Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
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Book Reviews of Outlander
Book Review: Totally Unique Scottish Historical Romance - 1st in series
Summary: 5 Stars
I've known about the Outlander series by Gabaldon since I started reading Scottish historical romances (including some fine ones by Marsha Canham and Kathleen Givens, to name a few), but I avoided this series because of the reviews that indicated the heroine was a married woman having a relationship with another. But I quickly learned that is not what this story is about. Claire Randall, a British Army nurse in WWII, was married for a week to her professor husband before the war. Upon being reunited at the war's end, they go on a second honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands where they were married. One afternoon she inadvertently falls through a crack in time at the standing stones and finds herself in 1743. There she meets Jamie Fraser and is required to marry him and become a Scot to save her life. And so she begins a new life where she is torn between two lives and two men. We see 18th century Scotland through the eyes of a woman from the 20th century and that alone is worth the read. Often Gabaldon uses great humor at Claire's frustration with the 18th century way of life and the men of that time. Unique among romances, even Scottish historicals, it is told from the first person (that is, Claire is telling her own story). The novel travels at a leisurely pace (850 pages allows the author to do that). I could have surmised the author is an ecologist (I also have a degree in ecology) since we are frequently watching the birds and the plants along the way (literally). But it is not slow so as to be boring. No it is quite absorbing...a sweeping saga with a rich tapestry of characters woven carefully together with introspection and examination of people's hearts, minds and their choices. It is told with great detail in most respects (except that I did wish she'd given better and repeated descriptions of some of the characters). In a carefully crafted view of the world and God told from the perspective of a Franciscan monk in a French abby, we finally have the author's perspective on why Claire might have been sent back in time to live another life and that, too, was worth the reading. I highly recommend this romance. Here's the series in order:
Outlander (1991)
Dragonfly in Amber '(1992)
Voyager' (1993)
Drums of Autumn' (1996)
The Fiery Cross '(2001)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes '(2005)'
An Echo in the Bone '(2009)
Book eight (there will be a book 8)-'No Publication Date
Book Review: Has high and low points, but a strong 5-star in the end
Summary: 5 Stars
Claire Randall unexpectedly finds a time portal and in an instant she goes from 1947 back to 1743 Scotland. There, she finds a whole new world, a whole new scot clan, political intrigues, and a new love, named Jamie Fraser. The problem is, she was married in the XXth century. What is worse, Jamie Fraser is hiding from the red-coats englishmen because of a capital felony. What's even worse, one of the english officials, named Jack Randall, is completely (and strangely) maniac about putting his hands on Fraser, and this very same Jack Randall is Claire's XXth century husband's great-great-great-great-whatever-grandfather.The plot seems complicated, no? Well, in fact it is a little bit, but Diana Gabaldon uses well the 800-plus pages of her first book in the Outlander series to develop and explain not only the plot but the characters on the book (and there are dozens of characters). "Outlander" surprised me not only because it's a better book than I expected, but because it's full of action, full of real and also fantastic situations, full of sex scenes (described with good taste, even if there are some hot sex scenes). More than that, Diana Gabaldon was able to create and develop at least fifteen complete characters, with background, motivations and credible reasoning. Also, the story is completely immersed in the political background of the English-Scottish relationship in the XVIIIth century, giving more realism to the plot.
But there were a couple of things that didn't go well with me. The first thing is: even if there are lots of dangerous situations and plot twists along the book, I thought they were all pretty much the same, only disguised here and there a little bit. The second thing is: even though I knew "Outlander" was the first book in a series, I thought it was going to be a complete book, and it is not. Towards the end (the last 100/150 pages), the story gets slower, and in the end, there are lots of things left without answer. I know, these will be properly answered in the next books, but I wanted them answered now, and I couldn't help feeling a little cheated. Well, I was going to buy "Dragongly in amber" anyway.
To sum it up, the "Outlander" series, from what I felt about the first book, may be one of the most interesting and well-written that I've read. It's got all the necessary elements: good characters, a good plot, and a good writer.
Grade 9.2/10
Book Review: Claire slipped through the stones and took me with her.
Summary: 5 Stars
Outlander, the first in the Outlandish series by Diana Gabaldon, is a book I picked out because I liked its dust jacket. It is time-travel si-fi with a romantic twist. No wonder people have a difficult time deciding what to label Ms. Gabaldon's work. Not exactly science-fiction, not a mystery, not all together adventure, not even a romance, but a wonderful meshing of each. Could it be that such a masterpiece deserves its own category? Perhaps.From the beginning I was captured and held prisoner by the tale of Claire Randall, her love for her husband Frank, and their attempt to bolster their flagging relationship after WWII. Our heroine is the type of woman we all want to be: smart, wise and always prepared for what might come our way. An experienced combat nurse and amateur botanist is great preparation for her step through the magical standing stones into 18th Century Scotland. Almost immediately (after a confrontation between she and her husband's evil look-alike ancestor) Claire falls into the arms of her true love and soul-mate, Jamie Fraser. Like any human, his flaws are evident. I think the reason he is such a likable sort is that he is so human, much like the heros in novels by Laura Kinsale (one of Diana Gabaldon's favorite writers, by the way).
Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager and Drums of Autumn are each, in their own right, extremely well written with characters so vivid and well defined that the reader begins to feel as if they know them. Scenes are full and rich in historical accuracy. Descriptions and attention to details leave one with a sense of having been there, having touched the fabrics, smelled the scents and tasted the foods of another far away time. Battle scenes are so intense, that you can almost hear the twang and scrape of clashing broadswords, feel the thunder of pounding horse's hooves. Images induced by such talented writing tends to live with the reader long after the last page has been turned.
The last in the series published thus far, Drums of Autumn, has set the stage for more action to come. Claire, Jamie, their daughter Brianna and her love, Roger, are tottering on the brink of the American Revolution. The witch Gellis once told Claire that the reason people are allowed to travel from one time to another is to change events. Who knows, the Brittish may win this time. Lead on, Diana, your fans will follow.
Book Review: Beware. Just like life. Really.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're a reader of formula "bodice ripper" romance novels, BEWARE. There's plenty of that in here, but love hurts, love makes mistakes and everyone gets dirty, too...just like life. If you like Sci-Fi, BEWARE, there are elements of science fiction in here, but they are minimal...just like life. If you are the politically correct sort and have a problem with a writer writing accurately for the time, and thus prefer anachronistic heros (historical characters with modern sensibilities) BEWARE, you will probably find yourself offended, because ugly, human things happen to these characters, thinkgs which must be worked through...just like life. If you are offended by the idea of a fascinating character being both gay and reprehensible, BEWARE...there are both straight and gay bad guys here...just like real life. If you dislike the idea of characters ever turning to their faith to help them through something, BEWARE...Jamie and Claire end up having to go on faith for a while...just like life. If you have a problem with reading about(accurate for the era) persecution of "witches" and other types of unfair treatment of women, BEWARE...Claire must endure a great deal of unfairness and find ways to assert herself with dignity...just like real life. If you have a problem with a husband and wife having great make-up sex, BEWARE. This couple works hard at being married and the fights that come with working hard also end up in lovemaking...just like life. The problem with this book is it defies easy catagorization...it has lushly romantic elements, and the overarching theme of the book is the redemptive and healing power of love. But it doesn't belong on the same shelves as the formula regency romances. At times it reads like a handbook of herbal healing (which I happened to like), at times it reads like a Clint Eastwood movie, at times it reads like pulp fiction. It is a round, fully realized book that reflects the human condition in all of its brokenness and nobility. I can only tell you that everyone I have ever recommended it to, male or female, gay or straight, has loved it. One of the gents in my book discussion group got into quite an argument with one of the women about which one of them loved Jamie more! :-)
Book Review: Engrossing Escapism
Summary: 5 Stars
For all of you who are looking for a book that keeps you pinned to its pages, I *highly* recommend Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Like the majority of people who have read it, I have to say its one of the best books I've ever read and upon finishing it my mind instantly craved more. The following week I ran back to my bookstore and snatched up the next three books in the series and am currently waiting for The Fiery Cross (book #5) to come out on paperback here in Canada.I have to say, when I read the back of the book and read the words "time travel" and "romance", I was ready to put Outlander back on its shelf. Thank God I didn't and opted instead to read the first few pages. Well, it didn't turn out to be the first few; I had to be asked on numerous occasions to move so that other people could get to the books on the shelf I had been standing in front of while reading.
The book involves so much and as mentioned by many of the other reviewers here, it has no one particular genre. That is true and is probably the main reason it appeals to so many. It has something for everyone: adventure, history, romance, GREAT writing, mystery...the list goes on.
I've found that quite a few readers stopped following the book once they reached the infamous "beating" scene between the two protagonists. There is one point that none of these reviewers bothers to mention. Claire (Outlander's heroine) does NOT get beaten solely because she disobeyed Jamie (Outlander's hero). She gets beaten because in disobeying Jamie, she came close to KILLING a significant number of men in their travelling party. Now I'm not going to ruin the book for everyone else by divulging any more details. I would just hate to see that people not read this book because of what other readers are saying is a barbaric act that is dealt with lightly, namely, wife beating. If a man had done what Claire did during the 1700's in Scotland it is likely he would have been killed, if not "beaten within an inch of his life". In my opinion, Mrs. Gabaldon handled that scene with proper care and it certainly didn't disappoint me (and I'm an adamant Woman! LOL)
Now do yourselves a favour and pick this book up. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.