Voyager (Outlander)
by Diana Gabaldon
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.49 You Save: $9.51 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.24 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Voyager (Outlander)
Book Review: Too much 'adventure', not enough reality
Summary: 2 Stars
Like many others, I loved Outlander. I must have read it 3 times in as many weeks. I enjoyed Dragonfly quite a bit and thought it a well written, if painful, continuation of the story. I had high hopes for Voyager, but now I have no plans to read the continuing saga.
I'm willing to give the author leeway in a lot of areas and I must admit that at times Voyager really did enthrall me. Some of the moments between Claire and Jamie were all I hoped them to be. But those were the few bright spots in what I thought was a largely disappointing book.
The areas I can't get past....
1. Some of the plot points were downright ridiculous. I found the mysticism of the first two books a nice balance between the tangible and the unexplainable. The 'weirdness' factor in this racheted up quite a bit and I found myself, instead of being open to the possibilities, skipping pages until something more realistic happened. In addition, some of the logic was sketchy or way off. The most painful leap, to me, happens when one character does another character a favor. This favor could have been done several years earlier, in my opinion, with really no excuse as to why it wasn't done so. My only conclusion is that it was for selfish reasons - so why does a great friendship come out of this?? There were so many times when I was reading and thinking "Really? You can't see any other way out of this?"
2. The 'coincidences' in this book are so ASTOUNDING it makes the plot seem extremely contrived. I can't shelve my logic long enough to accept all of the little convenient plot twists that happen. Coupled with the mystical weirdness, I found myself saying "Hmmm... You don't say," way too much. I'm open to the sense of fate the first two books inspire. Nothing in this book felt like fate - just like a failing story needing more 'twists' to make it interesting.
3. The writing is painfully repetitive; a good editor was obviously lacking here. I also found myself getting irritated with little details that seemed wrong. Is Jamie's scar on his right or left hand?? I'm pretty sure it's on his left, but Claire seems to find it on his right at times.
4. All of the main characters do things extremely out of character at different times. Some of what Jamie, Claire and Jenny do were so surprising to me, I really thought less of characters. I don't expect them to be perfect (they made plenty of mistakes and bad decisions in the first two books), but they shouldn't do things completely out of left field. You would expect wisdom and determination at their ages, especially with all they've survived. Instead, you wonder, at times, if you even know them at all.
5. It was more of an adventure story than the reunion story I had hoped it would be. There was so little time devoted to Jamie and Claire as a couple, I found myself longing for some boring times just so I could be with them. And, since I found the adventure largely unbelievable, I was irritated with the plot.
There are a lot of other problems I have, but there is really no sense in cataloging any more. I was glad to see Claire and Jamie reunited, but I do regret what this book has done to my sense of the characters and story. Coupled with the mediocre reviews of the later books, I have no intention of reading further. I figure if I give it some time, I'll be able to read Outlander again with some of the joy it brought me initially - the author can truly be proud of that work. I'd rather let my own imagination, however, continue the story.
Book Review: good and bad, ye ken?
Summary: 5 Stars
I stumbled upon Outlander several years ago and loved that lengthy novel. Jamie and Claire stayed in my mind and I often found myself, apropos of nothing, wondering whatever became of them. The love and friendship they felt for one another went far beyond that of the typical bodice ripper, and Gabaldon's details and (mostly) accurate portrayal of the 18th century were excellent.
When I found Dragonfly in Amber I immediately began to devour it and have never been so moved by a sequel. Since it was several years after I read Outlander, the beginning scenes set in 1968 and the shifting narration felt a little disjointed and confusing. It began to flow, though, and once again I found myself captured by the tragedy and love in the two characters' lives. Throughout the book, I had a sense of foreboding and felt distraught at the thought that something might happen to separate these two. I had to skip to the last page (which I never do with books!) just to reassure myself. Even knowing the end, I found myself crying over the farewell scene (which I also never do with books!). I had to know immediately what happened so I bought Voyager and stayed up most of the night reading it.
Voyager picks up almost exactly where DIA ended, with Claire learning that Jamie did not, in fact, die at Culloden. She continues her search for more information about what happened to him afterward, and this 20th century story is interwoven with the events occurring immediately after Claire went back through the stones. Reading a "Jamie-centric" perspective is a welcome change from the normal first person, as we follow him over the next years--from his living in a cave, to his imprisonment, to his fathering an illegitimate child. Overall, though, is the sense of loss and longing between the two and the love that has never ended. When Claire decides to go back to try to find him, it seems both irresponsible (leaving her daughter behind) and the only possible thing she can do. Gabaldon is wise enough to make these characters have new, unknown complexities upon their reunion, rather than sticking the same twenty-somethings into older bodies and expecting us to believe their feelings are exactly the same. Both are changed and wiser, and we experience the challenges of rediscovering each other alongside Jamie and Claire.
Somewhere past the halfway mark, though, I began to grow restless. Yes, the life of an 18th century Jacobite traitor/smuggler/warrior is bound to be complex and difficult. But do we need to see them thrown into every possible adventure of the era? Do we need to watch them sail across the Atlantic to encounter the same set of people from their past? Do we really believe that Jamie is literally impossible to kill? In addition, many things are vague and left unexplained, such as why Jamie is suddenly the captain of French soldiers, and whether it's Jamie or another Highlander who is the cause of Miss Campbell's madness.
In all, this was both a heartbreaking and an uplifting story and made Jamie and Claire come "full circle." To me, this is a logical place to stop the series, and I am content to let them live on in my mind without further forays into improbable adventures.
Book Review: Voyager
Summary: 5 Stars
This, like Dragonfly in Amber the second book, was fantastic. It continued a great storyline and provided plenty of action and adventure, and that ever steady romance between Jamie and Claire.
A larger book, it covers quite a bit of ground in the story of Jamie and Claire's relationship. It starts where Dragonfly in Amber leaves off, with Claire still in the 20th century with her daughter Brianna. They are searching through the history books to see what became of Jamie Fraser, Claire's husband from the 18th century. When at last they find him, Claire must make the decision on whether she will go back in time to seek him out, or stay in the present with her daughter.
Persuaded by her daughter to go to him. She prepares for her journey back in time and once again steps through the stones. Back in the past, she rather quickly finds Jamie and starts on a whole series of misfortunes and adventures starting with the burning down of Jamie's print shop and an unsuccessful smuggling attempt to bring in alcohol. Forced to flee the city, they return to Jamie's home in Lallybroch.
Lallybroch isn't too peaceful however, as Claire learns that in her 20 year absence, Jamie has married again. And not only has he married, but it was to a woman who tried to kill her in the first book. A settlement is reached and Jamie, not having the funds to pay off Laoghaire (the 2nd wife) takes his young nephew to obtain some jewels that are buried off the coast. However, before his nephew Ian can get back to them, he is abducted by pirates.
Because of this, and a promise to Jamie's sister to keep her son safe, they head for the Caribbean. Beset by the British Navy and many other foes, reaching the Caribbean is not easy for them and they are separated numerous times along the way. When they finally reach the islands it still stays dangerous in their quest to save Ian.
Like the other books, this one is mainly written from Claire's point of view. It retains the rich descriptions and wordiness that Gabaldon is known for but the length of the book does not detract from the enjoyability of it.
My only complaint would be that we are reintroduced to a character that was presumably dead in the first novel, but has come back and changed drastically. While Gabaldon gives a plausible explanation to this change, it still seems out of place and a bit unbelievable.
The 3rd book in the series, Voyager, is a great read. However, the first two books should be read before it; this is not a stand-alone read.
Voyager
Copyright 1994
870 pages
Book Review: The best one thus far -- Jamie and Claire are captivating!
Summary: 5 Stars
Diana Gabaldon has regaled her readers with the passionate story of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser in this (thus far) memorable series. In Outlander, former WWII combat nurse and married woman Claire Randall is transported to Eighteenth Century Scotland where she meets highlander warrior Jamie Fraser and embarks upon a beautiful love affair that transcends time and boundaries. In Dragonfly in Amber, twenty years had passed from her unique time-travel experience and she is now with Jamie's daughter, Brianna. After her twentieth century husband dies, she goes back in time and tries to save Jamie from being killed in the battle of Culloden, which she fails to do -- or so she thinks. In this third offering, Claire returns to the eighteenth century to recapture her romance with Jamie after discovering that he had survived the battle of Culloden. While this happens, the reader gets a glimpse into what their lives had been like during the twenty years they were apart. There are many twists throughout the novel.
Voyager, like the previous two novels, is richly historical and beautifully narrated with precise details and romantic prose. There are a number of new colorful characters in this one that I enjoyed very much. I also got to read more insightful tales of Scottish and other European history. The historical references fascinated me, especially the ones centered on the Scottish Highlands. I also found the storylines centered on voodoo to be quite compelling and intriguing. And of course I enjoyed reading about what are now one of my all-time favorite fictional couples in literature. This love story that transcends time is truly captivating. These two characters speak to me in a whole unique way. I like the scenes that some readers deem disturbing and dark, like the ones centered on corporal punishment. This is one of the areas in which the author is keeping true to the times, for corporal punishment was quite common in those times. Also, there are complaints that the book is sometimes boring because of its large length. This novel did not feel long to me at all. After reading almost nine-hundred pages (trade paperback) I felt as though the book hadn't been long enough. I hated to see it end. Voyager is my favorite novel of this series thus far. I cannot wait to give Drums of Autumn a whirl. Outlander fans must simply read this third offering. And for others who are new to the series, I recommend that you read these books in order. Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber precede this one. Enjoy!
Book Review: Still enchanting, in spite of the flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I am back to rekindle my love for Jamie Alexander Fraser. The second book left me in such an emotional turmoil, I just had to know how the drama ends. I cheated and flipped through pages of "Voyager" to get closure some weeks ago but now it is finally time to read and enjoy the book in full...
Once again, Gabaldon doesn't disappoint. She has a talent for characterization and is a stellar storyteller, there is no doubt about it. Once again, she takes us on a fabulous adventure through times and countries. The first third of the book follows the stories of Claire and Jamie as they live separately for 20 years in their own worlds. I thought I would dislike this segment, but in fact it is by far my favorite part of the book. There is a lot of sadness, tragedy, loneliness and longing on these pages, as Jamie and Claire mourn each other's loss.
When our couple get together, Gabaldon takes us on an emotional roller-coaster ride as Jamie and Claire try to re-discover each other and come to terms with their dark secrets of the past and their time apart, they are also forced to undertake a lot of traveling when all they want is to be together. Not to give anything away, but prepare yourself for an intense adventure through brothels, slave markets, sea voyage, Jamaican forests, etc.
"Voyager" is a great book, but again, I can't give it 5 stars. First, the shift in POVs. It bothered me some in "Dragonfly in Amber," but there is more of it in "Voyager." For the most part, the book is written in 1st person from Claire's POV, but some parts are written in 3rd person from the POVs of Jaime, Roger, Clare, and even Lord John Grey, even though he is a very-very secondary character. I am not going to say that the story itself suffers from it, but it creates a bit of a sloppy narration IMO.
The other thing I didn't care for is the presence of mysticism. Granted, the time-travel itself isn't really something real, but the ending of the book just has way too much of "unrealness," too much of unexplained paranormal, in fact so much that I found it a little hard to swallow.
Were Gabaldon not such an engaging writer, I probably wouldn't have forgiven these flaws. But she is one, and in spite of the flaws, "Voyager" is an irresistible combination of adventure, history, tragedy, violence, love, humour, and (last but not leas) smut. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will undoubtedly read next installment - "Drums of Autumn."