The Outlander Series

I down loaded this series June 27th. I have just finished reading it. My health may or may not have suffered during this time, but surely my housekeeping, acquaintances and any other (relatively) ancillary aspects of life have suffered greatly from inattention during the intervening time. I fell into these books as much as Claire fell through the stones. Even when I didn't have my e-reader at hand, my mind was on the world of the Outlanders, wondering how, when, what for each of the many chief characters. And now that I have reached the end of this eight (or is it seven with the eighth due out?) book set, I want the next one immediately! No spoilers here, but it is going to be a difficult wait. Unfortunately, or perhaps for my social well-being, fortunately, it doesn't come out until March 2014. To whom these books may appeal: history buffs (though I am most certainly NOT one), nurses, PAs, Physicians, warriors, romantics, Science fiction aficionados, fans of mystery, and folks, like myself, who merely want to escape for a while. Boy, it did the trick for me with escaping! Enjoy!

This is the collection of the 1st 7 books in this series. I purchased this bundle as a deal and couldn't pass it up. I saw other's love it but it had a lot of things I normally don't pick out in a book.<br /><br />1. Huge books, rather wordy but after reading it I wouldn't miss it for the world. The story is amazing. <br /><br />2. You are dragged back in forth between the past and more recent present, which I normally couldn't stand but I absolutely loved it. <br /><br />3. You are also given multiple view points, again not a favorite of mine, but I was so riveted to each and every word I couldn't put it down.<br /><br />Talk about a must read, this series is amazing. Everything I try to stay away from in my reading choices, which would explain what took me so long to read it, BUT, I LOVED IT. <br /><br />I can also guarantee that I will be spending time re-reading this series again and again.

The series began well; the first 3 books, imo, are must reads if a reader likes romance (oh get over it, Gabaldon, it's fucking romance), or historical novels, or time travel or any combination of those. while there are some tiresome tropes--Gabaldon has some issues with ensuring that every character in the series gets raped or nearly killed at least twice, and you don't want to make "nipple" a drinking game if you're going to go on a marathon read of the series--it's fun, interesting and you mostly care about Claire and Jamie.<br /><br />Drums of Autum begins a long (loooooong) slow decline. The Fiery Cross continued it. A Breath of Snow and Ashes was interminable. Seriously, I kept looking to see what page I was on because it was SUCH a long slow drag of "How I spent My Summer Vacation in Colonial North Carolina and Got Raped". (Michener could give Gabaldon a lesson in brevity, just sayin...) An Echo in the Bone was better than Snow and Ashes, but good God, anything would be. <br /><br />So why would I buy Echo after Snow and Ashes? Good question; I asked that myself. And Echo had been published for months before I ponied up the cash for it. And then a month later, ditched the book and paid an obscene amount of money for an e-version of it, but at least the e-reader is easier to lug around than the hard copy. Mostly, after investing so many years and so much time (and so much money) i this series, I'd just like to know how it end.<br /><br />But I suspect it never will. More's the pity.

This is my favorite book series! Each hefty/weighty/lengthy book, flies by and leaves you bereft, mourning the loss of your friends. The characters are so well-developed, their personalities so "real" that you feel you know them and they would be your friends. <br /><br />The storyline is complex. Through a series of accidents Clair finds herself married to two men. One from modern day, and one (Jamie) from the time she traveled back to. Jamie is a fierce, beautiful, loyal, strong, sensuous, Scottish Highlander and every woman's dream. He is also her true love. We follow them through wars, famine, births, deaths, kidnappings, rapes, sea voyages, celebrations, heartbreak and some super steamy stuff! <br /><br />I had the good fortune to meet the author, Diana Gabaldon, at a book signing. I found her, like her books, witty, charming, and full of humor. <br /><br />The long awaited next book is due out in the beginning of 2013! I am anxiously awaiting it. The title of this book is : Written in My Own Heart's Blood.<br /><br />There is discussion on her website that her books are being made into a television series similar to "True Blood" or "Game of Thrones."

There are very few authors that come close to Mrs. Gabaldon in skill. The breadth of the series is hard to describe. Historical fiction, mystical adventure, romance... It's a shame that many mistakenly assume it to be just romance and therefore simplistic drivel. I could go on about female authors and their works not being taken seriously but I won't. Only to point out that historical fiction by, say Ken Follett is much more formulatic and romancey. <br />The historical research and rich detail of the Outlander books brings the past to life in a personal visceral way. In the process I've learned a lot about historical events I'd never even heard of. I can't really rate the individual books as they tend to run together in my mind. This isn't a fault in the writing, only an eagerness on my part to know what happens next. I'm aware many feel the series has slow or less enjoyable books. But in following Jamie and Claire in their journeys together and apart I feel it's just part of the realism of the story to have some less pleasant and or less extraordinary periods. I've also read The Lord John stories. You don't have to read these but they are very entertaining and help you piece together more of the happenings in the Outlander timeline. <br />These are pretty hefty reads so if you get hooked prepare to spend a good amount of time in the 1700's. This isn't much of a review I guess. Honestly you can't describe it without giving away plot points. So just trust me, give it a read. If you wait you'll find yourself in the position of all the newbie Game of Thrones (ASOIAF) fans, playing catch up to stay ahead of the show. Starz has approved a 16 episode season adaption, presumably the first book. Now lets hope they do it justice. Oh the worries of a fan girl.

<b> Phenomenal Characterization!<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1465233545i/19328685.jpg" width="400" height="450" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>And <i>Lord John</i></b>...and his world are my everything! <br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1465234478i/19328770._SX540_.jpg" width="400" height="320" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><b>Lord John, just wow * swoon* worthy for sure~<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1465235574i/19328920._SX540_.jpg" width="400" height="320" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>Jamie was ADORABLE &amp; Clair was awesome</b><br><br>And, so many SC that bring this book alive. I love them all. This was a phenomenal read. Everytime I walk into Barnes &amp; Noble I want to pet this book. I love it, I gravitate towards it. * shrug* it just that well written. <br><br>The books as a whole.....<br><br>Mischief and mayhem throughout. Dual husbands and unrequited love. <br><br>Plus.....<br><br>Parts of this book stole my breath away. <br>Parts of this book were simply BRILLIANT in word.<br>Parts of this book grabs at the heart<br>And...parts of this book that tickles the soul. <br><br>The writing is absolutely breathtaking. The stories are pretty much the same in all the books....mayhem and mischief. <br><br>The unrequited love of John to Fraser was painful. I wanted a John happy so bad. But, I will read his books too, so maybe that where I will find his happy even for just one of his book *fingers crossed*<br><br>The concept of the book makes this book a favorite, <b>Time travel</b> The medical remedies make my ER nurse heart happy, I love the quick smart thinking on Clare’s part. I adored this read, I read the e-books. But, when I am in Barnes and noble, I seek this physical books out, because to thumb though these book(s) are pure heaven✨?<br><br>1st read in 2015<br><br>*Re-read 2019 and pic's added. And, I finally purchased the book(s) I still love this book so much.

Hands down Outlander is the best series I've ever read. Diana Gabaldon's writing style is awesome and you can't help but fall in love with Jamie and Claire.

I did NOT like this series, to the point that, despite my love for long, historical sagas with tortuous plots, I could not even get to the end of it. It was already hard enough to get to the end of each of the four books I forced myself to finish.<br />To me, this is a (badly realized) "high-end" version of cheap romantic books that feature ridiculous drawings of muscly men with open shirts embracing voluptuous redheads on the cover. Cheap beach literature with better language, if you will. The main characters, especially Claire, are annoying; the "romantic scenes" are too many and, frankly, uselessly descriptive (and no, I am not easily shocked by sex talk); there is a fixation with sexual violence that is disturbing; and ultimately, the books are soooo long and there is no reason for it. Using 20 pages to write something you could write in 2 does not make you an artist. Deeply disappointed.

I started this series out of curiosity, having never heard anything about it..( yeah..yeah where have I been the last 20 years..in 13th century Scotland..haha) <br />What makes them appealing to me is that they're historically engaging..but let's face it..England wasn't a peaceful nor enlightened at this time in history. Very few places were at this time in history. It was a brutal, ruthless time, compassion and mercy were the exception in both individuals and the countries that ruled over them. <br />What's made this series so compelling to me is the truth in which the characters are drawn. Where easy outcomes.. the one the reader is really hoping for..presents itself with a very rewarding storybook solution..the happily ever after so to speak..the author with skill and integrity to her story and characters..doesn't take the easy win..which when good things happen..make them so much more rewarding in light of the struggles endured to have earned the happiness. <br />And the characters are full of failings, and fallibility. They don't always to the right things. Which makes them complex..and fascinating. <br />The premise seems so far fetched..but the story is crafted so well, if Clare was telling you her story over coffee..you'd be hard pressed to call her crazy or a liar..<br />There is mature content..and if it's too descriptive..it's easy enough to skip over and return to the story. <br />I find myself rooting for Clare and Jaime to have some peace and quiet..but it's a extensive series..so I guess it should be health and happiness.

I really tried to like this series...it came highly rated, and recommended by friends. But I found myself wanting to strangle the main character. She's an idiot imho and keeps making very simplistic mistakes...for example: anyone who gets thrown back in time and *doesn't* consider that they will be seen as a witch, etc.. based upon their more superior knowledge of germs, etc?? I got so annoyed that I didn't finish the series...