Who wrote the thornbirds?

The Thorn Birds is a novel written by Colleen McCullough, an Australian author. It was first published in 1977 and quickly became an international bestseller. The book tells the story of a young woman named Meggie Cleary, who lives on a sheep station in the Australian outback. Meggie dreams of becoming a nun, but her path is complicated by her love for a charismatic priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart. The novel follows the lives of Meggie and Ralph over several decades, as they struggle with their passions, their faith, and the secrets that haunt their families.