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Summary: A must read for book lovers!
Review: This is by far one of the best books (and series) I have read in a very long time! Diana now ranks among my favorite authors, with Jean Auel and Shakespeare! READ THIS SERIES!
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Summary: Simply unique!
Review: I've never read anything quite like Gabaldon's books. They have the most compelling elements of genre fiction, and yet the language, scope, and themes of the series as a whole remind me of the best of classic literature. The series (I couldn't separate it into books; it's all one huge, marvelous story) is the best thing I've read since I found WAR AND PEACE in my teens.
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Summary: Wow! Just -- wow!
Review: Claire Randall is a married Englishwoman in her mid-20s. She and her husband, Frank, have just reunited after six years apart during WWII. (She was a nurse and he was an intelligence officer.) While they are vacationing in the Scottish Highlands, Claire goes out picking wildflowers near an ancient stone circle -- and falls through it, back 200 years.James Fraser is a young Scotsman, the nephew of the MacKenzie chieftain, and wanted (incorrectly) for murder by the English. He and his companions discover Claire and take her back to Leoch (the seat of the MacKenzie clan), where Jamie later marries her to keep her out of English hands. So far, this sounds a bit formulaic, but it is anything but. I quit reading romance novels because of their incredible sameness: The heroine is naive, spectacularly beautiful and headstrong. The hero is manly, usually a jerk and experienced in the ways of pleasuring a woman. Part of the reason "Outlander" is great -- other than its cool time-travel element -- is because Claire and Jamie are NOTHING like that. Claire is a practical, sensible woman, not a simpering virgin. Jamie IS a virgin -- a devout, kindhearted man who would move heaven and earth for his bride but never fails to be masculine. Gabaldon's writing is exquisite -- far superior to that of most romance novelists. Her historical details are also fascinating and meticulously researched. The plot takes some unusual turns that I won't disclose here, but this novel is not for the faint of heart. Both Jamie and Claire suffer some very harsh treatment...
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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: The Outlander series is wonderful. Read them slowly so that you aren't stuck waiting for Gabaldon's next book like I am!
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Summary: Great Fun!
Review: It is fiction, and accepted as such was great fun to read. I started with Outlander, and before I knew it had read all the books in the series - waiting for another. The author tries to introduce the reader to old ways of doing things - life in that period, beliefs, customs, healings. Great love story. More!
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Summary: I don't understand the phenomenon
Review: Right off, after skimming through almost half of the 400+ reviews, one thing becomes clear to me--people either REALLY REALLY love or REALLY hate this book. There is almost no gray area. Well, I am here to provide it. Ever since this book came out in the early nineties, I have been reading/hearing buzz about how GREAT it is, people compare it to classics like GONE WITH THE WIND or IVANHOE, etc... books that stand the test of time. Well, since I have no magic crystal glass into which I can peer and observe the future, who knows if anyone will be reading OUTLANDER, etc. one hundred years from now. Personally, I thought the book was so-so. I didn't hate it, but it was not a keeper for me either. I enjoyed reading it, but I have no desire to read the sequels or to read OUTLANDER again. The problem for me was really the romantic pairing of the books central characters: Claire and Jamie. A lot of Gabaldon Fan-atics (or that portion of readers that are obsessed with Gabaldon books) tout this fictional couple as *one of the greatest pair of literary lovers of all time*. Eh, no. Not for me, anyway. I found the character of Claire to be interesting and likeable, her twentieth century view of 18th century Scotland was fresh, witty, and amusing. Jamie, however, seemed like a flat character to me. The man was perpetually being victimized (and at one point forcefully sodomized) all throughout the book. Yuck. He seemed very immature and annoying to me and I couldn't really understand what Claire saw in him at all. The scenes which were supposed display Jamie's *innate sensitivity* seemed forced and/or fake. The villian Jack Randall--seemed like a cartoon. And what about Claire's 20th century husband Frank? Why did Claire give up so easily on finding the stones back to the future (and Frank) after she had been so obsessed with getting back to them for the first three-hundred-pages? On the flip side, Gabaldon has a gift with language that makes you forget some of the silly characters, the loose plot points, etc. I really felt like she had transported me to 18th Century Scotland. The ironic part is that this book is supposed to be a *romance* but the best parts of the book happen BEFORE the couple gets together. If this book had left Jamie out altogether (or had not made him Claire's love interest, at least) I would have LOVED the book. If Gabaldon had just used the time-travel plot to explore the character of Claire/the fish out of water theme, it would have been much better. I really enjoyed Claire's experiences as a 20th century woman trying to deal with a culture and a time so different from her own. The romance just mucked the story up. If you think I'm saying that because I hate romance novels, you couldn't be more wrong. Some of my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Lisa Kleypas, Kathleen Woodiwiss, etc. This book just didn't work for me. Howeverm I wouldn't completely write if off. Gabaldon is a writer whose language can transport you, even if you don't particularly care for some of the themes or messages her books put across.
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Summary: This story is not to be missed!
Review: Diana Gabaldon can not be topped! I feel as if I'm personally involved with Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Murdoch, Ian...... I have read and reread every book in the series and the companion. Gabaldon's descriptions are so vivid I become immersed in the action, the era, and the emotion of her books. I'm taken from my living room through that circle of stones straight into the heart of the story. I'm awaiting the next pieces of the story with bated breath!
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Summary: touched
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down.The characters were so real that one could feel all the joys and pains as if experiencing love ourselves for the first time.
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Summary: Transports you back in time-love those hilanders!
Review: This is a real love story. Full of the textures of life. Characters are developed well and you feel as if you really know them....especially Claire and Jamie! And what a love story they make. Diana's research is meticuluous. This book is hard to put down...as are all the others in this series. I can't wait to read the next one. Hurry, Diana and get it out! What draws me to these books are the continuing love story/adventures of Jamie & Claire. To sustain a love after it's first blush is rare, and Ms. Gabaldon does this most expertly. If you are into Scottish history this book is for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Blah
Review: One of the most boring books I have ever tried to read. I love reading, I love romances, but I simply could not spend any more of my time on this book. Needless to say, I dont think I will ever try to read this author's work again.
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