Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
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Book Reviews of Outlander
Book Review: A literal bodice-ripper
Summary: 3 Stars
Well, it wasn't what I expected. I thought Outlander was a fantasy novel and was disappointed to discover it really isn't, much. It's a historical romance, as it turns out, something I finally figured out after reading the gazillionth graphic sex scene, interspersed with dialog straight out of Harlequin, right down to the lovers shouting names at each other and resolving their adolescent arguments with yet another roll in the hay. I obviously didn't do my homework beforehand.
I'm not a fan of romance novels, obviously; I find them smothering and dull. All that emphasis on the relationship between two characters, with the rest of the world as mere backdrop. This one added a lot of elements of S&M, including rapes, intended rapes, and homosexual rapes and attempted buggery. The main female character gets her bodice ripped and body groped and displayed on multiple occasions, and there's one especially disturbing scene between her and her beloved husband where he rapes her until she gives in and just enjoys it. An even more disturbing scene involves the main male character graphically describing his own rape and sexual torture. I skimmed over this; I felt the author was enjoying it all too much, which was just creepy. Everyone in this story seems to want to have sex with Jamie or beat him or both, which just got tiresome. I wanted to tell the author that she and her character should just go rent a whip and get a room.
So. Why didn't I just give it one star? Because the author keeps you reading, in spite of all this. She knows how to move things along. There are occasional glimpses of other interesting characters; they're not all two-dimensional, at least up until the last third of the book, when the the story line felt rushed and not as well thought out. Also, I kept reading because of the premise; I hoped we would hear more about time travel and the rich dilemma that it presents and the tough decisions one would have to make about affecting the future, etc. Gabaldon set up a great premise there but unfortunately didn't pursue it in this book. It's such a strong idea for a story that I'm pondering reading the next one to see if she eventually follows through. We'll see, though; there are a lot of books in this series and my patience is already wearing thin.
Book Review: excellent historical romance!
Summary: 5 Stars
When wartime nurse Claire Randall goes on vacation in 1945 with her husband Frank to the Scottish highlands, she never dreams that she might walk through a stone circle and end up in the middle of a skirmish between English Redcoats and Scottish highlanders in 1743. Now, stranded and friendless, Claire must find her way amongst these people, fighting suspicion from both the Scotsmen who give her sanctuary and the English they hate, with but one true ally - a passionate and sincere young Scots outlaw named James Fraser.
What I can say about Outlander? I finished this last night and immediately made a post in my livejournal with lots of fangirlish squeeing going on. I'm trying very hard not to repeat that here, so I can make an intelligent review. To summarize it, though: Diana Gabaldon is amazing at her character building. I completely fell in love with Jamie, who is a very three-dimensional character, not just some generic Scottish highland romance hero. I was with Claire every step of her journey through time and the Highlands - including being PO'd at Jamie when she was. I hated the antagonist with every ounce of feeling I could muster, and loved Jamie's sister Jenny entirely.
Not only is Gabaldon a master at building characters, she presents Claire's fantastical story in such a way as to be entirely believable. I almost believe that if I were to go back to Inverness and Culloden, I would be able to find a circle of stones which could take me back to the Jacobite uprising - not that I would really want to find myself in that mess. I completely believed Claire's encounter with Nessie, and loved all the little historical details Gabaldon added to the book.
I cannot wait to race through the next 5 books in this series, and then on to the Lord John series (which is a companion series to Outlander - it takes place during the same time period, but with entirely different characters). Then I'll probably go back and re-read them again to catch all the details I missed the first time around. The book is some 850 pages long, and having gone through it in a week I know I missed a good deal of detail. I keep having to ask my mother (who introduced me to the series) about some bit or another, and have to refrain from begging her to tell me what happens later in the series!
Book Review: Just Too Much
Summary: 2 Stars
In the Outlander by Diana Galbaldon, we first meet Claire Beauchamp Randall while she is on her second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank. It is 1945, and after being separated during the war, while Claire worked as a combat nurse and Frank as a soldier, they both decided that this is a well-deserved vacation to renew their relationship. Frank is most interested in continuing his research on his relative, Captain John "Black Jack" Randall and Claire, a little bored decide to learn more about the medicinal value of the area plants. One day during an outing Claire touches a boulder and is transported back to 1743 and lands in the middle of a skirmish between English soldiers, let by none other than Black Jack, and a Scottish Highland tribe. What are they to think when they come upon Claire in what they consider a state of undress for their times? Is she a spy for the English, a bar maid, or a French lady who is separated from her group? Will Claire be able to return to 1945 and Frank, or will she want to stay in 1743, with a new husband, the dashing Jamie Frasier?
This book has been categorized as historical fiction, historical romance, military history, and an adventure tale. While I found the story full of history, battle details, sex, violence, betrayal, loyalty, love, revenge, tradition, and romance, none of these elements held my interest in the story. The story went on a little too long and became repetitive in parts. We learn early on that Captain Randall is out to get Jaime Frasier at any cost, but the story seemed to repeat the same capture and escape scene several times too many. Claire has her moments to shine in the story, but came up short on more than one occasion. There were some nice touches in the story, such as when Claire figures that a vaccination mark on another women means that she is also a time traveler. Jaime falling in love with Claire was touching but these highs were too few and far between for me.
This is a book series that has a large following, so for me this book illustrates the saying, every book is not for everybody but every book is for someone.
This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub
Book Review: I bluidy loved it
Summary: 5 Stars
I LOVED Outlander. It was so so so so wonderful!
While I got a little bored with the early description of Frank and Clares 20th century marriage, once Clare time travelled back in time to Scotland the book truly took off. Clare is sassy and smart and a really likable character.
English Captain Randall (Frank's 6x great grandfather) is a complicatied, interesting, totally mad-as-a-cut-snake villain. I though he was really wonderfully described. There is a M/M abuse scene at the end of the story which was a little hard to read, if only because I couldnt stand such horrors happening to Jamie, who puts his body through hell in defence of those he loves.
That was my only other issue, Jamie is injured grieviously, a LOT throughout the book. In fact he is beaten bloody at least four times, is whipped and flayed and stabbed and shot and pretty much run throuh the meat grinder and yet always gets back up in relatively short time. I just didnt really believe that someone's body, even Jamie Fraser's could withstand such trauma. But that's just me.
The romance: I never though a twenty-three year old virgin could be so damn sexy. Jamie is the perfect action hero and so perfect for Clare. A lot of people had issues with the scene where Jamie belts Clare with his belt. I didnt... In fact it was one of my favourite scenes in the book. And I thought it was time appropriate. We are talking about a man in 18th century Scotland. Jamie behaves just as his contemporaries would and it is so clear that he loves Clare.
The romance was the major drawcard for me, I enjoyed the enriching historical details and while I was leery of a historical romance with a time-travelling twist, Gabaldon pulled it together wonderfully. Reading the reviews here I always expected it to be excellent and boy was it.
I am now heading out in the rain to buy Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2)
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves adventurous historicals or historical romances, it is a long, dense read but immensely enjoyable. Try it, I would be VERY surprised if you don't enjoy it.
Book Review: BEST BOOK EVER!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The story: While on her second honeymoon in Scotland, Claire Randall touches a standing stone and finds herself transported to 18th century Scotland. Here she must face the dangers of English dragoons, Castle Leoch and the MacKenzie clan, and just plain survival. In order to keep the leader of the dragoons from taking her into custody as a spy, she must marry a young Scott named Jamie Fraser.Jamie is strong, young, and laird of his own estate, but he has no idea what to do with this strange woman that fascinates him and stirs his very soul. He vows to protect her, and because she is a suspected spy and witch, that becomes very difficult. Their love becomes all consuming, and Claire is torn between a husband she loves in the future, and the man her heart cannot live without.
Claire and Jamie use her knowledge of the future to try and save Scotland from the ravages of war induced by General Cumberland and Bonny Prince Charlie. Can two people change the future, and if not can their love survive the hands of time.
This is one of the best books ever written, in my humble opinion. I hesitate to write this review, because I know that I cannot do this book justice. The way Diana Gabaldon weaves history, love and war, and a love that time cannot tear apart, it truly beautiful. This is an epic tale. There are five books in this series and they are all at least 800 pages. It is a commitment to read them all, but I promise you it is worth it. Each book in the series is as good as the last, and you cannot help but fall in love with Jamie and Claire.
Ah, Jamie...the red headed, Scottsman that dreams are made of! He leaps of the page and grabs the heart of every reader. And Claire, is such a smart, strong and independent woman. She is a nurse and she must relearn her craft in the 18th century. You learn with her as she studies medicinal herbs and remedies. The research put into this book is incredible!
I do not know what else to say except, that anyone that has not read the Outlander series is truly missing out on one of the greatest joys ever!
JBogue
paper-and-lace
Specializing in paranormal romance and fiction.