Set in South Africa and possibly Bryce Courtney's best book. A compelling story from beginning to end and quite an eye-opener.

The whole time I was reading this, I had this feeling that I had read it before. This is quite possible because, once I read The Power of One, I was hooked on reading Bryce Courtenay's novels; however, it could just be because there is so much similarity in this story to the Power of One: both follow the lives of very young 'English' boys in horrible living conditions (here, Tom is in an orphanage since age 4 and unloved and terribly mistreated; Peekay in The Power of One is in a horrible boarding school with similar circumstances and both young boys are befriended by the true African people and both fight the bigotry of the Afrikaner people. Regardless, I was completely captivated by Tom, his life and all of the characters for the first part of the book but, unfortunately the last 1/3 (after he moved away to go to the scholarship school), I missed the characters who had been introduced in the first part. It was like Tom gave up completely his early life where all those friends had saved him. Then the last part was too long... so much detail on taking care of the homeless men, so so much detail of the mines and the military... it made me want to put the book down but I couldn't because I had to know the final outcome. So, a great story that would have been rated higher if the last 3rd had been edited better, in my opinion.

I consider Bryce Courtenay a bit of a literary hero so it is no surprise I have read many, most in fact of his books. He is a a storyteller a cut above the pack and I have never been disappointed by his novels. Shocked by his graphic descriptions of violence and sex? Yes. Suspicious of the encyclopedia knowledge of his MCs? Yes. (Some call it information dumping, but I call it education) Frustrated by his long windedness and his propensity to repeat himself? Yes. Disappointed? No. Thrilled. Entertained. Fully engaged.

Tom Fitzsaxby's life is told from age seven to 30 when he completes his life mission. In between are wonderful adventures, horrible abuse, beautiful people, and always the indomitable spirit of man shines through. My favourite scene was at the music shop when Tom was trying to sell a grand piano to an Afrikaaner farmer, butt here were many memorable scenes and characters. I can't say much more without spoiling it but White Thorn has everything a reader could want. This particular reader loved it.

A good read. It was easy to fall in love with the main character and his conflict. There were moments in the book where I thought it got a little dry, but overall it was a great read. I have never read a book by Bryce Courtenay, but would choose another after reading this because I enjoyed his writing.