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Book Review of Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)

Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)
Outlander (Outlander, Bk 1)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
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It's 1945 and the war has ended. Claire Randall and her husband Frank are taking a second honeymoon in the highlands of Scotland after eight years of separation. One day, while Frank is absorbed in his research of his family history, former nurse Claire takes a walk to a small ancient rock formation to gather some plants for her collection. Suddenly and mysteriously she is hurtled back through time to the year 1743.

Alone and confused, Claire stumbles across a band of Scottish Highlanders and lies her way into their good graces. Within the group is Jamie Fraser, a charming and handsome warrior whom Claire finds herself drawn to. But what of Frank back in her own time? How will she get back? Does she even want to?

It has been a painfully long time since I have read a book as good as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. I admit that the synopsis is cheesy, laughable even. Girl goes back in time? Come on, give me a break. Outlander however, is anything but cheesy in nature.

It is so hard to describe how wonderful Outlander was. I had so many "moments" throughout the entire (very lengthy) book. There were moments of sheer terror, joy, excitement, sadness, and even...dare I write it in a review?...a few moments that really turned me on.

Gabaldon's characters are so real. It's actually kind of scary. Her characters were so relatable and so wonderfully physical and emotionally deep that I sometimes would have to remind myself that they were indeed fictional. Claire is so torn emotionally that I can feel her pain and her torment as she tries to decide what to do with her predicament, and Jamie...it must be said: what a hunk! OMG. I have not been this into a romance novel since "Plains of Passage" came out several years ago.

But labeling Outlander as a romance novel is such an unfair label to give. It was more than that; it was an adventure novel, a fantasy novel, a historical fiction, and so much more.

A word of caution: this one is for the ladies. I can see a guy sort of getting into it in the beginning, but losing interest as the romance part intensifies as Outlander goes on. A stereotypical point to make I know, but it had to be said in any case.

But...oh my goodness ladies: I've been done with Outlander for quite some time now and even glancing at the finished book on my shelf makes me fan my face Miss. America style once again. It was that good. I can't WAIT to get my grubby little hands on the next book in the series (Dragonfly in Amber). I've read some lukewarm reviews about it, but I don't care! If it has Jamie in it again...whew! Can you see me fanning myself? I am.

5 stars is so not enough.