When my mother held out her favorite book with pride, all I could think was "That thing must weigh about as much as I do!" However, the 560 pages of this phenomenal novel fly by as the reader becomes engrossed in the lives of the realistic characters. McCullough demonstrates incredible talent by focusing on so many main characters and developing them as in depth as she does. The reader literally becomes absorbed in the lives of Meggie, Ralph, Paddy, Fee, Luke, Bob, Frank, Jack, Stu, Jims, Patsy, Dane, Justine, and Rain. Although this may sound intimidating to someone who has never read the book, it is easy to follow. I think people become absorbed in this book because they can relate to it. We all have to struggle for the price of happiness. McCullough says it best..." The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself, and die singing. At the very instant the thorn enters there is no awareness in it of the dying to come; it simply sings and sings until there is not the life left to utter another note. But we, when we put the thorns in our breasts, we know. We understand. And still we do it. Still we do it." This novel will definitely give the reader a fresh perspective on what drives humans in their lives.