The Thorn Birds

Hardcover, 533 pages

English language

Published 1977 by Harper & Row.

ISBN:
978-0-06-012956-9
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OCLC Number:
439377767

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(1 review)

The Thorn Birds is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of t his 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 …

38 editions

Not particularly good in any sense of the word

I was going to write a full review but to be honest this book isn't worth the hassle. The narrative drives a cast of characters too flat to be of any interest. The central plot may have been scandalous when published but now appears downright vile in light of the past quarter century of scandals involving the church. I think it's a popular book thanks to a long story, because it certainly isn't because of the characters or themes. One star for sparking an interest in Australia.

Subjects

  • Catholics -- Fiction.
  • Clergy -- Fiction.
  • Australia -- Fiction.