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Colleen McCullough
111quotes
Colleen McCullough
Biography of a Prolific Author
Full Name and Common Aliases
Colleen McCullough was born on June 1, 1937, in Wellington, New South Wales, Australia. Her full name is Colleen Christina McCullough-Whitney.
Birth and Death Dates
June 1, 1937 - January 5, 2007
Nationality and Profession(s)
Australian novelist, writer of historical fiction, non-fiction books, and essays. She was a British subject by birth but gained Australian citizenship in 1988.
Early Life and Background
Colleen McCullough grew up on her family's rural farm in New South Wales. As the youngest of six children, she developed a passion for reading and writing at an early age. Her love for literature led to her attending the University of Sydney, where she studied psychology. However, she never completed her degree, instead opting to pursue a career in writing.
Major Accomplishments
Colleen McCullough's most notable achievement is her series The Thorn Birds, which became a bestseller and was later adapted into an Emmy-winning television miniseries. The book explores the complex relationships within a rural Australian family over several generations, tackling themes of love, faith, and identity.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to _The Thorn Birds_, McCullough wrote numerous novels, including _Tim_ (1974), _Morgan's Run_ (1989), and _An Indecency_ (2002). Her writing spanned various genres, from historical fiction to non-fiction essays. She also worked as a contributor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio.
Impact and Legacy
Colleen McCullough's impact on literature is undeniable. Her work has been translated into over 30 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. Critics praise her vivid descriptions of rural Australia, creating a sense of timelessness in her writing style. She has been credited with popularizing Australian literature internationally.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Colleen McCullough's ability to weave poignant narratives about the human experience is one reason she remains widely quoted and remembered. Her work often delves into themes that resonate deeply, such as family dynamics, love, and faith. The vivid descriptions of rural Australia in her writing have helped shape the country's literary identity.
Her passing on January 5, 2007, marked a significant loss for literature enthusiasts worldwide. However, her legacy lives on through her works, which continue to captivate readers with their unflinching portrayal of human struggles and triumphs.
Colleen McCullough's remarkable life serves as an inspiration to aspiring writers everywhere, demonstrating that the path to success is not always linear but rather a journey of perseverance and dedication.
Quotes by Colleen McCullough
Colleen McCullough's insights on:
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I stopped this one about two months before federation and I want the next one to be more political. It will deal with the formation of white Australian policy and things like that.
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My fictitious characters will take the bit between their teeth and gallop off and do something that I hadn't counted on. However, I always insist on dragging them back to the straight and narrow.
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It's a dead give away of an inexperienced writer if every character speaks with the same voice.
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In The Touch, the love scenes are the same as they were in The Thorn Birds or anything else I've ever written. I find a way of saying that either it was heaven or hell but in a way that still leaves room for the reader to use their own imagination.
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Later on after the war was over the women were to find this constantly; the men who had actually been in the thick of battle never opened their mouths about it, refused to join the ex-soldiers’ clubs and leagues, wanted nothing to do with institutions perpetuating the memory of war.
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All that power held dormant, sleeping, only needing the detonation of a touch to trigger a chaos in which mind was subservient to passion, mind’s will extinguished in body’s will.
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You say you love me, but you have no idea what love is; you’re just mouthing words you’ve memorized because you think they sound good!
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Surprised, she realized that keeping physically busy is the most effective blockade against totally mental activity human beings can erect.
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He had always been her baby, her lovely little boy; though she had watched him change and grow with proprietary pride, she had done so with an image of laughing baby superimposed on his maturing face.
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My fictitious characters will take the bit between their teeth and gallop off and do something that I hadn’t counted on. However, I always insist on dragging them back to the straight and narrow.
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