The article is extremely jam-packed with information, perhaps a bit overly so, which is typical of Diana's style.

My absolute favorite part was when she delved into the topic of characters and how she goes about creating them. Whether they are like nuts, mushrooms, or onions.

A significant amount of this information is something I have already heard before in her interviews. However, the addition of the family trees and natal charts was a really nice touch.

It added an extra layer of depth and interest to the overall piece. And I absolutely loved the way she incorporated book quotes.

It really brought the whole thing to life and made it more engaging for the reader. Overall, while the article was perhaps a bit overwhelming with the sheer volume of information, it was still a fascinating read.

Fun read - interesting to learn more about the author, her writing process, and her thoughts.

It's truly captivating to delve into the mind of the author and understand how she crafts her stories. The writing process itself is often a mystery, filled with inspiration, hard work, and countless revisions. By learning about her thoughts and experiences, we can gain a deeper appreciation for her work.

Yup - a bit addicted over here.

A fun companion to the first 4 Outlander books.

It offers so much more than just a recap. The character lists are extremely handy when you need to remember a specific detail or person from past books.

It's truly enjoyable to read about Diana's thought processes and insights as an author.

The sections discussing the TV adaption are also very interesting. Diana explains why many simple alterations don't actually detract from the overall story, which gives readers a better understanding of the adaptation process.

Moreover, the inclusion of errata is a nice touch, as it helps to correct any errors or inaccuracies in the original books.

Overall, this is a great addition to the Outlander series and a must-read for any fan of the books or the TV show.

This was truly fantastic!

It was an experience that left me completely amazed and filled with joy. The moment I witnessed it, my eyes widened in awe. The details were so intricate and the overall effect was simply breathtaking. It was like a magical moment that had been carefully crafted and presented just for me.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder as I took it all in. Every aspect of it was perfect, from the colors to the textures. It was a sight that I will never forget and one that will stay with me in my memories forever.

This was not just something ordinary, but something truly extraordinary that had the power to touch my heart and soul. I am so grateful to have been a part of it and to have witnessed such a remarkable thing.

Outlander is a captivating series, and this resource offers a wealth of information.

It provides the author's insights into numerous events, along with Gaelic pronunciation. There's a comprehensive list of all the characters, and a summary of books 1 - 4.

What's truly fascinating is the in-depth look at the author's opinions and theories on time travel, as well as the book cover art and many other aspects. The bibliography is also included.

The level of detail put into writing these books is astonishing. After perusing the bibliography, it's amazing how the books manage to come across as natural, first-person interactions rather than dry textbooks.

This resource is a must-have for any Outlander fan, offering a unique and detailed exploration of this wonderful series.

Something for everyone here. This statement holds true as the content seems to offer a wide range of information. It claims to provide answers to all your questions, which is quite ambitious. However, it also acknowledges that every reader will have different interests, so there will be sections that are highly relevant and engaging for some, while others may find certain parts completely boring. I, for one, have been very troubled by recognizing errors, especially in Outlander. So, I really revelled in the section that dealt with these "little voids" in the research process. It was interesting to see how these errors were identified and perhaps even corrected. But there is one thing that bothered me. Not all of my favorites were mentioned. I wonder if I should send an e-mail to the author to suggest including them? (g)

Something for everyone here.

Answers to all your questions, though that means every reader will find sections which are just for them and other sections totally boring.

I have been very troubled by recognising errors especially in Outlander and so revelled in the section dealing with these "little voids" in the research process.

Not all my favorites were mentioned, should I send an e-mail? (g)

Well! I'm not entirely certain about reviewing a Companion or 'guide' to a series, but I'll do my utmost to give it a good go.

This specific book serves as a companion guide to the initial four books in the Outlander series (Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums in Autumn). I truly relished it as I have read well beyond this point by delving into the next three books. Thus, it was an excellent means to review what I had read while offering additional perspectives on the reads. What I particularly adored was Diana's voice that personalized a significant portion of the book.

The prologue detailing how she became a writer was alone worth the price of the book. Diana's wit, even in mere explanations, had me in stitches.

Subsequently, there were some splendid in-depth synopses of each book, engaging character breakdowns, and even Claire and Jamie's horoscope birthdate readings.

Then came those practical genealogical charts that I find useful for clarifying some of the family discussions in the books.

I sort of skimmed through the pronunciation guides, but they are also present and convenient for reference purposes.

After that, a list of fan websites was provided, which I will definitely be visiting.

These were followed by some explanations regarding her research.

Next came the captivating explanations of how she named the books. It was such a hoot! She made me laugh yet again.

The Lallybroch section was a wonderful collage of quotes from the books related to various people, places, and things of value in the books.

This quote section was succeeded by a highly informative Q&A chapter. I loved this as there were several questions asked that I hadn't even considered but realized I wanted to know the answers to. My major ones were answered - Who or what is the ghost in the beginning of Outlander? And who and what is Raymond from Dragonfly in Amber? It had been bothering me for some time after I read them. I can proudly say that most of the questions I wouldn't have needed to ask. I was so engrossed in the books that every detail was crucial to me.

The section on Controversy was interesting for two reasons. She essentially addressed customer complaints. I found it fascinating what upset people about the books, but I also enjoyed reading her responses as I learned even more background information about the historical period and the characters. I know - you're curious about what the controversies are. Well, there was - bad language, sex, wife beating, homosexuality, and eating disorders, although there might have been more.

And if you haven't gotten around to Fiery Cross or what was then called King, Farewell, then there are snippets from those stories.

These are followed by research and further reading materials for those who wish to explore more deeply into topics such as Scotland, medicine, magic, and Native American history.

Also, I should mention that there are two excellent maps of the Outlander World in the cover leafs and another map inside the book. There are also several wonderful graphics scattered throughout the guide, both pictures and illustrated drawings that have something to do with the pages they are on. Very nice!

Like the Outlander series books, this is a substantial tome, but also like the books, it is so easy to become immersed in Diana's voice, explanations, and witticisms that before I knew it, I was reading it with pure enjoyment. No, there are no earth-shattering revelations; it was more of a reminder of how far we have come. It was so enjoyable that I hope she creates a second companion covering the next four books.

Highly recommended for the Outlander fan!

Being a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, I was overjoyed to accidentally come across this Outlander Companion.

Although it is a bit outdated as it was published in 1999, prior to her last couple of books, I still relished the sections and portions that I read.

I took great pleasure in learning about the evolution of the Outlander series and reading the responses to frequently asked questions.

Certainly, I didn't manage to read all 577 pages (definitely not the Annotated Bibliography, thank you very much), but overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

The Companion provided valuable insights into the world of Outlander and added an extra layer of depth to my understanding and appreciation of the series.

It was interesting to see how the story had developed over the years and to gain some behind-the-scenes knowledge.

Even though it was not completely up-to-date, it still had a lot to offer and I would recommend it to any die-hard Outlander fan.

Reading this at night, a little by little, with a Scotch whisky on the bedside table, was a small pleasure that I will surely miss. However, this feeling won't last long as volume 2 is set to come out in October! Naturally, I have already preordered it.

Moreover, I must express how astonished I was regarding the content. Clearly, I didn't peruse the 40 pages of the bibliography, but I read all the remaining parts with great interest. The author has managed to present the material in a captivating manner, making it a truly engaging read. I can't wait to get my hands on the second volume and continue exploring the fascinating world that has been created.

It's quite comical to consider that I purchased an 'encyclopedia' for my beloved book series. However, there it is. If you have a passion for the Outlander series, you ought to possess this book too. It has been truly beneficial in offering insights, aiding you in keeping track of various elements, and overall just adding an enjoyable perspective to the series. I'm certain that an updated version will be released shortly as this one only encompasses the books up to Drums of Autumn. Nevertheless, I adore everything by Diana and wish I could have just a tiny fragment of her creativity.

The Outlander series has captivated readers worldwide with its rich and complex storylines. This 'encyclopedia' serves as a wonderful companion, enhancing the reading experience. It provides detailed information about the characters, settings, and plotlines, allowing fans to delve deeper into the world created by Diana Gabaldon. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, this book is a must-have.

Although the current version has its limitations, it still offers a wealth of valuable information. As the series continues to evolve, an updated edition will surely be eagerly anticipated by fans. In the meantime, we can continue to enjoy the magic of Outlander and look forward to what the future holds for this remarkable series.

DG's writing has always had a remarkable ability to soothe the soul.

Here is a prime example of why I firmly believe that one should read the right thing at the right time.

"Lack of perspective in literature (or in readers) often gives rise to a contemporary condition I've heard dubbed as 'presentism': namely, a tendency to judge all literature by the narrow standards of the present time and present culture. This leads to rather peculiar phenomena such as the condemnation of classic novels like Huckleberry Finn, on the grounds that they handle issues like slavery and women's civil rights in a manner not in line with the present-day concept of political correctness. (...)

She is an extremely nuanced writer. For instance, we discover that Jocasta is blind when her black slave reaches out and subtly rotates a goblet of whiskey so that her fingers can naturally curl around it. She acknowledges that 18th-century Scotland and the Americas were unhygienic, primitive, and violent places, yet she refrains from passing judgment. Instead, there are these moments of tenderness, highlighting the fact that mankind can achieve greatness not necessarily through grand acts of patriotism, but sometimes simply by remaining consistent, even in difficult circumstances.

I must admit that I was initially perplexed by contemporary news. The pulling down of confederation statues and the condemnation of books made it seem as if we were taking a step backward. Scarlett O'Hara is not racist, and Manny isn't a caricature. It's a love story set in a time when certain attitudes were the norm. We know better now. But ignoring it, whitewashing it, or being overly politically correct cannot be the way forward - just read 1984.

I understand that the descendants of slavery may be angered by this. There are indeed times when certain elements in books make me uncomfortable, such as Yi Tien Cho's foot fetish or the prevalence of buggery. However, it doesn't personally offend me because I'm mature enough not to view it as an attack on my entire race or culture. Any reaction while reading is better than no reaction at all.

Recently, I've been using this line quite frequently: "Well, this is just a beginning. Let's start a conversation with this." I use it when discussing property price negotiations, controversial topics, things I don't agree with but don't want to argue about, and so on. I have found it to be extremely useful, eliciting good reactions and outcomes.

"See, I'm a writer. Not - and I repeat not - a feminist, a political activist, or a spokesperson for some group that believes it is entitled to everyone's attention... Any reader brings their own experience to a book, and consequently, perceptions will vary. Given that, I simply cannot write with the possibility of multiple hypersensitivities in mind. Such an approach - aiming above all to offend no one or to adhere to some standard of political correctness - results in blandness and mediocrity. I'm a storyteller, and it's my job to tell the story of these people, remaining true to my characters to the best of my ability. Nothing more."

It has been such a fascinating exploration into how she obtains inspiration, and I truly admire and wholeheartedly respect her opinions.

This was truly an enjoyable addition to the Outlander series.

Although I did skip certain sections like the list of characters, horological interpretations, and Gaelic glossary.

It was quite amusing to witness her write about her experiences as an author during the early days of the internet.

Also, reading about her initial plans for the series when only a few books had been published and then seeing how those plans have evolved over time was fascinating.

I read the updated edition, yet not all sections were completely up to date.

For instance, one section listed The Fiery Cross as the second to last book, while another section mentioned Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

Undoubtedly, this has made me eager to quickly finish the rest of the series so that I can have a full and in-depth discussion about it with my mom.

It's as if this book has reignited my passion for the entire Outlander saga and has given me a new perspective on the author's journey and the evolution of the series.

I can't wait to see what other surprises and revelations await me as I continue reading.