Outlander

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun!
Review: It is fiction, and accepted as such was great fun to read. I started with Outlander, and before I knew it had read all the books in the series - waiting for another. The author tries to introduce the reader to old ways of doing things - life in that period, beliefs, customs, healings. Great love story. More!

Rating:
Summary: I don't understand the phenomenon
Review: Right off, after skimming through almost half of the 400+ reviews, one thing becomes clear to me--people either REALLY REALLY love or REALLY hate this book. There is almost no gray area. Well, I am here to provide it. Ever since this book came out in the early nineties, I have been reading/hearing buzz about how GREAT it is, people compare it to classics like GONE WITH THE WIND or IVANHOE, etc... books that stand the test of time. Well, since I have no magic crystal glass into which I can peer and observe the future, who knows if anyone will be reading OUTLANDER, etc. one hundred years from now. Personally, I thought the book was so-so. I didn't hate it, but it was not a keeper for me either. I enjoyed reading it, but I have no desire to read the sequels or to read OUTLANDER again. The problem for me was really the romantic pairing of the books central characters: Claire and Jamie. A lot of Gabaldon Fan-atics (or that portion of readers that are obsessed with Gabaldon books) tout this fictional couple as *one of the greatest pair of literary lovers of all time*. Eh, no. Not for me, anyway. I found the character of Claire to be interesting and likeable, her twentieth century view of 18th century Scotland was fresh, witty, and amusing. Jamie, however, seemed like a flat character to me. The man was perpetually being victimized (and at one point forcefully sodomized) all throughout the book. Yuck. He seemed very immature and annoying to me and I couldn't really understand what Claire saw in him at all. The scenes which were supposed display Jamie's *innate sensitivity* seemed forced and/or fake. The villian Jack Randall--seemed like a cartoon. And what about Claire's 20th century husband Frank? Why did Claire give up so easily on finding the stones back to the future (and Frank) after she had been so obsessed with getting back to them for the first three-hundred-pages? On the flip side, Gabaldon has a gift with language that makes you forget some of the silly characters, the loose plot points, etc. I really felt like she had transported me to 18th Century Scotland. The ironic part is that this book is supposed to be a *romance* but the best parts of the book happen BEFORE the couple gets together. If this book had left Jamie out altogether (or had not made him Claire's love interest, at least) I would have LOVED the book. If Gabaldon had just used the time-travel plot to explore the character of Claire/the fish out of water theme, it would have been much better. I really enjoyed Claire's experiences as a 20th century woman trying to deal with a culture and a time so different from her own. The romance just mucked the story up. If you think I'm saying that because I hate romance novels, you couldn't be more wrong. Some of my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Lisa Kleypas, Kathleen Woodiwiss, etc. This book just didn't work for me. Howeverm I wouldn't completely write if off. Gabaldon is a writer whose language can transport you, even if you don't particularly care for some of the themes or messages her books put across.

Rating:
Summary: This story is not to be missed!
Review: Diana Gabaldon can not be topped! I feel as if I'm personally involved with Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Murdoch, Ian...... I have read and reread every book in the series and the companion. Gabaldon's descriptions are so vivid I become immersed in the action, the era, and the emotion of her books. I'm taken from my living room through that circle of stones straight into the heart of the story. I'm awaiting the next pieces of the story with bated breath!

Rating:
Summary: touched
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down.The characters were so real that one could feel all the joys and pains as if experiencing love ourselves for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: Transports you back in time-love those hilanders!
Review: This is a real love story. Full of the textures of life. Characters are developed well and you feel as if you really know them....especially Claire and Jamie! And what a love story they make. Diana's research is meticuluous. This book is hard to put down...as are all the others in this series. I can't wait to read the next one. Hurry, Diana and get it out! What draws me to these books are the continuing love story/adventures of Jamie & Claire. To sustain a love after it's first blush is rare, and Ms. Gabaldon does this most expertly. If you are into Scottish history this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: Blah
Review: One of the most boring books I have ever tried to read. I love reading, I love romances, but I simply could not spend any more of my time on this book. Needless to say, I dont think I will ever try to read this author's work again.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST series of books I have ever read!
Review: Diana Gabaldon is truly a gifted writer, and I feel she doesn't get enough publicity. As others have written, her first book, "Outlander", was definitely the best of the four in the series so far. However I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed all four books with an incredibly strong hunger for reading that was new to me. And if you think it is just because I am a romance buff, you're wrong! My husband wasn't interested until I started reading "Outlander" to him before going to bed at night. Now he hurries me to bed every night to read the next chapter! Diana really makes you see, hear, feel, smell and taste everything Claire experiences in the story. You really feel like you are part of the story, rather than just an observer. I am very eagerly awaiting the release of her next book in the series. If you liked the movie "Braveheart", you'll absolutely love the "Outlander" series.

Rating:
Summary: BOOOORING
Review: I suffered through the first third of this book, found nothing interesting or romantic about it, and promptly sold it! This thing is about as tedious as it gets!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best I've read
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read! I was so into it by the second chapter I completely tuned out everything for the two days it took me to finish (and this is a LONG book). Diana Gabaldon created such great characters in Jamie and Claire- I was actually sad when this book ended and I had read the final page. Let me tell you, I couldn't get to the bookstore fast enough to buy the second in this series of four books. The remaining three weren't quite as good as the first, but they were excellent anyway. This is a great read for romance enthusiasts, but there was enough historical fact and plot twists that it is definately more than just a romance novel. You will want to read this book and the sequels, too. I can't wait until Diana Gabaldon's next book comes out!

Rating:
Summary: What a shame that I couldn't put these wonderful books down.
Review: A co-worker got me started on this series when she realized how much I love to read and she really wanted some one to talk to about the series. The problem was that they were so wonderful that I read them all in about two months and now I'm barely waiting for the next in the series. I really really wish I could have put these down to savor them! Ha Ha Happy reading to everyone and I know you won't be disapointed.