THE THORN BIRDS is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of the 20th 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.
Wonderful characters people this book: strong and gentle Paddy, hiding a private memory; dutiful Fiona, holding back love because it once betrayed her; violent, tormented Frank and the other hardworking Cleary sons who give the boundless lands of Drogheda the energy and devotion most men save for women; Meggie; Ralph; and Meggie's children, Justine and Dane. And the land itself: stark, relentless in its demands, brilliant in its flowering, prey to gigantic cycles of drought and flood, rich when nature is bountiful, surreal like no other place on earth.

This gripping and passionate tale of an Australian family is a natural for audio presentation, and Mary Woods gives a worthy rendering. The daunting variety of characters would challenge any reader, but after floundering briefly in the myriad distinctive voices, Woods hits her stride with distinction. As the plot takes the listener from the Australian outback to the Papal court, Woods brings to life characters ranging from loutish Luke O'Neill to single-minded Meggie Cleary to urbane Vittorio Scarbanza di Contini-Verchese, characters who speak not only with emotion, but also with believable accents. Woods creates an audio edition that is as addictive to listen to as the book is to read. R.B.F. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

 

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
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