The Legend of The Thorn Birds (1977)

REMEMBER the legend of the thorn birds that first gripped and engaged our imaginations in Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds when it was first published in 1977? It has been 30 years since. Thirty years ago, on July 3, 1977, this inter-generational saga made it to No. 1 on the New York Times list, remaining on the hardcover fiction list for some 59 weeks. For those who were too young too remember or missed the book the first time round, here’s the legend for your delectation:

The Thorn Bird

There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain .... Or so says the legend.

From Colleen McCullough, The Thorn Birds (New York: Harper & Row, 1977)