Haven't read the book, but I did see the miniseries.

It stars one of my fave LG actress crushes; Sydney Penny ⚠️ ↗ who gets a pretty big part, but is still replaced too soon by Rachel Ward as the adult version of the character.

As I've noted before, in The Thorn Birds her character falls for a priest ⚠️ ↗. For variety's sake, in Pale Rider ⛓️‍💥[Removed].

As for things of note about the authors. You will find much the same among the best European directors discussing girlhood. Say, Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Catherine Breillat, Julie Gavras.....

Dante