The Thorn Birds

The Thorn Birds, a novel by Colleen McCullough, was first published in 1977 by Avon Books. A sweeping, romantic epic that spans nearly sixty years, The Thorn Birds became an international best-seller; the novel was adapted for the screen as an incredibly popular mini-series in 1983. Eventually, The Thorn Birds would become one of the most highly rated programs in American television history. This text uses the pagination of the Avon Books 2010 paperback edition.    

Plot Summary

The Thorn Birds traces the lives of the members of the Cleary family over the course of three generations, from their poor existence in New Zealand to their eventual move to Australia when a distant relative summons them and promises them a more stable life. From 1915 to 1969, the members of the Cleary family endure personal joys and personal tragedies, suggesting to the reader that one cannot exist without the other.

After years of poverty and struggle, the Cleary family, led by matriarch Fiona and her loyal husband Paddy, finally find a reliable source of income on the inherited estate. Their seemingly peaceful life, however, is tarnished by the consequences of desire. The local priest, Ralph de Bricassart, develops an attachment to the only daughter of the family, Meggie, when she is a child.