Outlander by Diana Gabaldon ~ 850 pages ~ published 6/1/91 by Dell Publishing Company

Synopsis:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord…1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

What I Thought:

I had heard so much hype surrounding this book, this series really. I wasn’t sure I was ready to begin such a huge undertaking – I mean, the first book is 850 pages long!! But, after hearing so many people wax poetic about this series, I was willing to give it a go. I read it on my e-reader, so that I could carry it with me without my purse breaking my back, as well as to make it feel slightly less daunting. I needn’t have worried about it being daunting. Once I began the book, I really couldn’t put it down!

First, I’m a HUGE historical fiction fan. So, as this book is historical in TWO DIFFERENT ERAS, well, let’s just say I’m a fan 😉 I will say that the beginning, before Claire is transported to the 1740’s is a little bit slow, but I still enjoyed it. I think the anticipation of the inevitable time-travel dampened my enjoyment of the 1940’s section somewhat, but I was still hooked.

Gabaldon’s descriptions of Scotland were vivid and arresting, but did not feel too verbose which I greatly appreciate in an author. I visited Scotland in March of last year, and I could feel myself back there again as I read Outlander. I love when a book can transport me to another place so thoroughly, don’t you?

I’m also a fan of a good romance. And Claire and Jamie certainly deliver. I was rooting for them the entire way through this odyssey of a novel. Each time they were separated for one reason or another, I was on the edge of my seat, hoping for them to be reunited once again.

I also have to tip my hat to Gabaldon on her extremely thorough research. The detail in this novel was so rich. I truly felt as if I were walking the highlands of Scotland in 1743, and that is a feat that is difficult to achieve. Well done!!

Rating:

5.0/5.0

I absolutely cannot wait to start on the second book of this wonderful series. I give Outlander a very well deserved 5 STARS! I would love to hear what your thoughts are on this series in the comments! Should I start on the TV series now? Or should I wait until I have gotten further in the book series?

Are you interested in learning more about this book/series? Check out the links below!

Diana Gabaldon’s Website

Diana Gabaldon Facebook Page

Outlander Goodreads Page

Purchase Outlander on BN.com

With love,

Whitney