Outlander

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Summary: Outlander was a marvelously written novel!!!
Review: It truly brings you back to the 1600's with Gabaldon's indept discriptions. Could not force myself to put this book down and I was motivated to go out and purchase the continuation of this heartpounding love story. If you have the urge to escape from reality, this is the novel for you.

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Summary: A MUST READ!
Review: I have to say this is probably the best book I have ever read and once you've begun reading Diana's books, you are hooked forever! After Outlander, the story continues with Dragonfly In Amber, Voyager and Drums of Autumn. I've read them all four times. The author's brilliant writing technique is made more amazing when one learns how she writes. No outline, here and there a chapter and somehow it all fits together.

Rating:
Summary: 850 pages, only last 300 were worth the read
Review: I am not a great fan of romance, but the super positive reviews made me buy this book. From the reviews I had the impression this was not just another romantic story. While reading, I regretted my decision, but I never stop a book in the middle, so kept on reading (even though 850 pages) and it got a little better by page 350. I found the beginning very slow, not to the point and pretty boring. Halfway the pace got a little better, but altogether I found the book missing action and credibility. The ending really made up for the first 350 pages, but I will not buy any of Ms. Gabaldon's sequels.

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Summary: Escapist reading
Review: This book is really quite thin as far as historical fiction is concerned. Much of what takes place really isn't plausible, but if you are looking for escapist reading, this is it!

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Summary: A series of books that you will not want to put down.
Review: I am not usually into romance novels, but a friend loaned me Outlander a few years ago and I became hooked. I laughed, cried and found myself feeling as if I was one of the characters in the novel. I couldn't put it down, and in less than a week I had found that I had read the whole book. I have since read all of the sequels, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager and Drums of Autumn. All of them are as wonderful as the first book. I will never forget Jamie or Clare, and I am sure that I am not the only who thinks that Jamie is the perfect man.

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Summary: The best book I've ever read!
Review: I am a foracious reader of all genre, but this is the best book I've ever read. I mistakingly read Drums of Autumn first without realizing it was a series. I loved it, but couldn't find the first two at the local library, so read Voyager next. It was even better. I then went online and ordered Outlander and Dragonfly and read them back to back. The history, suspense and true flavor of 18th Century Scotland captured by the author is truely amazing. Having been stationed in England several years ago, and traveled widely through Scotland including Edinborough, Aberdeen and Inverness, I had the advantage of closing my eyes and being even closer to Claire as she traversed through time. I can't wait for the next installment!

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Summary: I'm Ashamed to Admit I Read It
Review: Armed with only my naivete' and an interest in Scottish History I was lured into the tar baby which is Diana Gabaldon's Outlander by the glowing reviews here in the readers comments section. Eight hundred pages later I emerged a bitter and angry young man, most reviewers didn't want to put it down, I hated to pick it up. Our heroine is transported back to Scotland in the 1700's by a mysterious circle of celtic stones. Alone in a hostile environment with only her wits and her insatiable libido to guide her, Claire Randall gets caught up in the battles between Scots and English and between various clan factions. If you are truly looking for historical fiction on this era I suggest Sir Walter Scott, but if you want the bodice-ripping version than Outlander is the book for you.

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Summary: Everything You'd Ever Want
Review: Not a normal "Romance" reader, I still find it hard to believe that one can become obsessed with a ficticious character from the 18th Century. Well, I just joined the club! I've read all the series now and decided that a trip to Scotland is in order. I cannot get this book, characters, history and all that goes with it out of my mind. Diana Gabaldon is THE BEST writer as far as I'm concerened. I'm definately hooked and holding my breath til the next book is out. Please hurry.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Romance
Review: Never in my life have I been so captivated by a romance novel! Diana Gabaldon knows how to capture one's imagination and keep it. I have finished all four Outlander Series ( Outlander,Voyager, Drums of Autumm, and Dragon Fly in Amber) and wish there were more. I can hardly wait for the next installment. Please let it be soon.

Rating:
Summary: NOT YOUR USUAL COOKIE-CUTTER HISTORICAL FICTION
Review: This will be gilding the lily after all the other reviews, but if you could rate a book or series higher than five stars, I would -- the books in this series are in a category of their own! This book (and indeed the whole four-book series, so far) breaks the mold. Have you ever read several historical romances in a row and felt that they must have all subscribed to some "romance-writers' formula for plot development: perfect hero, perfect heroine, everybody stays clean and fresh no matter what happens, nothing too sad or bad happens, perfect endings every time?" Diana Gabaldon went totally outside the formula for a knock-your-socks-off continuing story of Jamie and Claire against a backdrop of history in Scotland, France, and the United States. If I hadn't already named my daughter Claire 20 years ago, I probably would after reading these books! And it's too late to name my son Jamie, but if he grows up to be like this Jamie, he'd be darn near perfect but human enough to be totally lovable. My only disappointment when I finished the fourth book was that the fifth one hasn't been written yet!!! But it's worth waiting for. You're probably thinking the praise is too extravagant to be believable -- I did when my sister told me about the series. But she challenged me, and I issue the same challenge to others, to tell me that after they've read the first book!