Outlander

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Review: Diana Gabladon has written an entertaining story with a lot of imagination as well as historical content.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.

Rating:
Summary: HISTORICALLY LACKING ROMANCE
Review: Early 18th century Scotland is arguably the most romantic time in Scotland's rich history (save, perhaps, William Wallace & The Bruce), so it's no wonder that D. Gabaldon chose this period for her fantasy romance novel. As for as romances go, this epic isn't too bad with the main characters, Jamie and Claire, being pleasant enough - it's just too bad that a Romance Novel is all it really is.
For the historical fiction fanatics out there, and especially those familiar or curious about the Highlander way of life and the Jacobite rebellion (count me as one), this book will leave you sorely wanting more. Gabaldon has done what so many other historical writers have done, and that's simply to use the timeframe as a backdrop for their tale. The actual history of the Jacobite rebellion, and for that matter, just what exactly a Jacobite is, what they're fighting for, and who the Stuarts are, is left in the dust. If you didn't know the history before starting the book, you won't have a clue when you done - and that's just too bad. I wish I could rate it higher.


Rating:
Summary: Why do so many people like this book?
Review: I agree with many people before me: this book is boring!! I was really looking forward to reading it, but I eventually gave up on page 400 since it just didn't get any better. Nothing really happens in the book. All the events in Jamie's past were confusing, I didn't really get it. And Claire jumps from the year 1945 to 1743 and doesn't have much trouble doing so. She easily adjusts to the lifestyle and never worries much about her husband she left behind. She doesn't try to find out how she ended up in the 18th century or how to get back to her time. I had to force myself to continue reading it, it was just not interesting and I really wonder why it has so many reviews and why so many people liked it so much?

Rating:
Summary: Can't get enough of Diana Gabaldon
Review: I always read the reviews but have never left one until now. I discovered Diana Gabaldon about five years ago on Amazon and since then I have absolutely fallen in love with her characters and her wonderful writing skills. I have read The Outlander (3 times) and all of the following books in this series and in the past 5 years have gotten my mother, two aunts, three cousins, two sister-in-laws and best friend to read this series and now at family gatherings we all sit around the table discussing Jamie and Claire! You cannot help falling in love with not only Jamie, but Claire as well.
I HIGHLY recommend The Outlander. Some people complain there is not enough historical info and still others say there is too much. This is a Historical Romance. Get it? History and romance. Both. I, personally, think Mrs. Gabaldon did an excellent job of discribing 18th century Scotland and discribing her characters. This might sound corny, but she makes you feel like you are standing right there, right next to the characters and not just reading the written words, but living them. She brings life to Jamie and Claire, makes them breathe. Makes you care about them.
If you think you would have any interest at all in this novel then run, don't walk, to the nearest book store or library and start reading. The majority of you will absolutely love this book. Happy reading and "Slainte mhath" (means "To your good health" in Gaelic.

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: Adsolutely Enthralling! I'm Still Entranced By This Book!
Review: I came across this book by accident, and it turned out to be one of the best books I've read in recent years. Having just read J. Suzanne Frank's "Reflections in the Nile," I came across a review of her book that commended Frank's work as equally satisfying as Gabaldon's. From that review, I decided to buy "Outlander" and quickly became absorbed in this well-crafted tale of history, romance, gallantry, and desire.

Despite it's voluminous size, I read it every night well into the wee hours of the morning as if I could finish it in a day. I was enraptured by the vividly-drawn 18th century characters of Dougal, Collum, Captain Randall and of course...Jaime Frasier and Claire Beauchamp. The detailed intermingling of historical events, time-travel, adventure, and of timeless love blew me away. This book made me cry, hold my breath in suspense, laugh out loud, and share in the escapades of Jaime and Claire as if I were there myself. I felt their pain, triumph, and undying love, and wished I was Claire being comforted by Jaime's strong enbrace.

I was a bit depressed to come to the end of this book, but absolutely elated to find that it was simply the first of a six-part series. I promptly ordered the next three installments and found myself waiting impatiently for them to arrive. I guess I'm lucky that I stumbled onto this remarkable series late in the game...I don't have to wait so long to read each successive novel. I will order the fifth installment when it's released and will likely hold my breath waiting for the sixth. I can't wait to see how the story of Claire and Jaime and their colorful supporting players unravels.

Diana Gabaldon is an extraordinary writer with a penchant for mixing history with romance. If J. Suzanne Frank whetted my appetite for historical romance adventures, Gabaldon certainly sealed my fate as a fan for life.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a bodice-ripper romance
Review: I had heard wonderful things about it, and for the first couple of hundred pages, really enjoyed it. But let's face it, this is a historical romance -- great if that's what you like. I learned that I really don't like historical romances any better than I like romance novels. I quit reading about halfway through -- the book just went on and on, and after a while, the novelty of the device (time travel) seemed to have lost interest for the author, because we were totally imbedded in the earlier time period.

If you love romances, this will probably be just your cup of tea. If you don't normally read romance novels, be warned.

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: Amazing Story
Review: Intense adventure.

There were a few parts where I nearly forgot
what the hell the book was suppose to be about
... aside from that; I was lost reading it.



Rating:
Summary: Once in the Highlands....
Review: The book and series were recommended by some friends of my Mum's and she went searching. Not really a "romance" kinda gal, the book store lady assured us--in glowing terms usually reserved for the most elite of movie stars and politicians--that these books were the read of the century. Well, she said the magic words to me--"time travel" and "Scotland." Hey, I'm there. What I was not prepared for was not only an action packed piece of historical fiction, but a hero that I fell in love with as well. There is something so unique and endearing about Jamie Fraser, that I couldn't help it. He is, in turn, the hard headed, pragmatic Scot of his time (1743) and the big, dumb, romantic kid with his wide eyed innocense of love and marriage. And his ability to whip out the one liners had me laughing hysterically. But this book is action from beginning to end as we, through Claire, discover life in the Highlands prior to the Culloden uprising. It was brutal and not at all the romance we've been led to know. Ms. Gabaldon has written an incredible piece with real characters performing real life and I was so caught up, I stayed up far too late to read. I was not disposed to put it down to sleep or eat. I doubt you will be either. I've started the next book in the series and the promise of holding me rapt is there as well. Bottom line...GET THIS BOOK!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!