The Thorn BirdsThe Thorn Birds
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1915 the Cleary family moves from New Zealand to Drogheda, a vast sheep station in the Australian outback owned by Paddy Cleary's wealthy sister. The novel follows them for more than fifty years, through drought, fire, war and loss. At its heart is Meggie, the only daughter, and her lifelong love for Father Ralph de Bricassart, a handsome, ambitious priest who loves her back but loves the Church and his career more.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the best-selling novels ever, around 33 million copies, a #1 New York Times bestseller for months, and a pick on the BBC's Big Read. It's a sweeping family saga that has kept readers up late for nearly fifty years.
You'll love it if you liked
Gone with the Wind
Outlander
The Far PavilionsGood to know
It's a long, old-fashioned melodrama in the best sense. It deals with a relationship between a priest and a woman much younger than him, which began when she was a child.
By the numbers
- Readers86 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
If you like this, read next
The Brothers Karamazov
The Age of Innocence
The Great Gatsby
Middlemarch
Lolita
Giovanni's RoomExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Thorn Birds worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the best-selling novels ever, around 33 million copies, a #1 New York Times bestseller for months, and a pick on the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #220 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Thorn Birds about?
In 1915 the Cleary family moves from New Zealand to Drogheda, a vast sheep station in the Australian outback owned by Paddy Cleary's wealthy sister. The novel follows them for more than fifty years, through drought, fire, war and loss. At its heart is Meggie, the only daughter, and her lifelong love for Father Ralph de Bricassart, a handsome, ambitious priest who loves her back but loves the Church and his career more.
How long does it take to read The Thorn Birds?
About 17 hours (692 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Thorn Birds?
If you liked it, try Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon or The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye.