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Has anyone read this book? I just finished it and it is GOOD! If you haven't read it, go to th library and get it or you'll miss out on something really good. I know I'm being a little vague but I just want to recommend it to everyone. It's everything and more!
Posts: 10 | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Yeah you got a good point there lol. I got to find Tandia. I'm suprised that Randomhouse or Ballantine hasn't published it in America. I bet it would be on the best seller's list. I mean it continues Peekay's story and his love interest! First thing tommorow im gonna go to the library and request it through the inter-library loan even if i have to pay $2.50.
Posts: 10 | Registered: May 2004
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You absolutely should read it, however bear in mind that as he was writing this story, his son Damon was dying of medically-aquired AIDS. He had to rush through the last chapters to finish the story to spend time with his dying son. The quality of writing suffers noticeably because of this.
Until I realised that, I wrote off Courtney as an author.
I personally believe every single one of you should find a copy of "April Fools Day" - which is the extraordinary account of his son's incredible life and death, his struggles with Haemophilia and HIV. It is without a doubt the most moving book I've ever read.
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yes I heard about that. Thanks for the great reccomendation. Another great book to read! Bryce Courtenay is such an interesting man. If he ever wrote an autobiography I would love to read it. A lot of his life is in The Power of One so It's semi-autobiographical. Welterweight Champion of the World!
Posts: 10 | Registered: May 2004
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I have read every one of Bryce's books that I have been able to find. They're all a little too long. All of the stories could have been told in about 70-80% the number of pages.
April Fool's Day is great, although a little different because I had this sense that he was working out his own guilt in the book.
Also great is "The Potato Factory" starring the person that Fagin from Oliver Twist is based on. I did not enjoy the sequel "Tommo and Hawk" nearly as much.
I liked Jessica, although it is way too long.
Posts: 134 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Just to be clear - this is the boon on which the movie set in South Africa is based? Where the English kid ends up as a boxer, and resistance leader called the rainmaker or something like that?
I saw the movie, haven't read the book. If the book is half as good as the movie I want to read it.
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Ha Ha don't worry. By the time you've read the book, you'll see it in a totally new way. Don't be daunted by the 500+ pages. I was at first, but once I was nearly to the end I wanted it to go longer. Someday I must visit South Africa and Australia. I even apreciate boxing. Peekay would so beat Harry Potter.
Posts: 10 | Registered: May 2004
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I've never felt that a book that I enjoy is too long - I always wish it never ended.
That being said, I believe that Tandia is the only sub-standard book Courtney has ever produced. Seeing his interviews on TV and the experiences a friend of mine has had with the man has convinced me that not only is he a great author, but he's a kind and generous human being, with a great deal of care for others.
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yeah you are so right! Whenever I finish a good book I always feel a deep sadness that it is over and I wish that I could get amnesia for a little while and go through the wonderful experience again. I just have to wait a few years till it's just a vague memory in my head. I'd love to have a mentor like Doc and Geel Piet. I gotta get a speedball.
Posts: 10 | Registered: May 2004
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