When I was a teenager, I had an insatiable appetite for novels. Nowadays, I seem to read only Non-Fiction, but there are certain novels I hold dear. The Thorn Birds is one of them.

Set in the Australian Outback, it tells the story of the Cleary family’s many tragedies and triumphs. A special emphasis is placed on the forbidden relationship between the daughter, Meggie, and her priest, Father Ralph.

Not being a Catholic, it’s hard to understand why Priests can’t marry. Rabbis certainly do. Anyway, I found this book gripping. Colleen McCullough has a beautiful writing style—vivid and concise. She weaves real historical events into the book perfectly.

This book was so successful, it was made into a miniseries with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. I own both the novel and the miniseries. It’s very hard to say which is more entertaining, however, the two versions differ. Both are available, new and used.

If you’re looking for a good tearjerker, The Thorn Birds is it!

Have you read or watched The Thorn Birds?