James Rhodes: Piano prodigy hits the low notes in a chaotic journey

Memoir/music: Fire On All Sides, By James Rhodes, Quercus, €17.50

In his 2015 memoir Instrumental, James Rhodes told his harrowing and extraordinary story. For nearly five years in primary school, he was systematically raped by his gym teacher. Later, after a mental collapse, he was institutionalised and attempted suicide. In his teens, Rhodes began playing the piano, gave it up for a decade, but today is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist. If all ...