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Summary: The Thorn Birds--Enough said
Review: When my mother held out her favorite book with pride, all I could think was "That thing must weigh about as much as I do!" However, the 560 pages of this phenomenal novel fly by as the reader becomes engrossed in the lives of the realistic characters. McCullough demonstrates incredible talent by focusing on so many main characters and developing them as in depth as she does. The reader literally becomes absorbed in the lives of Meggie, Ralph, Paddy, Fee, Luke, Bob, Frank, Jack, Stu, Jims, Patsy, Dane, Justine, and Rain. Although this may sound intimidating to someone who has never read the book, it is easy to follow. I think people become absorbed in this book because they can relate to it. We all have to struggle for the price of happiness. McCullough says it best..." The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself, and die singing. At the very instant the thorn enters there is no awareness in it of the dying to come; it simply sings and sings until there is not the life left to utter another note. But we, when we put the thorns in our breasts, we know. We understand. And still we do it. Still we do it." This novel will definitely give the reader a fresh perspective on what drives humans in their lives.
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Summary: I have to agree its one of my favorite books of all time
Review: If you are looking for a perfect summer read, something not to difficult but incredibly gripping and full of rich well-written characters then this book is for you. You will not be able to put it down once you begin, so plan accordingly.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: I am at a loss for words regarding this book. I loved it, it was a tapestry of plots and emotions. The characters are rich with emotion, you can identify their wants and needs. Buy youself a box of tissues before reading this book.
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Summary: A must read...
Review: I am usually not a big fan of romance novels...so it is a big suprise to me that this is one of my all-time favorite books. I think one of the most difficult tasks as an author is to describe characters that are not only well-rounded, but believable as humans. In the Thorn Birds we love the characters for their human flaws, and struggles. For example, Ralph's struggle between his love for God, his love for Meggie and his undying ambitions. What I loved most about this book is it's realism. None of that hollywood, unrealistic, happily ever after cliched garbage. The characters must face fate which is not always helpful (ex/spoilers when the fire kills Patty & Board Stewy). And like in many families, our lives turns out to be like that of our parents. (Meggie's like is very similar to that of her mother). If you are ready to love/hate characters, be engrossed in one of the most passionate yet tragic love stories of all time..this book is a must.
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Summary: Great novel...Until the End
Review: This is a great novel all the way until about the last 100 or so pages. This is when the book begins to focus on Justine, a very unlikeable character. I found myself just wishing that it would hurry up and be over. The first 500 or so pages are a great story though! If you are looking for something easy to read and not too dramatic this is it.
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Summary: The Thorn Birds
Review: Meggie Cleary and Ralph de Bricassart: two timeless lovers separated not only by age, but by life, by sea and by vocation. What can make two people love each other so much to make a priest break his sacred vows? What happens when something is stolen and kept a secret? Travel through two generations of mistakes, two ruined children as the result...The Thorn Birds is my favorite book, and never fails to stur a million emotions in every paragraph, though I have read it no less than a hundred times.
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Summary: Admirable Effort
Review: This book is so bittersweet - isn't that the way of life? Ms. McCullough has weaved an intricate, captivating tale. The story was extremely compelling, dramatic, and tragic. The cursed love affair of Meggie and Ralf digs at the thorns all readers surely have in their own sides. As a Protestant, I was enthrawlled by the spiritual issues grappled with through Catholic theology. I so admire Ms. McCullough taking on such an epic story that it pains me to give it only 3 stars, but I did for the following reasons: 1. The last third of the book falls flat as the climax (Ralf and Meggie) occured too soon and Justine couldn't hold it together on her own. 2. I am a huge fan of description and detail, but the detail in this book became tedious at times. 3. Because the book spanned 60 years, it was hard at times for me to feel connected to the characters when say 8 years had passed without any knowledge of what had been going on in their lives. But on the whole, a very admirable effort!
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Summary: A Perfect book !
Review: How many times can anyone read the same book?Well this is not a question about The Thorn birds.I must have read and re-read it over 30 times.It is a perfect book that reviles through time the life of the people.The cursed love of Meggie and Ralf and the story of all the Cleary family.It is a must.
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Summary: I find the best books, but this one I will never forget.
Review: Well, how shall I say this. The Thorn Birds is by no doubt the best book in history. I've read Little Women as well, but the Thorn Birds, well, it's just wonderful. It's about the Cleary family, moving from their small house and shabby life in New Zealand, to Drogheda, Australia. At first their life is no better; their son Frank leaves home and ends up in jail, Meggie, terribly in love with priest Ralph de Bricassart since the age of ten,is upset to witness her brother (Frank)trying to fight with his father, Padraic Cleary. But things grow better. Paddy's wealthy sister Mrs. Carson leaves them the large house on Drogheda. Meggie marries, bares a daughter, Justine, and then leaves her husband, only to meet Ralph, and then she bares his son, Dane. Life is tough with first the Depression, then war and drought, and they all keep up. Excellent book.
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Summary: I defy anybody who does not like this book....
Review: The Thorn Birds is absolutely one of the greatest epics of our time. McCullough's genuis prose is unparalled and the romance between Ralph and Meggie ranks up there with Scarlett and Rhett. It is a smashing good read. My only complaint is that I can read it only once for the first time.
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