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The Thorn Birds is a historical romance novel by Colleen McCullough. Summary of the Book Based in the Australian sheep country, this book tells the story of three generations of one family. It is centred around Meggie Cleary who is in love with a man she can never have. Her love haunts her throughout her life, and in bleak irony, she herself is the object of Ralph de Bricassart’s attentions. Ralph is a humble parish priest who becomes a part of the innermost circles of the Vatican. Ralph can never consummate his feelings for Meggie because of his affiliation with the Church and his vow of celibacy. Yet, thoughts of her continue to seduce him constantly. The story of their doomed love is a haunting tale of romance, tragedy and one family’s fortunes and misfortunes over a period of forty years. About Colleen McCullough Colleen McCullough-Robinson is an Australian novelist. She is also known for An Indecent Obsession, Morgan's Run and the Masters of Rome series. The Thorn Birds was adapted into a TV mini-series, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Barbara Stanwyck, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Brown, Mare Winningham, Philip Anglim and Jean Simmons.