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What Members Thought
I give extra one star for the writing of this novel, because it is very well written and Colleen McCullough is a terrific storyteller. Even though this novel is more like a romance than family-historical fiction, I can still enjoy it pretty fine. Sometimes I hate how Meggie (heroine) and Father Ralph (hero) kept on muddling and desperately tortured by their love, and how cliche that plot is. But I am amazed on the history of the Australian Outback that was written very well here, so I forgive al
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Jul 09, 2017
Colleen Chi-Girl
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
australia-n-zealand
I read this famous novel when it was first published in the 1970's and really, really enjoyed it. It takes place in New Zealand and Australia's Outback, beginning in the early 1900's. We view life in the Clancy family over a span of 50 years or so. We get to know the large, impoverished family and all their dysfunctions, struggles and quirks. There is a love story of course wrought with drama. I enjoyed the historical references, learning about life in another country and during decades of strug
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Mar 05, 2015
Julie Rose
added it
It's been 30 years (!!) since I last read this book, and I'd forgotten how incredibly grim it is. Excellent characterizations, but a heartbreaker.
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I could not put this down which made it a supremely bad choice to start reading it my first week of school. However, even though it was completely melodramatic and somewhat predictable, it's still a story that sucks you right in until the very end. Lots of heart break and lots of tears but unlike some other stories there is satisfaction in the ending. It also reminded me a lot of the Forsyte Saga just because you are following a family through generations.
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I liked this book. I don't know much about Australian history, so I enjoyed learning about it. I did like how it traced the same family through history.
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Jan 16, 2012
Lisa Rosen
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Jul 18, 2013
erin
marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2013
Tania
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2013
Stil de scriitor
marked it as to-read
Feb 16, 2015
Scott Flicker
marked it as to-read
Dec 09, 2015
Terri FL
added it
Aug 05, 2017
Jocelyn
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Feb 18, 2018
Adele
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May 27, 2018
Cindy
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Dec 14, 2020
mstan
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
australian
Jun 22, 2021
Tiffany
marked it as to-read
