Tandia by Bryce Courtenay Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Tandia
Book Review: Not a must-read
Summary: 3 Stars
I hunted this book for years, and was disappointed. For those who witnessed the magic of Peekay and Africa in "The Power of One", leave this one in the bushveld. I wish I could've read it just for the boxing parts in Peekay's struggle for the world title (and I am not a sports fan).Book Review: Badly flawed
Summary: 2 Stars
The Power of One, to which Tandia is the sequel, is flawed, but absolutely beautiful. Tandia is just flawed. A real disappointment, Mr. Courtenay.Book Review: The Power of Two
Summary: 4 Stars
Before we learned Bryce Courtenay had written "Tandia", my circle joked that the sequel to "Power of One" should be called "Power of Two". Since reading this novel, I have concluded that, given its destruction of innocence, its true title is "Power of Hate"."Tandia" is superior to its predecessor only in length. In nine hundred pages, it satisfactorily continues the story of Peekay and Hymie (a disappointing dilapitated shadow of Morrie), and adds a new personality. Tandia is an intelligent, stunning woman, born of an Indian father and a Zulu mother. A result of the growing love of Tandia and Peekay would defy all racial barriers, renew the cry of Mayibuye Afrika, and lack a surname.
The magic reeling off the pages in "Power of One" is diminished in "Tandia". The story is not told in first person; Peekay is no longer the readers' "I". Courtenay is still a shimmering star--his brilliance waxes and wanes, destining some pages for permanent dog-earing. This book by another author would be a great book. By Courtenay, it is still a must-read, but it will always be overshadowed by a book previously written into the consciousness of humanity. The message is clear: The power of one triumphs over the power of hate.
Book Review: I really enjoyed "Tandia" by Bryce Courtenay!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Tandia" is the sequel to Bryce Courtenay's masterpiece, "The Power Of One." Like his first book, "Tandia" tells a beautiful and heart-wrenching story about racism in South Africa. Courtenay uses description, humor, and dialogue wonderfully. "Tandia" is a very long book, exactly 900 pages. But that's the perfect length for this charming tale.Tandia Patel is a half Indian, half black girl in South Africa, who is raped by Boer policeman while visiting her father's grave. She is kicked out of her home by an unloving stepmother, and is arrested for burning the stepmother's house. In the police station, she is blackmailed by the antagonist - the man who raped her - Jannie Geldenhuis, who sends her off to a brothel.
Enter Peekay, Courtenay's protagonist from "The Power Of One." He's grown now - in college at Oxford - and he's a terrific boxer. He meets up with Tandia throught the book, and they begin to fall in love.
This book is not a romance novel. It is not meant for people who are into love stories. It is also not an action book, although there is plenty of it in the boxing matches. I recommend this book to all who enjoyed "The Power of One." You should read "The Power Of One" before "Tandia."