The Outlandish Companion

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Summary: THESE BOOKS ARE POWERFULLY WRITTEN WITH HEART AND SOUL...
Review: HAVING BEEN LEAD TO THIS SERIES OF BOOKS BY A FRIEND AT THE LIBRARY, I WAS AMAZED AT THE IMPACT THEY HAD ON ME..... I COULDN'T PUT THEM DOWN, AND IN 5 DAYS HAD READ ALL FOUR OF THEM. I THEN SET OUT TO PURCHASE THEM TO HAVE TO READ OVER AND OVER, AND HAVE DONE THAT TOO. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE, AND HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT THE COMPANION THAT DIANA WROTE, AS A PART OF MY SET..... MS GALBADON, YOU ARE A WONDERFUL WRITER, AND BRING A GREAT DEAL OF ENTERTAINMENT TO THOSE OF US, WHO HAVE BECOME YOUR FANS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND PERSONALLY, YOUR BOOKS MAKE ME VERRA VERRA HAPPY!

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Summary: can't wait for 'the fiery cross', loved every word of every
Review: It's been a long time since I have stayed up until 4:00 in the morning reading, but I did it for 2 weeks while relishing these 4 books. I am a nervous wreak waiting to see where Diana will take Claire and Jamie. They have become very real people to me. Thank-You so much Ms. Gabaldon.

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Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I am an avid fan of Diana Gabaldon and am reading the series for the second time. The Outlandish Companion is a great asset as it helps me to better understand the books and of course I found it intriguing to read about the recipes and herbal concoctions. I would highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. Can't wait for the next one!

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Summary: An amazing and typically thorough compendium of information.
Review: I do not understand how anyone could trash this book, unless they didn't understand the title. This book provides all a fan could want: synopses of the four novels to date, teasers about those to come, insights into Diana's writing and research styles, definitions and pronunciations, questions and answers, even recipes and horoscopes. It is a remarkably readable reference sprinkled throughout with Diana's perspectives and tongue-in-cheek humor, including a few shots at herself. It is exactly what it claims to be - a companion volume to the existing and future "Jamie and Claire" novels, and as such it succeeds very well.

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Summary: Never read a Gabaldon book before
Review: A bit of serendipity came my way when I found the Outlandish Companion on the "new arrivals" bookshelf at my local library. My daughter had just begun reading "Outlander" and mentioned Diane's name the day before. A writer myself, I'd like to direct these comments to Ms. Gabladon Herself. My dear, you are a soul-sister. Your playful spirit and intellectual diversity enthralls me. This companion book is a very handy resource for writers and I will buy a hard copy for my own reference. You might want to consider publishing a book just for writers. Obviously, many readers miss the essence of what you have compiled within these pages. Several disgruntled readers complain that the same info can be found online. Humm - so different venues are unnecessary? "Why make a movie - there's already a book?" Good grief. Another reader complained about Amazon carrying certain comments. I hope Amazon continues to print whatever comes in, as it is all rather entertaining to see how emotional people become over such mundanities. Carry on, MacDuff. Work hard, make your millions and do alphabetize the next glossary. Hugs & kisses to you, Diane.

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Summary: Awesome...brings it ALL back
Review: I am having a great time with this book. In fact, I let my sister borrow it, and she refuses to give it back. It has been fun reading the old and new. I give it 4 thumbs UP!

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Summary: Worth every penny
Review: As a die hard fan of Herself I was so excited about getting this book months before it was available in Australia. No, it is not the next novel in the series but then we all knew that didn't we ?!?! I certainly was not expecting the next novel and appreciate this for what it is ! There has been some critism about the horoscopes and I am afraid I really can't see where people are coming from when they say things like "it lowers the tone of this book" and the series in general. Lighten up people !!! To me it is yet another example of the brilliance and intuitiveness of Herself to create such a character which happens to match the horoscope - well done to Herself and the astrologer I say ! Overall the book was everything I expected and more and since when has it been a crime to make money ?? Three cheers for Diana !

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Summary: A complete waste of time
Review: I was very glad that I borrowed this book from the library and didn't waste any money on it. I skimmed through it and found it to be a huge disappointment for a fan of the series. Ms. Gabaldon must think pretty highly of herself to write a whole book about writing the 'Outlander' series or she just wants to cash in on their popularity.

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Summary: I love this book already!
Review: After just a few hours with the Companion, I love it. It provides a great view into the person who created Claire and Jamie and their world. I want to meet this lady! She must be part Scottish somewhere or she wouldn't understand the humor so well!

Rating:
Summary: Outlandishly Awful
Review: An uncomplimentary mix of horoscopes, recipes, writing tips, synopses. It needed more "meat" and less filler.