It's truly a pity that there isn't a rating more intense than "didn't like" because my loathing for this book was profound. In fact, I endured reading the entire thing solely to prevent anyone from dissuading me from my hatred by asserting, "Oh, it gets better at the end" or "you really needed to read the whole thing to appreciate it."

This book has nothing to do with Scotland or time travel. Instead, it focuses on Jamie and Claire engaging in sexual acts in various locations and positions. With a sprinkle of wife beating, rape, and repeated torture, it俨然 becomes a watered-down version of the Marquis de Sade. It left me with an overwhelming desire to take a shower.

More thoughts to come later..........

Contains SPOILERS ---

I was lying in a hospital bed with my leg broken. When the library trolley came around with the call of 'books, anyone?', my hand shot up in an instant.

The librarian was too late to notice the foreign literature on my bedside table. With a distraught expression, she tried to take back 'Outlander'. But I said firmly: 'Oh no, Madam, I'll read that.' She then replaced it with a tome of controversial French literature on the genocide in Ruanda.

As I'd said, my first mission was 'Outlander'. I thought it couldn't be that bad since I'd seen it sold by the local bookclub before. But boy, was I wrong. After about forty pages, my jaw dropped in disbelief. By the time I'd reached a hundred pages, I was almost done with it. However, to be honest, Ms Gabaldon's warped morals kept me reading.

This brave woman has achieved what I never thought possible: she has created some sort of catholically correct porn. Let me explain. Claire, who is almost like a Mary Jane, is catapulted back to ancient Scotland by some quirk of the time-space continuum. She leaves her good-looking, sensitive, and savant husband behind but quickly finds a replacement in his evil ancestor who looks just like him. This ancestor is into Claire but lacks the morals and guts to deal with her.

Soon, Claire arouses the passion of a young, proud, and good-looking Scotsman named Jamie. Despite being a bit simple, he is as true as gold and well-built. Just one twist of fate later, they exchange vows. It's important to note that in this book, the good characters never have extra-marital sex. That's reserved for the evil and sluggish ones.

Surprisingly, Jamie is a virgin on their wedding night, but with a few hints, he quickly gets into his role. The sacrament of matrimony is bestowed upon Claire with alarming frequency, about every two pages. It only gets really vivid when preceded by conjugal beating or attempts of strangers or the evil husband to rape her.

Yes, and of course, after Jamie has been de facto raped and tortured by the evil husband. He is so desolate. The evil husband forces Jamie into enjoying the experience, which is wrong as Jamie is straight and disgusted with himself. But Claire does some sexual healing and re-enactment, and presto! To top it off, Claire learns from a monk that both her marriages are considered valid by the church since the one with Jamie predates the one in the 20th century.

This book is most distasteful because of the 'wifebeating' episode and the portrayal of homosexuality as an evil trait associated with the evil guy. Some young kid even hung himself because of this, yet the female victims of rape in this book are not nearly as suicidal.

So, to summarize: -No sex without marriage. -Woman has to obey man. Otherwise, she gets into trouble, and he has to punish her. -Homosexuals are only among the evil. Any questions? If only there had been a way to give this concoction 0 stars. Ah well.

Here, I'm going to rewrite the scene that truly spoiled this book for me.

Jamie, a Highlander hailing from the 1740s, said in a stern tone: "Claire, you blatantly disregarded my words. You disobeyed me, your own husband. You put everyone's lives at risk and I must punish you for your misbehavior. Yes, I'm aware that the evil man abused you and nearly raped you. But that was somehow your own fault."

Claire, an educated woman from the 1940s, responded firmly: "Jamie, first and foremost, rape is never the victim's fault. And now you better listen carefully because I'm only going to say this once. If you should ever dare to raise your hand against me, if you ever harm me, I will, and I promise this with all my heart, I will turn this marriage into a living hell for you. From this moment forward, until the bitter end, I swear to God that you will deeply regret it."

Jamie, the Highlander who knew better than to disrespect his wife, then said: "You're right, Claire. I am extremely sorry. Forgive me."

Well, that's not how it actually happened in the book, and it completely took away all the enjoyment for me. I simply won't be able to continue reading this book and forget about what occurred. I really don't like the way this relationship is presented as being healthy, or how Jamie is depicted as a man and husband that teenage girls and women seem to swoon over. We should all be more discerning than that.

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Myriad, albeit smallish, problems with this one... but several surprising & multifaceted splendors as well!

This is an unexpected tome that merges speculative fantasy with true historical events. It manages to do something truly remarkable. It has a target audience that vacillates between the YA (Young Adult) crowd and those prone to non-fiction. In other words, if you are a READER, this one is for you. It's got something for Everyone!

The sex scenes in the book get racier and racier as the story progresses. However, the adventure starts to grow a bit tepid. The antagonist is, for sure, memorable as a serial rapist. But, oh, how both women and men, of all sexes, secretly wish to have a dual life!

I've since ordered the sequel. These books have something Thorn Birds-like in their literary audaciousness. Outlander: it's actually pretty hard to hate! The way it combines different genres and explores various themes makes it a captivating read. Despite its flaws, it has a certain charm that keeps readers coming back for more.

Outlander is not a book for everyone.

I'll put that right out there. If you think you can stomach extreme sexual violence as well as themes of sadism, then go ahead. If you can understand good characters doing things in their historical context that would be seen as abuse now, then give it a try.

You won't be disappointed.

Gabaldon has finely crafted a novel that is radically different from the stereotype. This is no average love story. Her research is extensive and flawless, bringing to life a world that is rich and dynamic in detail and character.

Her prose is beautiful and well constructed, and the characters. Where do I even start with the characters? They have depth. They're lovable. They're real.

The problem with this book lies in two aspects.

First, its pacing. It's fantastic, non-stop drama and action right up to the last 200 pages or so where it trickles down to a grinding halt. Second, many people are going to be uncomfortable with some of the things that happen in the book. Remembering the time difference and the culture that the male protagonist comes from is often hard when we judge his actions by today's standards.

But to readers who can overlook these things, I highly recommend it as a book that is both incredibly well written, enjoyable, and addictive.

It's a story that will draw you in and keep you hooked from beginning to end, despite its flaws.

So, if you're looking for a unique and engaging read, give Outlander a chance.

You might just be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

*.ೃ༄.°⋆

Outlander is an enthralling time travel romance fantasy novel. The story begins with Claire Randall, a nurse on her second honeymoon with her historian husband in the Highlands of Scotland in 1945. After the war, their relationship has had its share of ups and downs, but they are devoted to each other. One day, Claire visits ancient circles and travels back in time to 1743 through the standing stone. There, she meets Jamie, a young lad, and they embark on a long journey together. Claire must now decide between the life she left behind and the new life she has found.

The characters in this book are truly remarkable. Claire is a strong and intelligent woman who stands up for what she believes in. Jamie is a wise and humorous man, despite the hardships he has endured. Jenny is also a favorite, with her solid character and memorable scenes. The writing style is engaging, even though there are only a few big moments in the nearly 900-page book. The author manages to keep the reader hooked with a combination of harsh and peaceful, cheerful moments.

In Part 2, I discuss some of my favorite and least favorite parts of the book. I loved Geillis Duncan, her talking, and everything about her. The hot water place at the end of the book was also a great scene. Jamie's jokes and the character of Murtagh were also highlights. However, I really disliked Jonathan Randall. The scene with Jamie in the dungeon was one of the worst I have ever read. I was also surprised that Jamie let that happen.

Overall, I highly recommend Outlander to all readers. It is a captivating story with great characters and a unique plot. Don't be intimidated by the length of the book. Pick it up and enjoy the journey.

\\n  4.5 GREAT AWESOME COOL FANTASTIC BRILLIANTSTARS!\\n

You can find the full review and more about this book on my blog!

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In conclusion, while the original article was very short and to the point, by adding some details and suggestions, we can make it a more useful and informative review.

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SUCKED!!

People constantly told me about the excellence of the Outlander series. However, I persistently put off reading them as they are time travel romances. After all, time travel romances are usually extremely cheesy, aren't they?

Well, I ultimately gave in and read "Outlander." To my pleasant surprise, I quickly realized it's one of the most original novels available. I was glad to notice that Barnes & Noble recently relocated them out of the "romance" section as they are far more intricate than your typical girl-meets-boy story.

Claire, a World War II combat nurse who stumbles through an ancient stone circle in the Highlands of Scotland and suddenly finds herself in the 18th Century, is a refreshing departure from the princess-type heroine. Jamie Fraser, the Scot who becomes the love of her life, is at times both a sweet and innocent individual and a dangerous and passionate warrior. In the subsequent novels, I have also come to love their daughter and son-in-law.

Be cautioned: these books are massive works of historical fiction blended with fantasy, featuring some very steamy erotic content and the occasional gruesome torture scene. Nevertheless, they are highly addictive. I stayed up until 3:30 one night to finish "Outlander." The next day, I promptly returned to the bookstore to obtain the remainder of the series.

  
    “There's no place on earth with more of the old superstitions and magic mixed into its daily life than the Scottish Highlands…”
  

I'll be completely honest here. I truly didn't anticipate liking this as much as I did. However, to my great surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. In fact, I liked it very, very much. And I must give all the credit and express my deepest thanks to one of my dearest friends, Paloma. She was the one who encouraged me to read her favorite book. I had never delved into these books before, nor had I watched the related show. Interestingly, none of my friends had spoiled any of the events in these books for me. But as I started reading, I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful writing, the enchanting atmosphere, and the captivating characters. Moreover, someone told me that Diana Gabaldon came up with the premise for this book because of Dr. Who. I have to admit, that's really quite cool. It added an extra layer of intrigue to the whole experience. I'm so glad I did this buddy read with Paloma. ❤

This series truly revolutionized my life. I am at a loss for words when it comes to expressing the depth of my affection for the main characters, Claire Beauchamp and Jamie Fraser. The love story between these two exquisitely crafted characters defies time and logic. Their unwavering devotion, mutual respect, and soul-stirring love is not only beautiful but also awe-inspiring. Theirs is a long and enchanting historical journey, filled with heartwarming moments of great depth and gut-wrenching tragedies that push the boundaries.

To be clear, this story is so profound that it can only be fully understood through the words of the brilliant author, Diana Gabaldon.

FYI, this is an incredibly extensive series, with 7 books already published, each averaging around 1,000 pages, and an 8th book scheduled for release in 2014. It requires a significant commitment, but it is well worth it for the sheer loveliness of Gabaldon's brilliant and breathtaking love story. No words of mine can truly do justice to this remarkable series.

I had a hunch that I would be smitten with the book, given my deep affection for the first two seasons of the show. However, I still have a plethora of books waiting for my attention =).

I couldn't resist getting the gorgeously bound 20th anniversary edition of the book. It's truly a sight to behold! Here's a little snapshot of the book, surrounded by some of my things to make it even more aesthetically pleasing. The book appears smaller in the picture than it actually is, but that's just how it goes.

I'm completely head over heels for Jamie and Claire! I simply yearn for them to be together, and that's the bottom line! Unless, of course, I could somehow claim Jamie for myself, but I digress! ♥

I must admit that I did skim through the torture and rape scenes involving Jamie or other elements that made me cringe in both the show and the book. That's just my personal preference. Also, I can't help but mention that there's a red hot poker waiting for Captain Jack Randall. Oh, the sweet satisfaction of erasing him from the world, that rapist of children (boys) and men. He just doesn't seem to get it... anyway...

I have a soft spot for everyone in the Mackenzie crew. Sure, they do some pretty daft things at times, but you can't help but grow to love certain ones. Murtagh is my absolute favorite! He's just so darn cool!

I had procrastinated reading this book for ages. I was simply unsure if I could stomach the graphic descriptions of rape and torture. I knew I could skim through those parts, but I still kept putting it off. I didn't think I would enjoy any of it, really.

Then, it all changed. I got the DVDs from the library, then I splurged on the blu-rays of seasons 1 & 2, and then I bought the big, hefty book and the little paperback. My friend was kind enough to gift me the rest of the series, and that's how my love affair with Outlander began =). I experienced a whirlwind of emotions - love, hate, disgust, more hate, and more love.

I had read some reviews in the past that criticized the books for having too much history or overly detailed descriptions. Surprisingly enough, I didn't feel that way at all. Maybe I will later, but who really knows? I just adored reading about it all. You never truly know until you give it a try.

I absolutely loved the scenes when Jamie and Claire visit Lallybroch and spend time with Jamie's sister, Jenny, and her husband and kids. I'm glad Jamie finally came to his senses and got the full story about Jenny. And to finally be able to see her and move on. I mean, even if what he suspected had actually happened, that's still his sister, so he needed to deal with it!

Of course, then we reach the part with Jamie and Randall. I have to say that it was easier to skip over the unpleasant parts in the book compared to the show. In the show, they seem to jump out at you, and you have to try your hardest not to see them. In the book, you can read at your own pace, which was a definite plus!

Anyway, I loved it! So there you have it =). Also, I'm thinking that I probably should have just added Jamie gifs to convey most of my feelings =).

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\\n    'Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.'\\n  

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Here's a wonderful YouTube link that a kind person shared in my Outlander group. I love it to bits! ❤

The Skye Boat Song

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List