The Thorn Birds

by Colleen McCullough

Beef was a forgotten memory, only a sheep small enough to last without tainting until it was all eaten.

I get it now

Every lamb born had to be caught; its tail was ringed, its ear marked, and if it was a male not required for breeding it was also castrated. Filthy, abominable work which soaked them to the skin with blood, for there was only one way to wade through thousands upon thousands of male lambs in the short time available. The testicles were popped out between the fingers and bitten off, spat on the ground.

Ew

But belief doesn’t rest on proof of existence, Mary. It rests on faith, and faith is the touchstone of the Church. Without faith, there is nothing.”

pip-emma,

What’s this mean?

“Verfluchte kiste

Need translation

Upon the heels of which thought she wept miserably, succeeded in getting enough hold upon herself to tell herself not to be so stupid, twisted about and thumped her pillow in a fruitless quest after sleep, then lay defeated trying to read a script.

Stupid Brat

man of destiny,

What is this referencing?