Ah, what a delight! This is the second time I have read this novel described as "The Classic Novel of South Africa" since it was first published. Bryce Courtenay is writer extraordinaire who manages to convey the poetic prose, music, mythology, psychology, religious diversity, yes and more - the very essence or soul of contemporary Africa. A coming of age tale, these 500 plus pages will enchant every reader and make you laugh, weep and praise the dignity of every human being who strives to live from that "higher" place of one's being.

Peekay, the main character, is born in the very late 1930's to English parents, the very same English or hated rooinek responsible for sending thousands of Boer War Afrikaaners to their death in concentration camps. Nursed by a "colored" woman and nurtured on the tales of African warriors and workers, Peekay or Pisskop (as he is known in his school days) receives the charm of the Inkosi Inkosikazi. Experiencing the vision of this charm, he discovers the "power of one" which will enable him to become a renowned boxer, a scholarly student and a friend to all he meets. The difficulties he encounters, however, are not the "stuff" of this story's magic; rather, the people and spirits who arrive in a timely fashion to help shape this young boy and young man's personality. Therein is conveyed the magic of Africa known through it's spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental truths that rise above the "sjambok" oppression, dignity-defying laws denying intellectual learning, Afrikaaner vs. English superiority, religious but hypocritical fervor of fundamentalists, and boxing techniques lacking head and heart balance.

Meet Granpa Chook, a most unusual chicken who embodies the "fighting" spirit, Hoppie who teaches Peekay to fight with his head and heart, Doc who lives and teaches the love of the African land in all its wondrous botanical and geological beauty as well as a piercing honesty and analytical surveying of all experience, Geel Piet who embodies and teaches how to fight and love while using and surmounting a terrifyingly absolute rejection, and numerous other characters who flesh out the virtues and vices within every facet of life and learning.

Yes, Peekay is truly the "spirit" of Africa and to be reverenced as its natives do in music and word.

The movie version of this book carries about 25% of its spirit, failing to convey the mysteries and splendor Peekay sweeps into the reader's life.

Bryce Courtenay, an Australian writer (born in Africa), has indeed written a "Classic" novel. Read it and know that truly great literature is a rare, but oh so splendid and joyful experience.

This reviewer cannot form adequate words to laud this tribute to "the power of one" available to every human being in the past and future!

1. What events in the novel prove out the power of this early song sung to the narrator: "My hurts were soothed with a song about a brave young warrior hunting a lion and a women's song about doing the washing down on the big rock beside the river where, at sunset, the baboons would come out of the hills to drink."

2. Who is Grandpa Chook and how does he become symbolic of the narrator's successes and failures throughout the novel?

3. Describe the waterfall scene Peekay experiences under the Inkosi-Inkosikazi and what this means in Peekay's life. How many times in the novel does he use it, when, where and why? How does it shape his growth?

4. Describe the influence of the two Jewish characters in the novel on Peekay's life - Mr. Crown and Morrie Levy. Be sure to include how their influence is also about bias and love/hate.

5. Describe where Peekay first experiences (p. 103) the "power of one". What is it? Why is it so important in Peekay's life?

6. Compare and contrast all the characters' behavior in this novel with the wisdom of the Professor to Peekay on pages 156-157 ("He would often use an analogy from nature…what did I tell you about experts, Peekay?")

7. Compare and contrast Peekay's mother and Doc's advice.

8. Analyze the school experiences Peekay experiences in relationship to bias and prejudice. How do they teach Peekay to live in the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual world?

9. Compare and contrast the female and male characters in this novel. Who is most effective in conveying the "higher" place within a human being and from which Peekay learns to live? What does he reject and why?

10. Compare and contrast Hoppie and Geel Piet and their "fighting" techniques.

11. Why is the scene in the prison when all the prisoners sing "Requiem for Gael Piet" (though that is not its name when first sung) so very powerful and how does it continue to be so for Peekay and Doc and for all of Africa?

12. What does it mean for Peekay to become and prove himself to be "Onoshobishhobi Ingelosi"? (page 424 on)

13. How does Courtenay manage to prove the power of overcoming racism and bias? Is there power and great effect in this presentation, though it occurs in different places in Africa and is accomplished in different ways? Is the vision of each experience to overcome bias realistic or a dream? Explain your answer thoroughly.