Thorn Bird Country

The first three parts would get four stars -- but the last two parts get two stars. The story centers on the Cleary family, who move to Australia to work on the regal estate Drogheda of the patriach Paddy's sister. Much of the story centers around the relationship between Meggie, the only daughter, and Ralph de Briccasart, an ambitious man of the cloth. As I said, the first three parts are wonderful, the last two only so-so. Meggie's daughter in the novel is rather annoyingly self-centered, and the son is a bit of a Gary Stu (too perfect).