a young Englishman growing up in South Africa in the 1930-40s.  When his mother has a psychological breakdown, he is sent away to a boarding school where he is ridiculed by his classmates, especially one in particular, “the Judge.”  The Judge ends up coming back to face Peekay in the final part of the story.  Peekay is taught to box after his traumatic boarding school days. Peekay’s journey brings him to travel.  On the trip, he is introduced to the boxing champion of South African railways.  He learns aspects of the boxing.  As the story unfolds, he meets a father figure who emerges in his life who educates him on the value of life.  Peekay and Doc are challenged by the beginning of World War II where Doc is imprisoned when he fails to register as an alien visitor.  During Doc’s imprisonment, Peekay visits and is introduced first hand to the hostile treatment of the African blacks who are held captive.  Peekay is constantly facing (both to himself and witnessing others) treatment because of their nationality.  A resounding theme is how racism and discrimination are rampant everywhere on this earth, it is hard to ever get away from it. This is true in South Africa and with Apartheid as Peekay tries to rise against it.  The journey and relationship between an educated man (Doc) and the solo “adopted son” makes for a powerful statement on the bond between the elder and the youth.  Boxing is a central theme and how it is seen as the “right way” to battle in relation to fighting and war.  While it is a long read with lots of side stories and developing relationships, I enjoyed this one.  A complex view of growing up as an outsider and how good beats evil on some small level in the end!