Colleen McCullough - The Thorn Birds: A Novel

Pros: Australia and other compelling characters, patterns and themes.
Cons: Does not contain Richard Chamberlain.

"There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life...." So begins Colleen McCullough's masterpiece, THE THORN BIRDS, a huge semi-historical novel about the Cleary family of Drogheda -- an immense Australian sheep farm -- and part ...

Pros: Language, characters, settings
Cons: Heart breaking

There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing ...

Pros: intriguing, layered story.
Cons: plot drags slightly, at parts

"The thorn birds" has been compared to Gone with the wind, on several occasions. Both protagonists a ...

Pros: Creative, brilliant, a wonderful masterpiece that is brilliant in its own image.
Cons: Falling for her first husband was one of the stupidest moves possible.

A book that spans the generations is the theme for The Thorn Birds. Spanning over three generations of the Cleary family, Colleen McCullough is able to capture the essence of the human spirit.

Love, death, heartache, grief, joy, compassion,...

Pros: Gripping, though-provoking; potential for great discussion in a book club.
Cons: Sad in many parts; third generation of Cleary's start to lose their interest.

If you are a fan of the classic '80's mini-series based on this book and starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward, then this book is a must-read. If you are a fan of novels that have it all-- love and hate, humility and pride, wealth and poverty - then this is a book for you.

Set in Australia, this book spans three generations of the Cleary family with a focus on the unique relationship of the parish priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart and the family's only daughter, Meggie Cleary. The primary setting is Drogheda, the Cleary family ranch, and Colleen McCullough brings the barren, dry land to life in a way that will leave you spellbound.

For fans of the mini-series, the movie follows the book pretty closely with some subtle differences that help make the story richer. For example, the character of Luke O'Neill is described to be a near physical replica of Ralph, which offers some intriguing insight into Meggie's character.

Overall, the book is as wonderful as the series, only better because it offers more depth to each character and storyline.