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The Touch
'Fast-moving and immensely readable ... a page turner from start to finish' - Maeve Binchy
Alexander Kinross is remembered in his native Scotland only as a shiftless boilermaker's apprentice. But when he writes from Australia to summon his bride, his relatives realize he is now a man to be reckoned with. Arriving in Sydney after a difficult voyage, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Drummond meets her husband-to-be and discovers that he frightens and repels her. And, isolated in Alexander's great house, Elizabeth finds that marriage does not prompt her husband to enlighten her about his past life - nor his present one, in which his mistress, the sensuous, tough, outspoken Ruby Costevan, still plays a part...
Alexander Kinross is remembered in his native Scotland only as a shiftless boilermaker's apprentice. But when he writes from Australia to summon his bride, his relatives realize he is now a man to be reckoned with. Arriving in Sydney after a difficult voyage, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Drummond meets her husband-to-be and discovers that he frightens and repels her. And, isolated in Alexander's great house, Elizabeth finds that marriage does not prompt her husband to enlighten her about his past life - nor his present one, in which his mistress, the sensuous, tough, outspoken Ruby Costevan, still plays a part...
624 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
667 people are currently reading
2781 people want to read
About the author
Colleen McCullough
128 books3,168 followersColleen Margaretta McCullough was an Australian author known for her novels, her most well-known being The Thorn Birds and Tim.
Raised by her mother in Wellington and then Sydney, McCullough began writing stories at age 5. She flourished at Catholic schools and earned a physiology degree from the University of New South Wales in 1963. Planning become a doctor, she found that she had a violent allergy to hospital soap and turned instead to neurophysiology – the study of the nervous system's functions. She found jobs first in London and then at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
After her beloved younger brother Carl died in 1965 at age 25 while rescuing two drowning women in the waters off Crete, a shattered McCullough quit writing. She finally returned to her craft in 1974 with Tim, a critically acclaimed novel about the romance between a female executive and a younger, mentally disabled gardener. As always, the author proved her toughest critic: "Actually," she said, "it was an icky book, saccharine sweet."
A year later, while on a paltry $10,000 annual salary as a Yale researcher, McCullough – just "Col" to her friends – began work on the sprawling The Thorn Birds, about the lives and loves of three generations of an Australian family. Many of its details were drawn from her mother's family's experience as migrant workers, and one character, Dane, was based on brother Carl.
Though some reviews were scathing, millions of readers worldwide got caught up in her tales of doomed love and other natural calamities. The paperback rights sold for an astonishing $1.9 million.
In all, McCullough wrote 11 novels.
Source: http://www.people.com/article/colleen...
Raised by her mother in Wellington and then Sydney, McCullough began writing stories at age 5. She flourished at Catholic schools and earned a physiology degree from the University of New South Wales in 1963. Planning become a doctor, she found that she had a violent allergy to hospital soap and turned instead to neurophysiology – the study of the nervous system's functions. She found jobs first in London and then at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
After her beloved younger brother Carl died in 1965 at age 25 while rescuing two drowning women in the waters off Crete, a shattered McCullough quit writing. She finally returned to her craft in 1974 with Tim, a critically acclaimed novel about the romance between a female executive and a younger, mentally disabled gardener. As always, the author proved her toughest critic: "Actually," she said, "it was an icky book, saccharine sweet."
A year later, while on a paltry $10,000 annual salary as a Yale researcher, McCullough – just "Col" to her friends – began work on the sprawling The Thorn Birds, about the lives and loves of three generations of an Australian family. Many of its details were drawn from her mother's family's experience as migrant workers, and one character, Dane, was based on brother Carl.
Though some reviews were scathing, millions of readers worldwide got caught up in her tales of doomed love and other natural calamities. The paperback rights sold for an astonishing $1.9 million.
In all, McCullough wrote 11 novels.
Source: http://www.people.com/article/colleen...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
March 14, 2021
Touch, by Colleen McCullough has me in a bit of a bind, I am stuck between three and two stars. Two, because I don’t think this book will stay with me, I was in a hurry to finish it towards the end and from around a third of the way into the story it became a little too predictable. Three, because it was an expansive story, it had its interesting periods, as the author always researches her topics so thoroughly.
This historical piece is largely based in Australia, just over the Great Dividing Range out West from Sydney, beautiful country, in the late 1800’s. Elizabeth, a young Scottish girl is forced to marry Alexander, a self-made Scotsman, who has managed to accumulate massive wealth in gold mining. This is a loveless marriage, where both find ways to escape to their own separate world’s. Alexander finds his solace in his work and another woman called Ruby, and Elizabeth essentially withdraws into herself, the mansion, and their children.
This is standard fare for a love story, and as new characters are introduced it became a little too predictable for me, there weren’t many surprises. But McCullough did what she does very well and that is, drill down into various topics in great detail. She takes us through gold mining, the politics of the time, industrial relations, immigration, life in other countries – such as the US, medicine, Australian history and engineering. Her ability to explain a diverse number of topics in great depth kept me interested. Without this, I fear this may have just been a Mills and Boon effort.
I do need to say, Alexander was a selfish bastard a real ‘I want my cake and to eat it to’ kind of bloke. I don’t think he had any redeeming features at all. In fact, most of the characters were a bit wooden. So, without the academic interest in the wide scope of interesting subjects covered – this may have only been a 2-star effort.
Really mixed on this one. Okay, best to move on.
3 stars
This historical piece is largely based in Australia, just over the Great Dividing Range out West from Sydney, beautiful country, in the late 1800’s. Elizabeth, a young Scottish girl is forced to marry Alexander, a self-made Scotsman, who has managed to accumulate massive wealth in gold mining. This is a loveless marriage, where both find ways to escape to their own separate world’s. Alexander finds his solace in his work and another woman called Ruby, and Elizabeth essentially withdraws into herself, the mansion, and their children.
This is standard fare for a love story, and as new characters are introduced it became a little too predictable for me, there weren’t many surprises. But McCullough did what she does very well and that is, drill down into various topics in great detail. She takes us through gold mining, the politics of the time, industrial relations, immigration, life in other countries – such as the US, medicine, Australian history and engineering. Her ability to explain a diverse number of topics in great depth kept me interested. Without this, I fear this may have just been a Mills and Boon effort.
I do need to say, Alexander was a selfish bastard a real ‘I want my cake and to eat it to’ kind of bloke. I don’t think he had any redeeming features at all. In fact, most of the characters were a bit wooden. So, without the academic interest in the wide scope of interesting subjects covered – this may have only been a 2-star effort.
Really mixed on this one. Okay, best to move on.
3 stars
April 30, 2010
I am annoyed that I allowed myself to get sucked into reading this book. The characterizations manage to be both simplistic and inconsistent, both within themselves and compared with actual humans. The plot is contrived, melodramatic and not remotely credible. The way the characters relate among one another is also absurd--they constantly make speeches about How Much They've Learned, while acting simultaneously immature and world-weary.
I finally dropped the book in disgust when I got to the part where a twelve-month-old not only speaks in complete sentences, but makes insightful observations about the moods, health and motivations of the adults around her. Oh. Please. That's not a novel, that's a fantasy comic book. Do NOT waste your time.
I finally dropped the book in disgust when I got to the part where a twelve-month-old not only speaks in complete sentences, but makes insightful observations about the moods, health and motivations of the adults around her. Oh. Please. That's not a novel, that's a fantasy comic book. Do NOT waste your time.
September 1, 2017
The Touch was my first Colleen McCullough book, and once I read it I wanted to read more from her, and I did. However, although I enjoyed some of her other works, The Touch will always be my “first love”.
It’s an epic historical novel set during the Australian gold rush. Alexander Kinross sends off for a bride for himself, but when she arrives, their marriage is neither welcomed nor happy for either of them. His wife, Elizabeth, is only 16 years old, sullen and entirely introverted. Alex, himself, is a self-made man – strong-willed and arrogant. How could these two ever get along? Clearly, they don’t. However, Ruby – Alex’s mistress – becomes an outlet for both of them. Can you say awkward?!
McCullough takes us along on their journey – sometimes kicking and screaming – through acceptance, civility, and growth as these well-fleshed-out characters explore the consequences of their lives being thrown together.
It was a moving read, examining the themes of the rich vs. the poor; the rights of men vs. women; adultery, and the age-old question: Should you marry for respect or for love?
While reading, you will learn a lot about mining and politics. Things you never really wanted to know and likely won’t remember later. But if you’re a historian, those things will only make you appreciate the story and the author’s efforts even more.
The Touch is exactly the best kind of love story: hatred and bitterness become understanding, respect, and tenderness. It was a story that I hated to have end.
It’s an epic historical novel set during the Australian gold rush. Alexander Kinross sends off for a bride for himself, but when she arrives, their marriage is neither welcomed nor happy for either of them. His wife, Elizabeth, is only 16 years old, sullen and entirely introverted. Alex, himself, is a self-made man – strong-willed and arrogant. How could these two ever get along? Clearly, they don’t. However, Ruby – Alex’s mistress – becomes an outlet for both of them. Can you say awkward?!
McCullough takes us along on their journey – sometimes kicking and screaming – through acceptance, civility, and growth as these well-fleshed-out characters explore the consequences of their lives being thrown together.
It was a moving read, examining the themes of the rich vs. the poor; the rights of men vs. women; adultery, and the age-old question: Should you marry for respect or for love?
While reading, you will learn a lot about mining and politics. Things you never really wanted to know and likely won’t remember later. But if you’re a historian, those things will only make you appreciate the story and the author’s efforts even more.
The Touch is exactly the best kind of love story: hatred and bitterness become understanding, respect, and tenderness. It was a story that I hated to have end.
May 1, 2010
this is my third colleen mccullough book. though the other two were vastly different from each other, i thoroughly enjoyed both. and i was very intrigued at which direction she would take in this one. i LOVED the first half of the book. i would give the first half 4 or 4 1/2 stars. the descriptions were engaging, the character development subtle but thorough, the plot thickened in some predictable ways and in some surprising ways. then about halfway through i stopped enjoying the book. i stopped caring about the characters, everything started to feel cliche, the frigid wife, the hooker with heart of gold, the brilliant yet plain daughter. it all felt stale. the one character that i consistently enjoyed was sir alexander. however, i ultimately disagreed with the direction and tone of the story. it was from epic and sweeping to thoughtless and dull. it felt like an entirely different book from the beginning. needless to say, i was annoyed with the outcome and i threw the book down at the end. too many loose ends tied up too neatly and too quickly for such a dysfunctional family.
September 17, 2023
„Ar kai kurie iš mūsų tikrai turi giminingą sielą ir ją radę yra bejėgiškai nešami tos amžinos srovės, trokšdami susilieti su gimininga siela ir ištirpti joje? Kad du taptų viena?
Tai viena tokių knygų, kurias pradėjus skaityti iš karto apima gailestis, kad ši nuostabi istorija ir ją talpinantys 600 puslapių baigsis. Ir iš tikrųjų gaila, nes per tą laiką spėji pažinti veikėjus, su jais susigyventi ir nori, ar nenori, pradeda rūpėti jų likimas.
Romano pradžia nukelia į 19 amžiaus aštuntąjį dešimtmetį. Tai buvo tokie laikai, kai siautė aukso karštligė, vyko perversmas pramonėje, o merginos būdavo ištekinamos už vyrų, kurių net nebuvo mačiusios. Aleksandrui Kinrosui nėra nepasiekiamų dalykų, išskyrus vieną – jis negali laimėti žmonos širdies.
Naujasis Pietų Velsas skamba visai neaustrališkai, ir tai nenuostabu, nes ši valstija buvo pirmoji britų kolonija šiame žemyne. Colleen McCulloug, pasakodama veikėjų istorijas, kartu pasakoja ir Australijos kūrimosi istoriją. Čia apstu įrengimų, tų laikų technologijų, dirvožemio, medicinos l
aprašymų ir jie kūriniui suteikia savotiško istorinio žavesio.
Tai savotiška paukštės, uždarytos auksiniame narvelyje, meilės istorija. Autorės stilius toks įtaigus, taip įtraukia, kad pasijusti gyvenąs Kinroso miestelyje. Veikėjų laukia išbandymai, sunkūs pasirinkimai ir skaudūs likimo smūgiai. Bet tikros meilės prisilietimas prikelia gyvenimui net ir šalčiausią širdį.
Baigus skaityti, pirma atėjusi mintis buvo: „bet kaip nedaug žmonės patobulėjo per tiek metų. Santuokos iš išskaičiavimo, moters padėtis vyrų pasaulyje – diskriminacija, įvairūs stereotipai ir patriachalizmas, vis dar labai gajūs. Moterims kasdien tenka įrodinėti savo vertę ir gebėjimus. Tad šį romaną galima pavadinti ir istorija apie moters išsilaisvinimą.
Beje, tai pirmoji mano pažintis su šia autore, tad, be menkiausios abejonės, „Erškėčių paukščiai" keliauja į norimų perskaityti knygų sąrašą. O „Prisilietimą" rekomenduoju dievinantiems ilgas ir jausmingas šeimos istorijas.
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Tai viena tokių knygų, kurias pradėjus skaityti iš karto apima gailestis, kad ši nuostabi istorija ir ją talpinantys 600 puslapių baigsis. Ir iš tikrųjų gaila, nes per tą laiką spėji pažinti veikėjus, su jais susigyventi ir nori, ar nenori, pradeda rūpėti jų likimas.
Romano pradžia nukelia į 19 amžiaus aštuntąjį dešimtmetį. Tai buvo tokie laikai, kai siautė aukso karštligė, vyko perversmas pramonėje, o merginos būdavo ištekinamos už vyrų, kurių net nebuvo mačiusios. Aleksandrui Kinrosui nėra nepasiekiamų dalykų, išskyrus vieną – jis negali laimėti žmonos širdies.
Naujasis Pietų Velsas skamba visai neaustrališkai, ir tai nenuostabu, nes ši valstija buvo pirmoji britų kolonija šiame žemyne. Colleen McCulloug, pasakodama veikėjų istorijas, kartu pasakoja ir Australijos kūrimosi istoriją. Čia apstu įrengimų, tų laikų technologijų, dirvožemio, medicinos l
aprašymų ir jie kūriniui suteikia savotiško istorinio žavesio.
Tai savotiška paukštės, uždarytos auksiniame narvelyje, meilės istorija. Autorės stilius toks įtaigus, taip įtraukia, kad pasijusti gyvenąs Kinroso miestelyje. Veikėjų laukia išbandymai, sunkūs pasirinkimai ir skaudūs likimo smūgiai. Bet tikros meilės prisilietimas prikelia gyvenimui net ir šalčiausią širdį.
Baigus skaityti, pirma atėjusi mintis buvo: „bet kaip nedaug žmonės patobulėjo per tiek metų. Santuokos iš išskaičiavimo, moters padėtis vyrų pasaulyje – diskriminacija, įvairūs stereotipai ir patriachalizmas, vis dar labai gajūs. Moterims kasdien tenka įrodinėti savo vertę ir gebėjimus. Tad šį romaną galima pavadinti ir istorija apie moters išsilaisvinimą.
Beje, tai pirmoji mano pažintis su šia autore, tad, be menkiausios abejonės, „Erškėčių paukščiai" keliauja į norimų perskaityti knygų sąrašą. O „Prisilietimą" rekomenduoju dievinantiems ilgas ir jausmingas šeimos istorijas.
https://www.facebook.com/profesionali...
https://www.instagram.com/profesional...
www.profesionalimama.wordpress.com
July 26, 2020
Setting: Australia; late 19th century. A good historical family saga - at 16, Elizabeth Drummond is sent from Scotland to Australia by her father to become the husband of Alexander Kinross, many years her senior. With no female experience, Elizabeth finds her marriage to, and relationship with, her new husband traumatic. Alexander is not cruel to her but just expects her to satisfy his conjugal demands whilst at the same time he maintains a mistress in the local town, which he effectively owns. Alexander is exceedingly wealthy - having been remembered in Scotland as a shiftless boilermaker's apprentice, Alexander has travelled widely and learned much, ultimately discovering a mountain in New South Wales with substantial gold reserves, around which he builds his settlement of Kinross. However, all his fortune cannot buy the love of Elizabeth, who ever remains cool and aloof from him...
For me this was a good read rather than a great one - certainly preferred The Thorn Birds to this one - but it was still okay - 7/10.
For me this was a good read rather than a great one - certainly preferred The Thorn Birds to this one - but it was still okay - 7/10.
February 5, 2023
Pasižymiu sau, kad ne tik perskaitysiu kitas McCullough knygas, bet pakartotinai atsiversiu ir Erškėčių paukščius, nes seniai skaityta ir nelabai pamenu. Na ir ne veltui jai suteiktas Australijos nacionalinės vertybės titulas. Rekomenduoju visiems, kas dar neskaitė.
November 13, 2021
No sākuma likās, ka tā ir grāmata par meiteni, kuru audzināja būt ērtai un pakļāvīgai vīriešiem un vēlāk tēvs “pārdeva” viņu sev nepatīkamam cilvēkam peļņas nolūkos. Patiesība šī grāmata ir par varu un cīņu par to. Par to, kā sievietes piekrīt vai nepiekrīt paklausīt. Par to, ar ko nākas saskarties sievietēm un bērniem, dzīvojot “vīriešu pasaulē”. Gaidīju, ka lasīšu sentimentālu romānu par nelaimīgu laulību, bet viss izrādījās dziļāk un nopietnāk. Morāli smagi pēc grāmatas izlasīšanas.
November 1, 2019
3,5 / 5
Feci depresif bir kitaptı ama bitirene kadar da elimden bırakamadım. Özellikle madencilikle ilgili haddinden fazla detaylı açıklamaları ve son bölümünü sevmedim.
Feci depresif bir kitaptı ama bitirene kadar da elimden bırakamadım. Özellikle madencilikle ilgili haddinden fazla detaylı açıklamaları ve son bölümünü sevmedim.
March 21, 2023
Es un libro entretenido sin más.
Como ya me pareció al principio, es un drama familiar del estilo de los que escribe Sarah Lark pero ambientado a finales del siglo XIX en Australia.
No es el estilo de historias que suelo leer últimamente pero como la tenía esperando desde hace muchísimos años decidí darle prioridad y aunque me ha gustado, no me ha aportado nada.
Como ya me pareció al principio, es un drama familiar del estilo de los que escribe Sarah Lark pero ambientado a finales del siglo XIX en Australia.
No es el estilo de historias que suelo leer últimamente pero como la tenía esperando desde hace muchísimos años decidí darle prioridad y aunque me ha gustado, no me ha aportado nada.
April 19, 2013
The title of the book caught my eye on Goodreads and I knew I had read it once but could not remember it. So I found it last week and dashed off into Australia again. I found the zig-zag railway into the Blue Mountains so fascinating that I spend more than an hour on the internet reading the history about it before I continued with the book.
The book is a bit of a cliché though, but the narrative probably started off with the question: what if a brothel owner (Rubi) and a conservative virgin(Elizabeth) can share one man(Alexander)'s love and become the best of friends during a time period when it was totally unheard of? And from there the thirty year saga develops in which the storyline follows pioneering spirits sharing love, lust, social inequality, poverty and wealth and a happy ending, short and sweet! The poor remained poor and the pioneers became filthy rich. So the questioned that remained was: and what was new?
It is a relaxing read; a good lesson in history. But if it was more of a true story, it could have rocked the world a little bit with all the interracial affairs and love children. It was probably written for a possible television series, like its predecessor 'The Thornbirds'.
When I finished “The Touch”, I was lying there thinking about 'The Thornbirds'. Can you remember the television series? Oh my goodness, how I fell blindly, unconditionally and truly in love with Ralph de Bricassart, the parish priest, played by Richard Chamberlain. Do be honest, mesdames, he had the world’s women in a nervous state of stuttering and fluttering, right?!
Well, Alexander did not do it for me at first,he was not the fabulous priest, but he got me almost crying only when he committed the most unselfish act to correct what he did to Elizabeth, but then it was too late! He could have been a Rhett Butler, but to me it did not quite work in this story.
However, I still liked the book. It is a good read.
The book is a bit of a cliché though, but the narrative probably started off with the question: what if a brothel owner (Rubi) and a conservative virgin(Elizabeth) can share one man(Alexander)'s love and become the best of friends during a time period when it was totally unheard of? And from there the thirty year saga develops in which the storyline follows pioneering spirits sharing love, lust, social inequality, poverty and wealth and a happy ending, short and sweet! The poor remained poor and the pioneers became filthy rich. So the questioned that remained was: and what was new?
It is a relaxing read; a good lesson in history. But if it was more of a true story, it could have rocked the world a little bit with all the interracial affairs and love children. It was probably written for a possible television series, like its predecessor 'The Thornbirds'.
When I finished “The Touch”, I was lying there thinking about 'The Thornbirds'. Can you remember the television series? Oh my goodness, how I fell blindly, unconditionally and truly in love with Ralph de Bricassart, the parish priest, played by Richard Chamberlain. Do be honest, mesdames, he had the world’s women in a nervous state of stuttering and fluttering, right?!
Well, Alexander did not do it for me at first,he was not the fabulous priest, but he got me almost crying only when he committed the most unselfish act to correct what he did to Elizabeth, but then it was too late! He could have been a Rhett Butler, but to me it did not quite work in this story.
However, I still liked the book. It is a good read.
January 17, 2010
McCullough has produced some very thoughtful work in the past. Tim and An Indecent Obsession are novels that deal with difficult subject matter deftly and with insight, but this novel doesn't work for me, at all. It is trite and just plain unbelievable for the most part. The dialog is often so stilted that I was embarrassed by it.
The story concerns Elizabeth, who at age sixteen is sent from Scotland to Australia to marry a cousin twenty years her senior, one who has made a fortune for himself in mining and engineering. She takes an instant dislike to him, which carries over to their sex life. Her dislike of sex is so extreme that I wondered, for a short time, if McCullough was going to deal with the matter of lesbianism in the late 19th century. That would have been interesting, at least. Instead Elizabeth spends ten years bearing two daughters, learning how to spend money, and making friends with her husband's business partner and long-time lover, Ruby, all the while avoiding him. Alex is a man of his place and time -- less than enlightened, fixed in his ideas, controlling. He plans for his first daughter (who is speaking, unbelievably, in complex sentences with subordinate clauses at age eleven months) to marry Ruby's son by a Chinese prince when he (Lee) comes back from being educated in England.
The fact that Elizabeth and Lee will fall in love is telegraphed early and often, and thus the story has to devolve into a parody of itself. Which is really too bad. I had hopes for this novel, but I found myself speed reading to get it over with. I have given it one star because McCullough does do her research, as always, and provides great period detail.
The story concerns Elizabeth, who at age sixteen is sent from Scotland to Australia to marry a cousin twenty years her senior, one who has made a fortune for himself in mining and engineering. She takes an instant dislike to him, which carries over to their sex life. Her dislike of sex is so extreme that I wondered, for a short time, if McCullough was going to deal with the matter of lesbianism in the late 19th century. That would have been interesting, at least. Instead Elizabeth spends ten years bearing two daughters, learning how to spend money, and making friends with her husband's business partner and long-time lover, Ruby, all the while avoiding him. Alex is a man of his place and time -- less than enlightened, fixed in his ideas, controlling. He plans for his first daughter (who is speaking, unbelievably, in complex sentences with subordinate clauses at age eleven months) to marry Ruby's son by a Chinese prince when he (Lee) comes back from being educated in England.
The fact that Elizabeth and Lee will fall in love is telegraphed early and often, and thus the story has to devolve into a parody of itself. Which is really too bad. I had hopes for this novel, but I found myself speed reading to get it over with. I have given it one star because McCullough does do her research, as always, and provides great period detail.
January 29, 2015
Este é um dos melhores livros que li este ano :)
São pouco mais de 500 páginas de pura emoção, sem nunca se quebrar o interesse na história... nem vos digo o que acontece com o ritmo de leitura de uma viciada em livros... sem sono!!!
Já tive o prazer de ler mais livros desta Autora e todos me agradaram muito, mas este é esplêndido mesmo.
Fiquei logo cativada pelo facto de a história se passar na Austrália, fazendo-me lembrar "A Viagem de Morgan".
"O Toque de Midas" conta-nos a vida de Alexander e como ele transformava tudo aquilo em que tocava numa grande riqueza. Um rapazinho bastardo, que fugiu a meio da noite com a roupa do corpo conseguiu fazer uma monstruosa fortuna para si e para os seus amigos.
As personagens são maravilhosas: Alexander com o seu temperamento forte mas muito generoso, Elizabeth de uma sinceridade espantosa, Ruby com a sua maneira de ser muito peculiar e depois temos Nell, Anna e Lee. Todos tem uma presença muito marcante na história e nos tocam de uma forma muito especial.
Depois de muitos desgostos e algumas alegrias o fim é surpreendente... mas confesso que fiquei sempre com a "pulga atrás da orelha" ;) depois da grande explosão!
Um livro que quero ter na minha estante e irei sem duvida reler!
Se tiverem oportunidade não deixem de ler, tanto este como o "A Viagem de Morgan".
São pouco mais de 500 páginas de pura emoção, sem nunca se quebrar o interesse na história... nem vos digo o que acontece com o ritmo de leitura de uma viciada em livros... sem sono!!!
Já tive o prazer de ler mais livros desta Autora e todos me agradaram muito, mas este é esplêndido mesmo.
Fiquei logo cativada pelo facto de a história se passar na Austrália, fazendo-me lembrar "A Viagem de Morgan".
"O Toque de Midas" conta-nos a vida de Alexander e como ele transformava tudo aquilo em que tocava numa grande riqueza. Um rapazinho bastardo, que fugiu a meio da noite com a roupa do corpo conseguiu fazer uma monstruosa fortuna para si e para os seus amigos.
As personagens são maravilhosas: Alexander com o seu temperamento forte mas muito generoso, Elizabeth de uma sinceridade espantosa, Ruby com a sua maneira de ser muito peculiar e depois temos Nell, Anna e Lee. Todos tem uma presença muito marcante na história e nos tocam de uma forma muito especial.
Depois de muitos desgostos e algumas alegrias o fim é surpreendente... mas confesso que fiquei sempre com a "pulga atrás da orelha" ;) depois da grande explosão!
Um livro que quero ter na minha estante e irei sem duvida reler!
Se tiverem oportunidade não deixem de ler, tanto este como o "A Viagem de Morgan".
June 13, 2017
Something was missing,
something was there,
The constant calculation of Elizabeth's age throughout the entire 633 pages of this novel from her 16 years until her 40ties that she had more children, was what at the end made me not knowing whether I liked this novel or not. Alexandre tunred out to be a better man at the end than what we experienced throughout the entire book.
something was there,
The constant calculation of Elizabeth's age throughout the entire 633 pages of this novel from her 16 years until her 40ties that she had more children, was what at the end made me not knowing whether I liked this novel or not. Alexandre tunred out to be a better man at the end than what we experienced throughout the entire book.
June 2, 2021
I loved this book! I love reading about Australia back in the day. The history the way people lived how women were treated!
Colleen writes so well you feel like your there with all the people & personalities.
I loved The Thorn Birds when I read it 30 years ago. im so glad I found The Touch and read it finally!
Colleen writes so well you feel like your there with all the people & personalities.
I loved The Thorn Birds when I read it 30 years ago. im so glad I found The Touch and read it finally!
June 19, 2007
This was one of those books I picked up b/c I didn't know what else to read at the time... and I wound up loving it. The thing that surprised me about it was I expected to like Elizabeth and hate Alexander, and it turned out to be the exact opposite. I thought the ending was neat - different, unexpected.
July 4, 2016
Why did the differences between people always outweigh the things they shared as one? Why must bodies grow older than the minds that fuel them? Why am I so surrounded, yet so alone? Why does the fire burn as brightly yet the flames grow ever dimmer?
February 6, 2012
até agora estou a gostar bastante, mas é o começo.....
Este livro encheu-me as medidas a todos os níveis (a escrita, a história, os personagens...)
Aconselho vivamente esta leitura!
Este livro encheu-me as medidas a todos os níveis (a escrita, a história, os personagens...)
Aconselho vivamente esta leitura!
May 21, 2017
Not as lovely as The Thorn Birds but a powerful saga just the same.
July 14, 2022
Man labai, labai patiko. Ir jei ne smulkmeniški grunto, dirvožemio, visokiausių technologijų ir įrengimų aprašymai bei daugybė išradėjų vardų, būčiau davusi 5 žvaigždutes iš penkių.
January 6, 2021
Un romanzo che parla del riscatto e della grandissima determinazione da parte di Alexander Kinross, che ha lasciato la Scozia dopo aver saputo di essere figlio illegittimo della madre ed è stato da sempre tacciato di essere un vero diavolo.
Alexander comincia dal basso ma, grazie a delle grandi intuizioni, capisce cosa gli convenga studiare per poter mettere insieme un patrimonio sempre crescente. Quindi, dalla conoscenza delle macchine a vapore in Scozia passa nell'America della corsa all'oro, dove grazie alle sue conoscenze tecniche riesce a ricavare in brevissimo tempo molto più oro di quanto qualunque altro cercatore sprovveduto riesca a ottenerne in tutta la vita.
Fino a quando non approda in Australia e, dopo aver studiato il territorio, si isola all'interno, in una zona in cui è certo di trovare l'oro, costruendo un piccolo villaggio e una ferrovia per arrivarci. Quando diventa abbastanza ricco, manda dei soldi in Scozia per ottenere la mano di una cugina (mano che gli era stata rifiutata anni prima), sbattendo in faccia al cugino e al pastore presbiteriano il proprio successo. Purtroppo, Elizabeth è cresciuta ritenendo che Alexander fosse il diavolo in persona e, da sedicenne impressionabile, non riesce a liberarsi dei propri pregiudizi, per cui vivrà l'arrivo in Australia e il matrimonio con Alexander come un enorme sacrificio. Tra l'altro, Alexander continua a frequentare Ruby, la sua bellissima amante che era la maitresse di un bordello e adesso è la proprietaria dell'albergo della cittadina di Kinross, anche dopo il matrimonio, soprattutto perché, dopo due parti difficili, Elizabeth è lietissima di non dover più praticare i doveri coniugali; una terza gravidanza potrebbe causare la sua morte. Ma per Elizabeth, la presenza di Ruby non è affatto un problema: contro ogni aspettativa, la donna diventa la sua migliore amica.
La storia della famiglia Kinross e dei suoi satelliti si protrae per un trentennio, tra successi e disgrazie, arrivi, partenze e delitti, come in un'appassionante telenovela che mi ha fatto pensare a un Uccelli di rovo in chiave moderna, in cui vengono affrontati temi molto più politically correct rispetto a quelli del bestseller degli anni Ottanta, come il diritto all'istruzione universitaria per le donne o la lotta contro la xenofobia per gli immigrati cinesi in Australia.
Alexander comincia dal basso ma, grazie a delle grandi intuizioni, capisce cosa gli convenga studiare per poter mettere insieme un patrimonio sempre crescente. Quindi, dalla conoscenza delle macchine a vapore in Scozia passa nell'America della corsa all'oro, dove grazie alle sue conoscenze tecniche riesce a ricavare in brevissimo tempo molto più oro di quanto qualunque altro cercatore sprovveduto riesca a ottenerne in tutta la vita.
Fino a quando non approda in Australia e, dopo aver studiato il territorio, si isola all'interno, in una zona in cui è certo di trovare l'oro, costruendo un piccolo villaggio e una ferrovia per arrivarci. Quando diventa abbastanza ricco, manda dei soldi in Scozia per ottenere la mano di una cugina (mano che gli era stata rifiutata anni prima), sbattendo in faccia al cugino e al pastore presbiteriano il proprio successo. Purtroppo, Elizabeth è cresciuta ritenendo che Alexander fosse il diavolo in persona e, da sedicenne impressionabile, non riesce a liberarsi dei propri pregiudizi, per cui vivrà l'arrivo in Australia e il matrimonio con Alexander come un enorme sacrificio. Tra l'altro, Alexander continua a frequentare Ruby, la sua bellissima amante che era la maitresse di un bordello e adesso è la proprietaria dell'albergo della cittadina di Kinross, anche dopo il matrimonio, soprattutto perché, dopo due parti difficili, Elizabeth è lietissima di non dover più praticare i doveri coniugali; una terza gravidanza potrebbe causare la sua morte. Ma per Elizabeth, la presenza di Ruby non è affatto un problema: contro ogni aspettativa, la donna diventa la sua migliore amica.
La storia della famiglia Kinross e dei suoi satelliti si protrae per un trentennio, tra successi e disgrazie, arrivi, partenze e delitti, come in un'appassionante telenovela che mi ha fatto pensare a un Uccelli di rovo in chiave moderna, in cui vengono affrontati temi molto più politically correct rispetto a quelli del bestseller degli anni Ottanta, come il diritto all'istruzione universitaria per le donne o la lotta contro la xenofobia per gli immigrati cinesi in Australia.
June 30, 2016
I was sorely disappointed with this book. I’ve read a lot of McCullough’s books, and enjoyed all of them. This one could have been written by someone else. The writing flat, the characters two dimensional. I didn’t come to care for even one of them. Lots of telling, rather than showing. And the minute details of how one mines for gold, and then a blow by blow telling of how he made his fortune.
The shocking ending? It made absolutely no sense to me.
The only good thing I can say about it, is that I actually finished reading it, which is the only reason it got two stars.
The shocking ending? It made absolutely no sense to me.
The only good thing I can say about it, is that I actually finished reading it, which is the only reason it got two stars.
January 27, 2025
3 stars
I am in mixed minds about this one. The first half of the book was good although a little predictable but then the second half I found myself skimming through. I have enjoyed a lot of Colleen's books throughout the years but there have been some like this one that I was disappointed in.
I am in mixed minds about this one. The first half of the book was good although a little predictable but then the second half I found myself skimming through. I have enjoyed a lot of Colleen's books throughout the years but there have been some like this one that I was disappointed in.
June 6, 2023
Puiki knyga. Labai daug įdomių dalykų surašyta. Ypatingai patiks tiems, kai meilės istorijos apima ir šalies istoriją.
Rašytoja tikrai įdėjo nemažai darbo ir tikrai žinau, kad dar skaitysiu jos parašytas knygas, nes ten yra visko.
Vieną žvaigždutę atėmiau, nes labai jau neypatingas Elizabetės personažas pasirodė. Tokia bekvapė, beskonė, be nieko. Neaupratau nei kodėl tom sienom save "apsistatė", nei kodėl tokia pasyvi visuose reikaluose buvo. Labai trūko jos vidinio pasaulio platesnio paaiškinimo.
Visi kiti personažai- nepriekaištingai įdomūs ir išskirtiniai.
Rašytoja tikrai įdėjo nemažai darbo ir tikrai žinau, kad dar skaitysiu jos parašytas knygas, nes ten yra visko.
Vieną žvaigždutę atėmiau, nes labai jau neypatingas Elizabetės personažas pasirodė. Tokia bekvapė, beskonė, be nieko. Neaupratau nei kodėl tom sienom save "apsistatė", nei kodėl tokia pasyvi visuose reikaluose buvo. Labai trūko jos vidinio pasaulio platesnio paaiškinimo.
Visi kiti personažai- nepriekaištingai įdomūs ir išskirtiniai.
October 5, 2024
Hacía tiempo que no leía una novela que me absorbiera tanto. Un relato magnífico sobre una familia de origen escocés en la Australia del siglo XIX.
Alexander Kinross escapó de su Escocia natal a los quince años y nadie supo nada más de él hasta que un día, años después, llega una carta a su pueblo natal en la que le pide a su tío que le envíe a una de sus hijas para desposarla. Así comienza una aventura que se adentra en las intimidades de una familia desde 1872 hasta 1900.
La huida de Alexander de Escocia cuando era un joven sin recursos y por circunstancias en principio secretas, lo lleva por gran parte del mundo y se revela como un hombre de gran talento para hacer dinero, pero también de una peculiar inteligencia, pasión por el trabajo y sensibilidad para apreciar el arte.
Cuando se encuentra con la muchacha destinada a ser su esposa comienza el drama de cómo conciliar dos seres humanos tan diferentes; él, un hombre ateo, ajeno a las costumbres sociales de la época, con una mente brillante y un espíritu libre. Una suerte de héroe byroniano que muestra rudeza de carácter a la par de una personalidad que manifiesta una inhabilidad para entender qué está haciendo mal en relación con su mujer; ella, una chica presbiteriana, criada para servir al marido, convencida de que el sexo es algo sucio y que no se deslumbra ni con joyas ni con las comodidades que proporciona la riqueza y que parece aceptar su destino con resignación.
La autora nos lleva por un periplo literario en que exhibe un don para contar algo de manera precisa sin darse demasiadas vueltas en datos superfluos o que ralentizan el ritmo de la narración innecesariamente. La narración fluye por vericuetos argumentales siguiendo un patrón lineal en la historia de la familia en que todo lo que ocurre es de gran interés. En todo momento uno quiere saber qué viene, qué sigue en esta historia llena de secretos, anhelos, frustraciones, destinos imposibles, etc.
Muy entretenida, aunque algunos pasajes del argumento son un disparate, como hago notar más adelante.
Observaciones:
Páginas 505, 506
Traducción incoherente
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. De lo contrario, algo nunca me habría legado la mayor parte de las acciones de la compañía, y tú lo sabes."
Mi impresión es que el traductor mezcló dos posibles traducciones:
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. De lo contrario, nunca me habría legado..."
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. Si hubiera sabido algo, nunca me habría legado..."
Página 194
Nell es una chica superdotada, pero que a los doce meses de edad sea capaz de emitir oraciones con un grado de complejidad como una niña de diez años o que a los seis maneje conceptos de trigonometría y álgebra es estirar un poquito la cuerda de la credibilidad, por no decir que es un absurdo total y que revela una desprolijidad de la autora en cómo abordar esta parte del argumento.
Alexander Kinross escapó de su Escocia natal a los quince años y nadie supo nada más de él hasta que un día, años después, llega una carta a su pueblo natal en la que le pide a su tío que le envíe a una de sus hijas para desposarla. Así comienza una aventura que se adentra en las intimidades de una familia desde 1872 hasta 1900.
La huida de Alexander de Escocia cuando era un joven sin recursos y por circunstancias en principio secretas, lo lleva por gran parte del mundo y se revela como un hombre de gran talento para hacer dinero, pero también de una peculiar inteligencia, pasión por el trabajo y sensibilidad para apreciar el arte.
Cuando se encuentra con la muchacha destinada a ser su esposa comienza el drama de cómo conciliar dos seres humanos tan diferentes; él, un hombre ateo, ajeno a las costumbres sociales de la época, con una mente brillante y un espíritu libre. Una suerte de héroe byroniano que muestra rudeza de carácter a la par de una personalidad que manifiesta una inhabilidad para entender qué está haciendo mal en relación con su mujer; ella, una chica presbiteriana, criada para servir al marido, convencida de que el sexo es algo sucio y que no se deslumbra ni con joyas ni con las comodidades que proporciona la riqueza y que parece aceptar su destino con resignación.
La autora nos lleva por un periplo literario en que exhibe un don para contar algo de manera precisa sin darse demasiadas vueltas en datos superfluos o que ralentizan el ritmo de la narración innecesariamente. La narración fluye por vericuetos argumentales siguiendo un patrón lineal en la historia de la familia en que todo lo que ocurre es de gran interés. En todo momento uno quiere saber qué viene, qué sigue en esta historia llena de secretos, anhelos, frustraciones, destinos imposibles, etc.
Muy entretenida, aunque algunos pasajes del argumento son un disparate, como hago notar más adelante.
Observaciones:
Páginas 505, 506
Traducción incoherente
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. De lo contrario, algo nunca me habría legado la mayor parte de las acciones de la compañía, y tú lo sabes."
Mi impresión es que el traductor mezcló dos posibles traducciones:
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. De lo contrario, nunca me habría legado..."
"Alexander no sabía nada cuando hizo su testamento. Si hubiera sabido algo, nunca me habría legado..."
Página 194
Nell es una chica superdotada, pero que a los doce meses de edad sea capaz de emitir oraciones con un grado de complejidad como una niña de diez años o que a los seis maneje conceptos de trigonometría y álgebra es estirar un poquito la cuerda de la credibilidad, por no decir que es un absurdo total y que revela una desprolijidad de la autora en cómo abordar esta parte del argumento.
February 2, 2024
4.2*
Kam patiko “Erskeciu pauksciai”, turetu patikti ir sis.
Jaunute mergaite Elizabete, augusi Skotijos kaime pagal labai grieztas doroves normas, iskeliauja i tolima krasta isteketi uz vyro, kurio nera maciusi. Ir ten nuo pirmos dienos buvo apipilta brangakmeniais, tviskancia prabanga, buvo lavinama apie geologija, kalnakasyba, sudeliotas sunu gimdymo planas. Tapus aukso magnato zmona tarsi prasideda nerupestingas gyvenimas.. Taciau sirdis taip ir nesudrebejo, ji salta kaip uola. Niekas jos nemergino, neviliojo, nepasakojo kokia turi buti meile, tiesiog pareiske savo teises. Kaip i aukso kasykla - atejau ir kasu.
Sielvartingas romanas apie uzdrausta meile, laime per skausma, drovuma virtusi vakarietiska laisve, elegancija, gyvenimo pamokas ir saldu issivadavima..
Puikiai tinkamas kurinys ekranizacijai ir smegenu “istizimui” kai norisi:)
Pasijutau tarsi gyvai dalyvauju Kinrosu gyvenimo juostoje. Net truputi gaila buvo, kad perskaiciau.
“Gyventi nuodemeje apsimoka”.
Kam patiko “Erskeciu pauksciai”, turetu patikti ir sis.
Jaunute mergaite Elizabete, augusi Skotijos kaime pagal labai grieztas doroves normas, iskeliauja i tolima krasta isteketi uz vyro, kurio nera maciusi. Ir ten nuo pirmos dienos buvo apipilta brangakmeniais, tviskancia prabanga, buvo lavinama apie geologija, kalnakasyba, sudeliotas sunu gimdymo planas. Tapus aukso magnato zmona tarsi prasideda nerupestingas gyvenimas.. Taciau sirdis taip ir nesudrebejo, ji salta kaip uola. Niekas jos nemergino, neviliojo, nepasakojo kokia turi buti meile, tiesiog pareiske savo teises. Kaip i aukso kasykla - atejau ir kasu.
Sielvartingas romanas apie uzdrausta meile, laime per skausma, drovuma virtusi vakarietiska laisve, elegancija, gyvenimo pamokas ir saldu issivadavima..
Puikiai tinkamas kurinys ekranizacijai ir smegenu “istizimui” kai norisi:)
Pasijutau tarsi gyvai dalyvauju Kinrosu gyvenimo juostoje. Net truputi gaila buvo, kad perskaiciau.
“Gyventi nuodemeje apsimoka”.
December 23, 2012
Colleen Mccullogh'un tarzı bu sıra dışı roman yazmak
Son zamanlarda okuduğum en güzel kitaplardan birisiydi..Ayrıca eserde Avustralya'nın yakın tarihi ile ilgili bilgilerde mevcut..Gazap Kuşlarının hikayesinden bile çok daha iyi bir kurgulamaydı..Bu eserin filmi çevrilse gerçekten de çok ses getireceğine inanıyorum..
Bir erkek hayatına hiç tanımadığı bir kızı eş olarak seçip;yıllardır birlikte olduğu kadını metresliğe mahkum ederse sonra karısına aşık olup da karısı onu bir türlü sevemezse ne olur?? Metresinizin oğlu karınıza aşık olursa?? Tek kelime ile müthiş idi...Zeka özürlü kızınınız baştan çıkartılıp hamile bırakılırsa??
Şok edici bir kitaptı romanda ki bazı şeyler benim ahlak anlayışıma ters de olsa okurken kendimi tokat yemiş gibi buldum..
Son zamanlarda okuduğum en güzel kitaplardan birisiydi..Ayrıca eserde Avustralya'nın yakın tarihi ile ilgili bilgilerde mevcut..Gazap Kuşlarının hikayesinden bile çok daha iyi bir kurgulamaydı..Bu eserin filmi çevrilse gerçekten de çok ses getireceğine inanıyorum..
Bir erkek hayatına hiç tanımadığı bir kızı eş olarak seçip;yıllardır birlikte olduğu kadını metresliğe mahkum ederse sonra karısına aşık olup da karısı onu bir türlü sevemezse ne olur?? Metresinizin oğlu karınıza aşık olursa?? Tek kelime ile müthiş idi...Zeka özürlü kızınınız baştan çıkartılıp hamile bırakılırsa??
Şok edici bir kitaptı romanda ki bazı şeyler benim ahlak anlayışıma ters de olsa okurken kendimi tokat yemiş gibi buldum..
December 30, 2019
I worried this might be hard to follow. There are a lot of characters and many interwoven plot points, all within a setting I found difficult to imagine. Such is the author's talent that I was sucked in quickly and was soon lost in this sweeping family saga and all its attending drama. It was a painful read, but a satisfying one, feeding me even though I hadn't known I was hungry. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes history, family stories and/or complex meditations on identity.
November 26, 2021
This book was long and at times you felt it. The story was a bit predictable but overall an enjoyable read that nicely covers the shifting politics of early Australia (though completely neglects the presence of Indigenous Australians). The characters are occasionally a bit 2D but whole enough. I wouldn’t rush out to buy it, but if you find yourself stuck you’ll have a decent enough time.
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