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“Oh, aye, Sassenach. I am your master . . . and you're mine. Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own.”

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I just finished reading this book yesterday and I simply couldn't contain my excitement about sharing some details. However, I must warn you that there might be some spoilers in my review. But don't worry, they're not major spoilers, just enough to give you a taste of the plot. Read on at your own risk!

Claire Randall and her husband go on a second honeymoon to the Highlands after World War II to rekindle their relationship. Little does Claire know that she will be unexpectedly thrust back in time to 1743, a time when the English and the Scots are at odds. Suddenly, she becomes a Sassenach, an outsider, and has to face clans, lairds, and other things she's only read about in history. And now, she's back to being Claire Beauchamp.

When she travels back in time, Claire immediately falls into the hands of Captain Jonathan Randall, an ancestor of her husband. Many call him Black Jack because of his dark soul. He attacks her, but she is saved by clansmen. Thanks to her experience as a nurse during the war, she helps save a severely injured young Scot named Jamie Fraser and is taken back to Castle Leoch, the home of the Colum Mackenzie clan.

Claire has to deal with the suspicion and doubt that surrounds her. Everyone thinks she's an English spy, and on top of that, she has to come to terms with her own feelings and confusion about being in the past. But Claire is a strong character and adapts quickly. She's not easily scared and has seen her fair share of horrors during the war. When she is discovered by English soldiers and taken in for interrogation, she has to face Captain Randall again. Dougal Mackenzie then announces that she must marry a Scot to gain Scottish citizenship and avoid Randall's clutches. And the man she is to marry is Jamie Fraser, the very lad she saved and the only one she feels at ease with.

Claire is a headstrong character who always wants to do things her way. She's independent and doesn't need anyone. That is, until she meets Jamie Fraser. He is beautiful, young, gentle, and more civilized than the other clansmen. Jamie Fraser, with his full name James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser, is an amazing character. He's the nephew of Colum and Dougal Mackenzie and a fugitive from the law. He's caring, protective, strong, and snarky, and the only one who can handle Claire. He's also the only one she trusts and can talk to.

Once they get married, things heat up between them. Claire can't deny her attraction to Jamie, and Jamie is relieved that he no longer has to hide his feelings. Their love story is not just about romance, but also about adapting to a different time and culture. The book shows how much things have changed in 200 years, not just in terms of the era, but also in people's minds and hearts. Mrs. Gabaldon does an excellent job of描绘 this. Her writing is captivating and detailed, and her dialogues are amazing. She has created a rich plot with twists, fun, and a romance that will take your breath away. It's also great to see how Claire and Jamie work through their problems and how their love blossoms, pure and strong.

Despite the many details, characters, and changes of scenery, the book never gets boring. Mrs. Gabaldon always finds a way to keep your attention focused on her storytelling. She's resourceful and has a lot to offer. The book really picks up in the second half, with more action, twists, and "what-the-fuck" moments. It's also humorous at times, which balances out the drama. The relationship between Claire and Jamie feels genuine and real, and I can't talk about them without getting emotional. Mrs. Gabaldon is a master at romance and storytelling, keeping you on the edge of your seat. She can create both gentle and steamy love scenes, making your blood run hot.

In conclusion, the ending of the book is very satisfying. If you decide to pick up this book, I hope you'll love it as much as I did. And by the way, "Sassenach" is now my new favorite word of endearment.

This book has been an absolute gem and the best company throughout these past few weeks. It has served as a most welcome escape from the mundane day-to-day life, transporting me into a captivating world filled with intense passion, deep and abiding love, thrilling adventure, and unwavering perseverance.

I had already become an Outlander fan back in the depths of 2020 when I discovered and quickly fell head over heels in love with the show. When I first laid eyes on the books, I was initially a bit intimidated by their substantial size and the quantity of volumes. As a result, I procrastinated for a while before finally taking the plunge. However, now I am extremely glad that I did.

In a rather typical cliché fashion, I must admit that the book has far exceeded the show. And that's really saying something because I am a huge fan of the casting and the amazing on-screen chemistry between Claire and Jamie. The details of each and every scene in the book are painted with such exquisite precision and focus that you can almost physically feel the warmth of the joyous moments and the searing pain of the more torturous ones. Gabaldon is truly a remarkable and beautiful writer. She doesn't shy away from presenting the true and often harsh realities of what it would be like to wake up in a completely different time, caught between two powerful tides of the heart, dealing with outdated cultural ideals, and facing the limitations of historic accessibilities. Somehow, Claire manages to navigate all of this while still remaining an inspiring and fiery heroine.

I am positively itching with anticipation to jump right into the next book and continue this wonderful literary journey.

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, you have managed to dig your way right into this little heart of mine. You, the hot, brave, and sexy Highlander.

I truly enjoyed this book to a great extent. Even though there were a few aspects that didn't quite sit well with me. For instance, the beating scene and the full account of Jamie's ordeal at the prison were quite disturbing. Also, Claire, who I initially liked, ended up annoying me towards the end due to her own foolishness. However, I took it all in my stride and ultimately ended up enjoying the overall ride.

Jamie is just wonderful. He is brave and has such a sweet soul. That man could park his shoes under my bed anytime!

As for Claire, she is indeed a lucky lady and she better not forget it!

All in all, I'm extremely glad that I took this journey with some GR friends. Thanks to Jill and Karla for their encouragement which made me finish this book.

I now look forward to continuing this amazing journey that DG has so skillfully created.

Amo TODO de esta historia.

This story has so many aspects that I love. The characters are vivid and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

The setting is also beautifully described, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the world of the story. Whether it's the bustling city streets or the quiet countryside, every detail is brought to life.

Furthermore, the themes explored in this story are deep and thought-provoking. It makes me reflect on my own life and values, and how I can make a positive impact on the world around me.

In conclusion, this story is a true masterpiece. It has captured my heart and imagination, and I will surely be recommending it to others.

I read this in January and completely forgot to mark it on Goodreads, oops.

I am a huge fan of the show, so I was really curious to see how I would feel about the book. And I have to say that I was truly impressed by Diana Gabaldon's writing. Her prose is engaging, descriptive, and really brings the story and the characters to life.

However, the book is extremely long. It took me a while to get through it, and there were times when I felt like it could have been a bit shorter. But despite its length, I still really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to others.

If it hadn't been so long, I think this would have been a 5-star read for me. But as it is, I would still give it a solid 4 stars. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing where the story takes us.

Sometimes I found myself completely engrossed in the story, enjoying it to such an extent that I simply didn't want to put the book down. However, at other times, I had to skim through certain parts.

Some of the content was just too gruesome to read, like the rape scenes and descriptions of domestic violence. It made me cringe and feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, there were also parts that felt a bit too stagnant, lacking the excitement and pace that I was hoping for.

Despite these drawbacks, I really enjoyed Claire's unexpected trip to the past. The author had clearly done a great deal of research on the 18th century, and it showed. Life back then was so different, and that helped to explain some of the things that were considered acceptable, like domestic violence.

I found myself rooting for Claire and Jaime, and I was really curious to see how the writer would manage to resolve the situation, especially since Claire was already married in the future. In the end, it all came down to a choice that Claire had to make.

Overall, I thought the book was a fantastic read. All of the characters, including the secondary ones, had depth and were really lovable. I would definitely recommend this book to others, and I give it four stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Married combat nurse Claire Randell's life takes an extraordinary turn when she is suddenly swept back in time to 1743. In this foreign era, she is suspected of being an English spy and faces a perilous situation. To survive, she is forced to marry a young Scot. Set against the backdrop of the gorgeous highlands, OUTLANDER unfolds as an epic, timeless masterpiece of historical fiction.

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, the king of men, has firmly lodged himself in the reader's heart. With hair like fire and eyes like the summer skies, he is the epitome of perfection. He is sweet, caring, honorable, and courageous, making it impossible not to fall in love with him. On the other hand, Claire Randal Fraser is an amazing heroine. She is strong, independent, extremely smart, and intelligent, with a great sense of humor.

The writing in OUTLANDER is extraordinary. It is a complex, long, and detailed story that is not always easy on the heart. It can be brutally raw and authentic, but the payoff in the end is well worth it. Diana Gabaldon's storytelling is magical and flawless, and the amount of research she has put in is evident. Jamie and Claire come to life right before the reader's eyes, transporting them to a reading heaven. This book or the entire series, though not shelved as romance novels, has Jamie and Claire's epic and timeless love at its heart and soul.

| Hero | 5 | | Angst | Medium focus |

| Heroine | 5 | | Romance | | High focus |

| Sexual tension | 4 | | Suspense | Low focus |

| Storytelling | 5 | | Humour | Medium focus |

| Storyending | 5 |

The description of the book above is inaccurate and misleading in two aspects. Firstly, Claire's time travel is not caused by touching a natural "boulder", but rather a magic-endued standing stone. This distinction is crucial as it sets the stage for the奇幻 elements of the story. Secondly, and more importantly, Jamie is not her illicit "lover", but her lawfully-wed husband. While it is true that the fact that she has another husband in the 20th century raises the question of bigamy and poses interesting time travel paradoxes, Gabaldon and her characters seem to take the position that Claire's future marriage will bind her only in the time after she enters into it, not in a time period before it has ever happened.

Despite some bad language, including two uses of the f-word in over 800 pages, this is actually a wholesome novel. There are a few explicit sex scenes, but they are not gratuitous and occur within the context of marriage. Additionally, the author's treatment of Christian faith is positive and respectful. Gabaldon is an outstanding prose stylist, and she earns excellent marks for plotting and characterization as well. Initially, I was reluctant to read this book as I thought it would be set during the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie's doomed rebellion. Given my aversion to tragedy and preference for upbeat stories, I did not want to read about the Highlanders being stomped into the dirt. In fact, however, the book is set in 1740, a few years before the rising, so it ends with the Highlander's world still intact. (My impression is that the second of the many sequels is set during the rising.)

There are books that you hold dear, books that you loathe with a passion, and books that leave you completely indifferent.

Even among the books that you love, only a precious few quotes and passages manage to etch themselves firmly in your memory. Perhaps a particular character stands out vividly in your mind, or something along those lines.

And then there is Outlander, a book that defies categorization. There is no rational explanation for why it has such an impact - it just does.

The story, the characters, the events - all of it is seared into my brain in a way that no other book has been able to achieve.

Did I adore every single aspect of this book? Not precisely. I confess to skimming through some of the more verbose sections and happenings. However, there was so much about the story that I truly loved, that even if there were flaw upon flaw, I would still have sung the praises of the lives and struggles of Jamie and Claire.

This book has it all. It encompasses history, lore, violence, sex...and even a touch of magic. I now officially know more about the medicinal uses of plants than I ever imagined I would need to know, but who could have guessed that it could be so utterly fascinating?

Outlander is an enthralling and complex story that delves deep into the lives of its multilayered characters.

It has the power to touch your heart, consume your thoughts, and transport you to the beautiful settings of the 18th century Scottish Highlands.

Claire Randall, a witty and compassionate woman from the 20th century, is thrust into the dangers of this bygone era.

James Fraser, a selfless and passionate Scottish warrior, navigates the intrigues between Scottish lords and English superiors.

Their fateful encounter leads to a romance that is nothing short of epic.

The author's storytelling skills are on full display, as she weaves a tale that is both authentic and adventurous.

The use of old Scottish adds to the authenticity, while the flawed and realistic characters make the story all the more engaging.

Outlander is not an easy read, as it will make your heart soar and ache in equal measure.

But the reward for investing your time, mind, and heart into this book is well worth it.

And that reward is Jamie Fraser, a character who is impossible not to fall in love with.

So, are you ready to embark on this unforgettable journey with Jamie and Claire?

Don't miss out on this remarkable story.

MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing

I read this book for the Unapologetic Romance Readers' New Years 2017 Reading Challenge. I'm proud to say I read it before it became a TV series. That was about seven years ago when I was in college. I checked out the hardcover edition from the library stacks. Recently, I thought about the series again as my library bought the entire series for the TV show. I wanted to read the others but couldn't remember much.

For the past week, I've been reading OUTLANDER. It's a slow start with Claire and her husband in the Scottish countryside after WWII. Then, Claire touches standing stones and is sucked back to 18th century Scotland. She meets Jamie Fraser.

Gabaldon tortures her characters like in 1970s bodice rippers. There are dark moments like rape/torture, floggings, and a witch trial. But there are also lighter scenes like the wedding and when Jamie reveals he's a virgin. I found the rape scene devastating.

I read an article where Gabaldon resisted the romance category. But I consider this a romance because it focuses on Jamie and Claire's love story. The setting in Scotland is beautiful and wild, adding to the appeal. I recommend this epic romance to fans of older romance authors like Rosemary Rogers. 5 stars.

  



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I read this book for the Unapologetic Romance Readers' New Years 2017 Reading Challenge. For more info about what this is, click here.





I'm proud to say that I read this book before it became a TV series. I was in college, and checked out the weighty hardcover edition from the stacks on the third floor, along with several Anne Rice books and Sheri S. Teper's BEAUTY. That was about seven years ago, and I found myself thinking about the series again recently because my library recently purchased the entire series in honor of the television show. I wanted to read the others, but couldn't remember anything apart from the fact that Claire was a doctor, something about a witch trial, and the hideous rape/torture scene towards the end that still haunts me all these years later. I'm half-tempted to start a Change.org petition to call for Diana Gabaldon to rewrite OUTLANDER so that a certain someone dies a horrible death. It's even worse in the TV show. I saw a clip, and I don't think I'll be watching that. It's like torture porn. No, thanks.





For the past week I've been reading OUTLANDER, this book has been an emotional blackhole, slowly draining away all my feelings and leaving only despair. It's a very slow start, with Claire and her husband in the Scottish countryside, taking a bit of a break in the terrible aftermath of WWII, which they have both been affected by (especially Claire who, as a nurse, has seen some terrible things). Then, one day, Claire touches a set of standing stones and gets sucked back into 18th century Scotland, just before the battle of Culloden, and ends up encountering a highlander named Jamie Fraser.





***WARNING: SPOILERS TO FOLLOW***





Gabaldon tortures her characters with an enthusiasm that you don't really see anymore in romance novels. This is very much like those 1970s bodice rippers, where everything goes to sh*t, and the story is less about love and affection and whimsy than it is about sacrifice and struggles and giving up everything - and I mean everything - to fight tooth and claw for a person who might do terrible things but is your soulmate, for better or for worse. Two similar authors I could name are Rosemary Rogers and George R. R. Martin. Rosemary Rogers has these alpha heroes who might not fit into the modern idea of "perfect man" but are appealing because of their incredible charisma, bravery, and sacrifices that they make of the heroine. The relationships are often fraught with love and hate, and there's almost always some gruesome act of torture in the third act (in two of the books of hers that I've read, these, like OUTLANDER, also involved brutal whippings). And I think the comparison to George R R. Martin should be obvious - even though this is a romance, it's set in a time filled with battles and unrest, so scheming abounds, and ignorance has caused people to rely on superstitions and folklore, as well as a suspicion of foreigners, and especially strange foreign women.





Some of the darker moments are the rape/torture scene towards the end, the story of Jamie's flogging, the scene when Jamie beats Claire with a belt, and of course, the witch trial scene. Interspersed with these moments (they are spaced out, thank God) are lighter scenes. I think my favorite was the wedding scene, when Jamie's all dressed up to the nines and says, all sly, "Your servant, Ma'am." I just about died. Also, when he tells Claire that he's a virgin. That was also super cute. The cute scenes were like salve on the emotional savaging that the other stuff caused. I can definitely understand why some of those darker scenes I mentioned put people off reading this, and I'm surprised that people seem more upset about the belt than the rape. For me, I found that devastating, and felt so, so sorry for Jamie. The beating was not cool, and it was weird that they joked about it later, but it's a sad fact that that was a common way that men interacted with women at the time. That does not make it right, but Jamie was not trying to break Claire when he did it, whereas the rape scene was a deliberate attempt to demean, humiliate, and destroy, which made it so much worse to read about, for me.





I found this article by Vulture called Diana Gabaldon on Why Outlander Isn’t Really a Romance and Writing Her First Episode, and apparently she resisted the romance category because it "will never be reviewed by the New York Times or any other respectable literary venue" and "will cut off the entire male half of my readership," and I am side-eying the hell out of that because (1) So? and (2) SO? Honestly, I'm just about done with all the opinion pieces about What Men Think About X Female Thing. We've been hearing about what men think since thinking first became a public matter, and if *some* men are so terrified of catching cooties from a book jacket that they're willing to forgo an otherwise perfectly good book, well, then, that's their problem, and they can read all the Heinlein and Martin they want. The only thing separating Game of Thrones from a bodice ripper is literally just the packaging and the title. Call it DRAGON'S RAPTURE* and slap on a shirtless Jon Snow cradling a svelte Daenerys Targaryen in a too-tight bodice and ergo, you have a fantasy bodice ripper.





YOU'RE WELCOME.





Regardless of what the author says about her book (she's free to say whatever she wants about it - it is her book), I consider this a romance, through and through, because the focus is on the love story of Jamie and Claire, as they fight to be together against all odds. The setting is beautiful, practically a character on its own, and was extra special to me, because I've been to so many places mentioned here: Culloden battlefield, Inverness, Urquhart Castle. I've also gone horseback riding on the Black Isle and been to Fort George in Ardersier. Scotland is incredibly beautiful and feels wild in a way that the U.S. does not. I had the same impression when I went to Japan, and saw Hakone and Meiji forest. They haven't curbed and domesticated their wilderness and paved over history in the same way that us Americans have; it still feels wild and magical and dangerous there, which adds to the appeal. This was a really great epic romance done in the old style and I recommend it to anyone who likes that sort of thing, particularly if you're a fan of the older romance authors like Rosemary Rogers.





*P.S. Somebody with more talent than I have needs to make a mock-up of that DRAGON'S RAPTURE cover. I could use a laugh after having all my feelings demolished.





5 stars

I have extremely vivid and yet somewhat ironic memories of this particular book. It's rather strange because I have these fond memories for reasons that are completely off-kilter. You see, this is the very book that managed to cure me of a rather tenacious bad habit that I had developed ever since I first learned my ABCs. That habit was never abandoning a book, no matter how truly awful it might be and no matter how much I was despising every single page of it.

And then, along came Outlander, flaunting all its sensationalized and frankly garbage glory. There was just so much gratuitous rape and attempted rape throughout the story. The blatant disregard for consent was truly appalling. Moral dilemmas were conveniently swept under the rug, as if they didn't exist. The historical inaccuracies were rampant, making it a mockery of any attempt at authenticity. The way the modern woman in the story excused misogyny just because the lad was hot was truly infuriating. Claire, the main character, was insufferable, constantly running into situations that she herself caused, all so that the hot lad could come to her rescue and save her from yet another potential rape. Diana Gabaldon seemed to be incompetently copycatting Dorothy Dunnett, another author who, for some unfathomable reason, manages to escape criticism for her own rather problematic depictions. And there were a whole host of other minor issues and et ceteras that just added to the overall mess.

But above all else, it was the truly shitty writing that really took the cake. The author seemed to have no idea how NOT to use rape and sexual assault as a plot device over and over again, as if it was the only trick in her rather limited bag.

So, how could a book not deserve some sort of praise for breaking a stubborn and determined little mule like myself? I mean, a valuable lesson was most definitely learned here: never waste your precious time on horrible books and those that you're loathing with every fiber of your being. After all, you're not going to live forever, and nobody is handing out a prize for simply finishing books. So, after three valiant (or perhaps masochistic, depending on how you look at it) attempts that failed miserably and a third attempt that finally, albeit reluctantly, succeeded in getting through this hot mess, I unceremoniously tossed Outlander into the paper recycling basket where it rightfully belongs.

And thus, my \\"Could Not Finish\\" shelf was born. Now, I have absolutely no regrets about DNFing (Did Not Finish) books. In fact, I haven't abandoned a book in years simply because I now take the time to sample them first to see if they're my cup of tea. This is something that I didn't use to do in the past, and yet another habit that I can trace back to this particular piece of rubbish.

And then, Karma, that vindictive bitch with a seriously twisted sense of humor, decided to pay me back for all of this. You see, I met a young man who I'm now engaged to, and his luscious red locks were so striking that I couldn't help but blurt out a compliment, saying that he looked like Sam Heughan.

Yeah, believe it or not, I'm actually very fond of this book. Go figure.