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Summary: I actually have pages memorized!!
Review: A few of my friends told me about Outlander and I kept putting them off--it didn't seem like the kind of book I would like to read. I reluctantly picked it up one day and never put it down. I tried to make myself slow down and savor every page but I couldn't. When I did try to put it down I would worry about Jamie and Claire every second I was away from them. I've told everyone I know about this book, I've even told them the best pages because I have them memorized
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Summary: I absolutely devoured this book and the sequels
Review: I almost put this book back on the shelf. After reading the summary, I decided to give it a try and I was not disappointed. I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading this book, I couldn't put it down. This book has everything, romance, history, adventure, passion, mystery and I could go on and on. I fell completely in love with Jamie. "What a man". All of the characters were memorable and I couldn't wait to read the sequels. I look forward to reading these books every winter and have read them over and over again. Everyone I recommended these books to also fell in love with the story and the characters too. I will be dusting my copies off soon because I am longing to renew my acquaintance with Jamie and Claire. I felt that I was also with them on all their journeys and adventures. I was afraid when they were afraid and I went through all of the emotions and shared all of their feelings. This book has spoiled me for other books and Diana, keep those stories coming. She is now my most favorite author and all other books pale in comparison to hers
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Summary: Something for everyone in this throughly captivating tale!
Review: "Outlander" provides an enjoyable escape for fans of adventure, fantasy and romances alike. Diana Gabaldon offers up a host of endearing and believeable characters that naturally fall into exciting situations (and I don't just mean the court intrigue!). The fantasy end of it explains some of most cherished mysteries (Why does the Lock Ness Monster appear every so often?) Gabaldon states that in writing "Outlander", the character of Claire seemed to take over and write the tale for her. I don't know if that is possible, but the story will sweep you up and carry you along for a great read. It will also leave you waiting for more. Luckily, since "Outlander" is the first of Gabaldon's "Outlandish" books, you can swiftly move to the next one!!
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Summary: A disappointing mixture of romance and fantasy
Review: The book did not hold up to the expectations I had been given by other readers.
History is secondary to at times steamy romance and fantasy. The writing, at least in the beginning of
the book, is too breathy. One would have wished Ms. Gabaldon a better editor for her first book.
Fantasy for sure, as it is rather unbelievable that not only her husband but also a monk believe the heroine's story of time travel at a time where witches were quickly put on the stake.
All I can recommend this book for is very light summer reading.
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Summary: If only the 'Purple Rose of Cairo' could happen by book!!!
Review: I was swept back in time. Each turning of the page, mounting my excitement, mixed with fear and anticipation. I felt as though I was Clair (add a few pounds) and wrapped myself in the throws of passion with him. I can barley utter his name, for I wept for him in Dragonfly in Amber (the title possesed me to purchase a chandelier with dragonflys on it) and I felt betrayed by him in Voyager. But my own undying ache for him is so raw, I thought I saw him in my husbands' best friend. He stood there and wiped away a tear that rolled down my cheek, he was turning the page to a new chapter in his life and leaving me behind, yet he looked at me for a brief moment and said, "Who's the sassenach now?" with the lilt of a scottish accent in his voice. I know Jamie exists!!
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Summary: Romance novel meets the Perils of Pauline
Review: I hate to disagree with all those listed here who said that it's not a romance novel, but it is. The two main characters make love when they're happy, when they're sad, when they're angry, when they're in danger, when they escape danger, when they kill someone....and the earth always moves.
The harrowing danger-and-escape sequences are well written but become repetitious in time. The sense of place and time in Scotland is well done and reinforced with considerable detail.
A fun summer book if you keep your expectations reasonable.
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Summary: For a romance novel, this had a terrific story line.
Review: I don't like romance novels, but I love history. This book is a thrilling account of life in Scotland in the 1700's. But for the danger, I found myself wanting to be transported too
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Summary: I cannot use too many superlatives to describe this novel.
Review: It took me quite while to find this book in "Amazon" as it's called "Cross Stitch" in New Zealand. It was recently voted as the 7th most loved book of all time in NZ in a nationwide survey.
I found this one of the most brilliant, original,and captivating books I have ever read. Diana Galbaldon has created a truly masterful novel. As a devotee of historical fiction, and someone who absolutely detests historical inaccuracy(!) I just couldn't fault it (Loch Ness Monster and all!). The characters of Claire, and the 'Divine' Jamie , were quite brilliant,and I very much hope that this book is never made into movie, because the images I have in my head of these characters could never be matched! "Outlander/Cross Stitch" is also the most original, and moving, love story I have ever read (warts and all). On reading the book, I felt myself transported into 18th century Scotland - violence, poverty, dirt and all - I could almost believe that the author has stepped through the standing stones herself, and that she is giving a first hand account! The book also has a refreshing change from typical stereotypes, and plots of many novels. "Lovely" may seem a strange word to describe this book with so much violence,and a TRULY evil villian,but I really think this describes it accurately. Whenever I pick up new book now, I instantly think to myself, it won't be as good as "Cross Stitch".
I have read this novel on very numerous occasions, and have voraciously devoured the three sequels, although I consider "Outlander" to be by far the best in this series.
I've run out of superlatives for now ... end of review! Sarah Warren, Rotorua, New Zealand
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Summary: Don't start this if you have chores to do
Review: DO NOT start reading Diana Gabaldon's books if you have housework or yardwork or work work to do. Once you start, you will get sucked into each 700-1000 page behemoth to the total exclusion of everything else in your life. I picked up "Voyager" in the Romance section of a bookstore, but it is far more than that. Not only do the main characters get married only a couple hundred pages into the book, but they stay that way, over a period of more than twenty years in the three subsequent books. Also, these books are far more historically accurate than most "romances," meaning you learn the gory details of normal seventeenth century life (think chamberpots). This only makes them more absorbing. READ THESE BOOKS, but only on vacation
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Summary: Magnificent!
Review: Diana Gabaldon has the talent of transforming her words into beautiful glossy pictures of history come to life. By now, Jamie and Claire and all the other characters presented in her books are like real people I long to run into and meet. Gabaldon's style is witty and intelligent, and her ideas are refreshingly new. I can't even imagine how I managed without her books to fall back onto anymore! Through Jamie and Claire, Diana Gabaldon has shown me what true love is all about
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