From Amazon:The Thorn Birds is a chronicle of three generations of Clearys—an indomitable clan of ranchers carving lives from a beautiful, hard land while contending with the bitterness, frailty, and secrets that penetrate their family. It is a poignant love story, a powerful epic of struggle and sacrifice, a celebration of individuality and spirit. Most of all, it is the story of the Clearys' only daughter, Meggie, and the haunted priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart—and the intense joining of two hearts and souls over a lifetime, a relationship that dangerously oversteps sacred boundaries of ethics and dogma.

Learning about the Australian outback, being transported to another time and place, curling up in front of a fireplace on a rainy and getting lost in good epic.

Meggie's arc in the story. I could identify with her and I could see how the same themes played out in Fee and Justine in different ways.

If anything, the length can be a bit challenging, especially if you only have limited time to read.

watch the 1980's mini series again.

The book will take on a journey of highs and lows. You're happy the Clearys have found a purpose on Mary's ranch, but there's hardship and few rewards.

is Colleen McCullough. As I understand it, she lived in Australia and that experience paid off in scene setting and capturing the authenticity of her characters.

It's an overall rewarding experience.

I think going into this book, the reader has to understand that there is a forbidden relationship with Meggie and Father Ralph and you've got to be comfortable going into that.

I think one has to contemplate the quote in which the book is named after: "And singing, it impales itself on the longest, sharpest thorn. But, as it dies, it rises above its own agony, to outsing the lark and the nightingale." (The thorn bird pays its life for just one song, but the whole world stills to listen, and God in his heaven smiles.). And then who is the Thorn Bird? Father Ralph? Who lets ambition drive his life despite his strong attraction to Meggie. Is it Meggie who finally does have that passionate affair with Ralph? Is it the land Drogehga - whose song is the Cleary's story?

The book makes you think about the characters, their highs and lows, and tugs on your heartstrings as a reader.

Illustrations marked a 4 as the cover is more impressionist - allowing your imagination to take over -- but not very inspirational

Length of book is marked as a 3 as it is incredibly long - over 700 pages. I read the ebook, but still, it took me a good amount of time to finish.

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Created Feb 26, 2024 at 5:33am • Submit your own review...