Colleen McCullough, Author of The Thorn Birds 1937-2015 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-29-2015, 03:36 AM

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Colleen McCullough, the internationally famous Australian author, has died in hospital on Norfolk Island. She was 77.

McCullough worked as a neuroscientist in the United States before turning to writing full-time. The Thorn Birds, a romantic Australian saga published in 1977, became a worldwide bestseller and a popular mini-series in 1983.

The paperback rights for The Thorn Birds, McCullough's second novel, were sold at auction for a then record $US1.9 million.

Her 25 novels included a deeply researched series set in Ancient Rome, which won her the admiration of readers including former NSW Premier Bob Carr and Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives.

McCullough has lived there for most of the past 40 years married Norfolk Islander Ric Robinson in 1983.

She died on Thursday afternoon after suffering a series of small strokes. She had lost her sight from macular degeneration and was restricted to a wheelchair.

She published her final book, the novel Bittersweet, in 2013.

Sydney literary agent Selwa Anthony, one of McCullough's closest friends, said she had encouraged McCullough to return to writing the mainstream women's fiction that had made her name.

"She finally gave in and Bittersweet took her back to Colleen's storytelling. She said she would call it 'chook lit' and I said 'Don't you dare.'

"The book has done extremely well and pulled in a lot of mainstream readers who had moved away."

Anthony was working as a buyer at Graham's bookshop in Sydney when The Thorn Birds was published.

"I was so excited when I read about it before it was published that I said I'll take 500 copes and the rep nearly fell over. We had already sold half of them when she came in and signed books for two hours."

Australian readers loved The Thorn Birds because McCullough wrote about Australia in a way that hadn't been done.

"I thought The Thorn Birds was as good as Gone with the Wind but set in our landscape," Anthony said. "It was over the top and a real page-turner.

"She encouraged me to become a literary agent and gave me the courage to say I'm going to discover lots of popular Australian fiction writers."

Anthony described her friend as "a big lady who was open to interviews and the passion was always there. She had a big life and leaves a big legacy through her wonderful books and her generous spirit; she was always helping people."

Marvo301 · 01-29-2015, 06:17 PM

Colleen McCullough

80sTrivia · 01-31-2015, 11:42 AM

The Thorn Birds is one of my favorite books, such a timeless tale. I also enjoyed her Masters of Rome series of books. She will certainly be missed...

Furienna · 01-31-2015, 02:02 PM

I own a couple of her novels.

RIP

01-29-2015, 03:36 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	Colleen McCullough, Author of The Thorn Birds 1937-2015 Link Colleen McCullough, the internationally famous Australian author, has died in hospital on Norfolk Island. She was 77. McCullough worked as a neuroscientist in the United States before turning to writing full-time. The Thorn Birds, a romantic Australian saga published in 1977, became a worldwide bestseller and a popular mini-series in 1983. The paperback rights for The Thorn Birds, McCullough's second novel, were sold at auction for a then record $US1.9 million. Her 25 novels included a deeply researched series set in Ancient Rome, which won her the admiration of readers including former NSW Premier Bob Carr and Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives. McCullough has lived there for most of the past 40 years married Norfolk Islander Ric Robinson in 1983. She died on Thursday afternoon after suffering a series of small strokes. She had lost her sight from macular degeneration and was restricted to a wheelchair. She published her final book, the novel Bittersweet, in 2013. Sydney literary agent Selwa Anthony, one of McCullough's closest friends, said she had encouraged McCullough to return to writing the mainstream women's fiction that had made her name. "She finally gave in and Bittersweet took her back to Colleen's storytelling. She said she would call it 'chook lit' and I said 'Don't you dare.' "The book has done extremely well and pulled in a lot of mainstream readers who had moved away." Anthony was working as a buyer at Graham's bookshop in Sydney when The Thorn Birds was published. "I was so excited when I read about it before it was published that I said I'll take 500 copes and the rep nearly fell over. We had already sold half of them when she came in and signed books for two hours." Australian readers loved The Thorn Birds because McCullough wrote about Australia in a way that hadn't been done. "I thought The Thorn Birds was as good as Gone with the Wind but set in our landscape," Anthony said. "It was over the top and a real page-turner. "She encouraged me to become a literary agent and gave me the courage to say I'm going to discover lots of popular Australian fiction writers." Anthony described her friend as "a big lady who was open to interviews and the passion was always there. She had a big life and leaves a big legacy through her wonderful books and her generous spirit; she was always helping people."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-29-2015, 06:17 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Colleen McCullough
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-31-2015, 11:42 AM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	The Thorn Birds is one of my favorite books, such a timeless tale. I also enjoyed her Masters of Rome series of books. She will certainly be missed...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

01-31-2015, 02:02 PM	#4
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	I own a couple of her novels. RIP