A number one best-seller, The Thorn Birds also was made into a major television series that thrilled millions of viewers. Moving from the wild splendor of a sheep farm in Australia to the opulent corridors of the Vatican, this compelling epic spans nearly 75 years in the lives of two brilliant lovers. The first time young Meggie sees Father Ralph, something electric passes between them. She is destined for a place in society; he has pledged himself to the Church. But their passion, despite all efforts to deny it, will mold and transform their lives like an immutable, irrefutable force of nature. In The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough creates an unforgettable tale, fueled by forbidden love and family secrets. Through her dramatic narration, Davina Porter breathes life into Meggie, Ralph, and the other richly drawn characters who fill their world.