What a beautiful, beautiful novel. Similar to GWTW with the star-crossed lovers, and it even reminded me a bit of Willa Cather's novels, because the land was truly its own character. I definitely need to own this one some day. ( )

This book is a true classic! McCullough's saga of the Cleary family is an amazing story of love, loss and redemption. The characters are so vividly described that they stay with us long after the book is finished. It is the kind of story I go back and reread every few years just to have the Cleary's back in my life again. ( )

Pride and crossing class-barriers seem to be the focus to the story.

EMPRESTADO Á CARMINA EM 12.01.2009 ( )

1492 The Thorn Birds, by Colleen McCullough (read 24 July 1978) This was a best seller which I received from my daughter Laurie as a Father's Day gift. It was awfully easy to read, and hard to lay down. It is primarily laid in New South Wales, Australia, and this exotic and unusual setting provided a lot of zest to the story, which tells of the Clearys, who come to a great ranch, and get mixed up with Father Ralph, who eventually becomes a Cardinal. Meggie is the girl in the Cleary family and she eventually has two kids: Dane and Justine. It is all rather facile, and some in it is objectionable to me. But it sure is readable. ( )

This book started slow and it seemed to go on forever with a very detailed description of everything. But just stick to it and you will find quite an interesting story. I would have loved this book even more if Father Ralph had returned to Meggie for good and it turned out to be a happy ending. But then it wouldve just been another love story.... ( )

The top of the front cover describes the book as "phenomenal". It really, truly is just that. ( )

a very good book about a priest torn between his vows as a priest and his love for a woman named maggie ( )

I suppose I have a mixed opinion on this book. It was hard for me to read. I feel sorry for my Spiritual Director.

Half way through I didn't want to read anymore but my Mom had read this book and my father had seen the movie and both loved them! So I figured I had to finish the book!

I really thought it was going to focus more on the sex life of Meggie and Ralph. I suppose I was a ... lot ... disappointed that it instead focused on the guilt and anger that they had. Guilt (and shame) on Ralph's part for being a man ::Rolleyes:: and anger at God on Meggie's part. I was really disappointed that Meggie never understood a priest's vocation and what it truly means, she only ever thought of herself and never of Ralph's own struggle with his love for her ... Meggie's anger towards God continued when her son decided to become a priest.

It disappointed me I suppose.

Adrianne ( )

Colleen McCullough's sweeping saga of dreams, struggles, dark passions, and forbidden love in the Australian Outback has enthralled readers the world over. This is the chronicle of three generations of Clearys, ranchers carving lives from a beautiful, hard land while contending with the bitterness, frailty, and secrets that penetrate their family. Most of all, it is the story of only daughter Meggie and her lifelong relationship with the haunted priest Father Ralph de Bricassart—an intense joining of two hearts and souls that dangerously oversteps sacred boundaries of ethics and dogma.

A poignant love story, a powerful epic of struggle and sacrifice, a celebration of individuality and spirit, Colleen McCullough's acclaimed masterwork remains a monumental literary achievement—a landmark novel to be cherished and read again and again.
Sadly, because I hate to see any book damaged in any way, this book was also a victim of the freak wave. As it was in a bag, though, only the first fifty pages or so are wrinkled--and that, thank goodness, is ALL!

I'm not too distraught over this one, however, as I stopped reading it once I got to chapter two, Ralph.
I had been ho-humming it from the beginning, really, and had been forcing myself through because it was a gift and I actually wanted to be able to talk about it with the giver (ha ha. corny book joke).

I can't bring myself to go on with it, however. It's boring.
I know it's a super big classic, but my TBR pile is just so huge that I can't bring myself to endure this story when there's so much potential waiting for me.

This review is a post on my blog. ( )

I haven't read this since I was a whimsical, romantic teenager, but I loved it then and think I would enjoy it just as much now. I am married to clergy now, so I think my perspective will have changed just a little bit. :) ( )

A story theat pulls the reader into the heart and soul of each character. ( )

The book is excellent, no doubt about it. But, this is a rare instance where I thought the tv miniseries was better! Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward bring the two main character more to life than words on a page can. Read the book, then watch the series. ( )

The epitome of class and romance. ( )

It started off as an innocent relationship and in time, developed into a serious forbidden love affair. One of the best books I ever read. ( )

Simply the best tragic love story there is, with the possible exception of Romeo and Juliet. I re-read this one every few years or when I need a soul-cleansing cry. Meggie... ( )

In the Thorn Birds some foreigners emigrate to Australia, and settle.

Their daughter soon learns she has a thing for the local priest. Given he is catholic, and not supposed to do the shagging thing, this proves to be a bit of an issue, especially after she gets old enough to actually influence his hormones as well.

Job or woman, he has to choose. ( )

A real meaty saga that you can read over and over again ( )

Saga australienne. Le gros pavé romantique que j'adore relire en été.

beautiful epic, tearjerker, have read it over and over ( )

This book had a very strong start, and if not for the way it went slowly and inexorably downhill after about page 415, I would have given it a full four stars. Characters are rendered expertly; from start to finish each of the main characters are full fledged and multi-faceted people. The setting in Australia is also rendered capably as well, giving equal weight to the beauty and hardships. Right up to page 415, the same talent brought to characterization and setting helps drive a fascinating plot line. This first part of the book makes for an unforgettable story, full of memorable people capable of reaching out to the reader and making us feel the same heartbreak, anger, and love they feel. After page 415, the book meanders and becomes tedious. Things somewhat come back in the last 70 pages of the book, you begin to remember that these people are the same ones you fell in love with back at the beginning of the book and begin to feel that old empathy again. But that space in between is difficult to get through. It’s tough for me to criticize this book, because it really did start out so well. It’s almost as if the author got to ambitious with the story line and could follow through with her intent to the end. ( )

This is probably one of the first "adult" books that I read (not "adult" as in "erotica," but as in having genuinely adult content). I loved this book, and remember feeling heartbroken and inspired. I was enough of a naive romantic to really cheer for the star-crossed lovers, and feel their pain when things went badly. ( )

very good book. this is the second McCullough, and i thoroughly enjoy how she writes, although a trifle long winded at times. but very good book. ( )

I thought this was the best book ever written when I was Oh, maybe, 13. Broke my heart. I liked the TV movie too. Now as an adult I really can't objectively critque and I actually don't have a desire to re-read. But I won't ever forget Drogheda. ( )