The Outlandish Companion
by Diana Gabaldon
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Book Summary Information
Author: Diana GabaldonEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1999-06-29
ISBN: 0385324138
Number of pages: 496
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Reviews of The Outlandish Companion
Book Review: Delivers What It Promises
Summary: 3 Stars
Fans of this (some say too wordy) time traveling series will find a generous amount of information given here, both of the behind the scenes sort and simply of the type that details and hopefully enhances an understanding of the colorful world Diana Gabaldon has created over the past decade and a half. As they've moved from Scotland to North Carolina, England to France, from the twentieth century to the eighteenth, the characters of these novels have certainly lived eventful, albeit imaginary lives, and in the pages of this encyclopedic overview, much is, as promised, explained by this likeably down to earth writer. Gabaldon has cordially taken the time to answer the questions readers have most often asked her, listed and given short biographies of everyone (sigh, yes everyone) who ever appeared in her hefty books, has talked about settings, customs, legends, histories, and anachronisms as they've related to her 4,000-plus page-long saga, and has probably unintentionally turned out yet another work so massive it will bend the shelves of almost any bookcase.
Of course for those (um, like me) who bailed out after getting through the first book and who might wish to read condensations of Gabaldon's epic novels in order to see what came next, The Outlandish Companion is a time saver, because it includes dense, thorough, Cliff Notes' like overviews of every book in the series the author had released up to the time of this guide's publication. Personally I found spending two hours reading a couple hundred pages of overviews was more enjoyable than investing three months in her novels, but I know fans of the series will glare at me for thinking so, and I respectfully understand why.
All in all I'm tempted to say a hard-core fan might get more from The Outlandish Companion than someone who has casually read her works, but there is still much here to catch the eye. Frankly, there is also a lot contained within that the book would have been better without. Like her novels themselves, this reference work was too wordy, too self-indulgent, and heavy enough to leave your chest bruised if you try to read it in bed.
Possess it at your own peril...
Summary of The Outlandish Companion
New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon has captured the hearts of millions with her critically acclaimed novels, Outlander. Dragonfly In Amber, Voyager, and Drums Of Autumn. From the moment Claire Randall accidentally steps through a magical stone that transports her back in time more than 200 years to 1743, and into the arms of Scottish soldier Jamie Fraser, readers have been enthralled with this epic saga of time travel, adventure, and love everlasting.Now Diana Gabaldon has written the ultimate companion guide to her bestselling series, the book only she could write - a beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish. As a special bonus for those who are eagerly awaiting the next appearance of Jamie and Claire, she includes never - before - published excerpts from upcoming works in the series. And there's lots more in this lavish keepsake volume for the many devoted fans who yearn to learn the stories behind the stories:
? Full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn
? A complete listing of the characters in all four novels, including extensively researched family trees and genealogical notes
? Professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire
? A comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage
? The fully explicated Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel
? Frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers
? An annotated bibliography
? Tips, personal stories - even a recipe or two
? Essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, and more
With the insight, humor, and eye for detail that has made her novels such an outstanding success story. Diana Gabaldon here gives her readers the best gift of all?The Outlandish Companion.
For nine years, four books, and nearly 4,000 pages, Diana Gabaldon has entranced readers with her talent for historical authenticity, dramatic plot lines, and strong characters in the Outlander series. Her superb writing has earned a loyal audience, but after a million and a half words, even the most fervent of fans may have a difficult time trying to recall the exact details of the secondary characters, let alone the obscure ones. Thankfully, Gabaldon's The Outlandish Companion is here to help.
Part crib notes and part trivia guide, this essential handbook includes synopses of the first four novels, a character guide, notes on plot development and research, answers to frequently asked questions, and teasers for the upcoming novels--there're even horoscope charts of the central characters, a list of fan Web sites, and choice recipes for the truly devoted.
Readers looking for a fix of Gabaldon's humorous voice or insight into her writing processes and characters will certainly be more than satisfied, but those looking for the next installment of Jamie and Claire's adventures will have to wait for The Fiery Cross, the fifth book in this bestselling series, expected sometime in late 1999 to early 2000. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
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