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Book Review of Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)

Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)
Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
PengQueen avatar reviewed on + 114 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11


If your looking at this book and you aren't sure what to expect, then your in the same position I was before I picked it up. To clarify, this is historical fiction with romantic and paranormal undertones. Do not pick this up expecting a light read.

Clair is a married woman, a nurse, having cared for men during world war two. She is on a trip with her husband in Scotland. When she touches a magical stone, she finds herself in the 18th century where she quickly becomes immersed in a world of Scottish politics and war. Romance eventually blossoms when she is forced to marry Jamie, a fugitive of English law.

You are never bored, and that's an impressive statement considering how long this book is. Each page is filled with interesting details. The plot has a nice rise and fall of action so it reads like a well-timed adventure tale. I also thought the romance had a smooth, realistic tone to it.

I call this romance very adult because Gabaldon doesn't settle for the classic boy-meets-girl happily ever after fairy tale so common in the romance genre. Instead you get cringe worthy conflict, awkwardness, danger, and in the end only very tentative hope at happiness. In a way I think this is refreshingly realistic

I cant see why some readers may have thematic issues with this book. There's quite a bit of violence. Talk (and demonstration) of wife beating and child beating is casual--because of the time period. There is also rape, murder, flogging,etc. So if you dislike violence, I'd skip this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to purchase a large piece of fiction with a lot of substance.