Outlander

Rating:
Summary: Needs More Editing
Review: The story is excellent, interesting, compelling but over
long. There is too much information that is, although well written, not related to the plot. The author needs a more conservative editor! However, I will read the rest of the series. It's too good to miss!

Rating:
Summary: A True Epic
Review: My first experience with Claire and Jamie was overhearing my coworkers copy of Fiery Cross on CD while at work. I didn't hear all of but enough to know that I wanted to read the others. A few months later I picked up Outlander. Being a busy college student I didn't have time to read much, but I somehow managed to find the time to finish the book. I spent the next few months trying to squeeze out every minute I could to finish the rest of the books.

Now, two years later I picked it up again. I finished it in one week. I LOVE this book. Diana Gabaldon accomplishes something that I only have experienced in fantasy epics. She has invented characters and a world that feel as real as the one we live in. Claire and Jamie have real human flaws. They are both stuborn to a fault but they also love each other beyond reason. Gabaladon also fleshes out her minor characters. Her portrayal of Frank was so well done that you felt everything Claire felt for him even if his part of the story was over in 100 pages.

Many classify this as a Romance Novel. That is just plain wrong. It is an historical fiction novel with just enough romance in it to be satisfying. The romance and sex scenes are never overdone like Jean Auel and some other historical fiction writers. The adventure, as over the top as some of it is, never seems wrong or misplaced.

If you are the type of person who likes completely engulfed in a story this is the book for you.




Rating:
Summary: All time favorite book
Review: This book is my caliber of which all other books are judged. It has everything--excellent writing, historical accuracy, humor..I could go on. The main reason to read it is this--A damn good book! And I love these characters. Do yourself a favor, pick up this book and you wont be able to put it down! And the other books in the series are just as great.

Rating:
Summary: Outlander is verra, verra boring
Review: O.K. My co-worker said "you gotta read this book." So I started and stopped at around 400 pages or so. Don't get me wrong, the author can put a story together. The main frustrations for me include...enough already with the sex scenes! Almost everytime Claire and Jamie came together (no pun intended) they jumped on each others bones. One of the most unbelievable sex scampades is that after they are almost killed by those men with bad/no teeth, they go into the heather and f*()(* like rabbits. Come on people! I would be high tailing it so fast out of there.....

Next, where was the story? It started out promising and then it is Claire and Jamie talking, screwing, talking, riding somewhere, talking...yada, yada, yada boring. Any historical context disappeared after the first few chapters. Also Claire does not seem too bothered about loosing her husband or even why she went back in time and how she got there. She has very little trouble wearing the period clothes, eating the period food, dealing with period vermin, going without a bath or shower, dealing with the period cold, the period smells...you name it. Nevermind being nearly raped everytime she is with the enemy. And Jamie being a 23 year old virgin when they get hitched..not bloody likely!

I could go on but if you are looking for a more historical fiction type of novel don't bother. If you are looking for a fantasy in the character of stud muffin Jamie, go for it.

Now what am I to tell me friend?

Rating:
Summary: Junk Food
Review: Just like a Big Mac and fries, this book is addictive but ultimately not nourishing. Excessively violent, over long, and highly homophobic, it keeps you involved without giving much back. The religious sentiments at the end also troubled me, as if Jamie experiences his own Passion of the Christ in 18th Century Scotland. The hero and heroine are beautiful, and loved by the good people and hated by the evil ones. As good a writer as Gabaldon can be, she deals in simplistic scenarios that are disturbing and ultimately dishonest.

Rating:
Summary: extraordinary love story
Review: This is the incredible story of a woman who travels back in time and is forced to marry a man for her own protection. Sounds pretty straightforward and kind of like a silly romance novel right? WRONG.

Claire's journey through the stones and her friendship and then marriage with Jamie is one of the most affecting stories I've ever read. I started reading Outlander on Dec 30, 2004. Thirty days and 4976 pages later I was done with the fifth book of this series, The Fiery Cross, and I wanted to cry because there was nothing left to read. I don't know what I will do with myself waiting for the sixth book and I truly sympathize with the readers who had to wait years between books.

Outlander introduces us to Jamie and Claire while they are still learning about the love that will bind them forever - even when they might be seperated by time itself. While I would not consider this book to be a romance novel it IS an extraordinary love story that segues into the excellent historical fiction and adventure to follow.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible story for either sex
Review: This is an absoutely wonderful story. I've read the first four books so far & can't wait to read the last one. In the mean time, I'm reading Outlander again! My husband is planning on reading it also.There is supposted to be another book comming out soon & possible a 7th. I've been to Gabaldon's web site & she's debating on a movie. Most of her fans can't wait to see this story on the big screen. Personally, I think Outlander is the best one so far!

Rating:
Summary: MY FAVORITE ROMANCE BOOK OF ALL TIME, AND I HAVE READ ALOT!
Review: I am telling you right off the bat to read this book. A friend had suggested it to me and I can tell you I thank her all the time. I was completely blown away after the first few chapters. Outlander is superbly written, the plot moves and the characters are lifelike and developed beautifully.I feel in love with the unruly auburn haired, 5`5 English heroine Claire and her 6`4 red haired, big chested Scot Jamie. I dare not say too much for I wish whoever reads this to savor every page. Once you are done(burning the midnight oil)you wish that you were still reading. The love story between Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall and James Alexander Mackenzie Fraser is breathtaking. I could give you a list of cliche`s to describe the book and none would come close. The thing that struck me the most besides the passionate passages of love and devotion is the subtle humor and play-by-play between Jamie and his sassenach Claire. The back cover of the book in which it leads you to believe Claire commits some sacred act against her marriage to Frank is absurd, she would have commited a sin against love if she did not go with Jamie. This book was so vivid, and real that I believe many husbands have been compared more than once to James Fraser. Claire's voice shines through the pages and Gabaldons obvious knowledge of Scotland in the 18th century and human mentality is divine. I also immensely enjoyed the passages about Claire's medical knowledge. Bonus: Great steamy sex... I recommend this novel and all its sequels to anyone friend or foe, no one should miss out on such a marvelous piece of literature.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Series of Books
Review: I'm not sure what to say about this book that hasn't already been said. Except to say that Diana Gabaldon can place a reader in the center of her story like no other author. She lets you feel, smell and taste everything going on in her novels.

I'm a hue fan of the entire series. I like some books better than others, but they are all wonderful. I was truly sad when I finished the last one. I missed Jamie and Clarie. (the two lead characters)

I'm pleased to hear that she has now planned another book in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Diana Gabladon has written an entertaining story with a lot of imagination as well as historical content. Outlander (along with the rest of the series) is not only a romance story but also historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction...you name it, and it probably has it. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down and now I only have the 5th book in this series to read. The story made me laugh, gasp, cry, smile and cringe all the while making it hard to not love Jamie and Clair. I felt as if I was transported back with Clair to 18th century Scotland and was enthralled with the story to the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, fantasy, romance and Scottish history.