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librariesandlabradors's review against another edition
4.0
527 pages later… I did it. Penelope Williamson knows how to write an all-encompassing historical romance with unique settings that will totally transport you. However, there were way too many side plots & superfluous characters in this story (could’ve been trimmed to a normal 300 page romance easily). I recommend, but not for the light hearted reader.
mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
Likes:
1- Johnny Cain. Now ain’t that obvious? *grin* It has been quite sometime since I have read a novel that doesn’t include the hero’s point of view on stuff at some point in the story. The relationship that unfolds between Johnny and Rachel is told mostly from Rachel’s point of view and those who observe the not so subtle connection between them that bursts forth against all odds. I almost wept when I read of his childhood at the hands of humans who are better off being labeled as animals with their savagery that had turned Johnny into the killing machine that he is.
2- Rachel Yoder. Her upbringing and way of life certainly makes her one of the most unique heroines that I have read about. From her beautiful nature inside and out to the music that she hears in her surroundings, I loved her gentle yet fierce nature when it comes to those whom she loves. I adored her for being wise and insightful enough to see beyond the facade of ruthlessness that is as much part of Johnny Cain as are the guns that he handles like an extension of his arm. And Rachel sealed the deal in acquiring one more fan when she gave up everything because the love she feels for the outsider causes her no shame and it is a love that is much more fierce than any sense of belonging she feels to the Plain People and their way of life, no matter how much the separation from the latter hurts her.
3- Benjamin Yoder. As I said before though he is not alive even when the story begins, his character seen through Rachel’s eyes made me fall for him right from the very beginning which is a rare happenstance for me when it comes to a romance novel. I loved Benjamin because he had known what a precious gem that Rachel is and had loved, protected and cherished her in kind.
4- I was totally captivated by the subtle and not so subtle indications to the attraction between Johnny and Rachel. The yearning that they have for the other which neither could deny especially made sweeter by the fact that Johnny’s desire is shown through his involuntary reactions to Rachel made this a world of sensual delights to sink into though if you are looking for any detailed lovemaking scenes in this one, you aren’t going to find it here.
His gaze riveted to her every move as she spread open Ben’s warranted Perfection razor and stropped the blade, moving it back and forth over the smooth leather. She tested its sharpness with the pad of her thumb, deliberately giving herself a little nick. She pulled a face and sucked on the wound. He swallowed hard.
Lucas (the town doctor) set his bag on an upturned nail keg, found the witch hazel cream, and rubbed it into Cain’s blistered palm. As he gripped the man’s wrist, he could feel that the pulse was fast, too fast.
Lucas looked up to find that Cain’s eyes were riveted on Rachel. *swoons*
Dislikes:
As I mentioned before, though the stories of other characters that enriched the novel in terms of character development, I resented being away from the subtle world of magic that surrounds Johnny and Rachel. I wouldn’t have minded if it had just been them in the story, with just enough about the side characters to move the story along. But then again, I enjoyed The Outsider as it is, but nevertheless I did wish at times that I could just skim through some of the other side stories that picked up along the way.
For the full review, along with the stills from the movie please visit: http://bit.ly/hAUXwd
1- Johnny Cain. Now ain’t that obvious? *grin* It has been quite sometime since I have read a novel that doesn’t include the hero’s point of view on stuff at some point in the story. The relationship that unfolds between Johnny and Rachel is told mostly from Rachel’s point of view and those who observe the not so subtle connection between them that bursts forth against all odds. I almost wept when I read of his childhood at the hands of humans who are better off being labeled as animals with their savagery that had turned Johnny into the killing machine that he is.
2- Rachel Yoder. Her upbringing and way of life certainly makes her one of the most unique heroines that I have read about. From her beautiful nature inside and out to the music that she hears in her surroundings, I loved her gentle yet fierce nature when it comes to those whom she loves. I adored her for being wise and insightful enough to see beyond the facade of ruthlessness that is as much part of Johnny Cain as are the guns that he handles like an extension of his arm. And Rachel sealed the deal in acquiring one more fan when she gave up everything because the love she feels for the outsider causes her no shame and it is a love that is much more fierce than any sense of belonging she feels to the Plain People and their way of life, no matter how much the separation from the latter hurts her.
3- Benjamin Yoder. As I said before though he is not alive even when the story begins, his character seen through Rachel’s eyes made me fall for him right from the very beginning which is a rare happenstance for me when it comes to a romance novel. I loved Benjamin because he had known what a precious gem that Rachel is and had loved, protected and cherished her in kind.
4- I was totally captivated by the subtle and not so subtle indications to the attraction between Johnny and Rachel. The yearning that they have for the other which neither could deny especially made sweeter by the fact that Johnny’s desire is shown through his involuntary reactions to Rachel made this a world of sensual delights to sink into though if you are looking for any detailed lovemaking scenes in this one, you aren’t going to find it here.
His gaze riveted to her every move as she spread open Ben’s warranted Perfection razor and stropped the blade, moving it back and forth over the smooth leather. She tested its sharpness with the pad of her thumb, deliberately giving herself a little nick. She pulled a face and sucked on the wound. He swallowed hard.
Lucas (the town doctor) set his bag on an upturned nail keg, found the witch hazel cream, and rubbed it into Cain’s blistered palm. As he gripped the man’s wrist, he could feel that the pulse was fast, too fast.
Lucas looked up to find that Cain’s eyes were riveted on Rachel. *swoons*
Dislikes:
As I mentioned before, though the stories of other characters that enriched the novel in terms of character development, I resented being away from the subtle world of magic that surrounds Johnny and Rachel. I wouldn’t have minded if it had just been them in the story, with just enough about the side characters to move the story along. But then again, I enjoyed The Outsider as it is, but nevertheless I did wish at times that I could just skim through some of the other side stories that picked up along the way.
For the full review, along with the stills from the movie please visit: http://bit.ly/hAUXwd
pjgal22's review against another edition
3.0
Read this right after seeing the movie, which I loved. Tim Daly and Naomi Watts are excellent in the Showtime film, which is well made, and as I soon discovered, presents a more tightly constructed and satisfying story than the book. The book meanders in half a dozen different directions, dwelling far too long on a number of subplots instead of exploring more deeply the growing relationship between Rachel and Johnny. I also much prefer the climax of the movie to the book. Overall, it's an okay story, but I probably would not have finished it had I started it without having seen and loved the movie.
missus_rabbit's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
angiemiles's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was beautiful and I rarely ever read books like this so I really enjoyed the change of scenery!
waterfairy's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been on my TBR for quite a while. Rachel and her son are member of the Plain (a religious colony similar to the amish). One night, they come across an Johnny Cain, an outsider (anyone who is not Plain) who has been shot. Rachel nurses him back to health and he stays on. From the beginning they both feel a bond, attraction towards each other and as he stays it grows on to love.
This book is told mainly from the point of the Plain family. Apart from Rachel and her son, there are POVs from other Plain members. As a result, we get an good idea of the Plain way of life. I'm not a christian so some of these bible references and such might not have such an impact as it might have to a christian/ a person who knows bible. Even with that, I was able to appreciate those references. The one POV we don't get is Johnny Cain's. As a result, we see and get to know Johnny from the POV of others. I'm not sure whether having that would have made it better.
This book explores the topic of redemption, the Plain way of life and raises the questions - when you are banned from your religion, does that mean that you can no more realize God? Can't people with different beliefs (even when they are a non-beliver) live together even if they have to compromise on some of their beliefs? Does compromising one of the way/rule/commandment means that you have forsaken God and that belief forever?
Overall, I loved the book but somehow [b:The Passions of Emma|1055927|The Passions of Emma|Penelope Williamson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180564678s/1055927.jpg|2223241] still remains my favorite of the author.
This book is told mainly from the point of the Plain family. Apart from Rachel and her son, there are POVs from other Plain members. As a result, we get an good idea of the Plain way of life. I'm not a christian so some of these bible references and such might not have such an impact as it might have to a christian/ a person who knows bible. Even with that, I was able to appreciate those references. The one POV we don't get is Johnny Cain's. As a result, we see and get to know Johnny from the POV of others. I'm not sure whether having that would have made it better.
This book explores the topic of redemption, the Plain way of life and raises the questions - when you are banned from your religion, does that mean that you can no more realize God? Can't people with different beliefs (even when they are a non-beliver) live together even if they have to compromise on some of their beliefs? Does compromising one of the way/rule/commandment means that you have forsaken God and that belief forever?
Overall, I loved the book but somehow [b:The Passions of Emma|1055927|The Passions of Emma|Penelope Williamson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180564678s/1055927.jpg|2223241] still remains my favorite of the author.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
5.0
4.5*
I might never have read this book if it hadn't been listed as one of the May selections for a Romance Readers book club at a nearby library. I'm glad it was brought to my attention, because The Outsider is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long while. Penelope Williamson does an amazing job of making a cold-blooded killer into a sympathetic hero. She does just as well laying out the beauty and the harshness of the Plain way of life, and the joys and sorrows of living on a Montana sheep farm in the 1800's. The book has a deal of angst, sorrow, and violence, but also of beauty and joy and love. Williamson thankfully avoids the common trap of trying to tie up everything in a neat bow. The book seems all the more believable because of it.
Dealing with some deep issues of religious belief, The Outsider wasn't always comfortable for me. Coming from a fairly conservative background, I sympathize with the Plain people's wish to separate themselves from the world and live for God. The author succeeds in showing the reader the strengths of this way of life, along with the weaknesses.
I might never have read this book if it hadn't been listed as one of the May selections for a Romance Readers book club at a nearby library. I'm glad it was brought to my attention, because The Outsider is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long while. Penelope Williamson does an amazing job of making a cold-blooded killer into a sympathetic hero. She does just as well laying out the beauty and the harshness of the Plain way of life, and the joys and sorrows of living on a Montana sheep farm in the 1800's. The book has a deal of angst, sorrow, and violence, but also of beauty and joy and love. Williamson thankfully avoids the common trap of trying to tie up everything in a neat bow. The book seems all the more believable because of it.
Dealing with some deep issues of religious belief, The Outsider wasn't always comfortable for me. Coming from a fairly conservative background, I sympathize with the Plain people's wish to separate themselves from the world and live for God. The author succeeds in showing the reader the strengths of this way of life, along with the weaknesses.
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
3.0
Classic love story, set in 1890's Montana. Love always wins, and redemption is always possible.
caralibros's review against another edition
2.0
my mom accidentally bought me this book thinking it was the outsiders by s.e. hinton, which was a required reading for my english class. i was oblivious to this mistake until i reached the sex scene. i was traumatized, completely devastated. i thought, how could my catholic school make me read this in 9th grade? i would’ve preferred death than read hetero smut. when i asked my classmates what they thought about the sex scene, they asked me what the hell i was talking about. only then did i realize i read the wrong book. but to be honest, it was pretty ok. i liked the descriptions and the religious aspects. the farm and family stuff was pretty cute, and the romance was pretty cliché but it satisfied me. i bought all my required readings myself after this event. #neveragain