Uccelli di rovo - I giovedì della signora Giulia (1977)

You can sum up this book in two words, Greek Tragedy though these days we would say dystopian. Regardless of the term you choose, I found the book had excellent prose and a wonderful plot despite that the characters lives were tragic more often than not.

I particularly liked the strong female character of Meggie and the way the family ties are such an important part of the story. There are lots of topics, i.e. love, greed, ambition, just to name a few, that the book touches on in the epic family saga. It would make a great choice for a book club because there is much to talk about.

I also loved all the descriptions of the Australian Outback. It made me want to make a trip there immediately. Even though this book was published a number of years ago, the story is still relevant and the characters relatable. Recommend. ( )

Fiction

High melodrama of a peculiarly Catholic kind, and a rambling, drawn-out ending, but a good page-turning old yarn just the same. Three and a half stars. ( )

I never saw the TV series, so came to it with only the vaguest knowledge.
This is a blockbuster famil.y saga, starting off with the impoverished Cleary family in NZ who receive an invitation from Dad's wealthy older sister to work on her ranch in Australia. A fervent Catholic, she has her own "pet" priest, the charming Father Ralph de Bricassart.
As the family set to a tough life, daughter Meggy forms a great bond with Father Ralph...
The years roll by...marriage, deaths, the War. an inheritance, a secret...
As we moved into the latter sections: the next generation, life in the Vatican...I think it was more of a *3. Rainer and Justine left me cold.
But well worth a read. Some good writing. ( )

What can you say, a classic. ( )