Helpful Score: 3
4-1/2 Stars!
This woman can write - 825 pages of story and all of it detailed, in-depth etc (she wrote The Thorn Birds). All of her books are like a mini-series. The characters are in-depth, the time periods are accurate, the novel is based around actual events - a hella'va good story teller -
This woman can write - 825 pages of story and all of it detailed, in-depth etc (she wrote The Thorn Birds). All of her books are like a mini-series. The characters are in-depth, the time periods are accurate, the novel is based around actual events - a hella'va good story teller -
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book - to the extent that I hope there is a sequel planned. My maternal grandmother's maiden name was Morgan, from Wales, so besides my interest in the story, it got me wondering...how do you do a family tree?
Helpful Score: 2
HMcCullough's narrative skills are fully displayed in this intricately researched, passionate epic of 18th-century England's colonization of Australia, in which an upright Bristol tavernkeeper, Richard Morgan, becomes one of the first British convicts to be sent to the rugged new prison colony of Botany Bay. It is not enough that Morgan is struggling with grief, having lost his wife and two children in three separate tragedies. He discovers that his employer is scamming the government of excise taxes, but when he reports the fraud, he becomes the target of the distiller's revenge. Framed for robbery and extortion, he is arrested and thrown into prisonDa hellish pit of overcrowding, disease and filthDthen convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation on the infamous slaver ships bound for Australia; the success of the American Revolution has closed the New World to England's unwanted population. During the horrific sea journey, Morgan becomes a leader among the men, protecting handsome Fourth Mate Stephen Donovan (called a Miss Molly by the crew), and forging a friendship that will last a lifetime
Helpful Score: 1
Colleeen gives us a very good historical novel about the first folks to be landed on the Australian soil with no skills, no tools, no supplies and no food. Its a very good book to give us the reason why they were sent there. A must read.
Helpful Score: 1
an excellent saga, full of detail about those unfortunate early settlers in Botany Bay.
I like this book even though it was a slow read for me. Slow because so much to take in in her writing. The life of a so called convict sent to an island to fend for themselves. Hope she continues this story.
Great story. Long, over 800 pages and not with the big print that everyone's using nowadays. I'll be looking for the sequel.
A good book makes you think about what is happening in the book when you are not reading - as if it has a life of its own. I was smitten at first chapter. The blue print of the ship, the background of the characters, the detailed settings, allowed me to fall into the pages. I cannot say enough about the eloquent writing style, the historical information, and the sorry situations the characters find themselves in. IF you are a historical fiction buff, IF you enjoy reading about past lives, and IF you love reading, you will want to read Morgan's Run.
A wonderful book that will draw you into the life of its hero.
Good story about early Australia
It was one of the greatest human experiments ever undertaken: to populate an unknown continent with the criminals of English society. For Richard Morgan, twelve months as a prisoner on the high seas would be just the beginning in a soul-trying test to survive in a hostile new land where, against all odds, he would find a new love and a new life. From the dank cells of England's prisons to the unforgiving frontier of the eighteenth-century outback, MORGAN'S RUN is the epic tale of one man whose strength and character helped settle a counry and define its future.
Except for one episode -- the lowest, most vulnerable point in the life of the protagonist, Richard Morgan -- this 600-page book is full of stories of his integrity, his dignity, his noble character.
I was amazed at the depth of research McCullough must have done to capture not only Bristol, England in the late 18th century, but intricacies of ships, sailing, the seas, and finally the early settlement of Australia by convicts, of which Morgan was one.
I would recommend this book -- in spite of the graphic language and explicit descriptions of not only intimacy but of cruelty. They were not gratuitous, but a depiction of the times and places. Well researched, well written. I also liked the fact that the main character was a real person. What this must mean to his descendants - of which McCullough's husband is one (four times great grandson)!
I was amazed at the depth of research McCullough must have done to capture not only Bristol, England in the late 18th century, but intricacies of ships, sailing, the seas, and finally the early settlement of Australia by convicts, of which Morgan was one.
I would recommend this book -- in spite of the graphic language and explicit descriptions of not only intimacy but of cruelty. They were not gratuitous, but a depiction of the times and places. Well researched, well written. I also liked the fact that the main character was a real person. What this must mean to his descendants - of which McCullough's husband is one (four times great grandson)!
Very enjoyable; a different perspective.
I thought this book started out a little slow, but once I got into it I really enjoyed it.
Colleen McCullough captivated millions with her worldwide best seller "The Thorn Birds". Now she is back with a saga about the Morgan family in Australia. Richard Morgan is sent to Australia when English courts sentenced criminals to exportation to the wilds of the unknown continent. This is an epic tale of one man's quest to settle and country and define its future.
Exceptional author, exceptional story. The birth of modern-day Australia. [remember Thorn Birds?] Bestseller for many months. Be prepared for great journey.
I listen to books on tape in my automobile and found that I had to really listen closely to the words as they are spoken with a strong English accent.
I was apprehensive about this book but it held my interest and I would like to read a follow up and see where their lives go.
