Eighth Wonder: The Thomas Bethune Story by A.M.Cal

It's rare that you get an opportunity to review a book before publication and land up learning about a section of history that you had no idea existed. I was fascinated by the story of the slave boy who grew up to be the Black Mozart.

The story begins with Colonel Bethune on a day that threatens to expose a secret that he has been hiding for years from the world. The Colonel is arrested and charged with slavery after it is discovered that a previous slave still resides in his house and has taken ill.

We move back in time to discover where Thomas came from and how he was integrated into the Bethune's lives. The story is evocative and rich with imagery, from the hot and humid slave traders in Virginia, to the opulent courts of the kings, queens and emperors in Europe. We follow, and in many places cling to our seats, the life of Thomas , born blind and into slavery. A small child seemingly destined to be tossed aside at an early age. It's as though we are accorded a glimpse into the private and special bond between the Colonel and Thomas. How the child proved to be a musical prodigy and silenced naysayers the world over. Focus is placed on his meteoric rise to fame and the beautiful, but most oft times, cruel path it took to get there. Throughout the story we are allowed to see the impact the relationship had on both the Colonel and Thomas's families, as well as the effect on the world and indeed the world on it. An echo is placed on the price fame brings with it. Politics and the war between the North and South are skilfully woven into the tale and add to the complexity of allegiances and inevitable desires and their actions.

As with most first time novels small faults creep through. Most of the editing niggles were corrected just before publication, and so very few mistakes linger. As a reader one bone of contention I have, is the amount of French used in the story which is not translated. Occasional words and phrases which are commonly used would be easier to read than the sometimes lengthy sentences, which make the reader feel as though they are missing part of the story.

An epic and sweeping saga of fortunes lost and won, loyalties and boundaries pushed, unquestioning and unyielding love being tested; but above all-that nothing will stand in the way of a genius whose light is meant to be shared and shone on the world.