LitPick Review
Peekay starts out as a bullied, troubled, and lost child. His childhood is rough. He speaks a different language. His mother, after having a nervous breakdown, sends him to a boarding school, where his childhood begins and ends. Finally, after two or so years, Peekay's mother calls him back to her. He meets a boxing friend on the train to her, and learns the basics. When he arrives, he finds a strictly religious mother... and another friend. When his new-found friend goes to jail for a false accusation, Peekay visits the prison and finds his destiny: a boxing champion. His friend then is released from jail in a period of time, his friends and boxing team at the jail move on, and Peekay finds himself going to get a proper education.
Opinion:
The beginning is very bumpy; though not for the understanding level of the introduction. The start of this book was actually well explained. The first sentence is "This is how it happened," which is a refreshing direct approach. The center of "The Power of One" was equally as explicit, but by then fast-paced. By the last 25 pages or so, things are finding their place... but not slowing. Instead of finding everything's place and ending the book all together, Bryce Courtenay chose to leave off at a satisfying, yet un- finished conclusion. The technique he has used to end this book was particularly fascinating, as said before, it gives a sense of conclusion, but with a tiny voice saying, "What happens at the Prince of Wales school?" (the "proper" boarding school)
