Outlander offers the reader an up-close and personal look at the early adventures of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser. It is certain to be filled with high energy and heart-wrenching moments, all crafted by the brilliant mind of Diana Gabaldon.

Claire and Frank Randall commence their tale on their honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in late 1945. Together, they explore the countryside and utilize their free time to enhance Frank's amateur genealogy skills as he delves into the stories of his numerous ancestors in the region. While out on her own, Claire "falls through" a group of stones and finds herself thrust into the midst of a conflict between British Red Coats and Scottish outlaws. It is only after being taken in by Clan MacKenzie that Claire discovers she has actually traveled back in time to the 1740s.

Claire's nursing skills prove valuable but also raise many questions within the clan and among those in the surrounding areas, especially for fellow clan adoptee Jamie Fraser. He is on the run from the Red Coats and his arch-nemesis, Captain Jonathan Randall. This revelation shocks Claire as Randall is Frank's six-time great-grandfather and has crossed paths with her shortly after her "cross-over."

Although Claire is an Outlander, or Sassenach in the Gaelic language, she soon forges a relationship with Jamie. Their initial interest is platonic but quickly develops into more, and eventually they are bound to each other for the safety of both. It is at this point that the spark between them ignites, and the story embarks on its dual-purpose narrative: to showcase the historical differences Claire faces and to build the passion between the two main characters, both of which Gabaldon accomplishes effectively.

As Claire travels and builds a life with the clan (and Jamie), she realizes that her fate in relation to a twentieth-century life is far from certain. The connection with Jamie is undeniable, and their passion soon spills onto the page, where love and lust blend with survival and personal growth. Can Claire not only survive two centuries before her birth but also keep herself alive with all the medicinal knowledge she possesses? Gabaldon presents an extremely powerful and engaging volume in what appears to be an epic collection. It is a must-read for history enthusiasts who can handle vivid descriptions of personal growth.

Any rational reader might look at this book and shy away from starting the Outlander series. However, with some experience of Gabaldon's work, I can affirm that while the novel (and its subsequent volumes) is extensive, the story unfolds as both a large-scale themed work and a collection of vignettes or personal encounters that Jamie and Claire have with numerous different characters. The attentive reader can focus on the smaller events and then weave them into the larger narrative. This promotes a better understanding of how Claire and Jamie present themselves as characters and theme-builders.

With a plethora of other characters scattered throughout, the story gains momentum without stopping as each page turns, immersing the reader in the middle of this wonderful story that has only just begun to develop. Patience is required for any reader, like me, who desires to scale this mountainous collection, but it is that perseverance that makes it all worthwhile.

Kudos to Madam Gabaldon for opening my eyes and mind to such a wonderful concept. Let us continue this epic journey and see what lies ahead, with the solid foundations already laid.

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The narrator of this audiobook is truly amazing. She effortlessly flips back and forth between female and male voices, bringing the story to life in a remarkable way. It's also worth noting that she has probably not been doing the really "howt" scenes. Additionally, it's important to mention that one should not listen to the real "howt" scenes while driving. This audiobook should indeed come with a warning.

There are several reasons why I liked this audiobook. Firstly, it is very well researched. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the time period to life, making it feel vivid and real. Secondly, the characters are developed and interesting. They feel like real people, and all of them leave me with conflicted emotions. Their complexity is such that at times I either loved them or hated them. Thirdly, the detailed writing makes for a great audiobook. I think I might have gotten bored if I had read the print version instead. Fourthly, the plot is excellent. I'm eager to find out more about the stones and how the time traveling works. I'm also wondering how Claire's involvement will alter history. Finally, the romance is solid. Although I had a few reservations about Claire and Jamie's relationship initially, I quite liked them together in the end.

However, there are also a few things that I didn't like. The spanking scene bothered me, not because it happened, but because of Jamie's reaction to enjoying it. No matter how much I think about it, it still bothers me. I'm thinking that this may be the author's intent, to make us question the societal influences of different time periods and their effect on human behavior. Another thing I didn't like was that the story was too detailed at times, to the point where it detracted from the scene. Finally, I don't buy Jamie's overnight transformation from Virgin Boy to Super Freak.

Bottom line, I really enjoyed this audiobook and will be continuing the series. If you are interested in tackling this book, I highly suggest the audio version as the narrator is excellent and can make the less interesting scenes more engaging. Also, have you seen the show? It's truly amazing!

It is 1945, and Claire Randall (nee Beauchamp) is relishing her second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband Frank. Frank, a historian, is keen on tracing his family tree back to Jonathan Wolverton Randall, a Captain in the English army during the Jacobite period. They have been apart for almost all of their 8 years of marriage, with Claire working as a nurse and Frank for MI5 during the war.

While exploring the countryside around Inverness, Claire revisits a circle of stones on a hill and is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. Right in the middle of a fight between some Scottish clansmen stealing cattle and some dragoons under the command of Captain Randall. Randall immediately lives up to his blackguard reputation by attempting to rape her.

Rescued by one of the clansmen but still very much a prisoner, Claire has trouble convincing them she isn't a whore due to her "skimpy" 40s dress and bare legs. However, she soon shows her worth by fixing one of the men's dislocated shoulders and accompanies them back to the castle of the MacKenzies, the clan she has fallen in with.

It takes Claire some time to accept that she hasn't wandered onto a movie set or some kind of costumed re-enactment. Time-travel is the last thing one would think of or believe possible. But Claire, though feisty and full of colorful swear-words learned from the soldiers she nursed, is also very steady and determined to get back to the henge. Her goal is hampered by being confined to the castle, although she is treated with respect and works as a physician for the clan, and by the threat of Captain Randall, who thinks she is a spy. In fact, almost everyone thinks she's a spy for someone.

To protect her from the Captain, she is married to the young and attractive clansman, James Fraser (using her maiden name), to make her a Scot. The marriage, though one of convenience, is far from unwanted. The attraction they feel for each other soon blossoms into an overwhelming, intense love.

I won't disclose any more details about the plot. It's a fantastic book, dense, vivid, and well-researched. Even though I have a degree in European history, I know very little about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Jacobites, and the Battle at Culloden, all of which form an important framework for this somewhat tragic love story. It's even more interesting when the heroine is from the 1940s. Overall, Gabaldon has pulled it off with great aplomb. The only thing that bothered me was the use of the words "car crash" to describe how Claire's parents died. Maybe someone who knows can reassure me that it was an appropriate term to use then.

I love authors who don't hold back, and Gabaldon certainly isn't squeamish. She also knows how to combine visually graphic scenes with human emotional response to really make the reader connect. It reminds me a little of Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth. This book had a similar effect on me as New Moon (Twilight series). By the time I finished it on Sunday morning, I felt completely drained. I love books that have such a deep impact on me, but it did make me feel like I needed another weekend to recover. And then I picked up the sequel, Dragonfly in Amber, and remembered the downside of time-travel books. The beginning is often the ending, and the foreknowledge doesn't do you any good. I read two chapters and wanted to cry. I haven't felt that sad in a long time, but once I start a book, I can't stop.

If the third book makes me cry, it can go and sit in a corner!*

This book also makes me want to watch Hamish Macbeth again. I'm having a real bout of nostalgia thanks to this amazing book! But I wholeheartedly recommend it.

*Dragonfly in Amber was just as traumatizing, and I need to take a break from the series for a while!

**Outlander (Outlander #1), Diana Gabaldon**

The Outlander franchise is a captivating collection that includes novels, short fiction, and related works. Outlander, the first in a series of eight historical multi-genre novels by Diana Gabaldon, was published in 1991. It centers around Claire Randall, a nurse during World War II. She unexpectedly travels through time to 18th century Scotland, where she embarks on an adventure and finds romance with the charming Jamie Fraser. This series combines elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure, and science fiction/fantasy.

In 1991, Outlander won the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Romance. The story begins in 1945, during World War II. Claire Randall, a war nurse and married woman, decides to go with her husband, Frank Randall, to Inverness, Scotland, for their second honeymoon to escape the war. While there, Claire visits a sacred place with standing stones and follows strange sounds. Suddenly, she finds herself in 1743 Scotland, the time of her husband's ancestor, Black Jack Randall. There, she meets a brave Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, and eventually marries him. As time passes, they fall deeply in love.

Adaptation
A television series titled "Outlander" has also been made based on this series of books. The first season premiered on the Starz network on August 9, 2014, and subsequent seasons have been produced. The series has gained a large following and has been well-received by fans and critics alike. It brings the exciting story of Claire and Jamie to life on the small screen, captivating viewers with its beautiful cinematography, engaging plot, and strong performances.

Publication Details in Persian
The Persian translation of Outlander was published in Tehran by Azarbod in 2016. The translator is Maryam Aghaei. The ISBN for the first part of the first book is 9786008537045. The book is part of the "Outlander" series and is classified under the subject of Scottish writers' stories in the 20th century.

Release Dates in Persian Calendar
The Persian release dates for the book are 17/02/1400 and 16/12/1400 in the Iranian calendar. The author's name is also mentioned as A. Sharbiani. Overall, Outlander is a remarkable and engaging novel that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Its unique blend of genres and captivating story make it a must-read for fans of historical fiction, romance, and adventure.

Diana Gabaldon has combined a historically accurate story with an adventure, a fantasy tale, and a love story in this book.

Her writing style and language make the whole thing seem so vivid that even gathering herbs feels really exciting, and after a short time, one finds oneself back in the Highlands and hears the bagpipes playing!

But one can never rest for long because in this book, so incredibly much happens. There are constantly unexpected secrets and twists, and even towards the end, she really pushed me to my limits. I felt so sick and I always thought to myself,

"no, she's not really going to let that happen, is she?"

It took me a moment to get into the story, but then I just couldn't stop! She has created the characters in such a way that I feel like I've known them my whole life, and even the "villain" is so complex that I'm afraid of him and yet have a fascination for him.

It's the curiosity that drives one, allowing one to read through these many pages with ease...

Oh Hello. Who are you, where did you come from and what on earth are you sitting on?

Hi there. Um, I'm Stephanie, I came from The United States, 2011, and I'm sitting on a time mower. I "borrowed" it from my friend Kemper, he was pretty tanked on the corn liquor and semi buried in taco wrappers...I don't think he'll notice. Who are you and when are we?

Claire, I came from 1945, Brittan. But from what I can tell we are in mid evil Scotland. It took me more than a minute to figure that out, days in fact. I thought these guys were just part of a big elaborate play, but it just kept going on and on, so after a few days I figured I was back in time. What's a time mower?

A few days? You mean the smell of those guys didn't tip you off? I know hot men in skirts can be distracting but...................anyway, Kemper had a bit of accident that involved lightning, a riding mower and a laptop. He could explain it better if he were here, but he's passed out and this baby is a one seater.

Laptop?

Never mind Claire. I want to know how you ended up in mid evil Scotland?

Frank, my British husband and I decided to watch some witches perform a ritual at those standing stones over there and I found it so fascinating that I went back later that night. When I walked through the stones.....WOOSH! Here I was.

Oh, you mean the Stonehenge looking thingy back there? and, wait...your "British" husband? That's an odd way to refer to him.

That's because I have a Scottish husband as well, Jamie. He's right over there, he's the ruggedly handsome one with the red hair and the kilt.

They all have red hair and a kilt Claire. Forget that, you can't have two husbands! It's wrong and against the law.

Well I'm not so sure Stephanie, if Frank hasn't been born yet, how can I be married to him? I haven't even been born yet....so....that means....my head hurts. Besides, I was forced to marry him to keep Franks evil ancestor from raping me. Then they made us have lots, and I mean lots, of rough, curl your toes, barn burning, sexy-time. But since the clan leader said we had to do it, it must be morally ok. Right?

Hey, I am not here to judge you.....so it sounds like you...eehem...enjoyed yourself?

Oh lord yes! It's all we ever do now. Sex, sex, sex whenever and where ever. In fact two soldiers from Franks evil ancestors army, he's a fancy commander of some sort, walked up on us having sex by a river when we were supposed to be getting water. It was so damn good.... we had no idea, it would have been funny....but after a bunch of crazy stuff happened Jamie ended up in that jerks dungeon where he was beaten senseless and raped. But then I rescued him with cows.

Cows? What?

I think I better go soon, my head's starting to hurt now. I'm not sure I want to know anything else but I have to ask, aren't you worried you might get pregnant with all the sexy-time? You could give birth to your own great, great, great, great gandpa.....eww.

Oh Frank and I tried for years, I can't get pregnant.

Oh boy. OK. I need to get this time mower back......try not to "screw" up the space time continuum to much Claire.

............

Despite the flaws and silliness I really enjoyed the book, and will read more of the series. But I swear if you took all the sex out of this book you would be left with 150 pages.

4.5 stars

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Overall, based on my initial experience, I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is in need of such a item. It is definitely worth the investment. Stay tuned for my full review coming soon!

What can I say about Outlander?

Well, to be honest, not a whole fuck of a lot.

Let's start with the basics. Did I like it? Was it for me? Is it a series I will continue? Did it resonate with me? Did the characters compel me to keep reading?

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no.

There were so many things wrong with this book. For starters, there was an excessive amount of body parts quivering. It was just over the top and made me roll my eyes.

The MC said “OH JAMIE!” more times in one day than I apply nipple clamps to that MahFah Jeff in a week. It was just annoying and made the character seem one-dimensional.

The forbidden M word was used to describe the female sex organs repeatedly, which made me simultaneously uncomfortable and angry. It was just inappropriate and unnecessary.

And let's not forget about the time-travel aspect. There were several instances where the MC blatantly interfered with history, possibly causing major differences in the present. She didn't seem to think about the consequences of her actions at all.

Overall, the story made me want to bash my face repeatedly off a wall. It was advertised as a time travel romance, but it was really just 97% romance and 2% history lesson and 1% time travel.

There was enough gushing in this book that I felt it unnecessary to add to it with a raving review. No, I will not read any more of this series. No, you can't change my mind. No, I do not care about how awesome it gets later. Thanks but no thanks.

Gabaldon is indeed talented when it comes to writing historical content. However, for me, the prevalence of rape in the story is excessive. If this is a sensitive topic for you, here are the chapters that you might want to skip:

Ch 5

Ch 18

Ch 20

Ch 21

Ch 23

Ch 35

Ch 36

(There may be additional mentions after these chapters discussing past events)

In chapter 18 and 23, Jamie either threatens to rape or actually rapes Claire. She is clearly saying no and pushing him away, which is far from the kind of romance I had anticipated.

2018 update: I want to make it clear that I have no issue with those who love this book. My concern is solely with the book itself and not its readers. This is simply my review as a woman who has had the unfortunate experience of being assaulted before, and I hope that you can respect my perspective.

Outlander ★★★★★

Dragonfly In Amber ★★★★.5

Voyager ★★★.5

Drums of Autumn ★★★.5

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I am Outlander TRASH.

The Outlander series is truly a remarkable and captivating one. With its engaging storylines, complex characters, and rich historical backdrop, it has managed to capture the hearts of countless readers.

The first book, Outlander, sets the stage beautifully, introducing us to Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who finds herself mysteriously transported back in time to 18th century Scotland. There, she meets Jamie Fraser, a dashing and passionate Highlander, and their love story unfolds against a backdrop of political turmoil and adventure.

Dragonfly In Amber continues their story, delving deeper into their relationship and the challenges they face. The book also explores the historical events of the Jacobite Rising, adding another layer of depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Voyager and Drums of Autumn further expand the story, taking us on more adventures with Claire and Jamie as they travel across the Atlantic and face new trials and tribulations.

Overall, the Outlander series is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, and adventure. It is a truly immersive and unforgettable experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish. And as for me, I am proud to be Outlander TRASH!

**4.5 Forever Swooning Stars!!!**

Full review featured on my blog Recipe & a Read!

Claire Randall (Beauchamp) is on her second honeymoon with her husband Frank. Frank is a good man who loves Claire deeply, and she feels the same. Both have been involved in WWII, Claire as a combat nurse and Frank as an officer. After the war, they travel to Scotland to reconnect. In Scotland, they not only get to know each other again but also the Highlands, with its lore, folktales, and history, both magical and brutal.

There are those special moments when everything seems to stand still. When Claire decides to go back to the standing stones of Craigh Na Dun, where she and Frank saw local witches performing a ritual, she unknowingly embarks on a journey through time. From 1945, she falls back to 1743. Shocked by her experience, it takes her a while to realize what has happened. She is chased by strangers in Red Coats and shot at. After tending to a young Scotsman named Jamie, she becomes a mysterious player in a deadly game and the Clan McKenzie won't let her go easily.

This story is unique and full of interesting historical information about the Scottish Highlands. Gabaldon's research and detail in this first installment are impressive. However, the love story between Claire and Jamie is what truly shines. I've never swooned so hard over a character as I have over Jamie Fraser.
I read this book years ago but couldn't connect with it. This time, the first 200 pages were still dense with detail that I didn't always find necessary or interesting. At times, I loved the historical information, but at others, it was tedious. However, this is my only complaint. Otherwise, the story is sweeping, heartbreaking, beautiful, and devastating all at once. Gabaldon's ability to pour emotion into the story left me breathless.
The love between Jamie and Claire transcends the page and touches the reader. The character development and overall story arc are incredible. Gabaldon didn't just focus on the setting and history but also on each main character and their life stories. Claire is a likable, strong-willed, and badass MC.
Ultimately, I rounded down because the first half was slow for me. If historical fiction isn't your thing, you might give up here. But I'm glad I stuck with it because I'm excited to see where Jamie and Claire's story goes in the future.

Jamie Fraser has been truly intense.

Every time he calls Clare "Sassenach", there is a certain weight and passion in his voice.

On the wedding day, as the events unfold, we can see the complex emotions at play.

There are a couple of things that I didn't like. However, understanding the era that surrounds them and that what was happening was the law of life back then, one kind of "accepts" it.

The images accompanying the text, such as the ones shown here, add a visual dimension to the story, making it even more engaging.

«—Ah, Sassenach —he replied with a certain sadness—. I am your master, and you are mine. But it seems that I cannot possess your soul without losing my own.» This line from Jamie further emphasizes the depth of his feelings and the internal conflict he is experiencing.

The overall narrative of Jamie and Clare's relationship is filled with such intense moments that keep the reader hooked and eager to know what will happen next.