What are your thoughts on the Outlander series? Anyone read all eight?
What are your thoughts on the Outlander series? Anyone read all eight?
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What are your thoughts on the Outlander series? Anyone read all eight?
I skimmed the first one and “read” the rest of them on Wikipedia. It read like rape fantasy to me. Your mileage may vary.
agree. I wanted to like it but there were so many scenes that made me SO uncomfortable, I couldn’t get past that. I got through book one but I won’t continue.
I was interested enough to want to know what happened, thus the Wikipedia 😀 Someone went to a lot of trouble to exhaustively summarize.
I couldn’t agree more
I’m with you ladies. The rape/sex scenes squicked me out. I stopped at one.
I had a manager who loved them, she swore by them. So much so that it made me reluctant to read them. I almost did..it’s like when I see an over advertised movie, then I see it, it’s almost a disappointment.
Loved the books. Cannot compare to the tv show.
Read all eight, plus novellas, and accompanying LJG series. My favorite author of all time–but a word of caution, this is not the type of reading that one will find satisfying by reading out of order. She has a clever style and if you blink, you’ll miss it. Each piece of the story is woven into a fantastic tale that is interdependent on the preceding events. Happy reading!
Agreed. Loved those books! Actually emailed back & forth w the author during the 3rd book – with questions. She was so nice, I learned so much about that time period reading them. I read them all ?
I got about halfway through the first book and gave up. It’s well written, but just not my cup of tea. I can see why so many people love the series, it’s just not for me.
I read the first 3 and got bogged down with the 4th so decided to listen to the rest of them on audio. They were great!
Exact same thing happened to me. I keep thinking I’m going to go back and power through till the story gets interesting again…
Recently picked up the first one and almost done
Have read all the books & also enjoying the TV series. Some changes in plot of course but really well done
I have started the 4th and have put it down again. I may try listening to them. I loved the first 3 just can’t get into the 4th
That’s where I got bogged down, too. The audio books are great though!
@Emily I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
I was just getting ready to begin the 4th book, what do you think caused you to not like it, the change of venue to America?
@Pam I don’t think it was that. I think it’s because every time you turn a page something bad happens to them.
@Pam With me, the amount of detail and just wordiness got to me. There is a tremendous amount of detail describing surgeries, etc. Because the narration is so good with the audio books, I was able to listen to the detail more intently. It’s kind of hard to describe…
@Diana, Ugh! More than the previous three books? hard to imagine how she could up the ante on what they go through!!
She does.
@Pam it’s within like the first 10 pages and then something else big happens. It like can’t these poor people get a break?!
@Emily Maybe I’ll try the audio? Although when reading I can always skip passages (surgery descriptions) that bug me.
@Diana Exactly!!
@Diana I know, I hear you!!!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one!!!
Right there with you! 🙂
Really?? I love 4-8 more than 1-3. But YMMV.
I read them all. They are fascinating stories, some better than others.
I read them all and loved them. The sex becomes wearisome, so I stuck to reading, not audio books so I could skim those parts. I’ve enjoyed the Starz series.
Only read 3 but LOVED them!!
I have read all of 8 books years ago and now, this year I started again. Now I’m about half way in this series because now I read 4th book. Love those characters and the plot is quite interesting.
I just started book 3 and I am IN LOVE WITH THEM!
Read all 8 books more than once. LOVE them. Love the Starz series too.
I’ve read them. They are doing a pretty good job with the Outlander series on STARZ now too.
I read all 8. I definitely think the quality has gone down and have touched a bit on the ridiculous with the last 2. I listened to Book 8 and was ready to scream because she mentioned someone making a Scottish noise every 5 minutes and it was driving me bananas!
Tried the first one. Made it 3/4 through it before giving up. Way too much rape/sex, it interfered with the story line.
I read them all, beginning nine years ago. I also did a lot of “skimming” in some of them. Kind of fun books, but I hate cliffhangers.
Very interesting opinions here, thanks. I liked them, a lot. I love history and historical fiction and appreciated what appeared to be authenticity in the time period. I did not like the heavy sex emphasis, skimmed those parts, especially the brutal parts. I wanted to watch the STARZ series, but too graphic and hard to skip those parts while viewing. The reason I find your opinions interesting is because other threads I’ve read seemed to regard readers as prudes if the reader would prefer less sex. I appreciate these comments that are not judgmental about opinions.
The sex scenes in the book were steamy and fun for me at times and simply “skimmable” to me other times – the story of Claire and Jamie and the adventure and legacy they build together was the best part for me.
Read them all, enjoyed them for the most part. Some I powered through with skimming more than others, she’s a great writer but at times it’s too descriptive and I’d skip pages at a time to get through the descriptions.
I read them all and eagerly await the next!
Did you read the Lord John series too?
@BethandBrad, no I didn’t.
The first three were fantastic. After that hmmmm
Love them! My son even got me a t shirt for Christmas.
I do one a year, 2018 will be #6. I LOVE the readings by Davina Porter. She makes even the long descriptions a delight.
Loved them all! Jamie = swoon!
Yup
I loved them overall. A few books lagged or the author was building background for a future book but great escape and guilty pleasure reading!
I gave up after the first 4, which I loved, but just got tired of the story. I can’t get enough of the TV show, though?
Loved them all!!
❤️❤️?❤️❤️?
I’ve read all 8 of them 3 times. Love them.
Couldn’t get into the first at all.
Great storytelling
I’ve read them all – loved them all (some more than others, of course!)
I’ve read all of them and loved every one. I watch the series, too, and enjoy it but it doesn’t compare to the books. How could it?
Doesn’t even come close 😉
I’ve read all of them several times. And listened to the audiobooks. Davina Porter, the audiobook narrator makes really good books, great. However, Lord John is my favorite character in the series and I actually enjoy his mystery series even more. If the Outlander books seem overwhelming to start, I recommend starting with the Lord John books.
I e read all 8 and have been anxiously waiting for the 9th for a couple years now.
I am reading one of the “in between” books right now – Lord John and the Private Matter.
I am just beginning to not skim through pages just to get through at 25%
It is a very different genre than Outlander (more of a historical mystery than historical romance/adventure)
She originally planned the first 3 as a trilogy, and it shows. You can easily find the original storyline binding the first 3 together, and you can see how she was going to wrap it up. But then they proved to be so popular, she had the change the ending of #3 a bit to go into #4. I kind of felt like all of book 4 was just extending all the the characters’ story lines… maybe to lead into the rest of the books? I lost my momentum at that point, got distracted with other books, and haven’t gotten back to them.
I’ve read them all. A bit of a hard slog through #4-5 but I powered through. Loved them. She obviously does a lot of research. Possibly includes a little too much detail at times.
Wish she’d hurry up and get #9 finished and published.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a long series reader, but I genuinely enjoyed these books.
I’ve read them all and I’m not really good with the series format. I wish there was a book 9!
have read them many times & love the series
Yes. Love them. I think they are best in audiobook form .
They put me off of books on tape as I’d just as soon skip the sex scenes. She was VERY successful at being an early self promotion author on the internet. My mentor also mentored her but I just couldn’t find enthusiasm for the stories
Love them. Claire’s leadership throughout wss refreshing.
I’ve read all the Outlander books two times and am working through the third time now. I love that world. Much better than the tv show.
I refuse to watch the TV adaptation. They are never as good as the written word ❤️
@Jacqui Oh, you’re missing out.
@Chrissy , they are increasingly messing with the storyline and characters. Very sad.
@Valerie Eh, it’s tv. We’ll always have the books. ?
Loved them all. The pace ebbs and flows, but the storytelling and characters are so compelling.
Yes and I absolutely love them! Historical, romantic, intriguing and breathtaking!
@Marsha
Read thru 6. Wanting to read all this year to refresh before 7 & 8
I’ve read all 8 and cannot wait until she is done with 9! Some times I had to push myself through parts but they are good!
Yes. I’m a fan!
I did. Really enjoyed them.
Lots of different opinions on this, we’re obviously a diverse group, and that’s a good thing. Personally, I’ve fallen in love with this extremely well written series. All the elements are developed to perfection, and I’m excited to watch the show. I’ve kissed a lot of frogs to find this prince!
Totally love them.
I’ve read them all. There was a bit of a lull after the first couple, but it picks back up after that. I highly recommend!
I’ve read them all. Love them! Love the T.V. series, too!
I had to take a break after #3. have not resumed yet
I’ve read them all and loved most of them. ‘The Fiery Cross’ was a slog for a great portion.
But I’ll eagerly read the next one when it comes out.
Just finished rereading the entire series for the 4th time. ❤❤❤
Loved all but the first is my favorite.
I tried but couldn’t get into the time travel stuff.
I’ve read all eight. I loved them. If you’re innto Historical Fiction you’ll love them.
Not to be missed if you like historical fiction and botany. They are creatively written and I think each reader has their own favorite. I listened to them all, so the characters are even more alive. ENJOY!
I ❤️it!!! Reading the fourth book, and watch the TV series, as well!
Might want to check out the related books – geared with focus on related characters pre-Outlander series.
Which ones?
Lord John and the Private Matter is I think the first of the John Grey books. The Scottish Prisoner is the one with Jamie I believe. I haven’t started them yet but I plan to read them this year once I make sure I get them in the correct order.
Read the first 3, but something turned me off in the 3rd book and have never had the desire to continue.
I received book one today!!
I envy your new, fresh adventure! ENJOY!!
Loved them all!
I love them, captivating, addictive, great story telling and wonderful depth of characters
Just got given the first
Read all 8. Annoyed that it’s been years and still no 9. She does other series which I haven’t read and she did publish a book of Outlander short stories.
She usually takes 2-3 years, but, she’s overdue this time. That leaves time to reread to be ready! 🙂
No need I remember it all very well. The Amazon series isn’t bad but prefer the books. Have you seen it?
I blew through all 8 and I absolutely love them!!
Yes I have and look forward to the next.
My favorite of all time.
Rape as entertainment. Not for me.
I bought the first three when I saw them at Costco. Finished the first one then quit. It read too much like a bad romance novel.
I couldn’t drag myself through the first one.
All and all the side books…
If you’ve read them all and ate now bereft… try The Ceridwen Saga!
I’m on the 3rd book now
The first and second were my favorite. I’m through the 4th and feeling like the story is getting a bit slow. Taking a break for other things now.
Have read several multiple times. Visited sites in Scotland in 1999 so the descriptions became even more vivid. Am enjoying the Starz series. Realize there are differing opinions. The audiobooks are great as well.
I’ve read them all. The first four I have read apx 7 times. But I re-read the whole series every time a new one comes out.
YES. On paper then audio.
Personally, I read the first couple years ago. I liked them then, when the series was about to start I reread the first couple and started collecting the series. I love the story line. I like the characters, it’s fun and interesting.
Only on book one, but I’m lovin’ it!
I have read them all, the first three twice. I love immersing myself in history.
I have an I love them. The earlier ones are better, but it is a terrific series.
Twice!
Loved them
Love them!! Outlander was the first book I immediately began reading again as soon as I finished.
Love the books
Loved it. I am on the fifth book The Firey Cross
Love them, have been reading them since there were only three. Yes, I’ve read all eight. And eagerly await number 9…
Got half way through the first one, had to put it down; frankly, I was a bit bored. But that’s just me; obviously, mileage varies. ?
I read first two books. I listened on audio. I did find them a bit slow but the audio helped with the writing.
Read all and loved them