Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
paperback 850 pages
published by Delacorte Press in 1991
ISBN-13: 9780440212560
Type: {Weekend Read: A book to curl up on the couch with.}
Rating: {An Uputdownable: Couldn’t eat or sleep until I finished this book.)
Why You’re Reading It:
- You’ve heard the hype and want to see what the fuss is about
- You’re interested in series’ that have cult followings
- You like Historical Fiction and Romance with a dash of SciFi thrown in
- You want to remember what it’s like to first fall in love and prefer to read about it with adult characters who can actually have sex and aren’t vampires
What I Thought:
In 1945, Claire Randall is vacationing in Scotland with her husband, Frank. After years of serving as a combat nurse and being separated from her husband, they are taking a second honeymoon. And though Claire is more along for the ride than actually directing the course of their trip, it is she who ends up having the greatest adventure. One morning while scouting for wild herbs, Claire enters an ancient stone circle and touches the altar rock. Before she knows it she is transported to 1743 and is a Sassenach (outlander) in 18th century Scottish Highlands.
I won’t tell you anymore of the plot other than, of course, there is a fantastic love story that happens for her in 1743. The questions are: Does Claire cheat on Frank (and what is cheating anyway when Frank technically isn’t born yet)? Does she ever get the chance to go back to her time, and if so does she chose to?
These questions along with a butterflies-in-your-stomach love story involving witch hunts, battles, Gaelic traditions, 18th century medicine, and journeys come together to bring you the first book in the Outlander series. But don’t take my word (or the millions of other voices who highly recommend this book), try it out for yourself.
By the way, I actually miss Jamie and Claire. Like they’re real people. And yes, I know that’s weird. I keep thinking to myself that it’s time to get back to Jamie and Claire, and then I remember that I finished the book days ago. I’m telling you people, it’s strange (in a very good sense) the way it sucks you in!
(Note, even though it is widely thought of as a Romance novel, I found it in the general fiction section Barnes and Noble and consider it more Historical Fiction than anything else.)
This book was recommended to me by Unputdownables reader: Zoe. Thanks Zoe!
Buy this book from Powell’s for as low as $3.50 and Unputdownables gets a commission!
I’ve heard so many amazing things about this series. I definitely need to add it to my tbr
Thanks for the great review!
You’re welcome. Yes, definitely add it! I just got a call from the bookstore telling me that my copy of the second book in the series (Dragonfly in Amber) has arrived. Yay!
You’re welcome girl! Soooo glad you liked it
I heard the hype and want to see what the fuss is about
I am really curious about this one, it’s on my TBR list for this summer
I absolutely recommend giving it a try. I’ve never been to Scotland but it absolutely makes me want to go. Have you been Emily? (You’re in Ireland aren’t you — not too far?)
I just bought it as my first book on my kindle!
Oh yay! I hope you like it. And congrats on your first Kindle purchase!
Are you able to read it on the bus or have you tried? Also, I saw Kindle covers at Radio Shack yesterday. They are simple but it the will do (mine is simple too) until you find something you like better.
Ok, I started reading this awhile back and at first thought it was silly but now I am kinda into it! I just couldn’t get past the traveling back in time aspect although I read time travelers wife and had no problem with that. Now I read it every night before bed and think its developed into a good story! xo Mal
Maybe because Time Traveler’s Wife was actually about the time travel and she got more in depth with it? Outlander has time travel in it, but it’s more of a subplot than the actual crux of the story. The real point is the love story. Often this is labeled under Romance, although I think it’s hard to define since it is so many different genres rolled into one (and id more complex than most romances). It takes a good 50 pages or so to get into it, but once you start knowing the characters it starts rolling. I hope it picks up even more for you!
I just noticed the Diana Gabaldon tag while I was gushing over Attachments, so I have to ask: are you still reading the series? And you should check out MyOutlanderPurgatory.com. It’s an awesome, entertaining site that will help you get your Jamie and Claire (mostly Jamie) fix.
I have the second book sitting on a shelf. I started it, but found it hard to get into. However, I’ve been told that one is a bit slow compared to the others. I need to just plow through it one of these days. When I do, I will most definitely look at that site! Thanks for sharing it.
You should definitely give it another chance…and the audio versions of the books are pretty amazing (the narrator does a grea Jamie), so maybe you could try that!
Good idea — I SHOULD borrow this one on audio… I’m sure that will help!
And just so you know, have the third book handy when you are near the end of the second…it is quite the cliff-hanger!
Let me just tell you that I’m SO glad someone else thinks Jamie and Claire are like real people. I miss them when I’m taking a break from the series. People think I’m crazy.