Anyone here read "The Outlander" series?
TV ClubHouse: archive: Library - Miscellaneous thru May 2003:
Anyone here read "The Outlander" series?
Awareinva | Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 12:33 pm     I just read the fifth book in the series "The Firey Cross" and was wondering if anyone here had read the whole series. I was kind of wanting to talk about some questions I had with someone who has read the books. Also wondering if anyone has any information on the possibility of a miniseries on ABC of "Outlander". Heard that is was a possibility in the summer and nothing since. |
Kep421 | Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 02:20 pm     Never heard of the Outlander series...what's it about? |
Awareinva | Saturday, January 26, 2002 - 11:18 pm     Sorry I didn't reply- lots of stuff going on at home and work and I haven't been online much lately. The series is a historical fantasy about a WW2 English nurse Claire Randall, who visits Scotland with her historian husband. She walks into a standing stone circle and is transported back 200 years into the past. She meets her husband's evil ancestor an English dragoon and is rescued from him by Jamie Fraser, a Highland Scot. She ends up marrying Jamie -at first without any choice and then realizing he is her true love. By having the foreknowledge of the future and medical knowledge, she tries to help him and his people avoid or avert the war and Culloden massacre, and they have many many adventures along the way. She ends up going back to the future at the end to save their baby which she is carrying. The next book deals with her subsequent realization that he didn't die at Culloden and she goes back again to find and rejoin him after their daughter is grown. The latest book is leading up to the Revolutionary war in America where they ended up through a long involved series of adventures in the third and fourth books. Their daughter also comes back with her boyfriend from the future and they make a life in the past with her parents. Diana Gabaldon is an amazing writer if you are at all into sci fi/fantasy. She ties in so much stuff and it is researched very well. Claire and Jamie end up meeting or having knowledge of at least three or four other time travelers, which is a really cool concept. Then the whole foreknowledge of the future and what, if anything, one individual can do to shape events is another really great theme in the books. I find Diana Gabaldon's style of writing very easy to read, and there is usually lots of action and adventure to keep up the pace. I guess you can tell this is one of my favorite series of books ever. And I read a LOT and like lots of different types of books! If you read Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear series, the Outlander stories are very similar in style. Also I love Anne McCaffrey (Pern series; Sassinak series) and Marion Bradley Zimmer (all of the Arthurian legend stories) and think that Gabaldon's style is like theirs too. |
Whoami | Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 11:18 am     I'm reading "From the Corner of His Eye" by Dean Koontz. Koontz is our entire family's favorite author! Edited to say "oops! I thought I was in the "what are you reading" thread! How'd I get in here?  |
Sia | Tuesday, April 02, 2002 - 08:08 pm     Aware, I just read "Outlander" and liked it, but have you read what controversy the book stirred up at Amazon.com? People either really love it or hate it! I liked it verra, verra much, meself. I dinna ken a wee book could raise sae much trouble. I have just reserved "Dragonfly in Amber" from my local library and will anxiously await it. When I have read more of the books, I'd love to discuss them with you! |
Sia | Tuesday, April 02, 2002 - 08:12 pm     Here is the web-site of Diana Gabaldon, author of the "Outlander" series of historical romance novels: http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~gatti/gabaldon/gabaldon.html |
Sia | Tuesday, April 09, 2002 - 08:04 pm     Aware, I've finished "Outlander" (liked it a lot) and am about half-way through "Dragonfly in Amber," but don't like it nearly as well as the first novel. Lots of things seem contrived. Jamie and Claire are just a wee bit too much in the thick of things, if you know what I mean; it is inconceivable that Claire would so glibly take chances at changing the course of human history as she does in this second book. I also object to the use of present-day idioms to the extent that they are bandied about by supposed 18th-century characters; it makes it seem trite and just too cutesy for me. I am reserving judgment on this second installment until I finish the entire book. |
Sia | Saturday, April 27, 2002 - 01:29 pm     Finished (second book in the Outlander series) and have started the third, Voyager. My original opinion stands: I liked the first novel better than the second, but I'm still interested in finding out what happens to Claire and Jamie. I am concurrently reading Sula (final Oprah pick by another author) and Diana Gabaldon's The Outlandish Companion, which summarizes the books of her Outlander series and provides lots of other interesting information. If you like the Outlander series, definitely pick up The Outlandish Companion. |
Sia | Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 02:35 pm     Now I'm partway through "Voyager," and it's getting pretty good. I really like Claire and Jamie! Anyone else want to discuss Diana Gabaldon's books? |
Awareinva | Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 02:49 pm     SIA!!! My new best friend Sorry I didn't get here sooner. I had given up finding anyone who had read the series!!! This is one of my all time favorite series. I just know that I would have loved Jamie!!! I had always loved Scotland, even before reading these books. Now it's my favorite place on earth. I agree that Gabaldon hasn't been able to top the first book. It was such a novel concept that the first one is probably going to stay the best. But I still really really love the characters. There is a promise that the apothecary guy there in Paris shows up again in vol. 6. I would like to see that developed. I agree that some of it seems contrived, but I like the way she works things in. I enjoyed Voyager more than Dragonfly. Drums of Autumn is pretty good too. Firey Cross is ok, but definitely a sequel feeling..... pick up where we left off, develop the story but not a real conclusion feeling. Still, I am ready to read the next one! I just got Jean Auel's latest (vol. 5, I think) of the Clan of the Cave Bear series. I love that series too. Have you read that one? Similar style to Gabaldon. And come to think of it the two main characters, Ayla and Jondolar, have the same kind of luck as Jamie and Claire.... they seem to be in on the invention of many prehistorical advances- the needle, flint, spear throwers, domestication of horses and dogs, etc.! I'll check back now that I know there's another fan out there. |
Sia | Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 05:50 pm     Hi, Aware!! I just have a second here; have to fix some food for the kids and then I'll be back later. I just finished "Voyager" today and want to talk with you about it. I had "Drums of August" from the library but took it back, guilty because of the five unread books already waiting for me. I think I will read all of "The Outlandish Companion" before going back for "Drums" so that I can get all the first three firmly in my mind. So happy you wandered back to this thread. I'll be back tonight or tomorrow to post more. Don't give any plot-spoilers, please, LOL, beyond the third installment! I don't want to know what happens next!  |
Awareinva | Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 05:18 pm     Don't worry about spoilers. I read so much and haven't reread the first books lately, so you'll be reminding me of stuff. I actually was thinking I need to reread the Firey Cross again soon.... read it in about two days after Christmas, but I have read the others at least two or three times each. I didn't read the Outlandish Companion.... kind of in protest because at the time she had promised the next book and it was kind of a let down to get a "recap" instead. Sound like it might be worth a read though. I'll have to pick it up from the library. |
Sia | Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 08:22 pm     I enjoyed "Voyager," but I have some problems/complaints with some particular plot-points. I could list a few for you: -Claire and/or Jamie met everybody who was anybody in the 18th century (Prince Charles, an early Rothschild moneylender, the Loch Ness Monster, etc.) -I didn't notice that Jamie and the crew had ever released--or FED--the captive soldiers they stuffed into the hold of the Artemis. (Or was it the ship after that?) They fooled the soldiers, pushed them into the hold, and I don't remember reading anything about them after that! They'd have starved to death. -Poor hygiene. For a gal from 1968 (and even in 1945 it would've been an issue!), Claire didn't seem to mind Jamie's minky-stinky b.o. And with all the ppl in the 18th-century having rotten teeth, Claire ends up with the ONLY guy in Scotland who takes care of his teeth! How'd she luck out like that? -They have romance-novel sex: violent, desperately passionate, and probably pretty darn painful. People don't make love like that in real life! (or at least I don't, at my age) Oh, there were other things, but it's getting late and I need to get to bed. Did you notice any of these things, Aware? I'm curious as to your reactions. |
Sia | Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 08:31 pm     Here's another web-site, Aware, for Outlander: http://www.lallybroch.com/LOL/drawingroom.html#boards |
Awareinva | Friday, May 24, 2002 - 03:18 pm     I did notice how they just happened to meet all the big historical characters.... one of those plot things I guess. Like I mentioned, it is also true of the Clan of the Cave Bear books. I guess when you are developing a plot line and doing a lot of historical research, it is just too tempting not to use all those good facts you have dug up. I noticed the hygiene thing too. I figued Claire must have gotten Jamie started on the tooth brushing thing. I know it was mentioned how she had him eating greens in prison (to avoid scurvy). I guess maybe when you are struggling to survive, odor wouldn't be at the top of the list of things you worry about. (This is why I would NEVER volunteer to go do something like Pioneer House that was shown on PBS. People went and lived in the wilderness of Montana for six months, like it was 1880.) The romance novel sex is also in the Jean Auel books. Maybe that's the hook for those who aren't into the historical fiction aspect of the book, keeps their interest up. Like you, I can't remember ever (even in my younger days) having that kind of sexual encounter!!! I always laugh to myself that if I had to depend on my knowledge of two hundred year ago history, I would be out of luck. Claire seemed to be really familiar with the different historical figures and characters and battles, etc. Maybe that was supposed to be due to being married to a historian, but I surely wouldn't have had a smidgen of that knowledge to depend on should I find myself in her situation. I better not go near any standing stones. LOL |
Snee | Monday, July 29, 2002 - 10:40 pm     sia, those are the same complaints i have with the series. i have read all of the books and i'm not excited about reading another one. while i enjoy spending time with the characters, the books are getting waaaaay too long and drawn out. i loved the first two the best. if you any questions about the books, definitely get the 'outlandish companion'. speaking of a movie or mini-series (which would be great) who would play the characters??? |
Lauword | Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:59 am     This is my favorite series of all time. I have read all but Fiery Cross, which is due out in paperback in Oct and I am anxiously awaiting. I ate up the Outlandish Companion in about two days as when it came out I was so hungry for anything Jamie and Claire. How could anyone not get caught up in their story? I just have to say also that I think Diana Gabaldon is an amazing author. How her mind must work is such a mystery, to have everything fit together that way and get her facts so straight. I LOVE JAMIE & CLAIRE. |
Snee | Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 11:15 am     lauward, i saw an interview with her once and she talked about her style of writing, saying that she writes in pieces. that is, she doesn't write in a straight line--she writes pieces here and there and then fits them together. she must have all the twists and the basic story in her mind though! |
Sia | Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:38 pm     Snee, I read about Gabaldon's writing approach, too, and think I'd have a tough time writing a novel in that manner; I tend to start from the beginning and write to the end, editing as I write. Of course, I've produced no books thus far; I'd love to have that time and talent and creativity--and the popular success Diana Gabaldon has achieved!! I think I'm up to the fourth book, but need to go buy a paperback copy. I don't have time this summer to trudge back and forth to the library and had a falling-out with them earlier this season, anyway. My kids and I are reading the many books we already own. It's good to stay home. Lately I only leave the house if we're out of something ESSENTIAL, like milk, bread, or TOILET PAPER! |
Alegria | Friday, August 30, 2002 - 02:56 pm     I am 3/4 through Outlander and have enjoyed it verra much. When Jaimie took Claire back to the split stone I wondered if it could be possible that she would travel through time to another period. How could she be sure to land back in 1945? Anyway, she dinna gae so t'wa moot. She is an excellent writer and has kept me hooked. |
Emerald | Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 07:32 am     I've read the first 4 books in the series and really do love them. I love all the historical info (reminds me of Michener). My only complaint, well not really a complaint, but a minor irritant was the fact that no matter where they went in the world, they always ran into somebody from previous exploits. I would have enjoyed it more if the "villians" had been new characters rather than totally unbelievable coincidences. |
Missy2 | Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 08:21 pm     I read all of the books in the series - but the last one. I've heard all negative reviews on it. I didn't want to start a long read that I would not finish. Did anyone here like it? By the way my favorite is of course: Outlander. |
Awareinva | Friday, September 27, 2002 - 10:45 pm     I did like the Firey Cross Missy2. It ended in a way that left you waiting for more though, which is probably why it didn't get huge reviews. I expected this one to take us up to the Revolutionary War and we didn't get there. There wasn't as much big scale resolution.... more like getting us from one place to the next. But I did like it, it was classic Jamie and Claire moments. And still a cut above most books in my opinion. |
Missy2 | Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:14 pm     Hello all I have a recommendation. If you enjoyed the "romance" aspect of Outlander, then I suggest you try Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon by Kathleen Givens. I really enjoyed the two books, they are more into the romance aspect but with a good and original storyline. |
Spygirl | Friday, January 10, 2003 - 06:56 pm     I just ordered The Fiery Cross from Amazon! I can't wait till it gets here. |
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