With Reverent Hands: The Power of One

I bring you with reverent hands / the books of my numberless dreams.

-WB Yeats, "A Poet To His Beloved"

WB Yeats, I'm sure, gave books to his beloved that he valued highly himself, and that he handled with reverence.  If you had to recommend a book you revered to someone, what would it be?
 
I'm asking you to highlight one book.  One book that you adore, that you prize, that changed your life, that you would save from a burning building, that you found serendipitously on a library shelf or at a used bookstore, looking lonely and ignored.  A book that thrills you but that, you have come to realize, no one else has really ever heard of, much less read.  With Reverent Hands is all about those books- the ones that deserve a wider audience than they are given and that you want everyone to go out and read, even if they are out of print.

This week's post is by Greg, who blogs on The New Dork Review of Books (great blog title, isn't it?!).  I have never met him, which is unfortunate as we volunteer at the same organization, Open Books!  I am hoping to meet him in person soon, but until then I am quite happy getting to know him through his blog, where he reviews quality books and has just recently discovered The Shadow of the Wind, a book blogosphere favorite.  And while he doesn't like the movie version of the book he highlights below, I remember loving it when we watched it in school, and now feel like I should read the book as soon as possible!  I have a feeling he'll have that same effect on you :-)

What book are you highlighting?

I am highlighting The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay.

When did you first read it?

I first read it in the fall of 2004, based on recommendations from several family members who’d been passing the book around. Frankly, it didn't sound interesting to me (I’m not a huge boxing guy and wasn’t that interested in South African history), but they kept insisting, so I started reading. Instantly. Hooked. It’s one of the few books that caused me to set my alarm for a few hours before I’d normally get up to go to work, so I could read.   

What is it about?  Please give a brief summary.

The novel is about English orphan Peekay coming of age in World War II-era South Africa. As Peekay grows up as an outsider to South Africa’s racial groups, he must learn to navigate his way through the many different cultures and the racism and stereotypes each holds about the others. Peekay learns to box and trains for his ultimate goal: to be welterweight champion of the world. 

Through his ability to inspire as a boxer and as a compassionate human, Peekay becomes the “Tadpole Angel” – a hero to the oppressed people of South Africa. The novel is populated with several memorable characters – most of whom are mentors to Peekay. They include a boxing champion named Hoppie Groenewald, a German professor and naturalist who teaches him the ways of the world, and a black prisoner named Geil Peet who teaches him how to box and helps him to relate to South Africa’s oppressed black majority.

What makes the book stand out to you?  Why do you love it?

I love it because it has all the elements of great fiction – it’s funny, thought-provoking, erudite, sad, and most of all, incredibly inspiring. From the moment I read the last word of this book six years ago, Peekay has been my favorite character in all literature – he’s so self-aware, so introspective so confident, so funny, and so compassionate towards the plight of others. He’s everything you’d aspire to in order to live a good life. Peekay represents Africa specifically, but humanity in general – the power of one to be able to change fortunes through hard work, determination and staying true to yourself. 

Please finish this analogy:  If you liked _____________, you'll probably enjoy this book.

If you like coming-of-age stories like Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn or even Catcher in the Rye, you’ll love this book. If you like novels where sport serves not just as a method of connection, but also as a metaphor for life, like The Brothers K (by David James Duncan), this novel will be extremely satisfying for you.  If you like inspirational stories about great mentors, like Tuesdays With Morrie, you’ll love this novel.  And, really, if you like good fiction, you’ll love this story. You can’t not – I’ve never met anyone who has read this book who hasn’t been absolutely floored. 

What sort of person would you recommend to read this book?

Anyone who looks to read fiction to learn what it’s like to be a human being. Please don’t let the boxing deter you – even if you hate boxing, and know nothing about it, you’ll still love this novel.

Do you have any quotes you would like to share?           

 “First with the head, then with the heart.”