Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Outlander
Book Review: 4 Stars (but 3 Stars would've been fair too)...
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall I feel a 4 Star will suffice, but I must say a 3 Star wouldn't have been unfair either...
So this is an extremely, and I do mean extremely long book and is a little difficult for me to rate...
The story was superb. But for a lack of anything more intelligent to say it was the most long winded book I think I've EVER read. Don't get me wrong, the story was well told and well thought out, but to what degree is too much?!
I think "Outlander" makes a grand example for that question.
I was under the impression (of no fault of my own I might add based on many reviews) that the romance would leave you wanting for more...
..."Great Fun...marvelous and fantastic adventures, romance, sex...perfect escape reading." San Francisco Chronicle
I'll agree with the marvelous and fantastic adventures part of that review because Gabaldon in my opinion is gifted with dragging you into her world of fantasy. But with that said, the romance is perfectly lacking...Don't pick this one up if your choice of novel includes steam hot off the pages with details...you will not get it here. It's more that she sets the scene and you're left with your own imagination to finish it...which is ok, but I personally want a book that has me biting my nails in anticipation for the "grand finale".
So going back to my rating problem...I'm rating this one based on the bigger picture and not just my personal taste in bedroom scenes...because it really was an excellent Rated PGish read.
Book Review: 4-1/2 stars for a novel that created its own genre
Summary: 4 Stars
Outlander is a title that I've had several people tell me I need to read, but I just put it in the back of my mind as a dated historical romance until this tag. I wish that I had read this book when it first came out (granted, I would have been nine years old), because then the novelty of time travel would have been fresh, and I wouldn't have felt the weight of every other romance I've read over the years with that theme that have cribbed from Outlander. Claire is a wonderful, absolutely non-stereotypical, character. Her dilemma of loving and marrying two men in two different times makes her fascinating as well. There was only one time I wanted to smack her: In Wentworth Prison, instead of watching Jamie and the brute fighting each other, she should have had the forthwith to smack Randall and take care of him before he woke up!! That made me want to tear my hair out a bit. The middle did drag a bit, and for awhile it felt like the book would never end. I enjoyed it, but it was loooong! I have already added Dragonfly in Amber, the sequel, to my wish list. It's got romantic sex without being pornographic. Lots of amazing historical detail. Jamie is awesome! How cool is it that for once the MAN is the virgin! Gabaldon turns so many romance stereotypes on their head. Even in a book that 26 years old, she makes the genre new again.Book Review: 5 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
Discovered the Outlander series in 2010 and absolutely loved the entire set of books. If you enjoy historical fiction with well-written characters and some romance to boot, this book is for you. I especially enjoyed the unexpected "twist" that took the main character from the 1940's to the 1740's. It was my favorite book of 2010.Book Review: 5500+ pages later...still in LOVE
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is phenomenal, the entire series is so captivating. I have read a lot of the negative feedback to question myself as to why I do not have these same feelings about the book. As to the sexual content of the book. It is romance set in the 1700's..it is far from smutty. Those who find it smutty and vulgar need to read some real smut so they will know the difference. Diana G does not hold back. She in detail describes what can and I am sure did occur in the Highlands of Scottland hundreds of years ago. Rape and murder were reality. Did these readers not watch Braveheart?? Anyway I have read all 6 novels and am TRULY AMAZED that an author can write close to 6000 pages about 2 central characters and make the last 10 pages of the 6th book as wonderful as the 1st book. I cannot wait for the 7th book to come out!!Book Review: 850 pages, only last 300 were worth the read
Summary: 3 Stars
I am not a great fan of romance, but the super positive reviews made me buy this book. From the reviews I had the impression this was not just another romantic story. While reading, I regretted my decision, but I never stop a book in the middle, so kept on reading (even though 850 pages) and it got a little better by page 350. I found the beginning very slow, not to the point and pretty boring. Halfway the pace got a little better, but altogether I found the book missing action and credibility. The ending really made up for the first 350 pages, but I will not buy any of Ms. Gabaldon's sequels.