Outlander

Rating:
Summary: fabulous
Review: Outlander was one of the best books I have read for a long time. The travel back in time to Scotland of the late 1700's was fascinating. As someone who spent many summer holidays in the Highlands and who has visited Culloden and the surrounding area, it made me realise how little I knew. It has renewed my interest in the area and I am impatient to return and visit the sites of so much history. In the meantime, I have now emabrked on "Dragonfly in Amber" having been hooked into the Outlander series.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story -Violent Scenes Unsettling,Thought Provoking
Review: A co-worker at the bookstore I work at recommended Outlander to me. I read it and throughly enjoyed it. The prose is lush, the characters are excellent and I love Claire's sense of self and strength. It's a good solid read. It is however very violent in spots. BE WARNED: there is a very contriversal scene in which Jamie, angered at the fact that Claire has disobeyed him and in doing so threatened the llives of his clan, beats her violently. She fights him back and it escelates into an all out brawl between the two. Several interviews with Diana Gabaldon find her explaining that scene, saying that it served to illustrate the character and time differences between the two. I can see her point (the idea that women were not property in 18th century Scotland was radical at best) and can see where Jamie and Claire would find themselves at an impasse. However, I wondered if it wouldn't send a subtle message to women that abuse is "romantic" when seen in this lavish contest. Beating is still beating if it happens in 18th century or in the 20th. Claire does tell him that it's not like that in the 20th century and if he ever beats her again she's "disembowel him with his sword". THAT I liked. True to their understanding, he never does again. After reading that scene I was amazed at the fact that I repected Gabaldon as a writer because she deals with an abusive situation, works through it and expells it. How many other "romance" novels are there where the woman is abducted, raped and abused by the man and then "surrenders her heart" or some other nonsense? In those books, a romanticized abuse IS the plotline. In this scene, Gabaldon bravely and disturbingly presents a conceivable situation between a man raised in the 18th century and a modern, liberated woman. If you can swallow that scene, it IS an excellent story with some wonderfully realistic and romantic scenes. Love it or hate it, you won't remain untouched by Outlander.

Rating:
Summary: INTENSE!
Review: "Outlander" is incredible. I loved it and didn't realize that it was a series until the last page and now I'm going to go crazy until I can get my hands on a copy of the second book.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Fantasy
Review: Beware, this is not a book for the weak stomached. This book is engrossing and one of the most unique novels ever. I've noticed some of the reviews talk about the level of violence, and yes it is a violent book. It is set in a violent time period. You'll not find any posh drawing rooms with people playing cards. For those who were misled by the violence, I think it is because it was and still is shelved in the Romance section of so many bookstores. It is not your typical romance where nothing bad ever happens. But, oh what a wonderful adventure awaits you if you give it a try!!! One of my all time favorite books.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I read all four books in about a week. Yes- all 4,000 pages. I could do nothing else. The characters are so real! Diana Gabaldon wrote a wonderful, historically accurate book. And now I know what a Scotsman wears under his kilt! I want to know when the next two books will be out.

Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: What a book! I laughed and cried. I was drawn into the author's wonderfully dreamy world of the Scottish Highlands. Glad I bought all four books at once! I am already into the second one. I couldn't put the first down. I thought it a wonderful story, beautifully told. Makes me want to go to Scotland and search for a stone circle. :-) I thought Claire to be strong and Jamie sexy and endearing. I loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best...
Review: This series of books defies description. They are so far above and beyond the average "romance" novel they deserve a category all thier own. I've read literally thousands of books, all kinds of books, and these are easily my favorites.

Ms. Gabaldon has created some of the most interesting and complex characters I,ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. That she was able to set this book in a time and place that is endlessly fascinating is just a huge bonus (for us the reader!). Every page has a purpose and the story moves along at break-neck speed, but the most impressive aspect is Ms. Gabaldon's beautiful and expressive writing style. With a few words she is able to transport you to a time and place that are completely foriegn and at the same time totally real. She gives her characters very believable, and yes, even flawed personalities.

Very few writers have the ability to capture and keep my attention and even fewer can make me believe that I know these characters well enough to actually care what will happen to them, Ms. Gabaldon can do both better than any other author I've ever read and for that I thank her. Do yourself a favor, read these books - you don't have to like a particular kind of book to enjoy them. You only have to be human.

Rating:
Summary: A truly wonderful piece of historical fiction
Review: Reading over some of the negative reviews written here about Outlander, I'd like to express my opinions on the matter they raise. First of all, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and not everyone has to enjoy the same things. Still, I think perhaps that some people have not given the book the chance it deserves.

1. The book is NOT a romance novel. No matter where Barnes and Noble or amazon.com or any other bookseller sticks it, it is more along the lines of a classic historical fiction, despite the very modern twist of time travel. If you like the traditional romance novel genre and come to this book expecting that, naturally you will be disappointed. My advice - stick to the conventional stuff - unless you like to be pleasantly surprised.

2. A lot of people seem to be upset over the violence in the book. Well, it was a violent time - there's no getting around that. Again, if you don't want to read this kind of stuff, stick to the traditional romance novel, where the most violence you'll find is an occasional swordfight or duel with pistols.

3. For those who are disturbed by the "wife-beating" scene in the book, I'll confess that this part was troubling to me as well. However, the scene is not gratuitous - it serves the very useful purpose of illuminating different facets of the characters. Furthermore, I feel that one of the great things about books is that they occasionally challenge and disturb. I'll say it again - if you want to be safe and comfortable with your reading, this book is not for you - stick to the bodice-rippers with Fabio on the cover.

Lastly, I'd simply suggest that you read the book and see for yourself. If you found it half as exciting, absorbing, and romantic as I did, then consider yourself lucky to have found such a great series (and run out to buy the other books!) If not, then try something else - this sort of thing isn't for you.

Rating:
Summary: Truly an exceptional book
Review: This is only the 2nd "romance" I've read in my life, the first being the famous Rebecca. Although I normally read a couple books a week, I've never cared for the romance genre in the least. That said, I must give this book 5 stars, on the basis of its creative story. I didna much care for Claire's personality (shrew), but had to admit the characterization of both Claire and Jaime was well done. Thankfully, there was almost as much action as hugging and kissing, or I'd have never gotten through such a long book. It was really a great experience for me to read and enjoy a romance. I have acquired the 3 remaining books by the author, and am most anxious to read them. I can honestly recommend this book to anyone, as it has much to offer just about any taste.

Rating:
Summary: I was lost in the spell of these pages for a week.....
Review: This is one of the BEST books I have read by far. The Best because when I read it...I was in the story....its promise to be a great "escape" reading was very true. I hated to put the book down and was annoyed when interrupted and roused from the world created within its pages....don't miss this one...you'll swear you were the one who was transported through the stones!