RIP Colleen McCullough

I didn't know that there were further books in the Masters of Rome. I came across First Man in Rome this summer whilst staying at the caravan and it is an outstanding book. Now I cannot wait to track down The Grass Crown and Fortune's Favourites.

I enjoyed the book of the Thorn Birds but the TV series put my teeth on edge.

Well done Rebecca Shaw for showing this up as the antidiluvian rubbish it undoubtedly is.

Too many commas!

Shocking indeed the use of 'nevertheless'.

Is The Australian a cheap tabloid?

Have you seen the shocking obituary which has made the news?

"COLLEEN McCullough, Australia’s best-selling author, was a charmer. Plain of feature, and certainly overweight, she was, nevertheless, a woman of wit and warmth."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/30/colleen-mcculloch-well-celebrate-a-woman-for-anything-as-long-as-its-not-her-talent

I read most of her books back in the 70s and 80s and The Thorn Birds was nowhere near the best. Her genres varied wildly from the series based in ancient Rome to the futuristic Creed for the Third Millennium. I think my favourite was Tim, or maybe it was just because I fancied Mel Gibson in the film?

I read very heavy stuff back in those days and was quite snobbish about reading it when my neighbour lent it to me to read on holiday. It must go down as my best ever holiday read, along with Captain Corellis Mandolin and The Shell Seekers. I did enjoy the tv series though.

The Thorn Birds is on my list as one of those books I couldn't put down and as it's many years since I read it, a re read sounds like a good idea.

I didn't like the TV series at all. Like many good books, they do not translate well as TVS series or films.

On the TV series, Colleen McCullough's own words

“I hated it - it was instant vomit.”

Though, Richard Chamberlain...

Still remember the thrill of reading the Thorn Birds, and yes, the disappointment of the tv version.

Wow! What an interesting life story. I'm going to seek out the first book in the Masters of Rome series mentioned there. Going to Rome in a few weeks, so want to get a feel for it. Long time since I read about Cicero et al.

The Thornbirds would make a good Summer read.

She sounds a fantastic person!

That is sad. Last summer I re-read The Thorn Birds whilst on holiday (and whilst it rained!) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.