Tandia

Thanks for this wonderful collaboration

I read Power of One several years ago and was a fan of Courtenay already. I found Courtenay on audible when Brother Fish was released and bought that. I was immensely impressed with the Humphrey narration and wanted more. Then I discovered this sequel to Power of One and snapped it right up. Having just finished it, I was sorry to have it end. Humphrey's narration of this book was, like that of Brother Fish, superb. The best I have found on Audible. That is important since I try to buy only books over 20 hours for my bike commute. I was moved by this sequel to Power of One and would recommend it to anyone-- although I would strongly recommend reading or listening to Power of One first. There are enough back references that much will be lost without the experience of Power of One. (And the movie is no substitute; not even close. I saw the movie when it first came out and it kept me from reading the book for years. The book is lightyears better than the movie.) In Tandia, I am impressed with Courtnay's ability not to paint all Afrikaaners with one brush, and the same for the South African blacks and the rest of the cast. I am even more impressed with his ability to deal with themes of racial pride, hatred and tolerance; culture; religion; love; and faith without trivializing them. Thank you Courtenay and Humphrey for this wonderful collaboration !!!!

65 sur 65 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

A wonderful story

I listened to the Power of One first, and was drawn deeply into Peekay's world, South Africa during apartheid, in no small part through the masterful reading by Humphrey Bower. Tandia, the sequel, is a more grown up tale, which is just as it should be as Peekay embarks on adulthood only towards the end of the first book. Tandia is where we see Peekay finally realise his full potential and where he puts into practice the convictions he developed as a child. Without this book, the story would have been half told. This book also introduces a number of unforgettable non-white characters who give a richer perspective on life in South Africa during this period. The author's love for his country of birth clearly shines through. A beautiful, emotionally draining story. The ending left me desperately wishing for a sequel.

23 sur 23 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Great narrator but hideously abridged.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Humphrey Bower is the best Australian reader I've heard. Period.

Any additional comments?

Tandia, although darker, is a worthy follow up to The Power of One, telling the story of life in apartheid South Africa from the other perspective and following on with Peekay's story.

Sadly, despite what Audible have been told by the publisher, this audiobook is definitely abridged. I've read the hard copy before and was surprised when both minor and pivotal scenes were cut. Further more, a number of plot points that are edited out are constantly referred back to later in the story – enough to cause confusion in a listener who lacked prior knowledge of the story.

A very lazy job of editing a very well performed audiobook.

16 sur 16 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

The story of Peekay continues

Bryce Courtenay is one of my new favorite authors. He has excellent descriptions of his charactors and Humphry Bower is simply the best narrator I have ever heard. His range of charactor voices is unmatched.

11 sur 11 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Quite possibly one of the best books ever!!!

This was the fifth book I have read by Bryce Cortenay. The Potato Factory trilogy really got me hooked. I put off listening for almost a year, but after listening to Shantaram, also narrated by Bowers, I went ahead and took the plunge. The combination of Cortenay and Bowers is simply unbeatable. The Power of One was really good, but the follow up, Tandia was greatness all the way up the last line. I highly recommend this book...you won't be disappointed

20 sur 21 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Excellent as always!

This is my second book by Bryce Courtenay. The first was "The Potato Factory." Both books were excellent, and the narrator is beyond excellent. I actually stopped my iPod at one section of "Tandia" and replayed about 5 minutes just for the sheer pleasure of the language and the narrator's interpretation. The only bad thing I can say about Bryce Courtenay is that his books are epics and require a commitment to listen to a very long story. It's worth it!

9 sur 9 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Powerful!

I hope this review doesn't get buried in the 25th page of reviews but never the less I have to add mine to the pile! This sequel to the Power of One is so worth the credit. Following the life of P.K. the story picks up in a very colorful and vivid way to see how the love of one's people and county in paid in blood. It's funny and is sad. It's an African "BraveHeart" story which is written in a way that you are proud of people who die for the cause of equality of all races. It is a love story that encompasses more than just P.K. and Tandia, but for friendships and freedoms. The narration is superb!

14 sur 16 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Tandia by Bryce Courtney

Well developed characters and detailed plot.
Sometimes wonder if Courtney's books could be shorter but I am never disappointed in the time spent listening.

4 sur 4 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Fighting for RIGHT

This is my fifth Bryce Courtenay book, and I haven't been disappointed yet. I've listened to The Power of One, The Potato Factory Trilogy (which I also highly recommend), and now Tandia. Humphrey Bower narrates them all . . . flawlessly. I have learned so much about the history of Africa in listening to The Power of One and Tandia. Sadly, evil is so prevalent in the political and the powerful. And it has been so since the beginning of time. The beautiful story of Peekay, as a child and now as an adult, who chooses to fight for right is a rare jewel. To reject corruption and embrace truth in the face of even death . . . awe, this is the magic of the tadpole angel.

3 sur 3 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

awesome book!

Tandia and the Power of One are perhaps that best books/novels that I have read /listened to so far. At the end of these two books, I feel a deep love for Africa itself and feel as if the lead character PeeKay is someone I really know. The author has a wonderful way of describing about the native customs/beliefs of Africa with respect and without trivialising them. This is rare as most westerner academics/authors who study non-western customs rarely understand them and frequently trivialize them using their limited knowledge. Obviously, the author, Bryce Courtenay, is a real son of Africa, just like how PeeKay is potrayed.

The narrator deserves a special mention. I dont think I would have enjoyed this book as well as I did if I read it off a book. The different voices and tones and accent that Humphrey Bower uses throughout the two books is really entertaining.

I for sure will listen to more books from this Author-Narrator combo both for content and entertainment.

7 sur 8 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.