Rating: 
Summary: Why isn't this woman better known?
Review: At the pagecount 220, when Richard Morgan is surprised at his own eloquence, I am caught in surprise at hers, although I ought not be. For I have known her work these two decades, and there is none better now writing in the English tongue.Colleen McCollough has both a voice and an ear; when she writes, you can hear her characters, and what she writes, you can her own voice, her own very active mind at work -- and at play. When I first read The Thorn Birds, what surprised me most was her voice; it was the first time I ever read a writer that didn't write in American English or even British English, her syntax and rhythms had an element all its own, it was my introduction to a distinctive AUSTRALIAN English (this was the mid-70's, before even Crocodile Dundee, after all). Once again, she hits the nail right on the head with Morgan's Run. It's exciting to read, you fly right through the book. What amazes me, though, is the level of research she does for every page she writes. You can tell just from the maps and illustrations in each one of her books she's done her homework, and made it so interesting, to boot. When I read CREED FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM, I wound up infuriated by it. After reading Creed, I realized how tired I was of people following or searching for "a philosophy worth dying for." What I wanted was a philosphy worth living for. Richard Morgan is, in many ways, the opposite number to that novel's J.C. -- he puts his nonverbalized view of life into practice, into action, and Colleen McCollough takes you along on his journey. There are many sly little touches tossed off throughout. Early on, one of the characters uses the phrase, "The die is cast", which was attributed to Caeser as he crossed the Rubicon; yet, in CAESAR, she suggests an alternate translation of the phrase, "Let the dice fly", which is more in keeping with that books themes and character. I loved catching the reference on the fly (as it were) as I zoomed through this fascinating story. If the language is at first a little off-putting, it seems a trifle arch, but once Colleen gets going and the story gets mvoing, it all becomes of a piece. I make no apologies; I love this woman, and I am thoroughly enjoying this book. More people should become aware of who she is and what she does and enjoy her as much as I do.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting history but not for the squeamish.
Review: Morgan's Run is an ambitious and engaging novel but it simply does not rise to the level of magical excellence we are accustomed to from Colleen McCullough. More than half the book is completed before our convict hero arrives in Australia. And most of these 334 pages (and those that follow) are devoted to vivid descriptions of the revolting conditions of 18th century English prisons and the slave ships used to transport convicts to Australia. This novel simply staggers under its weight of human filth, excrement, vermin, disease, suffering, cruelty, and starvation. I'm sure it is true to the savage history of the time, but I would have enjoyed a little more novel as a contrast. Much history can be learned from Morgan's Run but it isn't for the squeamish reader.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book...Lavish Detail...Great Historical Perspective!
Review: I was lucky to get an advance reading copy of this incredible book. Although the "old style" language is difficult to catch onto at first (example: " gaoul" for jail), this book was riveting. I really got engrossed with Richard Morgan and his incredible life, from Bristol, England during the U.S. Revolutionary War through his tortuous years setting up a new colony in Australia. What an amazing depiction of life on the slave ship! The author, I believe, truly captured what life was really like in those times. I was astounded by the cruel and unjust penal system she describes for those times. The book is well worth every minute, and it left me wanting more...more about Richard's life. A big round of applause for an incredible storyteller, thank you Ms. Colleen. P.S. When is the movie coming out?
Rating: 
Summary: Not Enough Australia
Review: Being a big fan of The Thorn Birds, I was hoping for a novel set mainly in Australia. But after 300-plus pages with the protagonist still in England, I just couldn't muster the interest to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Good historical fiction
Review: I have not read McCullough's "Thornbirds", having seen the movie, but I have been a huge fan of her "Masters of Rome" historical fiction series, so I thought I would give "Morgan's Run" a try. I certainly wasn't disappointed. It is about the first colonization of Australia and Norfolk Island as penal colonies by Britain. Some may find it lacking because it is, after all, closely based on the real-life story of an actual penal colonist. It is not action-packed (the beginning gets off to a slow start as she builds the background of the main character, but still interesting) nor a sweeping epic, but she drew me right into the story and as usual with this gifted author, I found it hard to put the book down. You immediately become immersed in another time and (due to the author's meticulous research) really come to understand the commonly overlooked details of life in our interesting and varied past. She is also a master at fleshing out historical figures and unknowns alike, able to plumb the depths of men's souls and deftly imbue them with personalities as varied and interesting as real life, able to play them together like a concert pianist. Truly a master author, as usual, I eagerly await her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: An epic down under
Review: It's risky business diving into an 834-page book which begins quietly in England and sweeps you around the world to a tiny island in the South Pacific. These ambitious stories don't always click, particularly when the author doesn't know enough to put a bullet in his work when it can't get off the ground. But "Morgan's Run" bucks this unsettling trait. Colleen McCullough put her heart into this story - family ties help explain why - and the reader benefits from her careful research and enormous passion for her subject.
"Morgan's Run" follows the life of Richard Morgan, a tavern-keeper's son who is wrongfully convicted of a crime in England and is subsequently banished to the experimental penal colony on Norfolk Island to serve out his seven-year sentence. The book is certainly not without its foibles. McCullough, whose husband is a great-great-great-great grandson of the real Richard Morgan, depicts her hero with Roman, god-like qualities. It seems that there's no problem, either physical or mental, that Richard is incapable of solving, nor is there a man or woman whom Richard doesn't charm to the bone. That said, a unique cast of characters, coupled with an interesting historical narrative, more than compensate for the oh-so-romanticized qualities of McCullough's beloved über-convict.
Some may quibble that the book moves along too slowly, that we're still mired in England on p. 250 and stuck on that boat on page 400. If that's your beef, then steer clear of "Morgan's Run". The story is languid at times, and frustratingly contrived at others. But as far as historical epics are concerned, "Morgan's Run" rises above most others.
Rating:
Summary: Epic
Review: Morgan's Run is one of those novels that start off incredibly slow and creep along building up momentum until you finally find yourself caught up in the story of the hero. The plight of Richard, our hero, is a sad one and I can remember on more than one occasion thinking, "What other catastrophe can happen to this guy?" and yet Richard pulls through in the end as any hero will do.
Although the plot lags, McCullough's writing talents pass with flying colors when it comes to descriptions and long passages of exposition. You can tell she researched 18th century shipping and the founding of Australia extensively which definitely qualifies this novel in the rare breed of historical novels that are actually true to history.
If you have the time and are interested in the period I would recommend Morgan's Run, but if you are just looking for a good adventure/historical novel pass on by this one.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: I found this book extremely difficult going. The story, while somewhat interesting unfolded excruciating slowly and the writing style did not flow smoothly. Additionally too many extraneous characters with little or no development cropped up incessantly. Frankly I lost all interest in the characters and the story by the middle of the book and I had to force myself to get there. A cardinal rule I've employed in reading books is that I abandon them if they fail to please and by 2/3rds of the way through this book I gave up on it. I only made it that far because of previous efforts which were far better on McCullough's part.
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