1
by Jodi Picoult
4.42024544 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a thoughtful and indignant tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
10 Best Books Like The Thorn Birds
If you loved The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Thorn Birds are:
- 1By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult4.4
- 2Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel4.4
- 3On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn4.6#8
- 4A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare4.3
- 5Tom Lake by Ann Patchett0
- 6The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn0#2
- 7An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn0#3
- 8Ana María and The Fox by Liana De la Rosa4.0
- 9A Gentleman's Offer by Emma Orchard4.0
- 10A Distant Shore by Caryl Phillips4.2
Set against the vast Australian Outback, this sweeping saga follows the Cleary family across generations as they struggle to build a life on a remote sheep station. At the heart of the story lies a passionate but forbidden love between the beautiful Meggie Cleary and the ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart—a love that will span decades and shape the destiny of an entire family. Their impossible romance unfolds against a backdrop of drought, fire, and the untamed wilderness of 20th-century Australia.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Laura Esquivel
4.41992245 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a sensual and bittersweet tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
3
On the Way to the Wedding
Bridgerton #8 (works standalone)by Julia Quinn
4.62006320 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a warm and gentle tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
4
by Tessa Dare
4.32013
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a tender and hopeful tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
5
by Ann Patchett
0
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a contemplative and tender tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
6
The Viscount Who Loved Me
Bridgerton #2 (works standalone)by Julia Quinn
0200634 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a witty and passionate tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
7
An Offer from a Gentleman
Bridgerton #3 (works standalone)by Julia Quinn
02004
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a warm and gentle tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
8
by Liana De la Rosa
4.02023352 pages
Why you'll love it:
A fellow historical setting romance with similar appeal.
9
by Emma Orchard
4.02025320 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a light and charming tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
10
by Caryl Phillips
4.22004320 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a melancholy but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Thorn Birds
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Any Other Name | Jodi Picoult | 4.4 | 2024 | 544 | Closest match |
| Like Water for Chocolate | Laura Esquivel | 4.4 | 1992 | 245 | Similar vibes |
| On the Way to the Wedding | Julia Quinn | 4.6 | 2006 | 320 | Similar vibes |
| A Lady by Midnight | Tessa Dare | 4.3 | 2013 | — | Similar vibes |
| Tom Lake | Ann Patchett | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Viscount Who Loved Me | Julia Quinn | 0 | 2006 | 34 | Similar vibes |
| An Offer from a Gentleman | Julia Quinn | 0 | 2004 | — | Similar vibes |
| Ana María and The Fox | Liana De la Rosa | 4.0 | 2023 | 352 | Similar vibes |
| A Gentleman's Offer | Emma Orchard | 4.0 | 2025 | 320 | Similar vibes |
| A Distant Shore | Caryl Phillips | 4.2 | 2004 | 320 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Colleen McCullough
If you enjoy Colleen McCullough's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Thorn Birds?
The most similar books to The Thorn Birds are By Any Other Name, Like Water for Chocolate, On the Way to the Wedding.
What should I read after The Thorn Birds?
After finishing The Thorn Birds, readers most commonly pick up By Any Other Name next.
Who writes books like Colleen McCullough?
Authors similar to Colleen McCullough include Kristin Hannah, Diana Gabaldon.
What genre is The Thorn Birds?
The Thorn Birds is a Romance novel by Colleen McCullough, published in 2009.
How long is The Thorn Birds?
The Thorn Birds is 704 pages long.
About The Thorn Birds
“Beautiful….Compelling entertainment.”- New York Times“A heart-rending epic…truly marvelous.”- Chicago TribuneOne of the most beloved novels of all time, The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough’s sweeping family saga of dreams, titanic struggles, dark passions, and forbidden love in the Australian Outback, returns to enthrall a new generation.