A coming of age story set in South Africa. A young boy is sent away at a young age to a horrific boarding school, where as the only British child amongst Boers who are also Nazis he is tortured. Back on his family farm in the holiday, a Zulu medicine man teaches him the mental strength that will help him survive. All along the way, he is helped by strangers and by those who love him, but Peekay remains marked by his suffering. This is well-written but the levels of racism, probably realistic for that time, are horrific, and the violence is distressing. It's a great read but I felt unsure at the end of the point of the book - there's great characterisation, it feels like it's building up to something as Peekay builds his relationship with the People, but the ending is a huge let down (trying to write without spoilers) as to me it feels that Peekay shows himself to be no better than those he is fighting. I don't really understand the concept of 'the power of one' when throughout the book he is constantly helped and looked after.

Put into my NSS parcel.

Thanks for the brand new wishlist book and all the other NSS goodies. I think earthcaroleanne recommended this book. Or maybe my cousin.