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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
"Something in her little soul was old enough and woman enough to feel the irresistible, stinging joy of being needed."
The centre of a fifty-year, cross-generational saga, Meggie grows up starved for love, pouring all her adoration into the wrong person, and for that she is doomed to repeat her mother's mistakes. My heart broke for her across the chapters on her childhood, and the author gave me plenty of pages of text to understand Meggie’s transformation into the villain of her own story. The storytelling is intricate, with breaks for vivid descriptions of the Australian outback and reflections on the country's role in modern history. The remote Drogheda estate struck me as cursed, like some haunted house of the gothic romantic variety,so I felt catharsis when the last of the family line escaped it .
The premise that the book is known for, a forbidden affair with a priest, is soap-operatic, dripping with drama, but still carries complexity, with the priest disavowing Meggie not quite for God but for his own ambition. While the tragic romance drives so much of the story, McCullough may be more invested in the implications for family, particularly the ripple effects from holding onto loved ones--a favoured child or some memory of a past lover--too tight.
The centre of a fifty-year, cross-generational saga, Meggie grows up starved for love, pouring all her adoration into the wrong person, and for that she is doomed to repeat her mother's mistakes. My heart broke for her across the chapters on her childhood, and the author gave me plenty of pages of text to understand Meggie’s transformation into the villain of her own story. The storytelling is intricate, with breaks for vivid descriptions of the Australian outback and reflections on the country's role in modern history. The remote Drogheda estate struck me as cursed, like some haunted house of the gothic romantic variety,
The premise that the book is known for, a forbidden affair with a priest, is soap-operatic, dripping with drama, but still carries complexity, with the priest disavowing Meggie not quite for God but for his own ambition. While the tragic romance drives so much of the story, McCullough may be more invested in the implications for family, particularly the ripple effects from holding onto loved ones--a favoured child or some memory of a past lover--too tight.
I ran out of audiobook time and then lost interest.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I’m conflicted about this one. Definitely kept me interested in the plot twist though!
A drama? Yes. While The Thorn Birds may be considered historical romance, I would say the romance isn’t the main point, which is a good thing. The romance does its best to break all modern standards of appropriateness, so I could never find myself rooting for it. However, as previously stated, the romance is probably not the main point; instead it is the chessmaster putting all the pawns into their places for the conclusion.
I did enjoy the setting of the Outback of Australia, and there were some emotionally-trying moments. I also appreciated the scale of the book. I could almost give it four stars, but I never found myself wondering about the world as I read this book; I was instead taken various places where I watched other people live their lives while never seeing myself in any of them. This disconnection left me unable to fully appreciate the ultimate conclusion.
I did enjoy the setting of the Outback of Australia, and there were some emotionally-trying moments. I also appreciated the scale of the book. I could almost give it four stars, but I never found myself wondering about the world as I read this book; I was instead taken various places where I watched other people live their lives while never seeing myself in any of them. This disconnection left me unable to fully appreciate the ultimate conclusion.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book, of admittedly epic proportions, could be what you get if Ayn Rand was asked by the Tourism Board of Australia to write a soap opera. Sponsored by the Catholic Church.
Another one of those books where I could not understand what the fuss is all about. I hated, absolutely despised, every single character, not one of whom had any nuance. The conversations, except for very few occasions, were taken straight out of a Mills & Boon novel.
The only time the novel seemed to come alive was when the author was describing the Australian landscape, and the variety of life forms it bears.
Another one of those books where I could not understand what the fuss is all about. I hated, absolutely despised, every single character, not one of whom had any nuance. The conversations, except for very few occasions, were taken straight out of a Mills & Boon novel.
The only time the novel seemed to come alive was when the author was describing the Australian landscape, and the variety of life forms it bears.
Interesting historical fiction covering three generations of a family living on an Australian homestead. Well put together to keep the interest flowing from character to character.