The Thorn Birds is an emotional multi-generational family saga that takes readers on a journey from the Australian outback, to the halls of the Vatican and many places in between.
Goodreads Rating: 4.24
My Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads Summary:
The Thorn Birds is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of the 20th century, when Paddy Cleary moves his wife, Fiona, and their seven children to Drogheda, the vast Australian sheep station owned by his autocratic and childless older sister; and it ends more than half a century later, when the only survivor of the third generation, the brilliant actress Justine O’Neill, sets a course of life and love halfway around the world from her roots.
The central figures in this enthralling story are the indomitable Meggie, the only Cleary daughter, and the one man she truly loves, the stunningly handsome and ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart. Ralph’s course moves him a long way indeed, from a remote Outback parish to the halls of the Vatican; and Meggie’s except for a brief and miserable marriage elsewhere, is fixed to the Drogheda that is part of her bones – but distance does not dim their feelings though it shapes their lives.
Wonderful characters people this book; strong and gentle, Paddy, hiding a private memory; dutiful Fiona, holding back love because it once betrayed her, violent, tormented Frank, and the other hardworking Cleary sons who give the boundless lands of Drogheda the energy and devotion most men save for women; Meggie; Ralph; and Meggie’s children, Justine and Dane. And the land itself; stark, relentless in its demands, brilliant in its flowering, prey to gigantic cycles of drought and flood, rich when nature is bountiful, surreal like no other place on earth.
My Thoughts:
I was hesitant to read this book when my grandmother first suggested it, but once I did, I knew I should never have doubted her. She knew my reading tastes so well. I definitely miss her recommendations since she passed away.
The Thorn Birds is a multi-generational saga – and there’s few things I enjoy more in books than following characters throughout their whole lives.
McCullough’s characterization is top notch. Her characters are so utterly human, it’s wonderful! Within a few pages you are completely engrossed in a saga that is about so much more than simply the forbidden romance between a woman a priest. There were so many little moments that just make it a worthwhile read. I especially loved the characters of Frank and Paddy.
Also, the quote that she includes at the beginning about how the thorn birds know that impaling themselves on the thorns will kill them, but they do it anyway, because that is when they make their sweetest music…still gives me chills when I read it.
Happy Reading!
Liss
theclumsybookworm.com 