Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

Vi’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

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Seeing you guys being passionate about Outlander series and Jamie is making me continue the series. I've heard people say that Outlander is one of the best even if you don't continue the series. That, I'm gonna disagree with.

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1) Outlander is more than anything a historical fiction with a strong love story (as well as other elements like time travel). It is considered one of the best romantic fiction novels ever written and often in lists of best romances of all time. What are your final thoughts on Outlander?

I've seen this so many times in Top Lists. After reading, I don't get it. It's a very good to be sure but not sure if it's Top 100 material. But, I'm definitely continuing on to the next book to find out.

2) Will you continue reading the series?
Yep. I am definitely continuing. I would like to see Jamie mature more. I didn't get the craze about Jamie either. Hopefully, the next few books will tell me.

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Attempting to revive thread..

I'm reading this chunky book (800 p) and it was published in the year that I've already completed. I need to go scout for books in the earlier years.

Dragana wrote: Thanks Vi. And congrats on your progress. I see you are struggling with older books like me. :)"

I used to think Harry Potter was the best series ever.. I still can if I forget out Harry and Ginny. But the Perfect Book doesn't exist.

WTG, Dragana!

Updated Post #16 - 53/75

Jill, I already have Dragonfly in Amber in my e-reader. I'm forcing myself to pace it out which means I'll be picking up the book in another 2-3 days.

Jill, I actually thought Claire will go back to her time, then talk it over with Frank and then come back to Jamie. Then Jamie will be so surprised. I realized then that it'll be too neat and tidy. ;)

I'm actually with Jill on this. I think Claire owed Frank an explanation. (I haven't read Jill's spoiler though)

Hmm, when I was a kid, my mom used to beat my brother and me when we did something bad - like bunk classes or steal but my dad never used to. He used to yell or worse tell us how we disappointed him. My dad has big hands, so he was extra aware of them. My mom used to cry after each episode. She used to feel so bad that she had to hurt us. I love my parents and I understand that this was how it was for them and this was what they knew. But when I have kids, I won't. There are better ways to discipline (even though I don't know any).

I finished Outlander just earlier. My library has the next book so I'm thinking of downloading it soon. Are we reading the next one too?

Who is Lord John? Does he come later in the series? I'm almost done with Outlander. I had a day off and just read. Jill and Mimi, I skimmed through your conversation and I must say, now I'm enthusiastic about reading through the series to see if I can at least understand your feel :)

1) My reaction was OMGWTF is happening? The question I want to ask is why does DG make Randall the baddest guy? And create a likeness to Frank so much? Is it to make her cheating better?

2) I would think that Jamie or anyone would die but given your reply, apparently not

3) The thing I have an issue is Dougal taking her to Randall. It seems a plot device to get them married. He already knew what Randall would do and he already knew whom to get married her to. So I'm not satisfied for the supposed reason to get her to garrison. Apart from that, I do think Claire is cheating. Circumstances as they were, she was forced to marry Jamie. True but she has not settled down into the old time. She wants to go back to her own which is understandable. So I do think she's committing adultery but I can blame the situation for that. What I won't accept is the argument that Frank was not even born in 1700s. She has the means to go back to her time. We can't use that reason to justify.

4) The tea reading scene earlier in the book was contrived to make us accept that 1. Claire will be marrying Jamie and 2. That she is very sensual. For a person who is supposed to be in love with Frank, I don't see her thinking about Frank much even before the marriage to Jamie. She was just so willing to do it often and everywhere. This is something I can't accept.

5) They're fine.

6) He's ok so far. I've not yet become a fangirl of him.

I read mainly at work today (alone at client side, Yay!!) and managed to read 6 chapters today (a record for me!)

1. A lot of thoughts I had have been echoed - Claire's very calm acceptance of time travel. She was too damn calm for me. Another thing I found weird was that she never did make an effort to learn gaelic. If it was me, stranded in another time with another major language, then I'd definitely set about learning it.

2. I agree that Claire and Jamie have established a friendship but that I feel that Claire is a bit condescending towards Jamie. Given I've read until chapter 19 or so, I feel this to be more evident. I accept that she is older but does that mean condescension is ok? I'm not sure how I feel about it.

3. It's wordy for sure - I've read so many books where everything take their own sweet time that I don't mind this. But I was wondering about Geillis - what part does she pay? Does she become important later on? And Hamish being Jamie's son is not possible if you ask me. He's 22 now and 9 ago he would have been 13 when he should have impregnated Hamish's mother.

I feel the writing compelling enough to keep reading but I haven't yet hit the spot where I can understand why people rave about it.

D?