For those who've read The Thorn Birds...

It's been decades since I tried to read it but I hated it. I read about 2/3 and finally tossed it. I really can't remember much about it but remember that I couldn't stand the priest.

Whew! that'a a book I haven't thought about in a while. I remember reading it before the mini-series came out when I was in high school. My mom read it, thought I would like it and pass it to me. Take this from someone who hasn't read the book for 35+ years, but I'm going to say no he wasn't a pedophile because I can't imagine my very strict baptist mother letting me read a book about a pedophile. IIRC he was VERY taken with her but didn't act on those feelings and kept them to himself (and Barbara Stanwyck).
I may have to put this on my re-read list.

ETA: I love those epic books that span generations.

I think it's really borderline, but skating right on the edge of that line. Definitely a creepy relationship given that she's very young when they first meet.

Wow, that's a blast from the past. I loved that book 35 years ago! I'd agree with pancakes that it's definitely a creepy and weird relationship, but I don't think he's a pedophile.

It's so interesting how time and new awareness changes the way we look at beloved old books, movies, and other media.

pedophile - I'm not sure - I think she was an adult by the time the relationship evolved but it's definitely inappropriate in many ways and I think one could argue he groomed her as a child intentionally or not by giving her love and attention she was lacking.

I read several of McCullough's books as a teen and I wouldn't want my girls reading them to be honest. (however I wouldn't stop them - I would discuss my concerns about the books with them)

I remember loving the book when I was young and feeling a bit meh about the miniseries, but when I rewatched it a couple years ago with my daughter, she was totally grossed out. I think she was 19 or so. Maybe it was the casting? And I had to rethink why I ever liked it to begin with.

A book I read when I was really too young for it - I was 12 and in no way ready for any of what was in there.

Technically the term paedophile might not be correct, but he had a clearly inappropriate relationship and sexual attraction to a young girl, and as a Priest that's yet another level of inappropriate. (The correct term is hebephile, but that hardly gets used)
When I helped a friend move house a couple of years ago and we were going through her bookshelf, she had a copy of The Thorn Birds, I did actually say "you're not keeping this...the creepy paedophile priest is going in the bin!"

I never read it but I watched the mini series back then and my 19ish old self was very uncomfortable with that relationship. I remember someone had taped it for me and I fast forwarded a lot of those scenes because I found it ikky.

That being said it got so much better once she grew up, I absolutely loved it. I hate to think about it now and would rather remember it as romantic as I thought it was back then.

This was my mom's favorite book and I still have her copy. Thanks for putting this in my mind, I may never read it in the same way again. :-(

Now i want to reread it. I haven't read this since i was either late teens or early twenties. I remember liking this book a lot. It would be interesting to see if time has changed that.

What was another book that was steamy around 1978/79 and was very popular. I can't remember the name of it. I had to hide those books from my parents!