The Thorn Birds
by Colleen McCulloughliterary work· published 1977
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The Thorn Birds is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of t his century, when Paddy Cleary moves his wife, Fiona, and their seven children to Drogheda, the vast Australian sheep station owned by his autocratic and childless older sister; and it ends more than half a century later, when the only survivor of the third generation, the brilliant actress Justine O'Neill, sets a course of life and love halfway around the world from her roots. the central figures in this enthralling story are the indomitable Meggie, the only Cleary daughter, and the one man she truly loves, the stunningly handsome and ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart.
Adaptations (2)
The Thorn Birds has been adapted 2 times, across television series and television film, from 1983 to 1996. The most recent is The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years (1996).
The Thorn Birds1983 · television series · 460 min · IMDb ↗IMDb7.9Follows the Cleary family over several decades, focusing on the central, tragic romance between Meggie and Father Ralph, who is torn between his vows and his love for her.
The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years1996 · television film · 178 min · dir. Kevin James Dobson · IMDb ↗IMDb6.2At the height of WWII and ten years after their union in Matlock Island, Father Ralph reunites with Meggie who faces a deep crisis. Now, he must make up his mind, as the burden of choice is insufferable. Will he risk it all for love?
