tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post7731803988482750288..comments2024-03-26T14:59:45.234-07:00Comments on Vintage Reads: The Thorn BirdsVintage Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971819409379613967noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-76220723976859051482013-09-10T01:01:51.465-07:002013-09-10T01:01:51.465-07:00This is really a great read for me. Thank you for ...This is really a great read for me. Thank you for publishing articles having a great insight stimulates me to check more often for new write ups. Keep posting!<br /><br />Clover<br />www.n8fan.netCloverhttp://www.n8fan.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-57213590365511074762012-07-02T14:47:31.295-07:002012-07-02T14:47:31.295-07:00So Virago has republished The Thorn Birds! I admit...So Virago has republished The Thorn Birds! I admit to a moment of surprise; I read this novel rather clandestinely in my teens when it was a hot bestseller right up there with the *really* trashy Princess Daisy. (Which I doubt will ever be added to the Virago list, but if Thorn Birds made it, you never know!) I guess yesterday's trashy novels are today's cute vintage classics... I mostly remember a certain bedroom scene involving *much* too much detail. My mother still has an original copy of this novel on her shelves; it may be time for a re-read and a trip down memory lane - it's been something like thirty years since I last was inspired to read a McCullough tale.Barbhttp://www.leavesandpages.wordpres.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-81994748668234584422012-02-23T09:39:43.062-08:002012-02-23T09:39:43.062-08:00My mother-in-law had read this when our daughter M...My mother-in-law had read this when our daughter Margaret was born, and she thought 'Meggie' would be a cute nickname. It never stuck though. She is Margaret to most everyone.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-67741590690536147382012-02-21T08:54:59.864-08:002012-02-21T08:54:59.864-08:00As you know, the phrase "dust storms" wi...As you know, the phrase "dust storms" will always attract me.<br /><br />Try the TV version after you're done--of course inferior to the book, but as I remember it (dimly), it had...its moments.Shelleyhttp://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-85125848889694805362012-02-19T10:40:07.281-08:002012-02-19T10:40:07.281-08:00I read this when I was fifteen, and absolutely lov...I read this when I was fifteen, and absolutely loved it. Read another book my the author relatively recently, and found that unputdownable as well. Tim's on my list next.anothercookiecrumbleshttp://www.anothercookiecrumbles.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-67241345596132119932012-02-13T17:06:21.283-08:002012-02-13T17:06:21.283-08:00A Bookish Space, yes I would agree that it is not ...A Bookish Space, yes I would agree that it is not always a well-written book. (Germaine Greer called it her favourite 'bad book') It does draw you in though and she writes landscape brilliantly!<br /><br />Cath, yes the plot is daft at times! Kind of sweeps you along though!<br /><br />Cath, yes Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. I'd quite like to watch it now I've read the book.<br /><br />Darlene, I'm late 40's, too. Yes this was a best-seller in the late 70's and the TV series was huge. Must watch the TV series.<br /><br />Desperate Reader, I'm going to try to get the series on DVD. I want to see what all the fuss was about!<br /><br />Lilacs in May, well the dialogue is pretty corny at times, but I think it's the relationship between the priest and the married Meggie that got people talking! <br /><br />Mad Housewife, Germaine Greer called Thorn Birds her favourite 'bad book' and I think it's a good way to describe it. I probably wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't for the Virago cover!<br /><br />Mary, yep I think Thorn Birds was published in 1979. Time flies. Having read both your comments, I will try again with the Jane Harris! <br /><br />The Book Whisperer, the story really sweeps you along doesn't it? I really thought Meggie and the priest would end up married or at least together!!<br /><br />Liz, yep sometimes I put Jane Austen aside for an earthier read!! It's strange that once a book is published by Virago it gives it a kind of literary gloss even if it is not great literature! Very enjoyable, though!<br /><br />FleurFisher, it's true you wouldn't expect The Thorn Birds, Valley of the Dolls to be published by Virago. Persephone will be publishing Barbara Cartland next!!!<br /><br />Anbolyn, I want to read The Shell Seekers! More so now that you recommend it.<br /><br />Cathy, enjoy your week in the sun! Hope you get some time to read!<br /><br />Sunday, yes, reading it as a mature woman I had to suspend belief at times but it certainly swept me away!<br /><br />Mae, yes, it's got me interested in Australian fiction. If you have any recommendations, do let me know!<br /><br />Karen, yes Virago have given it a very classy cover. I wasn't impressed with the introduction, though. There is a good article on-line about this book by Germaine Greer.Vintage Readinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971819409379613967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-11500776383690730552012-02-11T05:25:08.339-08:002012-02-11T05:25:08.339-08:00I read this as a teenager and loved it. It's ...I read this as a teenager and loved it. It's nice to see that it's been reprinted by Virago, not as just as a tacky mass-market paperback! I've never seen the film version but I remember it was very popular.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-10526037710654834912012-02-08T03:55:33.519-08:002012-02-08T03:55:33.519-08:00I should probably read this since it's such an...I should probably read this since it's such an Australian classic but i don't even know the summary of it! Sounds quite exciting!Maehttp://madbibliophile.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-88598893870543245352012-01-30T11:59:34.529-08:002012-01-30T11:59:34.529-08:00I read it many years ago and remember being swept ...I read it many years ago and remember being swept away.Sunday Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13148090705938196599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-61790601656993761452012-01-30T05:06:24.877-08:002012-01-30T05:06:24.877-08:00Don't give up on Gillespie, Nicola. I jumped i...Don't give up on Gillespie, Nicola. I jumped in far too soon with that last comment as in the end it got very gripping - but it did take a long time to come to the boil.maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955194101659665925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-80315797215347031692012-01-28T10:49:06.160-08:002012-01-28T10:49:06.160-08:00Like many of your commenters, have seen the series...Like many of your commenters, have seen the series but not read the book. Got a week in the sun coming up though, so may take it with.Cathy at PotterJotterhttp://potterjotter.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-49150181857381913852012-01-27T22:07:07.902-08:002012-01-27T22:07:07.902-08:00For some reason I always link The Thorn Birds in m...For some reason I always link The Thorn Birds in my mind with The Shell Seekers by Pilcher. I read and loved The Shell Seekers - maybe I'd love The Thorn Birds, too! I've never seen the tv series so it would be completely new to me.Anbolynhttp://gudrunstights.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-73991832213267479882012-01-27T12:48:40.256-08:002012-01-27T12:48:40.256-08:00I read this in my teens, and I was surpised to see...I read this in my teens, and I was surpised to see it added to the Virago Modern Classics list. But I've liked some - not all - of Colleen McCullough's later , so maybe I should read it again one day.FleurFisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00096222149445024649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-20767110128153734012012-01-27T04:26:50.806-08:002012-01-27T04:26:50.806-08:00I still have my original paperback copy from the l...I still have my original paperback copy from the late 70's when I was 18 or 19. I found it engrossing then although by the time the TV series came around I had very young children, and usually fell asleep within about ten minutes of sitting down in front of the TV so I don't remember much about it!<br />It wasn't originally a Virago though but then I suppose that most of their books were originally published by someone else.<br />One thing is for sure - it's certainly a bit of a change from Jane Austen!<br />PS I have struggled with Gillespie and I too and temporarily given up - thought it was just me but relieved to see that I am not alone!LizFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-9821075848389044572012-01-27T03:13:22.695-08:002012-01-27T03:13:22.695-08:00I watched this on TV in my young teens and loved i...I watched this on TV in my young teens and loved it. Then about 4 years ago I picked up the exact same version in Waterstones and read the book for myself. I loved that too. So glad you're enjoying.The Book Whispererhttp://boofsbookshelf.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-84521731809635254002012-01-26T14:55:18.914-08:002012-01-26T14:55:18.914-08:00I'm reading Gillespie and I at the moment and ...I'm reading Gillespie and I at the moment and have also got to page 50-something without feeling engrossed. I'll persevere for a bit longer as have read some good reviews - but I don't think I'd miss it if fell down the back of the sofa. I read The Magician's Assistant a few years ago and wouldn't have bothered if it hadn't been for book group. <br />But I know I was completely swept away by The Thorn Birds ... ooh, about 30 years ago?maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955194101659665925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-85235033609922430052012-01-26T11:00:03.581-08:002012-01-26T11:00:03.581-08:00Virago got me to read The Valley of the Dolls, and...Virago got me to read The Valley of the Dolls, and it wasn't bad. Without your post I probably wouldn't seriously consider The Thorn Birds, but it sounds like a good read.Kat at Thornfield Hall Reduxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525125671217787722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-25176906387981430972012-01-26T09:41:08.615-08:002012-01-26T09:41:08.615-08:00Never read it, and like Darlene, remember hearing ...Never read it, and like Darlene, remember hearing women talking about it... I'd love to know what it was that was cringeworthy.Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15782125673448880397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-64717169433826087662012-01-25T08:37:45.919-08:002012-01-25T08:37:45.919-08:00I watched this on tv years ago, always with the fe...I watched this on tv years ago, always with the feeling I would be told off because it was a bit to racy for my very young years. Loved it. Have had the book for a few years but not yet read it so this is a timely prod in the right direction.Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-26640049411770659492012-01-24T18:36:06.983-08:002012-01-24T18:36:06.983-08:00Being in my late forties I remember women swooning...Being in my late forties I remember women swooning all over the place when this first came out! <br /><br />Scanning your shelves for just the right book to suit your mood is the perfect excuse for stockpiling books I think.Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415316482631852565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-42820493162714877212012-01-24T15:14:45.780-08:002012-01-24T15:14:45.780-08:00I've never read the book but remember the TV d...I've never read the book but remember the TV drama, though I seem to recall losing interest halfway through. Richard Chamberlain was in it I think. I love that cover.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-24221451622013584312012-01-24T14:38:43.199-08:002012-01-24T14:38:43.199-08:00I read this book when I was TOO YOUNG. It probably...I read this book when I was TOO YOUNG. It probably deserves another read. I just remember my mind being pretty well blown by a lot of the plot...and not much more.Cathhttp://www.constance-reader.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910091443817192109.post-85828909055359788822012-01-24T13:57:30.534-08:002012-01-24T13:57:30.534-08:00I loved this book when i first read it in my teens...I loved this book when i first read it in my teens. I read it again for the second time at the beginning of last year, and although there were a couple of scenes and dialogue that made me cringe, it was as engrossing as I remembered. I didn't realise that Virago also publishes this!A Bookish Spacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15352870732457077916noreply@blogger.com