The Thorn BirdsThe Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What to say? What to say? What to say...

This is truly a "robust, romantic saga" and while there were times, many times, that I was disgusted or appalled, there were also times I was intensely emotional. How can any one person, let alone an entire family, be all good or all moral?

However... I have rounded this rating up to 4 stars, but it's really a 3.5. It's very well written, and it's addicting to continue, but it is a bit of a tragedy-fest. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a sad book, or a terrible tragedy. But towards the end, I just started to get tragedy-fatigue. Have I said tragedy enough, yet? Tragic.

And another thing... While, in the end, I grew to tolerate the relationship between Father Bricassart and Meggie, I by no means feel good about it. Had they have met much later in Meggie's life, I would have added to the list of tragedies that were emotionally charged (and welcome), but... BUT SHE WAS 10. And 10 does not a woman make. No. Just no. I felt it in my bones IMMEDIATELY when he entered the narrative and I was upset for a LARGE portion of the book about it.

I could very much go on for some time about this book, much like the book itself, but alas, if you're that interested you should just read it yourself. (And then share your comments with me, because I have no one to discuss the book with...)

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