Outlander

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Remarkable book. I have read and re-read it many times. Each time I discover something I missed the last time I read it. The story captures you and keeps you enthralled from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: An Epic Tale
Review: I stumbled onto Ms Gabaldon's work only recently and have been completely blown away. It's massive storytelling; how does she do it? The Outlander and the other books in the series is a fabulous story of the love between soulmates, tragedy, war, human foibles, cruelty, adventure, magic and fate. It's got everything in it. Don't let the size of all the works in the Outlander series put you off, it's worth your time, in fact I wish the books never end. I agree with the reviewer who said that the pace slows down at the beginning of Dragonfly in Amber but picks up in the second half. But what an exciting ride in Voyager! I can't wait to start on Drums of Autumn and am ecstatic that The Fiery Cross is here. Read The Outlander, even if you don't read the rest. Ms Gabaldon, you have yourself a new fan.

Rating:
Summary: A romance novel for people who don't read romance novels
Review: There's not much to say about Gabaldon's Outlander series that hasn't already been said: It's funny, it's romantic, it's sexy, it's even fairly historically accurate, except for that whole time travel thing.

What struck me about this book and its companions is the way Gabaldon deftly weaves dry humor and passionate romance. Just as our real life love affairs aren't all steam-and-dream, Claire and Jamie kid around, argue, tease each other and otherwise act like real human beings, not like bodice-ripper heroes and heroines. That said, there's plenty of steamy stuff, too. Plus action, adventure, suspense...There are very few 800-page books I would read twice, let alone carry around in hard cover on an overseas vacation, but this one was worth it.

Especially a must-read if you are into anything Scots - if you're not an Alba-phile, you may find you are by the end of the book.

Rating:
Summary: All that you want in escapist reading
Review: The book has a slow start as she is talking about the boring details of, what was at the time, a boring life. I almost didn't get past the second chapter but pressed on because it was recommended by a friend. I'm glad I did.

Once the heroine, Claire, passes through a mystical druid portal of some sort her life is forever changed and the book's pace didn't slow below a gallop after that.

I was captivated by the adventure and romance and torn by the hardships endured by the hero, Jamie, and Claire. So much so that I read the bulk of the book over a weekend. I couldn't put it down.

Now I have another "favorite" author. I'm going to read more of Diana Gabaldon's books. I understand that Claire and Jamie have more adventures and I'm dying to read all about them!

Rating:
Summary: This book is Truly Ace
Review: Five star entertainment. There is nothing more to say - I cannot improve on its brilliance. Go ahead - you will love this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Outlander Series
Review: I have read and reread this series over four times. Each time I find it captivating, moving, and still exciting. Gabaldon has painted characters that will live forever. They are human, with their goodness and faults. It is one of the most romantic series to come along in a very long time. Jamie and Claire love each other and through war, a bit of witchcraft, separation and adventure cling to the promise that they made to each other on their wedding day. I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants a bit of everything in a very well written series.

Rating:
Summary: Just try it . . .
Review: The book that started it all. I can't tell you the number of people I've recommended this book to -- men and women -- and all have loved it and the rest of the series as much as I do.

Diana Gabaldon writes with such care for things like character development, historical accuracies, and fascinating stories that it's nearly impossible not to fall in love with these books.

Rating:
Summary: Romance with respectibility and some real action........
Review: Outlander, and the whole series, is a rich, wonderful, thrilling series. This doesn't belong in the romance section, it needs a section of its own or a special spot in the travel section. This book has everything; romance, love, hate, action, sex, politics, history, fantasy - ghosts come to life. The research is impeccable and transports the reader to the Scottish highlands of the 18th century. I have become one of Diana Gabaldon's rabid fans, all too willingly. I won't waste time with another synopsis - read and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Doesn't quite live up to expectations
Review: [....] to a certain extent this is indeed a very good book. It is historically accurate (inaccuracy is my pet peeve), the characters are well defined, and there is all the excitement of romance in the wilds of Scotland. Jamie is indeed a male character that we could all fall in love with. So it is with all these things that I write this review with some trepidation, well aware that I am suggesting that a book which is very dear to lots of people's hearts is less than wonderful.

Lets get started. Firstly, Ms Gabaldon uses a tried and tested plot device that never ceases to annoy me. Our heroine Claire, fesity and intelligent though she is, finds herself time and time again in life threatening situations, and lo and behold she is rescued by the gallant Jamie in the nick of time. This is exciting once, but it wears a bit thin after a while, and after a time we begin to wonder at Claire's stupidity. It also means that any suspense generated by our herione's situation is dulled by the fact that we know that the handsome hero will be there any moment.

Secondly, Ms Gabaldon seems determined to inflict all manner of injuries and tortures on our hero Jamie. Now Claire is a nurse - a healer, and I can understand what a powerful thing it is in a romance story for the heroine to nurse the handsome and ailing hero back to health and true love. But I really think it is done to death in this book (excuse the pun), and the final torture scenes are graphic in a way that is entirely unneccessary for this type of romance. Indeed by the time Jamie and Claire had recovered from this dreadful assault (as I knew they would) I was beginning to lose interest in their story. If I want horror I will read a horror story.

Alas I found by the end of the book that I was disinterested in their on-going story, and was pleased that the book could be read by itself. I must stress that I consider in many ways that this is a mighty good read, and it is certainly different to many of the bodice rippers that fill our bookshelves. But I was disappointed that even a first class romance can mar itself with the usual cliches. Read it and enjoy, but be aware of its flaws.

Rating:
Summary: Romance, Yet Not Romance
Review: I think it is a shame that this book is categorized as a "romance" novel. Romance novels are not given much respect in the book world, and this one deserves respect. It is original, intelligent, well-written, and well-researched. Claire is not your typical romance novel heroine. The time-travel aspects were made as believable as possible. The romance was touching and real. I liked Voyager, Dragonfly in Amber and Drums of Autumn, also, but Outlander is by far the best of the four. I hope that Cross of Fire is a bit more like Outlander than like Drums of Autumn. Read them all, though, if you like your romance with a bit of wit and intelligence.