My Pleasure Reading. The Thorn Birds pp.3-65

The book begins with Maggie Cleary, a four year old beautiful girl with curly red-gold hair, who lived in New Zeland with her family, trying to make their ends meet in the beginning of the 20 century. She was only daughter among 5 brothers of the Irish farm labourer, Paddy and his wife Fiona, who was chary for emotions and didn't display any affection towards all members of the family, except the eldest son Frank. Meggan treated the worse out of all the children because she was a girl and her own mother even didn't try to support her because she was always busy with domestic chores. When Maggie was 7, she goes to school with her brothers, where she went through loneliness, moral and physical pressure from Sister Agatha, however, she overcame all these difficulties with dignity. The relationships between Paddy and Frank were strained and reached the rock of the bottom when Frank wanted to go to the army in spite of the father's prohobition. The chapter ends with Frank's failed attempt to run away from his home and with Maggie's words :"Oh Frank, I am so happy you returned". They were two lonely soul who found calm in each other.