A phenomenal worldwide bestseller since 1977 THE THORN BIRDS is a robust, romantic saga of three generations. It begins in the early years of this century when Paddy Cleary moves his wife and seven children to Drogheda, an Australian sheep station, owned by his autocratic and childless older sister. For more than half a century we follow their fates, particularly those of Meggie, the only Cleary daughter, and the one man she truly loves, Ralph de Bricassart - stunningly handsome, ambitious, and a priest. As background to the Cleary family's lives there is the land itself: relentless in its demands, brilliant in its flowering.

ONE 1915-1917 Meggie

TWO 1921-1928 Ralph

THREE 1929-1932 Paddy

FOUR 1933-1938 Luke

FIVE 1938-1953 Fee

SIX 1954-1965 Dane

SEVEN 1965-1969 Justine