The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough 4.5 Stars

This review is going to be about an old favorite.  Maybe you've read it before, or have seen the miniseries.  Perhaps you've never even heard of it.  The Thorn Birds was originally published in 1977, written by Australian author Colleen McCullough and it became an international bestseller.  It was adapted into a television miniseries in 1983 and was one of the United States highest rated ever.  The novel spans between 1915 to 1969, and

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

I cannot even remember the first time that I read this novel, but I've read it countless times since then.  The different relationships are fascinating. This novel, while a family saga spanning decades, continents, and generations, is mainly about relationships.  Relationships between brothers and sisters, parents and children, and men and women. The mother/daughter dynamic between Fiona and Meggie, and then Meggie and Justine is heart wrenching.  Meggie's relationship with Ralph, which started when she was a young girl and moves into romantic territory as she comes of age, is forced to an end when Ralph has to choose between his own ambition and the church and his heart's desire, Meggie.

Meggie's marriage with Luke is beyond awful, as he only sees women as sex objects, and married her for her money.  During leaving the marriage, Meggie has a child, Justine. Meggie's resentment of Justine due the situation of her birth causes many problems for them over the years.  Meggie is so much happier when she is at Drogheda, where she flees to after leaving her husband while pregnant, where she gives birth to Dane.

While her children grown up, Ralph visits Drogheda regularly, becoming a mentor to her son Dane.  Dane ends up following in Ralph's footsteps and becomes a priest.  Justine is much more modern and becomes an actress.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves sagas and family drama.  The Thorn Birds will meet your expectations and surpass them!
I give this 4.5 stars.

Originally released: 1977