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confusedmuse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
DNF about halfway through after this:
For years I'd heard that this story is a fun, feminist, time-travel romance. Actually reading it made my head spin. Are y'all okay? Like, no shade, enjoy what you enjoy, but I'm amazed that a lot of the discussion I’ve seen around recommending the book is more “teehee, I love the romance, you gotta read it” and not “hey, the main character is threatened with rape several times throughout the book, just be aware if that’s not your cup of tea.” And that’s not even getting into the surprise evil gay stereotype villain. He was already evil enough, this story didn’t need to throw in homophobia on top of everything else. “Historical Accuracy” is an excuse that can only carry so far. Clearly I went into this with the wrong expectations, and maybe I would've enjoyed it more if I'd read a few more detailed reviews before going in, but because I was blindsided by all this, I did not have a fun time. Two stars because the writing itself is very good, and the author did craft believable characters and an interesting setting, but everything else… yikes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Finally reunited with her husband Frank after seven long years of war, Claire Beauchamp Randall is thrilled for their reunion-moon in the Scottish Highlands, despite Frank's genealogy obsession that takes up much of their time together. She loves the time outdoors in the peaceful countryside, fascinated by the medical herbs she finds at the henge at Craigh na Dun, where Frank insisted they watch a witching ritual. When Claire returns on her own, she falls through the stones and winds up in the very same Highlands, three centuries earlier.
Upon arrival, Claire is scooped up by a tribe of Highlanders who save her from Black Jack Randall--interestingly, Frank's distant ancestor--though her accent, name, and knowledge (and lack thereof) confounds them. Suspicious that she may be a spy, they capture her, take her to their base, and adopt her as a sort of medic until they finally force her to marry Jamie Fraser in some confusing ceremony to protect them all from Black Jack, as well as to distance Jamie from a tribal inheritance.
From there, Frank might as well never have existed; in fact, Frank doesn't yet exist, but Claire seems to have no memory or regret regarding her husband as she moves on to this new relationship, which is replete with constant threats of rape and death to both parties. Both Claire and Jamie are arrested, Claire for suspected witchcraft, while Jamie is convicted of crimes committed by Black Jack himself, and with the cooperation of the band of Highlanders, they each manage to save the other, though in Jamie's case, only after horrific trauma (described in painful detail).
This book was so much longer than necessary. Gabaldon did a tremendous amount of research, evident not least in the Highlands vocabulary and vernacular sprinkled on every page. However, there were pages and pages of detail that didn't move the plot along or develop the characters significantly. Furthermore, the depictions of rape, abuse, and unhealthy relationships were graphic and moved past far too easily.
The story is somewhat compelling, but this was definitely a "should" read rather than something I was excited about, and it just wasn't for me.
Upon arrival, Claire is scooped up by a tribe of Highlanders who save her from Black Jack Randall--interestingly, Frank's distant ancestor--though her accent, name, and knowledge (and lack thereof) confounds them. Suspicious that she may be a spy, they capture her, take her to their base, and adopt her as a sort of medic until they finally force her to marry Jamie Fraser in some confusing ceremony to protect them all from Black Jack, as well as to distance Jamie from a tribal inheritance.
From there, Frank might as well never have existed; in fact, Frank doesn't yet exist, but Claire seems to have no memory or regret regarding her husband as she moves on to this new relationship, which is replete with constant threats of rape and death to both parties. Both Claire and Jamie are arrested, Claire for suspected witchcraft, while Jamie is convicted of crimes committed by Black Jack himself, and with the cooperation of the band of Highlanders, they each manage to save the other, though in Jamie's case, only after horrific trauma (described in painful detail).
This book was so much longer than necessary. Gabaldon did a tremendous amount of research, evident not least in the Highlands vocabulary and vernacular sprinkled on every page. However, there were pages and pages of detail that didn't move the plot along or develop the characters significantly. Furthermore, the depictions of rape, abuse, and unhealthy relationships were graphic and moved past far too easily.
The story is somewhat compelling, but this was definitely a "should" read rather than something I was excited about, and it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Xenophobia
madchen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This would be 5 stars if it weren't for the undertones of homophobia and lil whiffs of racism here and there. Like I get that Black Jack Randall is a villain but did he really have to be an Evil Gay to trauma bond Claire and Jamie? Idk, I know this book isn't fresh as a daisy but I just can't find it in myself to give five stars and excuse a book because of "the time it was written in" and "historical accuracy". You do you, but my lil queer heart just can't do it at the moment. I watched the TV series before this and felt it there too, just in case anyone is wondering, though I doubt a lot of people are reading the book before watching the series at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After years of people suggesting that I read Outlander, I finally read it. It's not what I was expecting, but in a good way. It's very hard to describe, as it doesn't easily fit into a defined genre. It's not a romance, though it has romantic elements. It's not a fantasy novel, despite the time travelling premise, since that's the only element in the story. It's not just a historical fiction novel, though it's set in the 1740s in Scotland, not with a 1940s nurse trying to be a better healer than the times call for. It's very interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit