A powerful, sweeping family saga in the grand tradition of the international bestseller THE THORN BIRDS - a story of tragedy, passion, hatred and love.
Colleen McCullough was born in Australia. A neurophysiologist, she established the department of neurophysiology at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, then worked as a researcher and teacher at Yale Medical School for ten years. Her writing career began with the publication of Tim, followed by The Thorn Birds, a record-breaking international bestseller. The author of over ten other novels, including the acclaimed 'Masters of Rome' series, Dr McCullough also wrote lyrics for musical theatre. Until her death in 2015 she lived on Norfolk Island in the Pacific with her husband.
"'Fast-moving and immensely readable... a page turner from start to finish' Maeve Binchy"
"'Fast-moving and immensely readable... a page turner from start to finish' Maeve Binchy"
Young Elizabeth's curmudgeon father receives a letter and ?1000 to ship his teenaged daughter from Scotland to Australia to marry a man she's never seen and hardly heard of-also a Scotsman-who has made a fortune in the gold fields. She has no choice but to board the ship for the months-long voyage. Alexander Kinross turns out to be a very wealthy and accomplished entrepreneur but not quite a great husband. He already has a firmly established mistress and has sent for a young bride only to bear sons to carry on his name. No sons are forthcoming, however. Elizabeth nearly loses her life giving birth to two daughters: the brilliant Nell and the mentally handicapped Anna. Although the marriage endures as a formality, the loveless environment is devastating for them all. This romantic drama is set against the background of the development of Australia in the mining boom of the late 19th century, where virtually everyone was a newcomer out to get rich. McCullough is such a great storyteller that even melodrama is compelling to hear. Reader Jenny Sterlin gives a fine performance of the many voices in this saga. Her Australian and Scots accents for both men and women are easily understood and add power to the story. Recommended for public libraries.-Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Colleen McCullough’s latest novel opens in Scotland in 1872, when 16-year-old Elizabeth Drummond departs for Australia to be married off to the notorious, talented Alexander Kinross who left Scotland some years earlier to make his fortune. How will Elizabeth adjust to her new life in New South Wales? Will she ever grow to love a husband she did not choose and how can she accept her husband’s mistress, Ruby Costevan? Always at the novel’s centre is the love triangle of Elizabeth, Alexander and Ruby, but McCullough weaves in a lot more to keep readers interested. Sciences such as mechanical engineering and goldmining are described in detail. The emergence of Marxism, trade unions and the nascent emancipation of women all have an impact on Alexander’s life and empire. We are also witnesses to ‘progress’—the good, the bad and the ugly of a blossoming Sydney and New South Wales with all its inherent prejudices, be they religious, racial, political or sexual. The Touch combines romance, historical fiction and family saga with the right amounts of lust, tragedy and drama—the result being a well-told story that will keep readers engaged and satisfied. Paula Grunseit is library manager at SBS Radio Sydney. C. 2003 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors
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