In the rugged Australian Outback, three generations of Clearys live through joy and sadness, bitter defeat and magnificent triumph — driven by their dreams, sustained by remarkable strength of character… and torn by dark passions, violence and a scandalous family legacy of forbidden love.
It is a poignant love story, a powerful epic of struggle and sacrifice, a celebration of individuality and … individuality and spirit. Most of all, it is the story of the Clearys’ only daughter, Meggie, who can never possess the man she so desperately adores — Ralph de Bricassart. Ralph will rise from parish priest to the inner circles of the Vatican… but his passion for Meggie will follow him all the days of his life.
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This is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read! I recommend this to anyone who likes a little history about Australia!
A great Gothic family saga.
One of my favorites, read more than once
What a marvelous book!
It’s a long and enjoyable journey.
Great story, hard to put down.
Everyone loves somebody unattainable. Figuring out why is what makes you grow as a person
Far better than the movie, which I have watched about 30 times!!! LOL!!!! The book gives the reader a MUCH deeper understanding of Father Ralph and Meggie, compared to the movie.
In the book, the main and secondary characters are intricately developed so that the reader better understands their personalities, motives, and the decisions of each, …
Perhaps in the top ten books for me.
I can’t remember how many times I have read this!
I read this book and the ones following it many years ago and also watched the mini-series that was on TV. Loved the characters and all their humanness. There are some books I would read a second time and this is one of them.
Jakes books keep me turning pages.
An excellent read !
I read this book many years ago. Still recall how much I loved every word and how much I loved every character – even the shifty ones.
I read this book decades ago but remember that it made a lasting impression as one of my all-time favorites. I would rate it as a classic, up there with Gone With the Wind. Young women will swoon.
Read many years ago. Twists and turns of life
This story covers the gamut of all emotions. Very well written; so as to be able to follow the story line without any difficulty. The two main characters breathe life into this tale of love, loss and many other events. An enjoyable read.
Such a compelling read!
I’ve read the paperback version of this book so many times it fell apart. I purchased the e-book just to have it. What can be said about The Thornbirds? It’s a classic. Forbidden romance between an ambitious priest and a young woman is the theme.
Wonderful read! Then, and only then, watch the movie.