Alicia (A Kernel of Nonsense)’s Comments (group member since Feb 21, 2015)

Alicia (A Kernel of Nonsense)’s comments from the Buddy-Reads (The Fictional Reader) group.

Jolien wrote: "Yes! I've been thinking about that man looking up for the entire book. Why does no one question it, especially Claire, when she knows that it was a person in a kilt?

I also wondered whether death..."

I have a sneaky suspicion it's Jamie and that some time in the future Claire will be forced to go back to her own time (forced because I can't picture her choosing to go back) and somehow Jamie finds a way to cross over for only a little bit. But that's actually a really tragic scenario.

Also, thank you so much for hosting this little readalong. I don't think I would have been able to get through this book alone.

I just finished right now! Claire was awesome in this part. Girl fought a wolf! I love her for it. She did what she had to do and I'm amazed by her strength. Poor Jamie indeed, I can't even wrap my brain around what he had to go through. There were a couple of moments where I myself considered whether or not death would be kinder to him. Randall is a monster and I'm glad he's gone, but it does make you wonder about Frank and how his early death affects the future. Time travel in books always gives me a slight headache trying to figure out the logistics of it.

Do you remember the beginning of the book when Frank saw a man looking up through Claire's window? Who do you suppose that was?

I'm really surprised by both Dougal and Colum. I don't know whether to be impressed with the brotherly devotion or a little unsettled. What a weapon marriage was in this time, women forced into situations completely out of their control.

Then I would say I find it highly ironic that while we are less accepting of nudity, as a society we are more accepting of sexuality in general. That Jack Randall is bad news no matter what happened.

I really liked Jamie's sister Jenny. She is extremely resilient and strong-willed. I will say this, however, everyone seems very handsy and a bit too physically comfortable with one another.

She seemed content before, knowing she was going to die but was still proud she had done something to help her cause. Like that, she knew no one was coming for her and so made what little time she had count.

I really wanted her to stay too and was actually a little surprised considering what she just went through, being accused of being a witch. I've always found the psychology of witch hunts to be fascinating. There's this mob mentality that eats away individuals' common sense. I'm so glad we don't have witch hunts anymore. Geilie being from another time certainly explains how modern she was, though she was one ferocious women too! I think it's a funny name too.

Yes, I know what you mean. I'm just torn in general. Some parts I really like, but some parts make me cringe inwardly.

Where to begin...Before I go into this, I want to say that I had heard a little while ago about a certain part of this book that many readers found disturbing. I'm talking about the scene in which Jamie punishes Claire. I saw people argue about it but didn't pay too much attention because I hadn't read the book myself. Let's talk about it.

Those angry view it as a moral issue while the opposition view it in a historical context. I myself am sort of torn between the two. On one hand, I'm as angry as Claire, I would never want to be so disrespected and minimized in that way. Still, I think it was handled in such a way that the author wasn't trying to say that this kind of behavior was right, but rather it was a reality at the time. I'll probably be thinking about this for a while. What are your thoughts?

Modern is a very good word for Geilie. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut now, let alone in a time when stifling women was the norm. That being said, I'd probably end up being pinned right next to the boy, though I would hope my own rationality would overcome anger in this case.

Claudia {SparrowHawk} wrote: "{walks in beaming with her Outlander book} wait. You girls finished reading Part I!? As in the first 100 pages of the book!?"

Come back, Claudia! Share your thoughts with us <3

Are you reading the dialogue with an accent like I am? At first, I found it a little difficult, but now I feel I have a much better handle on how it should sound. Still, a couple of times, I had to reread what was said.

You know who I really liked? Geilie Duncan, the herbalist. Jaime is, of course, very charming and Dougal, I need to keep my eye on him.

How did you feel about the scene with the boy who was caught stealing? What would you do in Claire's place considering our worldview today is so different from what it was back then? I can't help but feel there are going to be many moments where she is going to feel powerless because of this difference.

Probably both, haha.

Jolien wrote: "I agree! I found it a bit hard to get into in the beginning but once she actually traveled through time, I was hooked. I definitely wouldn't have taken the time-travel so easily either, I probably ..."

Can you imagine how they would react to the way women dress today?

I just finished Part I and while it's mostly an introduction to characters and plot, I do admire Claire's ability to adapt to her situation rather quickly. I don't think I would have handled the situation with as much grace. And I was rather amused by the men's reactions to Claire's colorful language. Overall I got the sense that it is a dangerous place (both in time and setting) to be a woman. What are your first impressions?