TRENDING NEWS ENTERTAINME NT FOOD & DRINK PETS SHOPPING HEAL THY NOW HOME BEST READS ON PARADE BOOK PICKS SEE MOREHow To Read Colleen McCullough In Order Parade's guide to the romances, mysteries and historical novels by Colleen McCullough, author of "The Thorn Birds" MICHAEL GILTZ •UPDATED: MAR 27, 2024 Here’s how to read the novels of Colleen McCullough in the best order: you can choose either chronologically (we've got the list at the bottom) or follow our recommendations! But rst, let’s celebrate an anniversary.</p><p> The blockbuster miniseries The Thorn Birds aired on ABC from March 27 to March 30, 1983.</p><p> It was an enormous hit, garnering Barbara Stanwyck her second Emmy (after a win for her drama The Big Valley ) and cementing Richard Chamberlain as the King of the Miniseries. (He’d already starred in Centennial and Shôgun, which in 1980 gave NBC its highest weekly ratings ever, as well as popularizing Japanese culture, sushi restaurants and sending James Clavell’s novel back up the charts.</p><p> Here’s the trailer.</p><p> But the miniseries The Thorn Birds didn’t make author Colleen McCullough a star.</p><p> After her acclaimed debut with Tim, McCullough’s second book The Thorn Birds became a worldwide smash, thanks to its sprawling tale covering generations of the Cleary family, the vivid backdrop of Australia and a forbidden romance between a priest and a beautif ul young woman.</p><p> It’s the best-selling book in Australian history (!) and sold a reported 33 million copies worldwide, so far.</p><p> The Thorn Birds is also on Parade’s list of The 125 Best Romance Novels Of All Time, along with a warm endorsement by best-selling author Patti Callah an Henry.</p><p> So the miniseries needed McCullough more than McCullough needed the miniseries.</p><p> And they both set records that remain impressive today.</p><p> How To Read Colleen McCullough In Order You can read Colleen McCullough’s books in the order they were publis hed.</p><p> We’ve got the list below.</p><p> Or you can start with The Thorn Birds, the book she’ll be remembered for.</p><p> You might follow that with her debut Tim, the story of an older woman falling in love with a handsome, mentally challenged younger man. (That led to a ne lm starring a young Mel Gibson and Piper Laurie in 1979.) The late McCullough was most passionate about her Masters Of Rome series, which told the story of Julius Caesar and his era in seven door stoppers of abou t 1000 pages each.</p><p> If you think James Michener is snappy or look at the hefty 692 pages of The Thorn Birds and give a sigh of pleasure, then the Masters Of Rome books are made for you.</p><p> Our Suggested Reading Order The Thorn Birds ($19.90; Avon Books) – Essential.</p><p> The Touch ($9.99 ebook ; Simon & Schuster) – You want more of the same? Here you go.</p><p> The First Man In Rome (Masters of Rome #1) ($19.99; Avon Books) – Okay, you’re loving Colleen McCullough.</p><p> It’s time to dive into the series she devoted 30 years of her life to researching and writing.</p><p> A magnum opus if ever there was one.</p><p> If you love it, you're in luck.</p><p> There are seven in all.</p><p> The Independe nce Of Miss Mary Bennet ($9.99; Pocket Books) – Fan ction! McCullough writes a sequel to Pride and Prejudice.</p><p> A Creed For The Third Millennium ($7.99 ebook ; Avon) – Dystopian America.</p><p> McCullough tries her hand at writing science ction with this look at a collapsed United States.</p><p> Never fear, a romance is still at the heart of the story.</p><p> Bittersweet ($16; Simon & Schuster) – More proof of McCullough’s range, Bittersweet captures the lives of four sisters (two sets of twins no less) making their way in New South Wales after World War I.</p><p> Looking to do something with their lives other than be pretty and admired, they train to be nurses.</p><p> With Call The Midwife still going strong after 13 seasons, it’s a surprise this hasn’t been made into a movie or TV series yet.</p><p> On, O (Delmomico series #1) ($4.99 ebook; HarperCollins) – Just when you think you have McCullough pegged, she delivers a mystery starring Lt.</p><p> Carmine Delmonico in 1960s Connecticut tracking a serial killer while falling for one of its next targets.</p><p> The mystery led to four sequels, including her last novel, 2013's Sins Of The Flesh.</p><p> Colleen McCullough’s Books In Order Of Publication (Some titles readily available only as ebook) 1974: Tim ($1.99 ebook ; HarperCollins) 1977: The Thorn Birds ($19.90; Avon Books) 1981: An Indec ent Obsession ($7.99; HarperCollins) 1985: A Creed For The Third Millennium ($7.99 ebook ; Avon) 1987: The Ladies Of Missalonghi ($8.99; Avon Books) 1990: The First Man In Rome (Masters of Rome #1) ($19.99; Avon Books) 1991: The Grass Crown (Masters of Rome #2) ($21.99; William Morrow) 1993: Fortune’s Favorites (Masters of Rome #3) ($18.99 ebook; HarperCollins) 1996: Caesar’s Women (Masters of Rome #4) ($22.99; Avon Books) 1997: Caesar (Masters of Rome #5) ($21.99; William Morrow) 1998: The Song Of Troy ($34.35; Orion) 1998: The Courage And The Will: The Life Of Roden Cutler, V.C. (out of print) 2000: Morgan’s Run ($15.99 ebook ; Simon & Schuster) 2002: The October Horse (Masters of Rome #6) ($22.99; Simon & Schuster) 2003: The Touch ($9.99 ebook ; Simon & Schuster) 2004: Angel ($2.99 ebook ; HarperCollins) 2005: On, O (Delmomico series #1) ($4.99 ebook; HarperCollins) 2007: Antony and Cleopatra (Masters of Rome #7) ($20; Simon & Schuster) 2009: The Indep enden ce Of Miss Mary Bennet ($9.99; Pocket Books) 2009: Too Many Murders (Delmomico series #2) ($23.99; Simon & Schuster) 2010: Naked Cruelty (Delmomico series #3) ($7.99 ebook; Simon & Schuster) 2012: The Prodigal Son (Delmomico series #4) ($19.99; Simon & Schuster) 2013: Bittersweet ($16; Simon & Schuster) 2013: Sins Of The Flesh (Delmomico series #5) ($15.99; Simon & Schuster) Content continues below ADVERTISING Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Content continues below Sponsored Stories Here Are 23 of Coolest Gifts for This 20 24 23 Insanely Cool Gadgets You'll Regret Not Getting Before They Sell Out Trending Gadgets | SponsoredMule Fuel - Indica Hybrid - 19.12% THCa - Free Sh ipping HelloMood | Sponsored Thi s Coin Helps Keep Your Drinking Water CleanThi s Wine Advent Calendar Is the Perfect Early Holiday…Dancing with the Stars Se ason 34 (20 25 ) — Cast,…Italian Court Overturns Amanda Knox's Acquittal i… Holiday deals on tech.</p><p> Get holiday savings on top tech with deals on computers and more at Best Buy®.</p><p> Best Buy | Sponsored Top Doctors : І f You Have Nail Fungus, Do This Immediately Fight Your Nail Fungus Easily by Doing This Wellness Wisdom Hub | Sponsored BOOK PICKS e 16 Best New Book e 16 Best New Book Releases is Week: Nov. 26- Releases is Week: Nov. 26- Dec. 2, 2024 Dec. 2, 2024BOOK PICKS e 24 Best New Book e 24 Best New Book Releases is Week: Nov. 19- Releases is Week: Nov. 19- 25, 2024 25, 2024BOOK PICKS How To Read John Grisham’s How To Read John Grisham’s 56 Book s in Order 56 Book s in Order BOOK PICKS e 25 Best New Book e 25 Best New Book Releases is Week: Nov. 12- Releases is Week: Nov. 12- 18, 2024 18, 2024BOOK PICKS Good reads And Parade Pick Good reads And Parade Pick 26 Book s For Native 26 Book s For Native American Month American MonthBOOK PICKS e 22 Best New Book e 22 Best New Book Releases is Week: Nov. 5-11, Releases is Week: Nov. 5-11, 20242024 © 2024 THE ARENA MEDIA BRANDS, LLC PARADE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ATHLON SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.</p><p> SITE MAPABOUT PARADECONTACT USTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY 0:26/ 0:30 Skip Ad CLOSE✕
