What are your thoughts on Outlander by Diana Gabaldon? Should I read it?
What are your thoughts on Outlander by Diana Gabaldon? Should I read it?
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I simply could not finish it. Didn’t like it
I’m stuck on the 2nd one. I keep putting down ?
The second one was the hardest one for me. If you can get through it, they get much better.
Hated it.
My very favorite book. 🙂
Absolutely! I’ve read it a few times. Read the entire series. Watching the TV series. Some books are better than others and there are some dark story lines…but overall they are great. My favorite series
Love the series and anxiously await each new addition!
Hated it. But everyone seems to love it so I’d give it a try!
Hated it also.
I tried soooo many times too. Lol
I love it and the entire series.
Loved it. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Great story.
Yes
I enjoyed Outlander. I’m not sure if I ever finished any of the others. They have a huge fan base, though.
Loved it, have read the series. In addition to well researched history it is an epic love story.
Loved it!
I loved them! When I started them they completely took over my life until I was finished, in a good way though.
Yes!!!!
Yes I am a total Outlander nerd. The books aren’t perfect but I just love hanging out with J and C and clan.
Yes! x 1,000,000!
Outstanding read but difficult first 100 pages….stick with it, well worth it.
Loved the first four, but then it began to drag for me.
Agree with Kathy. Got stuck on book 5. Ended up getting the audiobook to get through it. Started 6 and got side tracked, but plan to go back at some point.
Yes.
It’s very popular. Not for everyone, though. It was a book club choice. We called it “Sex on a rock.”
First few books have more sex than the later books. It really ends up becoming a family Saga
Marcy Romani Hudson I didn’t say “Sex on a rock” was a bad thing. LOL ?
@Jeri of course not! 🙂
Is it sad that I know exactly which scene of which you speak? LOL
Honestly I didn’t like it
Loved it!
Absolutely!! And then read the rest of her books
Awesome books, beautifully written. I highly recommend it.
Yes.
I started it, but I guess I didn’t push through the rough beginning far enough, as I got distracted by other things. Keep meaning to go back and give it another try.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes!
I didn’t like it one bit, but I’m in the minority. If it were put to the popular vote it would get a huge thumbs up.
I hated it too.
Hated it also!
Ohh I’m interested in the outlander group!!
Absolutely!
All of the books. I loved them.
Best books of all time if you are asking me
Yes 🙂
@Ashley Thru Facebook. Just search for it.
Takes a bit to get into. Dont give up. They are amazing once u get thru the 1st bit
I only managed to read the first book, the angst was just too intense for me. I had to read summaries of all her other novels to satisfy my curiosity, actually reading them would have given me a heart attack. I do count Outlander up among my favorites . It’s well-written and it will make you feel. Beware, one of the last chapters is incredibly graphic and gruesome. I actually became physically ill reading it. I would have skipped that particular chapter if I’d known how vicious it was ?
I loved this first book! Loved loved loved!! But cannot for the life of me get through the second…and I bought the whole darn series because the first was so good!
You need to plow through the first part of the second…all the French court stuff is a bit of a bore…but the back 2/3 of the book is great
@Marcy I’ve tried for a whole year!
Ditto! ?
@Margaret have you made it out of France yet?
I feel the same way!!!! I thought maybe there was something I was missing! From the beginning of the second book I was like … well, this is different ??
@Marcy I only got as far as The Splendor of Versailles, chapter 9. Took me a year to read that tiny bit!!!
Diana Gabaldon described the 2nd book as a barbell. Lot of action in the beginning, long and kinda slow in the middle, then ends on an incredibly high action note. Even she has said it’s OK to skip the boring parts!
Same boat as you!
Yes times a billion
Jamie’s torture scene was one of the most disturbing thing I have ever read.
Even years later, I still get nauseous when it’s mentioned.
@Kathleen I refused to watch the episode where it would happen in the series
Ugh. I skip those….
@Deb I watched it. I really, really wish I hadn’t. Although I have to say, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the book. Probably because it would have been illegal to show that level of horror on screen.
@Deb such amazing acting though. But it is hard to stomach for sure.
Agree!!!! And since he’s my fictional boyfriend, it was even more awful. ?
@Meredith Book boyfriend. TV boyfriend…..
@Meredith ?
@Jeri I like the actor they chose to portray Jamie. I think he’s handsome but in my head he’s better. ?
@Meredith agreed! Imagination is amazing! Lol
I understand Claire is older but the actress looks too much older than him, imho. Not saying she isn’t talented. That’s always the problem with casting. Pleasing all the book lovers!
@Jeri I agree with this!!! She’s just not right! ?
I skip it!
Didn’t like it but I think I’m the only one. ?
You aren’t the only one. I read several in the series because I bought them as a set on my nook for a good price. I couldn’t get through them.
I couldn’t get into it.
I only read that far in because I was on vacation in the Bahamas and I’d preloaded onto my Nook. Made for good sunbathing naps.
You’re not alone. I read the first book and had a hard time finishing it. Much prefer the TV series. Book was just interminable corny sex scenes, soft porn really, and not well written. And I’m far from being a prude, I really like well written erotic fiction.
Hated it. Gave it zero stars.
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And then you will go on to read the rest.
It’s really good. I couldn’t keep up and remember everything by the fifth book though. I prefer trilogies for this reason but the ones I read were really good
It’s long.
I loved it! Ive read it 3 times!!
What if you just read the same parts over and over again? ?
@Jeri ….well that too ???
Watching the series on tv. It’s excellent. The storyline will keep you hopping, but don’t know how her writing is.
Excellent writing and very well researched. She was a scientist (PhD and working in animal behavior) before this and her attention to detail shows in the quality of the work.
@Julie oh, thanks! Good to know.
I loved it!
If you like history, deep family, friends, love relationships, honesty in the difficulties of the time periods, genuine sexual encounters (these include how women & men were oft times roughly used), some science fiction with time travel, a long and involved story line through decades of time, and some beautiful writing… then yes!
Yes! So good!!
YES!! It is hands-down my favorite book series. DG is an incredible writer. She can meander and take you off on tangents, but when she is powerful, she hits you right in all the feels!
Yes, absolutely!!!
I read Outlander 20 years ago when it came out and devoured the entire series. Your post reminds me it’s time to read it all again this summer!
I have a friend reading it and she loves it.
The first is good, I couldn’t get even halfway through the second. It wasn’t bad, just not what I was expecting or wanted.
YES!!
I’m going to at least read it and see what it’s all about
Loved it
I read the first 2 of the series. It’s a commitment, for sure. I don’t have time to read the rest.
I think I only read the first 3
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
She has too much detail for me
That was my problem. The last book I started was still sitting around a camp fire in North Carolina on page 200!
I read the first one and stopped reading the 2nd one pretty soon after starting. I felt like I was reading the Scottish version of 50 Shades of Grey.
I like a good sex scene as much as the next gal, I just don’t think many authors can write them well. I found Gabaldon’s to be cheesy and ridiculous and I just couldn’t go on.
5 stars all the way!!!!
I loved them and have read them some of them several times (reread to the beginning of the next in the series), but I had to skip over detailed sexual sections that were too much for me.
I do the same…
I loved them all and have read multiple times.
loved it. haven’t been able
to read past the first one, though.
I liked the first one but I struggled with a few moments in the book. That being said, I kept reading, I am now about to start the 4th book and I love the series! 🙂 And there are 5 people I know who have read the books and they all loved them as well.
For fans in the Phoenix area, I just came across this…
https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcomicfest/posts/10156164453838567:0
My favorite book ever!!!!!
Sam (Jamie) seems to be doing well!
“Accounts filed at Companies House for his firm Cairn Mor Creative show it had total assets of £955,204 for 2017.”
Last year was 87,000. Good for him!
ABSOLUTELY!!
I loved those books…get ready for a real commitment! Book 5 was a struggle but so glad I read them.
The series based on the books (on STARZ) is excellent!
I’m about to start book 5 and that worries me lol I’m almost done with 4 and I feel like it’s kind of lagged in places. Still love the stories but I’ve found myself putting the book down for a few days at a time during slow parts!
They are wonderful for what they are…bodice ripper romances. Well done, and vastly entertaining, like
Not really an accurate description. They are historical fiction mixed with fantasy and romance.
Actually, the bodice ripping is done as a commentary on romantic fiction. She also explores the idea of rape for both sexes. It’s not just your typical romance novel.
I always liked that Claire came into the relationship as an older experienced woman while Jamie was a virgin. Not your typical romance/bodice ripper.
YES. firm yes. absolutely positively.
Yes, definitely.
I read the first one after watching the show – that made it all the more fun! Couldn’t put it down.
Sandra, so sorry your post didn’t generate any interest! ?
Haven’t read any of those books either.
Awesome books!!
I believe the reason why I love Gabaldon’s Outlander series is due to the adult communication and resolution between the two main characters in wonderful, loving, horrible, demoralizing, insurmountable and fated circumstances. They are honest and the talk is not always simple or easy – but a necessary guide to acceptance and unconditional love. In a society that has so much exposure to trivial and shallow “sex-likes” relationships, we can greatly benefit from these books as they travel through an amazingly accurate and full presentation of history in its everyday sense. But mostly it is the maturity of how to truly love that is the keynote.
Yes!!! So much more than just a romance or a bodice ripper. Well said.
I love that it is a love story over a lifetime with all its ups and downs!
I didn’t think that hard but these words are true. Thanks, Christine Fore. The books are great.
Yes.
Enjoyed themm and followed up with Sara Donatis series that has a few slight cross overs to the characters in Outlander
Pleased you mentioned Sara Donati’s Into the Wilderness series. I am reading The Gilded Hour now.
@Christine Also read four other books about Jaimes missing years and also Lord John and his links.Cant remember the names but have the books if you are interested in the titles
? Thanks. Have read them all. I found a rumpled paperback copy of Outlander in the seat back flap in front of me on a red eye plane leaving from Guatemala over 20 years ago. Definitely the best incidental find of my life. Always wondered about the person who forgot it. A most marvelous and treasured gift.
Wish she would explore a couple of the other characters
So good!
I have heard that they are good.
DNF for me
They’re love ’em or hate ’em books. I’m in the second category. Read the first one. That was one too many.
Me too, hated it big time!
I found her writing immature.
Love love love. Probably going to re read them while I wait for the next book and the series to return to tv in 2019.
Yes
I was just watching the show. Lost interest after the second episode. 🙁
Nope
I read the first book and had a hard time finishing it. Much prefer the TV series. Book was just interminable corny sex scenes, soft porn really, and not well written. And I’m far from being a prude, I really like well written erotic fiction.
Yes!! I completely lost myself in her Outlander series. In saying that there has been a lot of hype in the media so expectations might be high. You need to persevere and just enjoy them! They are my all time favourites!
True, when I read them over 20 years ago I had just picked it up at the library and had zero expectations going in.
Same here. I felt like I discovered gold back then! Still a big fan, and luv seeing the books come alive on TV. Excellent casting and acting!
Yes!!!
Outlander yes. The rest of the series no.
YES! And if you do audio, go that route. Davina Porter does a fantastic job with the audiobooks. (I’ve listened to the series at least four times.
Liked the book(s) that I read. Tried watching the show-didn’t like it.
Read The first one, it was ok. Never bothered reading the rest
The first one was ok; each one thereafter declined in quality.
@Steve I made the right decision ! Thank you!
Good novel. Could’ve been shorter if they weren’t in bed all the time. Too much for me.
Yep- like the show.
Yes yes yes!!!!
I also love the natural science throughout the books as well.
Loved it, I’ve read 5 in the series so far.
It’s a great book series
Love this series and Gabaldon! There’s history and romance here.
Yes. I second the suggestion from Amanda Murphy about the audio version.
To much of a romance for me.
YAAAAASSSSS
My dad is reading number 4, since he watched the first 3 tv seasons. He is obsessed! He does not read!
That’s awesome. He’s an OutMANder 😉
He calls me almost every day asking for clarification or begging me to tell him what is going to happen.
Yes..on book 7 now
Yes, yes, yes!!!
I normally don’t read romance novels and this could definitely fit into that genre. Having said that I became completely addicted. The characters are fleshed out well – they are so 3 dimensional. The historical fiction is interesting and Galbadon knows how to keep the reader interested!
I loved the first two. Around book 3 or 4 I got kind of…..I don’t know what to call it. I mean, can these poor folks catch a break? It’s just too much, poor dears.
I know what you mean, the constant anxiety started getting to me ?
I found them very compelling historical fiction. Definitely slow parts in each book, but easily skimmed to get to the compelling parts again. There is a deep deep love story that is complex and unconventional and well-told. Steamy bits in the early books but very much in the context of the relationship.
YES!!! My all time fave series!!! The show is fabulous too;)
My favorite series of all time!
My favorite series of all time!
So addicting. The books are long, but the plot and characters are complex. Don’t leave earth without checking them out.
YES!
Read the first 50 pages of the first one. Then decide.
I’d say first 100 🙂
YES
Yes!!
Loved it!
My fav books!!!!
Loved each one I’ve read so far. About 4 books left!
Reading it now, I love it!!!!
Yes, you should definitely read them. They are wonderful – bits of history and romance. My all time fave.
Go for it. I love those books.
Yep.
Yes!
A thousand times YES!!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Yes
Yes and yes!!!
Yup!
It took me three tries to get into it, but I have read them all. I don’t love them, some have been snoozers. I also have to ask myself, what other dozens of books have I missed reading these? But I do have to say, for people in their 50’s in the later book, Jamie and Claire have a shocking amount of sex.
Read it and see it:) I read all the books and still watching the tv series. Good!!
OMG. Jamie Fraser has been my book boyfriend since 1994!
Haha, mine since ’07. It’s nice to share.
Me too! I found a used copy of Outlander in 1994 at a library book sale when I was 16 and I haven’t looked back!
Yes
I know a few Outlander groupies but I couldn’t get into the first one and of course I purchased the entire series on my Kindle grrrrr.
Oh yesssss the whole series is fabulous. I miss Jamie an clair
Guess I’m all alone, NO.
I couldn’t get into it either.
I enjoyed the premise of the first book however the violence and sex became tiresome.
I couldn’t get into it either.
You’re not alone.
I have tried a few times. Never got past the first 50 pages.
Yes!
Absolutely!
Yes
Definitely YES!!!
One of the best historical novels ever.
Epic love story. Yes.
Yup
Yes, if you are willing to risk the addiction to several tomes, plus the side story of Lord John in several volumes.
Yes! The first 4 books are the best!
The books are Great! Diana Gabaldon writes so we’ll. I am currently rereading the series for the umpteenth time
Awesome!!!
Drivel. Absolutely a waste of time and your suspension of disbelief.
But you can buy the books a dime a dozen at any thrift store so your investment is low.
I’m happy to suspend disbelief for a good story. That series just didn’t fit my idea of a good story.
Umm…it’s a book with a time travel element …so it does require a bit of belief suspension 🙂
@Marcy purely a matter of taste. I probably wouldnt read books she thinks are pure escapism. I loved the series and thats what is important to me.
It’s the best!!! Yes!!
I loved it. Of course it isn’t serious, but it does give a lot of history.
Favorite book series ever!
One of the best series I’ve ever read! Go for it!
I like it
Don’t be a hater, Karen von Bargen! Nothing wrong with escapism and romance!!!
Don’t be a hater!
I love them!
Yes Yes Yes!!
Absolutely!!! ❤️❤️❤️
It was a 3 star for me. The writing is a little hard plus it gets boring at times. Best way to go is audio though for me or I would have DNFd it
yes!
READ IT!
I love the whole series, and when a friend recommended them I was sure I’d hate them because I don’t read romance. But they’re great!
Haha, the same thing happened with my sister, apparently she didn’t do romance?! She held off as long as possible … fast forward, she’s getting ready to start Book 4, and has watched every episode through S3. I luv sharing it with her!
Thank you for everyone’s thoughts on Outlander I’m thinking of giving it a try ?
Let us know if you like it.
Yes! My favorite series ever!?
I LOVED the series!!! I am planning on reading it again this summer.
Absolutely
I had no interest in it until today, when I discovered that she was inspired to write it by Jamie McCrimmon in Doctor Who – for that reason might give it a go
I had no interest in it until today, when I discovered that she was inspired to write it by Jamie McCrimmon in Doctor Who – for that reason might give it a go
My lasting impression was that they had sex so much in the first book, I thought it interfered with the flow of the plot. Again?!? I remember thinking. Still an interesting story line.
But, Maria, just like real life. Lol
Yes!!!!
I’m not normally a big romance reader and I really enjoyed the first 3-4 of that series. She does get a bit long winded in them, but I still enjoyed them a lot.
I really liked them when I first started. Great premise , romance, history, culture aspects…. I got a little bored after a while of all the sex scenes, but you can just skim through them after the initial few, which are well written. They just become repetitive after a while and a hint would have sufficed in my opinion. Otherwise a great series.
I read the fist 3 or 4 and really liked them. After that not so much.
#5#6 got a bit sad but #7#8 we’re back to being fun
@Caroline
Yes, I struggled through 5 & 6 myself. The first 4 I absolutely loved!!! ❤️???
@Kelly me too. Especially 1 and 2.
I loved the premise and The storytelling and went through the first half-ish of the book quickly but then struggled with too many sex scenes. To me it was way overdone. I also struggled with the believability of the status of Claire in the past.
I read the abridged audio version and it was Perfect! Nothing but story.
Yes I also like the premise and find it interesting from an academic point of view.
Spoiler alert:
http://www.relevanth.com/an-anthropologists-obsession-with-outlander/
Jamie McCrimmon of Dr Who – the inspiration for Outlander. THe author admires his ‘pig-headed gallantry’.
Love these books!! Amazing story!! Watch the series on Starz as well! It’s done with the readers in mind. Slight deviations from the books, but it stays true to the main plots. I am also a nurse. I was so engrossed in this story, I couldn’t put the books down!! Enjoy! ???
Me too! I was in Borders in the mid 90’s looking for books and randomly picked up Outlander because of it being about a time traveling nurse and 5 rereads later,I still love them all. And when Outlander came to Starz,I was in heaven.
Audio book is the way to go