The power of one
by Bryce Courtenay · first published 1989
86% recommend14% neutral
Why HN recommends it
An emotionally powerful novel about overcoming adversity, with a boxing thread and a message about diversity. It shows how fiction can make readers feel deeply.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Follows Peekay, a white British boy in South Africa during World War II, between the ages of five and eleven, as he survives an abusive boarding school and goes on to succeed in life and the boxing ring, with help from a chicken, a boxer, a pianist, black African prisoners, and many others.
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The Power of One (Children's version).
on “Ask HN: Most influential books you read growing up” ↗I was reminded of Doc from The Power of One. No spoilers- just a strong recommendation that you read this book.
on “The Clock in the Mountain” ↗The power of One by Bryce Courtney. Wow. If you ever wanted to see how a fiction book could make you feel and appreciate literature.
on “Ask HN: What are some great fiction reads for someone that reads non-fiction” ↗…that 99.99% of anything you want to to do, you have to do by working through other people, and the best way to do that 99.99% of the time is to befriend and get on with people as far as possible. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - Just a great story about a young, bullied kid in South Africa who learns to box. Lives of the Greeks and Romans by Plutarch - shows you that human nature hasn't changed much in 2,000…
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond Journey to the ants - Bert Holldobler and Edward O. Lewis A short history of nearly everything - Bill Bryson The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay (In addition to its inspiring message on overcoming adversity, it also taught me a powerful message on the difference between diversity and inclusion - the latter only happened afterwards…
on “Ask HN: Life Changing Books?” ↗I loved The Power of One as an early teen. And yes, it was absolutely chock-full of everything in this article, plus the hero is a white savior, and it featured a huge setting sun with an acacia tree on its cover. By my late…
on “How to Write about Africa (2019)” ↗The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Because boxing.
on “Ask HN: What's your favorite novel? Why?” ↗…then Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" referenced that in 1977. Iggy's song has had resurgences in 1996 (Trainspotting) and 2007 (Guitar Hero). There's a long treatment of chicken hypnosis in the book "The Power of One" which was made into a movie sometime in the 90s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lust_for_Life_(song)
on “We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint” ↗