thethornbirds

Judge A Book By Its Cover

Book Reviews and Synopses

The Thorn Birds

Colleen McCullough

McCullough, Colleen. The Thorn Birds. Virago Press. Great Britain. 2007.

Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds is a classic novel told from the point of view of a girls life on a farm in Texas. This book, printed in 1953, has won the hearts of readers worldwide.

The Thorn Birds is about a girl named Farnie, who spends most of her time daydreaming out in the pastures of her parent’s farm called “Thorn Birds.” Farnie is 23 years old and has schizophrenia. She has lived with her parents since birth and has never left their farm. Once Farnie’s home tutor, got so frustrated and mad at Farnie, that she quit. Farnie, not understanding the situation, got confused and went outside. Farnie then walked in the fields, thinking about her tutor, and wondering why people get mad or frustrated.

Three years later, Farnie was learning how to do calculus with a new tutor, when her father rushed into the room looking scared. He immediately told both of them to get under the table and cover their heads. Farnie, totally confused, didn’t realize that there was a tornado. After a minute, Farnie asked her father if she could go outside soon. He then told her that she was not to go outside for she could get hurt. Farnie, still confused but kind of scared, looked out of the window to see the danger. She then saw, outside, her mother lying on the ground, with her eyes closed. Behind her, Farnie saw a very large funnel cloud approaching. She then jumped up, yelled, “Mom!” and sprinted out the door. Farnie, ignoring the yells of her father, ran to her mother and started dragging her towards the house.

Farnie’s mother, lying in a hospital bed clutched Farnies hand. Farnie felt the grip of her mother’s hand slacken as the beeping of the machine slowed down to a long steady pulse.

The Thorn Birds is a touching tale that has been loved by everyone who reads it. Colleen did a fantastic job describing what was going on in the mind of Farnie. This book is a must read for anyone of any age.

5 out of 5 stars

April 30th, 2013

Contributed by P. Winer