“There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain… Or so says the legend.”
Quote by Colleen McCullough
The Thorn BirdsThe Thorn Birds is a multi-generational novel that follows the Cleary family from their humble beginnings in New Zealand to their life on a vast sheep station in the Australian outback. The story centers on the passionate and forbidden love between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Catholic priest. Their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of the harsh, beautiful landscape and the family's struggles with faith, duty, and personal desires. The narrative spans decades, delving into themes of longing, loss, and the enduring power of love, while also examining the complexities of family bonds and the cost of ambition. more
