In late 2015, while browsing in Barnes and Noble, I came across a book titled "Written in my Own Heart's Blood" by Diana Gabaldon. The title immediately caught my attention, and I thought to myself, "This sounds amazing." I picked up the hardcover edition, which was nearly 1000 pages long. As I flipped through it, I suddenly realized that it was the most recent book in a series, and all the previous books were also practically a thousand pages each. Since I can't read a series out of order, I reluctantly put it back on the shelf and said to myself, "Another time."

Fast-forward to 2016. I decided to sign up for the 2016 Reading Challenge, with the goal of reading 52 books in a year, which means one book per week. I had a great start in January, but then things took a turn for the worse. In February, I didn't add any books to my reading list. I managed to get myself started again in March, but April and May were also epic fails, with no books added.

However, I'm not one to easily give up. So, in June, I got myself back on track. June was going well, and I was averaging about one book every 4 to 5 days, which meant I could catch up by September. Towards the end of June, I finished reading a book and realized that I didn't have anything new to read. I headed downstairs to my building's small library, which has about 1000 books to choose from. As I perused the shelves, I saw "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. I decided to buckle down and read the nearly 1000-page paperback version. I was determined to do it, although I knew it wouldn't be possible in a week.

It actually took a little longer than expected because I had a last-minute family visit/trip where I didn't read for about 4 days. But despite that, I still had a great time. And when I finally finished "Outlander," I absolutely loved it! I had to suspend my disbelief at some things, especially the amount of necessary repeated violence. But then I thought to myself, perhaps I'm being a little whiny considering what these characters go through without complaining. Could I really take that much blood loss and hits? Probably not, as vanity would likely kick in and I'd not make it through.

Now, I'm excited to read the rest of the series. But first, I need to catch up on my 2016 Reading Challenge. My target is November, when I hope to be almost ahead of where I should be with 44 out of 52 books read by then. So, if you haven't read "Outlander" yet, I highly recommend it. It's a unique blend of historical fiction, fantasy (with the whole time portal thing), romance (without too much focus on it), and pure character study.

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, has returned from the war and is reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon. As they visit the ancient stone circles in the British Isles, Claire walks through a standing stone and suddenly finds herself in 1743 Scotland, a land torn by war and raiding Highland clans. She is now an "outlander," a Sassenach in a foreign time and place.

Claire's adventure begins as she meets various people, including Captain Randall. The story unfolds with her struggles to adapt to this new world and her growing relationship with Jamie Fraser. Jamie is a character that the reviewer absolutely adores, finding his words beautiful and romantic. The wedding night scene is particularly memorable, with Jamie's honest and endearing response to Claire's question about her virginity.

The reviewer also shares her love for Scotland, having visited the country twice. She hopes her son will start at Edinburgh University, giving her another excuse to visit. The language and descriptive prose of the book do not bother her, as she loves historicals and can understand some of the Gaelic, which is similar to Irish.

However, the reviewer admits that the first part of the book was tough going, with too much description of gorse bushes and herbs. But once the story reaches about 25%, things take off and she loves it. There are also some scenes in the book that might annoy or upset some people, but the reviewer believes that we have to suspend our disbelief when reading fiction.

Overall, the reviewer highly recommends "Outlander" as an epic read. She cannot wait to continue the series with "Dragonfly in Amber" and return to the adventures of Jamie and Claire.

She hopes that the TV series will be shown worldwide and that others will have the opportunity to experience this wonderful story.

The reviewer also shares some of her favorite quotes from the book, which add to the romance and excitement of the story.

Despite some minor flaws, "Outlander" is a book that has captured the reviewer's heart and imagination, and she encourages others to give it a try.

Outlander is a remarkable book that defies easy categorization. It was initially marketed as a romance novel, but it is so much more. It combines elements of romance, time travel, fantasy, and historical fiction to create a unique and captivating story.

The characters of Claire and Jamie are truly unforgettable. Claire is a strong and independent woman who finds herself thrust into a new time and place. She adapts well and uses her intelligence and medical knowledge to help those around her. Jamie, on the other hand, is the ultimate romantic hero. He is physically and mentally strong, with a deep sense of honor and a gentle heart. Their relationship is the heart and soul of the book, and it is a joy to watch them fall in love and grow together.

The setting of the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century is beautifully rendered. The author's attention to detail is evident in every page, from the descriptions of the landscapes to the clothing and customs of the people. The time travel aspect adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the author has done an excellent job of exploring the implications of such a concept.

While there are a few things that bothered me about the book, such as a couple of scenes that were a bit too intense for my taste, overall, I cannot recommend Outlander highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story, and it is sure to become a classic. I look forward to reading the sequels and continuing Jamie and Claire's adventures.

Reviewed for www.thcreviews.com

I'm feeling rather generous today, so I've decided to bump up my rating to a 5. Even though I do have some critiques and it's highly unlikely that I will continue this series, I'm left with a sense of obsession.

Yes, this story is rather long, with a slow pacing, and there really isn't an overall linear plot. In fact, it feels like the book is filled with repetitive little "side quests". There is also some questionable content and many questions that remain unanswered. However, my lingering positive feelings allow me to overlook all of this.

I absolutely love the dialogue, the descriptions, the characters, and the atmosphere. I felt as if I was transported to the Scottish Highlands right alongside Claire. Also, Jamie is truly the highlight of this entire book. People who say they didn't finish this book just for Jamie are probably lying. Lol. Immediately after finishing this, I watched about 10 episodes of the TV series, created a Gaelic playlist on Spotify, started a board on Pinterest with pictures of Scotland, and looked at flights. As I said, I'm now a little obsessed.

So although my feelings while reading this were closer to 3.5 - 4 stars, it's my post-reading feelings that I'm going to base my rating on.

↠ 4.5 stars

Yes! I read this. I admit it! You caught me! Not only that... I loved it. It is a double sin I will likely have to one day repent for by reading piles of Dostoyevsky while I tear out my hair. In any case. Right, once again into the breach to defend myself.

This book is incredibly long. It's just a fact. All of them are. But they go by so incredibly fast. By the time I got to the third one? I read it in three days. The pages just keep turning. I read at double speed I was so engrossed in the story. And I must admit that usually I hate time travel romances (... I mean.. not that I have any experience trying them before... never...). But this one is not even about that. Or if it is, it just makes it better.

Also? There is a pile of historical information in this text. It deals with the Bonnie Prince Charlie uprising, and the rest of the books go on to deal with the American colonies and the Revolution by the time that they're done. It's not just about the romance. It's about medical treatment, what horrid things Scottish people ate, the reality of what people would have suffered through. Which is in some cases I think a direct indictment of the Scottish Highlander bodice-rippers in which everyone is shining and perfect and with awfully clean white teeth. I'd say this is more historical fiction than romance.

But fine, let's deal with the romance. Yes. There is a lot of sex. However, I found it to also be deeply intimate and true, brutal, and real. Claire and Jamie, while apart, are deeply attractive and sympathetic characters with a good deal of nobility about them. Throw them together in love? And they are beautifully frail, selfish, angry, flawed. I love that statement. I really find them so incredibly touching.

So there. It's not just a romance novel. I stick my tongue out oh so maturely at the readers of this review.

I truly believe that this series offers so much more than just a simple love story. It takes the reader on a journey through history, filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters. The combination of romance, history, and adventure makes it a truly captivating read. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or romance, this series has something for everyone. So don't be afraid to give it a try and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

Whattttt! How on earth did I not mark this magnificent creation of a novel as read before???

I vividly remember reading this book two years ago. From the very first page, it had an enchanting charm that simply captured my heart. The story was so captivating, filled with rich characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

It's not just a book; it's a literary masterpiece that has become my favorite of all time.

I find myself constantly thinking about the characters and their adventures, and I can't wait to pick up the book again and relive those magical moments.

This novel truly deserves all the praise and recognition it has received, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful read.

(Ok, first off, there are going to be minor spoilers/hints in this review…read at your own risk, although I’ll try not to reveal too much.)

Outlander is an outstanding book. Despite its blue fake leather cover that costs four bucks and gives off the impression of being from the spinning rack at the airport bookstore, it manages to captivate the reader. I initially approached it with suspicion but was soon engrossed in the language and storyline within the first hundred pages. Here are the reasons:

**TEN GOOD THINGS ABOUT OUTLANDER**

1. The characterizations of Jamie and Claire, along with a few other less important figures, are excellent. Ms. G. takes great care to create rich and deep personalities. Jamie is not just a caricature of romantic manhood, and Claire is not a typical plucky damsel in distress.

2. As I’ve mentioned before, Ms. G. did her research thoroughly. Her attention to detail, whether it’s about plants or historical elements related to them, is admirable.

3. There are several truly funny passages in the book. Claire’s interactions with men who try to tell her what to do and her sharp tongue make for entertaining reading.

4. There are also a few very stimulating parts in Outlander. You know what I mean if you’ve reached the cave scene and a few others earlier in the book.

5. Ms. G. shows great insight into trust and relationships. The fights between Claire and Jamie seem real and at times intense. Jamie’s recovery near the end of the book and his description of his trials are terrifying. She doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions and causing emotional pain to the reader and the characters. Outlander is not an easy read.

6. The plot moves quickly, making me want to cheat and skip ahead to find out what happens next. This book seems like it would make a great screenplay. Why isn’t it a movie yet?

7. Ms. G. writes well. Her sentences are structured intelligently, and the reading experience is rarely dull. I managed to read 850 pages in three busy weeks and looked forward to picking up the book when the house grew quiet.

8. John Randall and the witch (I can’t remember her name, Ginnie or something) were both well-developed. Randall, in particular, fascinated me. Villains are usually not as complex as Mr. Randall.

9. The “time travel” aspect of the book, as Kirk pointed out, is handled very well and not overused in a sensationalistic way.

10. Outlander raises some fascinating ethical questions. It would make a great book club book. Should Claire get married? Did she put herself and some of her friends in unreasonable danger? What’s up with Randall? These are the types of questions it makes you think about.

**THREE THINGS I THOUGHT OUTLANDER COULD DO BETTER**

1. There were times when I felt Ms. G. was setting up the sequel a bit too much. It was like when you’re watching a movie and you know some plot points won’t be resolved until the next one. I had that feeling a couple of times.

2. The prison and Lollybrook (sp?) scenes dragged a bit. Outlander could probably have been split into two books.

3. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with some of the religious discussion during Jamie’s recovery. I’m not sure why Ms. G. included the priest and the conversation in which Claire’s actions are rationalized. I didn’t think it was necessary.

Ok, I have a question. Why is the quality of Outlander so controversial? It’s a really good book. Is it because it seems to be aimed primarily at women? Or is it the huge pile of Fabio-covered romance novels that taint Ms. G.’s work? I’ve said this before, but if this book were marketed differently, it could be a respected hit instead of a less-respected novel that sold a zillion copies but is perceived as being of lesser quality than it actually is (thanks, fake leather cover!). Don’t be afraid of Outlander. It’s a solid adventure story with good psychological insight and some steamy sex scenes. I doubt you’ll be disappointed. Take the risk. Don’t be a wuss.

This is actually a very difficult book for me to rate. On one hand, certain aspects of it were truly outstanding. The attention to detail was remarkable, allowing me to vividly visualize every scene and action. The premise of the novel was captivating, and there were parts that were filled with thrilling drama. Claire, the protagonist, was in many ways a strong and likable character. Her smart mouth and the way she pushed back against her male counterparts made her stand out. I also really liked Jamie. He was a well-developed character with a nice blend of good and bad traits, and his love for Claire was palpable. The tie-ins with history added an extra layer of authenticity to the story, and some of the secondary characters were also well-written. The writing, as a whole, was better than average.

On the other hand, there were several aspects of the book that I really didn't care for. Firstly, the book needed a serious round of editing. It was overly long and self-indulgent, with many scenes going on far too long and adding unnecessary detail. The plot, despite the length, was actually quite simple and repetitive. Secondly, the abundance of sexual violence was a major turn-off for me. While I understand that it was a reality of the time period, the author's repeated use of it as a plot device felt lazy and careless. The "beating scene" also bothered me, as Jamie's enjoyment of it seemed out of character. Additionally, the level of general violence and abuse throughout the novel was a bit much for my taste. I also thought that Randall was overdone as a villain, and the time travel logic needed some major improvement.
In conclusion, I suppose I can say that I liked the book "okay". Some parts were enjoyable, while others made me want to throw my Kindle. I'm not in love with it like many others, but it was still an entertaining read. However, after reading some summaries of the subsequent novels in the series, I've decided not to continue. The plots seem far too convoluted and not interesting enough for me. I'll just pretend that this is where the story ends and be happy with that.

**Title: A Mixed Bag of Emotions and Genres in "Outlander"**

The opening lines of "Outlander" draw us into a mysterious and disorienting experience. The protagonist's journey through a cleft in a stone, losing all sense of self, sets the stage for a story that will blend historical fiction with time travel and romance. As I delved into this six-hundred-page novel, I found myself weighing the pros and cons of the story.

On the one hand, the historical fiction aspect was engaging. Gabaldon creates a vivid and immersive world, complete with detailed descriptions of the Scottish landscape and the political turmoil of the time. The time travel element, however, was a bit of a turnoff for me. It often led to convoluted plotlines and headache-inducing paradoxes.

The characters were another mixed bag. Claire, the protagonist, was a strong and independent woman, but her Plot Dependent Intellect™ and lack of emotional depth made her frustrating at times. Jamie, on the other hand, was a more straightforward character, but his near-perfect qualities made him seem a bit too good to be true.

Despite these flaws, there were also many things to enjoy about "Outlander." Gabaldon's willingness to go dark and include brutally graphic scenes added a sense of realism to the story. The action payoffs were also well-done, and the overall scope and ambition of the novel were impressive.

In conclusion, "Outlander" is a book that defies easy categorization. It's a mashup of genres that is both messy and fun. While I had my issues with the story, I also found myself caring about the characters and their relationship. Gabaldon's ability to make me overlook the fundamental ridiculousness of their situation is a testament to her writing skills.

“I do not know now whether I went toward the cleft in the main stone, or whether it was accidental, a blind drifting through the fog of noise…I could say that my field of vision contracted to a single dark spot, then disappeared altogether, leaving not darkness, but a bright void. I could say that I felt as though I were spinning, or as though I were being pulled inside out. All these things are true, yet none of them conveys the sense I had of complete disruption, of being slammed very hard against something that wasn’t there. The truth is that nothing moved, nothing changed, nothing whatever appeared to happen and yet I experienced a feeling of elemental terror so great that I lost all sense of who, or what, or where I was. I was in the heart of chaos, and no power of mind or body was of use against it…”

-\\tDiana Gabaldon, Outlander


It seems like I have circled Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander for years, weighing the pros and cons of picking it up and embarking on a journey that stretches far beyond this hefty, six-hundred page novel.


On the pro side, it is historical fiction, and I typically enjoy historical fiction. It allows us to step back in time and experience a different era. Gabaldon does an excellent job of bringing the 18th century to life, with her detailed descriptions of the Scottish Highlands, the clothing, the food, and the way of life. We get a sense of what it was like to live in a time when war and political unrest were common.


On the con side, it involves time travel, and I normally dislike stories involving time travel. It often feels like a cheap gimmick, used to create artificial drama and conflict. In "Outlander," the time travel element is central to the story, and it does lead to some rather convoluted plotlines. For example, Claire’s穿越from 1945 to 1743 creates a whole host of problems, as she has to navigate a world that is vastly different from her own.


On the pro side, it is a massive, sprawling work, creating an immersive, tactile world. Gabaldon has clearly done her research, and it shows in the level of detail she provides. We feel like we are right there with Claire and Jamie, experiencing their adventures along with them. The world she has created is rich and vibrant, full of interesting characters and events.


On the con side, you need a mystical rock formation, which acts as a gateway into the space-time continuum, to reach this world. This felt a bit too fantastical for me, and it made it difficult for me to suspend my disbelief. While I understand that this is a work of fiction, and that some suspension of disbelief is required, I still found it hard to accept that a simple rock formation could transport someone through time.


On the pro side, it invites you to engage with the core questions of humanity that are always raised by good fiction, such as the nature of love, loyalty, and our place in the universe. Claire and Jamie’s relationship is at the heart of the story, and it forces us to思考about what it means to love someone deeply, and to be loyal to them through thick and thin. We also get to思考about our place in history, and how our actions can have far-reaching consequences.


On the con side, it also raises the typical headache-inducing questions that are attendant to the paradox of cavorting backwards through the ages, questions that coerce you into bending your mind this way and that, trying to make sense of it all, before you realize that no matter what you do, it doesn’t make any sense, which of course it doesn’t, because it’s time travel we’re talking about. For example, if Claire改变something in the past, will it have a ripple effect on the future? And if so, how can she be sure that she is not causing more harm than good? These are the kinds of questions that can keep you up at night, trying to figure out the logic behind the story.


Well, after literally spending more time deciding whether to read this than I spent in purchasing a house, I have completed the first entry in Gabaldon’s bestselling, near-ubiquitous series.


***


When the story opens, it is 1945, and the Second World War has just concluded. Former nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall is on a Scottish vacation with her husband Frank, a history professor who served as an intelligence agent during the war. One day, while Claire is exploring a Stonehenge-like rock formation called Craigh na Dun, she slips through a temporal portal and is deposited in 1743.


There is, to be sure, some complications that arise when a young, “modern” woman finds herself 202 years away from her former existence. For one, there is trouble brewing across the sea, as Charles Stuart plots to retake the British throne, with the help of Jacobite Scotsmen. As a result, the English – including Captain Jonathan Randall, her husband’s evil ancestor – think she is a French spy, while the Scots think she is an English spy. Further muddying the waters is the tangle of clan politics, which test the bounds of blood and family.


Also – and most importantly – Claire falls desperately in lust (and love, I guess) with Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior-poet-intellectual who hails from the town of Only In Your Dreams.


What follows is a pinball-plotted rollercoaster ride, as our tart-tongued fish-out-of-water Claire careens from one spot of peril to the next, while Jamie desperately holds his kilt and tries to keep up. Much of the proceedings concern Claire and Jamie alternating turns of having to save the other. There are also fistfights and swordfights, ambushes and escapes, sneaking and scheming, two graphic birthing scenes (one a horse, the other a baby), a witch trial, enough sexual violence to make George R.R. Martin cringe, and a whole lot of consensual coupling, most of it ludicrously euphemistic (the phrase “sheathed himself to the root” most definitely appears in these pages).


***


Outlander is told from Claire’s first-person perspective. I find the first-person to be an annoying viewpoint in general, and that holds true here. First, it gives Claire the ultimate plot armor imaginable. No matter how tight a situation she’s in – and it gets tight, a time or two – she’s the one talking, so you know she got out in one piece. Second, the first-person perspective constricts this wide world – which Gabaldon excels at describing – to what can be seen by a single set of eyeballs. We only see what Claire sees, which requires a lot of inane contortions to get her in the right place at the right time. We are also denied the ability to get inside the minds of the numerous other characters, meaning that everyone else remains either unknown to us, or is required to give long, unlikely monologues describing their backstories.


The biggest drawback to having Claire as the mouthpiece, however, is the tone with which Gabaldon infuses her narration. Claire’s default setting is sardonic. Like the Black Knight from Monty Python, she tends to underplay things, using a studied wryness to describe tension-laden events. The result, not surprisingly, is an undercutting of the drama. I got so used to Claire’s semi-bemused, what-me-worry style, that when Gabaldon tries to change course at certain moments, with Claire suddenly overplaying the pathos, my reaction was to yawn.


There is some humor here, or there is supposed to be. Most of this stems from Claire’s dry rendition of events, or the way she calls Jamie a “bloody bastard” while fake-fighting with him. (Yes, there is also some – heavy sigh – time travel humor, much of it taken directly from the Back to the Future movies). Humor is highly subjective, so even though this didn’t get a chuckle from me, your mileage might vary.


***


Speaking of Claire, I’m uncertain what to think of her as the chief protagonist. There is certainly a lot to admire, as she is a proto feminist ass kicker who is able to slice her way through the patriarchy of two separate, noncontiguous centuries. Though she is saddled with not one but two different love interests, she is not dependent on the men in her life, and has an agency all her own. This is all to the good.


Unfortunately, though she is exceptionally bright in theory, Gabaldon gives her a condition known as Plot Dependent Intellect™, leading to bouts of Periodic Stupidity. That is, despite Claire’s vast intelligence, she loses that faculty when required to move the story forward. Ninety percent of the time, Claire’s memory is voluminous, her perceptiveness acute, and her judgment unassailable. Over and over, she demonstrates the ability to act calmly and keep her head, even as things fall apart around her. Nevertheless, whenever Outlander starts to lag, Claire can be counted upon to make an unfathomable choice or blundering decision, solely to put herself in harm’s way and keep the narrative rolling downhill.


***


Despite being the narrator, Claire is frustratingly vague about herself. We know only a few concrete facts: she has brown, curly hair; she is irrepressible, especially with regard to containing inappropriate laughter; and occasionally, her bosoms will heave (her words, not mine).


As to Claire’s psychological makeup, that is more mysterious. She claims some mixed-emotions about cuckolding husband Frank, in order to follow her loins with Jamie, but nothing in her actions establishes any regret or remorse. Moreover, despite being placed into some seriously traumatic situations She is nearly raped on multiple occasions. She kills men with a knife, she never seems that shaken up or haunted. Rather than dealing with these events like a human person who has actually experienced them, Claire typically brushes them off with the kind of quips you’d get from action movies in the 1980s. (This was first published in 1991, which counts as the 80s). There is something maddeningly elusive about Claire’s motivations, unless we chalk up her motivations as being based on the desire to keep having the best sex of her life (there is some textual support for this proposition).


***


Jamie, Claire’s partner and foil, is a far more straightforward character. The only thing about him I found interesting was as an example of the female gaze.


It has been noted elsewhere that male authors often have trouble with female characters. Specifically, women in novels are often described as a collection of body parts (either attractive or not), who only exist to the extent that they affect the life of the male protagonist.


Well, turnabout is fair play!


Here, we are given a forensic examination of Jamie’s rocking bod. Every single inch of him is carefully described, right down to the short hairs (and yes, including the short hairs). He is tall, broad, muscular, and ambidextrous. A bad boy (an actual outlaw) with a heart of gold (he’s innocent) who loves his family (he’ll take a whipping for them) and is suitably religious (he spent time in a monastery). If you aren’t ready to take him home to daddy yet, I should add that he is educated (he speaks all the languages) and a virgin (but a quick learner!).


Jamie, I should add, also seems to have no imperative independent of his desire to actualize Claire. This is not criticism, merely an observation. Outlander is fantasy, after all, and I can accept Jamie’s purpose. I find him bland and unlikely, but I’m not Outlander’s target audience.


***


At this point I should mention that I found a lot to enjoy. I appreciated Gabaldon’s willingness to go dark. There are some brutally graphic scenes that pull no punches, fantasy or not. One bit in particular, which I will not spoil, really sears itself into memory (the repercussions of this scene are dealt with at length, which is also to Gabaldon’s credit). While some passages tend to go too long, losing some power through unnecessary extension, Gabaldon does an overall excellent job at pulling off centerpiece sequences. In other words, there are some nice action payoffs.


Outlander defies easy categorization. At its heart, I think this could be classified as a bodice-ripping, kilt-lifting fantasy-romance, the kind of book where all questions are decided by the heart, which is furiously pumping blood to the groin. That romance, though, is offset by grisly violence and larded with period detail. Furthermore, Gabaldon clearly takes her material seriously. In its scope, its philosophical discussions, its ambitions, Outlander is striving for something, though that thing is not yet clear.


I appreciate books like this, the ones that can’t be easily classified. This is a mashup of genres, and is resultingly messy. That messiness is fun, and if you don’t appreciate one aspect of Outlander, it doesn’t matter, because there’s a dozen more. Don’t like the sex? Don’t worry, here’s a fight. Don’t like that dour Scotsman? Fear not, here’s a Scotsman who won’t shut up.


The bottom line is that I expected to like Outlander, and was not disappointed. I also expected to find parts of its mockable, and was not disappointed.


The only thing I did not expect occurred after I read the final page. It turns out that I bought it. I swallowed it whole. I discovered that I believed in Claire and Jamie, regardless of the mechanism that brought them together, and regardless of the grandfather paradoxes and causal loops that logic says would have kept them apart.


Somehow, Gabaldon got me to care enough about these two star-crossed lovers that the fundamental ridiculousness of their situation no longer mattered. For me, at least, that is Gabaldon’s chief accomplishment.

This book is truly my love, and you all are well aware of this fact. It is so remarkable that it deserves an infinite number of stars. However, unfortunately, Goodreads only permits a maximum of 5 stars.

I highly recommend that you check out my detailed review on YouTube. You can find it here:

http://youtu.be/FNfLLKhP-E8.

In my review, I will share my thoughts, feelings, and insights about this amazing book. I will discuss the plot, the characters, and the overall writing style. I believe that this review will help you decide whether or not this book is worth reading. So, don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about this wonderful book. Click on the link and watch my review today!

I wanted to pen a more comprehensive review for this book to coincide with the release of the new TV series. You know, Jamie in the series actually looks really hot.

Back when I read this as a young girl (well, about three years ago), there weren't as many diverse interpretations of the novel. I recall reading numerous reviews that either presented it as sophisticated, well-researched historical fiction or a trashy kilt-wearing romance filled with sex, violence, and violent sex. In my view, neither description is too far off the mark.

To be honest, I never completed the series. And I'm starting to think that I probably never will. But this doesn't mean the books aren't good. I thoroughly relished the first four books, which amounts to several thousand pages of enjoyment. They are hefty, time-consuming volumes, which is why starting one is such a significant commitment and why I believe the remaining books may remain unread forever. However, I still think Outlander, at least, is worth reading.

This book is an entertaining, fast-paced adventure through 1783, with numerous close brushes with torture, sexual assault, witch trials, and a great deal of bloodshed. I'm not going to give you some spiel about historical accuracy as I have no idea what Scotland was truly like in the 18th century. But I can promise that it's difficult to avoid getting drawn in and devoured by this novel that is both gruesomely violent and exquisitely romantic.

Oh, and about that... this book tells the story of Claire Randall, who suddenly finds herself transported back a couple of hundred years and lands in the midst of the warfare and perils of Scottish clan life. In these strange circumstances, she meets Jamie. Readers often end up completely divided over Jamie because, although he is sweet and lovable for most of the novel, there is one disturbing scene that saddens and enrages any sane 21st-century reader, including me.

So, I will spoil that one thing for you if you like (it's not a major spoiler). There is one scene of domestic violence where Jamie beats Claire with a belt. I'm in no way trying to say this act of violence was good or acceptable; it was a sign of the times people lived in back then (terrible times). But I was able to forgive Jamie when considering the incident within the historical context. I know you're probably thinking "how on earth is that possible?" Well, the thing is, if Claire had been a man and she'd done what she did, she would have been flogged to within an inch of her life. As they didn't believe in doing that to women, her punishment was milder and had to be carried out by her husband. Believe me, I was furious too. But I was still able to appreciate the rest of the novel.

I always found Gabaldon's characters delightfully complex and well-developed. Maybe not everyone feels the same way about Claire and Jamie, but I think one of the hallmarks of a great writer is when they can truly test my love for their characters, make them do the worst things and still have me agonizing over whether or not they will be okay in the end. And I cared deeply for Claire and Jamie. They're one of the few literary couples that I have completely fallen in love with and cared about.

I only hope the TV series lives up to the book and is just as good.

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This book is spotlighted on this week's Shabby Sunday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2017/...

  

Claire Randall, a nurse, resides in Scotland with her husband Frank, shortly after World War II concludes. Frank is deeply engrossed in studying his family tree and tracing an ancestor named “Black Jack” Randall. Claire, on the other hand, has a passion for Botany and studies plants along with their healing properties.

One fateful day, Claire stumbles upon a stone circle known as Craigh na Dun.

  

While there, she discovers a plant that captivates her thoughts. She returns another day to collect the plant near the stones and hears one of the stones emit a bloodcurdling scream. One after another, they all scream. Something truly strange is afoot, and Claire awakens in Scotland, but in the year 1743. She witnesses men in kilts and a man who resembles Frank but isn't. Swiftly, Claire is whisked away by a band of Scotsmen, and this is where she encounters Jamie, a man she'll soon have to marry if she hopes to survive.

  

This was an absolutely outstanding book that held my attention captive from beginning to end. I was completely immersed in this enchanting story. I adored Claire and Jamie's intelligent yet stubborn characters and relished in the development of their relationship. All the characters were well-developed, with some that I adored and some that I despised, but most were truly unforgettable. The pacing was flawless, and never once did I feel the urge to stop reading, save for a few parts that I found slightly challenging to get through.

Some classify this as a romance novel, but I view it more as historical fiction. It does indeed have a healthy dose of romance, but there is so much more to it than that. I'm not a history enthusiast, but it appears that Diana Gabaldon has conducted extensive research for this series and has crafted a tale that will not soon be forgotten.

My rating for this one is a resounding 5-stars.