The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Thorn Birds
Book Review: Best Book Ever Writen!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book last summer at first I couldn't get into it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. It was a very sad beautful story I think everyone should read. And I'm only 15 years old!Book Review: Best characters of all?
Summary: 5 Stars
Given that everyone under the sun has recapped the story, commented upon the relationship between the two main characters, Meggie and Ralph, or gushed about how McCullough brings the Outback to life, let me add a tidbit that is seldom covered: JUSTINE and RAINER HARTHEIM. Oh, how I adore these two characters, even more than Meggie and Ralph!
JUSTINE is so flawed, yet I can't help but root and care for her. Fragile, strong, bold, frightened, confident, insecure, talented, and lacking. She is such a human mix, and I can't help but empathize with her. She's an adorable b*tch--Rainer Hartheim lovingly calls her a monster--and I am in awe of Colleen McCullough for her ability to create such a character as Justine.
RAINER HARTHEIM... If I were to dream up my sexiest man, Rainer Hartheim would be it. (Please realize that I might have somewhat perverse tastes.) Like Justine, Rainer is a bit of a monster. He shuts down his emotional self for a substantial period of his life, and he is remorseless in his pursuit of his goals. Yet throughout all of this, he is completely aware of what he's doing, and of who and what he is. He feels shame for his past actions; but if he had to do it again, he would. He accepts his past actions, but moves on with the self-promise that he will, from this point forward, be the person he wants to be, someone of whom he can be proud. I love Rainer's patience; perseverance; spirit; spirituality; control; ambition; incredible intelligence; sophistication; philosophical acceptance of life, others, and himself; loyalty; heart; sensuality; and truth to self. He's a man who loses himself; and when he regains himself, he is completely aware of and deeply thankful for it. A powerful individual, and a presence one can never ignore. Can you understand why I find this incredible, self-redeemed man so sexy?
Book Review: Blown Away
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book when I was thirteen, and now, four years later I am still taken away by this novel. There are so many subtle ironies and twists that you don't catch them all at once. The story itself is beautiful, in a very twisted sort of way. Pain is a way of life to the Cleary family and all those who come in contact with them. There is nothing that can be protected from fate and from the outback sun. From the deaths of sons to eternal bitterness to passionate love and lust, every human emotion is explored in this novel. The metaphors for life are extrodinary and very delicate. I still quote from this book regulally since it has become, it feels, so real to me. Meggie and her family come alive in your mind when reading this, the characters are so incredably vivid. An amazing read from cover to cover!Book Review: Brought Americans a New Reading World To Explore
Summary: 5 Stars
Author Colleen McCullough arrived on the book scene with a smash hit in the USA with the release of this novel. Setting her story in the then unfamiliar (to us) Australian Outback, in the era surrounding WWII, was enticement enough to buy this book. However, she also had the brilliant idea of giving us the love story between two characters who were constantly torn apart by his religious vocation. These are Meggie and Father Ralph, a Roman Catholic priest, who travels far, including into the world of the Vatican. Thus, there is also the contrast of life lived in the very rugged and very rural outposts of the world with the very cosmopolitan city life. This is a very great love story that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go. This was also made into a very good television miniseries that was nevertheless a bit of a letdown for me after the book. I wish it had been made into a full theatrical release film with some higher powered acting talent in the lead roles other than Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.Book Review: Classic Epic
Summary: 4 Stars
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in adding modern classics to their reading list. It's well written, engaging, and well plotted. It has many elements of good literature: irony, drama, tragedy, humor, and every aspect of human life. And surprisingly it is a quick read despite the hefty length. This also was written by someone who does their homework. How could someone get all those details of sheep farming/herding in Austrailia without some research?