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sarahetc's review against another edition
1.0
Yeah, I gave up on this book. I picked it up because it had been recommended to me several times by several different people. Then, when Gabaldon decided to declare everyone who likes fanfiction a criminal loser, I decided to see what the big deal was. What is so good about this book and series that people would want to write such a crap ton of smut fic about it. I still have no idea. The heroine is annoying as shit, the prose is tedious and every single noun has to have at least one adjective. Every. Single. One. Maybe that's why people fic it-- it's easy to imitate and you can just get down with your one dimensional characters, throbbing manhoods and slippery lady channels. Bah.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
'Outlander' has to be one of the more intimidating novels that I have picked up in recent times. It is over 800 pages long, and has a reputation among the book-reading folk as being somewhat of a 'legend'. This legendary status had long piqued my interest, but at the same time I wondered how such a large book could sustain good pacing, likable characters and hold my interest. Yet, I was more desperate to read it than I was scared of reading it and hating it, so I delved in and started…
I didn't read 'Outlander', I devoured it.
I fell into the story immediately, and once submerged, I couldn't get back out again. Nor did I want to. Heck, I even found myself accidentally speaking with a Scottish burr and kept saying, 'Ye ken?'. The only reason that it took me days to complete is because it was Christmas, and I had other events/visits/people interrupting my reading time. I was absorbed from page 1 and my interest didn't wane once in over 800 pages.
The writing style was warm, welcoming and lively. The humour was a constant and offset the dark events and the constant fear of pain, rape and death. The pacing was wonderful and it didn't slacken or slow for a moment. There were highly dramatic events, but there was a constant building of tension that was balanced by the slower, more emotional relationship building. It read like a Tarrantino film, constant foreshadowing so that my gut was in despair as I read, wondering when the next blow would come.
That was the fantastic part. Gabaldon wasn't afraid to deal a blow to Claire, Jamie or the supporting characters. The tension was real because pain, rape or death was a genuine possibility. Claire and Jamie survived to the end of the novel, but it was by no means unscathed. It was so unlike other novels where the 'good guy' always triumphs. There is no pain or bloodshed because there is always a hero to save them, a coincidence to rescue them from a situation… Yes, there were instances of this in 'Outlander' but it was never without some loss.
It was actually quite a harrowing read, and the brutality of the era was captured wonderfully. Brutal, medieval and grotesque, and yet tender, emotional and warming as well.
How could anyone not love Claire and Jamie? How could you not revile Randall? Feel sympathy for Dougal but hate him as well? It was such an evocative book, with each of the characters having their own history, present story and vivid personality. The fact that each supporting character also had a past and present kept the main plot from becoming stagnant, giving me diversions to keep my interest.
Whether it was love or hate, you felt something for each of the characters. More so, there was evidence of their motivations and drive. Randall wasn't just a bad guy hellbent on destroying Jamie, there was something black driving him, nuances to his character. Even with biased narrators telling his story, it was evident that Randall was haunted by his past.
Neither Claire nor Jamie were perfect, and it was in their imperfections that their 'perfect' romance blossomed - perfect for the reader that it. They got things wrong, they screamed and shouted. There wasn't insta-love. It was a developed romance full of attraction but also obstacles and mistakes.
I genuinely thought that I would get bored during this novel, that good pacing couldn't be maintained, but I was sorely wrong. Not only did I devour it, but I cannot wait to start the next novel.
I didn't read 'Outlander', I devoured it.
I fell into the story immediately, and once submerged, I couldn't get back out again. Nor did I want to. Heck, I even found myself accidentally speaking with a Scottish burr and kept saying, 'Ye ken?'. The only reason that it took me days to complete is because it was Christmas, and I had other events/visits/people interrupting my reading time. I was absorbed from page 1 and my interest didn't wane once in over 800 pages.
The writing style was warm, welcoming and lively. The humour was a constant and offset the dark events and the constant fear of pain, rape and death. The pacing was wonderful and it didn't slacken or slow for a moment. There were highly dramatic events, but there was a constant building of tension that was balanced by the slower, more emotional relationship building. It read like a Tarrantino film, constant foreshadowing so that my gut was in despair as I read, wondering when the next blow would come.
That was the fantastic part. Gabaldon wasn't afraid to deal a blow to Claire, Jamie or the supporting characters. The tension was real because pain, rape or death was a genuine possibility. Claire and Jamie survived to the end of the novel, but it was by no means unscathed. It was so unlike other novels where the 'good guy' always triumphs. There is no pain or bloodshed because there is always a hero to save them, a coincidence to rescue them from a situation… Yes, there were instances of this in 'Outlander' but it was never without some loss.
It was actually quite a harrowing read, and the brutality of the era was captured wonderfully. Brutal, medieval and grotesque, and yet tender, emotional and warming as well.
How could anyone not love Claire and Jamie? How could you not revile Randall? Feel sympathy for Dougal but hate him as well? It was such an evocative book, with each of the characters having their own history, present story and vivid personality. The fact that each supporting character also had a past and present kept the main plot from becoming stagnant, giving me diversions to keep my interest.
Whether it was love or hate, you felt something for each of the characters. More so, there was evidence of their motivations and drive. Randall wasn't just a bad guy hellbent on destroying Jamie, there was something black driving him, nuances to his character. Even with biased narrators telling his story, it was evident that Randall was haunted by his past.
Neither Claire nor Jamie were perfect, and it was in their imperfections that their 'perfect' romance blossomed - perfect for the reader that it. They got things wrong, they screamed and shouted. There wasn't insta-love. It was a developed romance full of attraction but also obstacles and mistakes.
I genuinely thought that I would get bored during this novel, that good pacing couldn't be maintained, but I was sorely wrong. Not only did I devour it, but I cannot wait to start the next novel.
wildmountainwolf's review against another edition
5.0
I mean honestly, how can you not rate this first book 5 stars? It evoked wonderful Scottish nostalgia, kindled my burning fire of love for Jamie, made me appreciate book Claire much more than tv show Claire...Even without having seen past season 2 and read past the second book, I could almost say this first book is the best of the eight. What was also interesting was comparing how certain details were stretched and others condensed between the book and the first season of the show. I am especially grateful that certain events towards the end were condensed, even if I knew what was to happen.
lilwashu76's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I love these books. I have most of them both in print & on audio book. Davina Porter is the best possible narrator for this series. Her accent is on point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Murder
ceciliatallis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
a_chickletz's review against another edition
1.0
There is so much wrong with this book. I honestly don't understand the praise.
I like to think of this book as Twilight in Scotland. We have a dude, who is really good looking, who loves a girl who is a complete Mary-Sue of the author. Put it together and you get a story about a woman, who time-travels back to 18th Century Scotland.
There, she instantly falls in love with a guy who 'saves' her, marries him, and chooses to stay with him even though she has a husband back in her own time.
Lets also talk about when she is given the choice to return to the present time and meet up with her present day husband, she forgos it and runs back into her Highlander's arms.
Then, the main character and her Highlander do nothing but have sex. There is no plot. She assists with a birth or two (one being a horse), talks about this non-existent love triangle she has (which clearly doesn't exist because she loves her Highlander more)... oh yes, and there is a villain who hardly shows up (who is related to her present husband, surprise).
Also, as other readers have brought up: her new husband abuses her, and chapters later, does a complete 180* and becomes a totally new character.
I honestly dislike this book and I feel the time I spent reading it was painful.
Spoiler
I like to think of this book as Twilight in Scotland. We have a dude, who is really good looking, who loves a girl who is a complete Mary-Sue of the author. Put it together and you get a story about a woman, who time-travels back to 18th Century Scotland.
There, she instantly falls in love with a guy who 'saves' her, marries him, and chooses to stay with him even though she has a husband back in her own time.
Lets also talk about when she is given the choice to return to the present time and meet up with her present day husband, she forgos it and runs back into her Highlander's arms.
Then, the main character and her Highlander do nothing but have sex. There is no plot. She assists with a birth or two (one being a horse), talks about this non-existent love triangle she has (which clearly doesn't exist because she loves her Highlander more)... oh yes, and there is a villain who hardly shows up (who is related to her present husband, surprise).
Also, as other readers have brought up: her new husband abuses her, and chapters later, does a complete 180* and becomes a totally new character.
I honestly dislike this book and I feel the time I spent reading it was painful.
kaa410's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
aseel_reads'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? No
3.0
This has potential but the last 100 pages were just... A Choice... like how she got Jamie out of his trauma 'funk' and then only realising that because she knows the future for the time, she has a duty or maybe not to do something??? Just came out of nowhere. i also found the writing at times to be dense and a slog to get through all of the descriptions and another thing so much sexual harassment? Like did it have to be almost every male character?? Such an uncomfortable time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Trafficking, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
heather_renae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
verahester's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0