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Tracy
The author, Diana Gabaldon, has a list of recommended order on her website - I have been a huge Outlander fan for nearly 20 years and would recommend you read them in the order she suggests; everything will make more sense in her order. I read a lot and recommend books to people - but not too many books, they have to be really special for me to feel worthy of recommendation. I not only recommend the Outlander - but I collect copies as I find them (i.e. used books stores, thrift stores, garage sales) but I never give anyone *just* the first book. I always give people the first 2 books - because I think it is the second book (Dragonfly in Amber) that hooks you to the series. Diana is not a mean author, she doesn't really leave cliffhangers that force you to purchase the next book to find out what happens. And, if she does leave a cliff hanger, you can nearly always find out what happened on her website before the next book comes out. I appreciate an author who appreciates me - and no one does it better. So if you *do* start the series, please read at least two books - you won't be sorry!
Robin
I would recommend waiting until after reading at least the first two books. I am about half way through Virgins and while there aren't any real spoilers, it does discuss some things you will learn about Jamie in the series. I think they are better told as they appear in the series and that this merely adds a bit of background after the fact. I prefer reading most series in the published order rather than chronological order. Even though some books in a series may not be written in chronological order, I think the series as a whole makes more sense when read in the published order. You may jump around a bit, but once you are introduced to the characters in the original books, these flashbacks make more sense than if read before you get to know the characters - there is little character development in this story as the writer assumes you are already familiar with these characters and events.
Emma
Definitely wait. You need to read the first three books I think. ( The third is my fave). I think if you read this first you really would not be interested in reading the series. This just gives the characters you have already 'met' in the series more 'flesh' on their bones so to speak. Besides I still think Jamie is nothing special without Claire and vice versa.
CHARLES E
Having read the entire series as well as this book, I would have liked to have read this first. It gives perspective to the rest of the story, I think.
Joanne
I would wait,I loved the series, but this short story won't give you a good taste of it's greatness!!
Don
I began the Outlander series with Drums of Autumn...book 4, I think...which I loved. I have since read the first three as well. I felt Virgins was a great short story, and I don't say that very often, but it did leave me asking 'Why?' I think reading the Outlander books a better use of my time as I felt this was simply cashing in on the Outlander series. As others have said you could be put off reading Outlander by reading Virgins first.
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