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Canadian Jen's Reviews > The Thorn Birds
The Thorn Birds
by
by
Canadian Jen's review
bookshelves: own, 5-star-favourites, historical-fiction, australia
May 07, 2020
bookshelves: own, 5-star-favourites, historical-fiction, australia
I have been consumed by this: heart and soul. The thorn bird sings only once in its life before impaling itself. But the song is so sweet that even God smiles for its song comes at a great sacrifice: life.
I’m in utter awe.
The Australian outback is a harsh land. Built for the strongest of humans to survive. The Clearys are a large family who’ve migrated from NZ to Australia to manage Paddy’s sister’s sheep station.
In the isolation of the outback, there are few relationships that develop but a young priest takes them under his wing and favours young Meggie as she is but the only daughter of a family of boys.
This is a love story. One in which a man struggles with his identity as a priest vs his weakness as a man; and the blossoming love for a girl who becomes a woman. The realization and the strength Meggie had, to know the one true love she has, belongs to the church.
The sacrifices that are made; the trade offs never equal.
A holy saga of life.
A favourite of my mom’s which is now a favourite of mine.
5⭐️
I’m in utter awe.
The Australian outback is a harsh land. Built for the strongest of humans to survive. The Clearys are a large family who’ve migrated from NZ to Australia to manage Paddy’s sister’s sheep station.
In the isolation of the outback, there are few relationships that develop but a young priest takes them under his wing and favours young Meggie as she is but the only daughter of a family of boys.
This is a love story. One in which a man struggles with his identity as a priest vs his weakness as a man; and the blossoming love for a girl who becomes a woman. The realization and the strength Meggie had, to know the one true love she has, belongs to the church.
The sacrifices that are made; the trade offs never equal.
A holy saga of life.
A favourite of my mom’s which is now a favourite of mine.
5⭐️
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Reading Progress
January 15, 2014
– Shelved
April 9, 2014
– Shelved as:
own
January 17, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 2, 2020
–
Started Reading
May 7, 2020
–
Finished Reading
May 8, 2020
– Shelved as:
5-star-favourites
February 14, 2022
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
March 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
australia
Comments Showing 1-50 of 83 (83 new)
message 1:
by
Susanne
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
May 02, 2020 01:23PM
Looking forward to your thoughts! 🤗 💕
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I’m loving it so far!
Jen wrote: "I’m loving it so far!"I’m so glad!! I did too!! 💕💕
It is a lot of years since I read this, but I remember loving it. I need to add this to my list of books to be reread. 😷❤😍�
It’s terrific , Sandy!
I remember this from long ago. The mini-series was great too.
Diane wrote: "I remember this from long ago. The mini-series was great too."It was terrific. Glad I got to it even though my copy was in bad shape :)
Jen, beautiful review! Read this and loved it quite a while ago . Loved , loved the tv mini series .
Beautiful review, Jen! I've known this book was well loved by many for some time, but I haven't read it. Maybe?
I read this decades ago, but still on my favorites list. Great review.
Lovely review of one of my very favorite novels, Jen!
Interesting review Jen. Not a book I have ever read . Maybe I will.
Great review, Jen. It is such a good book.
Great review Jen, for a timeless classic of a book!
Glad you enjoyed this oldie but goodie! Now you have to watch the miniseries.
One of my favorites Jen. The mini series is wonderful too as is your review!
Beautiful review Jen! A favorite of mine for sure,and that mini series😊
This is a beautiful review! Funnily enough, years ago I asked what books my mom loved, and she actually suggested I read this one. Shame on me for STILL not picking it up to this day. Thanks for making me remember that conversation :))
I loved your review Jen!I read this many years ago and would love to re-read it!
What a great time to read a classic! Nice review, Jen!
Makes me want to read it again. I would love to find a book like this in today's times.
Glad you enjoyed the Aussie setting, Jen! I loved it when I read it several years ago, too! I've got another Colleen McCullough sitting here - Morgan's Run - another chunky one, but I'm a bit scared to read it in case it's not as good as The Thorn Birds! I've read a couple of others of hers that weren't quite as good, but they also weren't as long, so it didn't feel like as much of a risk to give them a try!
Great review, Jen. I so wish I hadn't watched the miniseries with Richard Chamberlain (eww), maybe I'd be more inclined to give this a try. I haven't read McCullough, which is very un-Australian of me :-). I may read it one day...
Angela M wrote: "Jen, beautiful review! Read this and loved it quite a while ago . Loved , loved the tv mini series ."I caught snippets so my next mission is seeing if i can find the show anywhere! Thanks Angela
Libby wrote: "Beautiful review, Jen! I've known this book was well loved by many for some time, but I haven't read it. Maybe?"Yes! If you love a generational saga, this is definitely one you may want to consider.
Karen wrote: "I read this decades ago, but still on my favorites list. Great review."Thanks Karen
Thanks Laura, Candi & MB
Dale wrote: "Interesting review Jen. Not a book I have ever read . Maybe I will."YES!!!
Carole wrote: "Great review, Jen. It is such a good book."Such a good book! Thanks Carole
Brenda wrote: "Great review Jen, for a timeless classic of a book!"And a great time in which to read it. Thanks Brenda. It's been on my shelf for far too long
☮K wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this oldie but goodie! Now you have to watch the miniseries."I know....I'll have to do a search and hopefully it's on something like youtube now.....
Carol wrote: "One of my favorites Jen. The mini series is wonderful too as is your review!"Thanks Carol :)
Karen wrote: "Beautiful review Jen! A favorite of mine for sure,and that mini series😊"And those Megans!!!!
Elizabeth wrote: "This is a beautiful review! Funnily enough, years ago I asked what books my mom loved, and she actually suggested I read this one. Shame on me for STILL not picking it up to this day. Thanks for ma..."Thanks Elizabeth. I remember growing up and this book was always in the living room. I wonder if she will remember it as she has dementia - but, long term memory stays in tact. I'll have to bring my copy over when they lift the restrictions off the home. This could be a joyous conversation!
Wendy wrote: "I loved your review Jen!I read this many years ago and would love to re-read it!"
I'm holding onto my copy for sure, Wendy. It is one to be cherished.
Erin wrote: "What a great time to read a classic! Nice review, Jen!"Thanks Erin
Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Makes me want to read it again. I would love to find a book like this in today's times."Me too. It's def one of a kind.
Kathryn wrote: "Glad you enjoyed the Aussie setting, Jen! I loved it when I read it several years ago, too! I've got another Colleen McCullough sitting here - Morgan's Run - another chunky one, but I'm..."Well, keep me posted Kathryn. This too was a 500+read. But it went by so quick. Would love to know what the other one is like. She raised the bar with this one.
Bianca wrote: "Great review, Jen. I so wish I hadn't watched the miniseries with Richard Chamberlain (eww), maybe I'd be more inclined to give this a try. I haven't read McCullough, which is very un-Australian of..."Bianca - you so need to read it. The love of this land is incredible. As desolate as it can be it really pulled this family together. You don't like Chamberlain? lol. He was a good looking man in his day :)
Just seeing the title of that book and I want to read it again.
Lol Phyllis. Do it :D
I’ve been saving this a very long time and am looking forward to finally sitting down with it too. So beautiful that you and your mom share a favorite now. Lovely review, Jen!
Compelling review, Jen. I too remember my mum savouring this novel one summer. How she loved it! You have motivated me to follow in her footsteps.
Wonderful review, Jen!
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "I’ve been saving this a very long time and am looking forward to finally sitting down with it too. So beautiful that you and your mom share a favorite now. Lovely review, Jen!"Thanks Jennifer....can't wait for your thoughts.
Ѳٳ☶ wrote: "Compelling review, Jen. I too remember my mum savouring this novel one summer. How she loved it! You have motivated me to follow in her footsteps."Enjoy Martha!
Brenda -Traveling Sister wrote: "Wonderful review, Jen!"Thanks Brenda :)
Jen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Beautiful review Jen! A favorite of mine for sure,and that mini series😊"And those Megans!!!!"
Yes 😍
