The Thorn Birds was a buddy read with Deb at Readerbuzz. This was an interesting journey through decades with the Cleary family and getting myself immersed in Australian outback conditions.
Below is a general summary of the book but spoilers are in my Goodreads review HERE.
This is a multi-generational saga spanning from 1915 to 1969. The Cleary family, Paddy and Fiona, along with their seven children, are trying to make ends meet on a farm in New Zealand. You will read about the hardships of the family and how they eventually move to Australia when Paddy's sister (Mary Carson) offers them a home on her vast property called Drogheda.
Paddy is Mary's only heir and he will eventually be assumed to inherit her estate. The sons flourish working on the sheep ranch and the women are sequestered at home doing the usual mundane work of cooking, laundry, childcare etc. Yet another perk of being a female in that time period.
A central character to this story is Father Ralph de Bricassart, the Catholic priest who visits Mary Carson, hoping to advance his position with the church and relocate to Sydney or perhaps, one day...Rome. He becomes very involved with the Cleary family, much to Mary's dismay, but her vindictive nature will eventually turn the tables.
The descriptions of the birds, landscape and the flora are very richly described; such vivid colors and atmosphere. The weather conditions are so well depicted you can feel it, easily imagining hot breezes, the sticky humidity and bitter cold in each season.
There is so much tragedy, sadness as well as love in this novel.
This was a buddy read with Deb at Readerbuzz and also one of the books on my Classics Club list. Publication date 1977.
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I remember loving this novel (and the television miniseries) decades ago, but have never reread it. It's one of those books that I wonder if it's stood the test of time. You're doing really well with your Classics Club list!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I enjoyed it and this makes two books for the classics list! If I finish Testament that will be three. I read a bit more and will send you an update tom6.
DeleteGreat review! I have a better picture of it now for when I pick it up sometime. I have never read it but have always wanted to. It seems like a compelling family saga and I remember how very popular it was back in the late 1970s. It was everywhere then, but my aunt said I wasn't old enough to read it, lol. Good read for your classic list.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it dates itself with some things in the book but overall, good family saga!
DeleteI've read it a couple of times and have to say it wasn't as good the second time around. I was about 20 the first time I read it (in myabe 1981) and again in 2012 for a buddyread with Bellezza. You can read my thoughts here if you like.
ReplyDeleteLes, I enjoyed it but I don't think I will reread as I have SO many books I want to get to. It certainly placed you right in the middle of the Outback with vivid descriptions.
DeleteI remember reading this when it first came out (yes, I'm old!) and I know I liked it. About ten years ago I read her "Masters of Rome" series (which is huge) and loved it, but that's a favorite time period of mine.
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