The Power of One

The Power of One is a bildungsroman written by Bryce Courtenay, first published in 1989. Set in 1930s and 1940s South Africa and later on in the story, Northern Rhodesia, it tells the story of a boy named Peekay. It is written from the first person perspective, with Peekay narrating (as an adult, looking back) and trusting the reader with his thoughts and feelings, as opposed to a detailed description of places and account of actions.

Related Topics:
Bildungsroman - Bryce Courtenay - 1989 - 1930s - 1940s - South Africa - Northern Rhodesia - Thoughts - Feelings

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It has been adapted into a film (starring Armin Mueller-Stahl and Stephen Dorff) and into a Young Reader's Edition, which stops about half way through the adult version, omits several explicit scenes and uses a simpler vocabulary. It was written after Bryce Courtenay received streams of letters from school teachers begging him to write a version suitable for primary school children.

Related Topics:
Armin Mueller-Stahl - Stephen Dorff - Vocabulary - Primary school

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There have been several other kinds of editions in several formats in many countries around the globe. The novel was published in New York by Ballantine Books in 1992 with ISBN 034541005X.

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