Gabaldon, Diana ; Outlander ; Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date November 17,2014

[Ginger]

I would love to join :)
It will be a good break up from my BDB BR ;)

[jingles]

Well, I just finished the first round of reading - Chapters 1 -5, and I'm enjoying it more this second time around than the first time I read it.

There's a lot going on, and a lot of information to take it at first, but once the backdrop is set, it starts to get very interesting.

(view spoiler)[Claire is clearly able to hold her own in the face of adversity it seems. Part of that I think comes from having served as a nurse during WWII.

About the stone circle. I know absolutely nothing about the Stonehenge, but I'm absolutely fascinated with it and want to learn more.

I found it odd and intriguing that Claire could hear the stones 'scream'.

Also, this Jack Randall (or Black Jack Randall) seems to be related to Claire's husband, Frank. Odd but interesting.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Imke]

Started it today, I'm only at chapter 1 because I wanted to finish another audio first. I like it so far, I have to get used to the narration, but it is good. Hopefully I will finish part I tomorrow and I will have something to add to the discussion.

Outlander is a book I've wanted to read for a while and it came highly recommended by colleagues.

[Ange]

Ive just finished chap 1-5. Im liking it, the writing style is very easy to read and I think Claire is going to be a strong female character that I will end up loving. I do think the story is a bit predictable so far but maybe that is because I have heard so much about this book. Has anyone here not read the book but watched the TV series?

Im a New Zealander but my mum is Scottish and I have travelled there and stayed with family so a lot of the little Scottishisms in the book I am familiar with. Loving whiskey is one my Scot family is quite familiar with haha.

[Ginger]

I have not watched the series. I am enjoying the cozy pace of the book. I am just in chaper 1. I am eager to get through the first 5 chapters so I can join the discussion tomorrow!

[James]

I have finished chapter 1- 5 too and I like it a lot. First, the writing style is pretty easy to read and I have a gut feeling that I am going to root for Claire. Second, the story is a bit predictable, even thought I have seen some of the previews when they promoted Outlander as a TV series. Finally, I love all of the genealogy backdrops that this story provides and it makes me even more excited to see what Claire learns about Frank's ancestors that he doesn't know about.

[jingles]

I've not watched the series, though I've heard quite a lot about it.

[Shannon]

I too have read through Chapter 5. Agree that everything has been predictable so far, but I am enjoying Claire.

At this point, I was more intrigued by the back-in-time sections than the other, but we'll see where it goes....

Haven't watched the series yet.

[Joi]

I finished my 5 chapters.! Interesting to say the least.

[Rebecca]

I'm finally ready to start today! I know basically nothing about this series other than there is a female main character so I'm very excited.

[B'burg Linda]

May I join in? My daughter loves this series and has been wanting me to read it, too. I started last night, but haven't finished all five chapters, but so far, it's been good.

[Shannon]

Are we allowed to start talking about yet, or are we worried about spoilers?

Not really sure how a Buddy Read works.

[Rebecca]

I think we can start talking. Maybe mark spoilers with a spoiler tag because everyone's reading at a different speed.

I finished up Part 1 (ch1-5).
(view spoiler)[ At first it felt like more of a history lesson than an interesting story line, but I knew it would probably soon change. It turns out some of that history is very important for Claire's future. I am shocked by how well she is accepting that she just "fell" into the 18th century. I don't think I would just go along with it, but probably I would freak out much more. I'm curious to see how she deals with this new century. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

I agree Rebecca

(view spoiler)[Claire did seem to take everything in stride without much thought, but I guess the story wouldn't work very well if you've got a heroine who's in essence a basket case (which I'm pretty sure would be my reaction).

The "screaming stones" were a bit odd.

I'm intrigued about the "ghost" of a man watching her window..... It wasn't just happenstance she went through the stones? They work both ways? You can pinpoint where you're going & what time? Seems a bit Stargate ... (hide spoiler)]

[Imke]

@Rebecca: (view spoiler)[I'm not sure she accepted that she "fell" into the 18th century, it seemed to me she took a while to recognize it for the time period it was. She seemed to think constantly that she was dealing with actors. Only when she found the beginnings of a letter in Castle Leoch she felt her suspicions were confirmed. (hide spoiler)]

@Jingles (view spoiler)[I found it odd and intriguing that Claire could hear the stones 'scream'. I don't think the stones were screaming, but I think she already had a blast from the past at that moment and she actually heard the fight between the red coats and the scots. (hide spoiler)]

My comments Part I, Chapters 1-5: (view spoiler)[I'm not sure about the realtionship between Frank and Claire, I understand that although they have been married for 8 years they haven't seen each other much over the years and never had the chance to actually form a stable relationship or a home.

For me the book started to get going once Claire "traveled" to the 18th century and the story really got going. The first two chapters in post war England were a little slow, but as soon as Claire was in the 18th century she felt like a real character to me she's assertive and not afraid to show the men what she knows and she is not scared of using crude language to get through to them.

I liked the slow introduction of Jamie and I like that Claire is shown that although two people look alike (Frank Randall and Jonathan Randall) and are related,that doesn't mean that their character is alike too. I think Jonathan is a dispicable person.

I love to read more about Castle Leoch and it's inhabitants and I'm curious as to where the story is going. (hide spoiler)]

[Greta]

RebeccaS wrote: "I think we can start talking. Maybe mark spoilers with a spoiler tag because everyone's reading at a different speed.

I finished up Part 1 (ch1-5).
[spoilers removed]"

Rebecca, (view spoiler)[someone else pointed out to me that she probably is so accepting of her situation change because she grew up with her uncle and they traveled all over and she's used to roughing it and being in different situations. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Good point Greta. I also think (view spoiler)[ that she clicked into nurse mode pretty quickly when she saw that Jamie was injured, that maybe it dampened her surprise and then she continues being the nurse which helps her deal with this new life. It is probably helpful that though she is in a different time, she can still be useful and knows a little bit about her surroundings. (hide spoiler)]

[Greta]

RebeccaS wrote: "Good point Greta. I also think [spoilers removed]"

Rebecca- Yes, I definitely think she is in a great career for time travel...just think if she had been in graphic design!

[Greta]

Lol...I just realized how dumb that comment was!! Good thing she didn't also travel from today's time to back then!

[Ginger]

Chapers 5-8
(view spoiler)[ Some intiresting points. I agree (once you pointed it out Greta) that all of her travel with her Uncle along with the fact that it does not seem like she has ever had a 'home base' helps her cope with this better than some might.
The first few chapters only served to make me feel like she was not really leaving anything important behind. I also liked that she is a nurse familiar with 'making due' and studying herbs. I am eager for her to embrace this new road ahead of her. Frank was a wet blanket and rude to boot.
I am so glad that we have learned a little about Jamie's past already. I was starting to feel like he was a little too soft and a little too kind for a warior of his time period. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Not a stupid comment. I understand what you meant, there are many other professions she could have had at that time that wouldn't translate well into the 18th century.

[Renee]

I've been meaning to read this for ages. My mother in law loved it. Started it today.

[Greta]

Hi Renee, glad you'll be joining us!!

[jingles]

I just finished up the second day's reading - Chapters 5 - 8.

It starting to get more and more interesting to me. (view spoiler)[Claire seems to really be coming into her own now. I think she's accepted that she has traveled back in time, and now she's trying to figure out how to get back to 1945.

I find all the clan life, rituals, etc to be very fascinating, and I would really like to learn more about that. Hmmm, I think I see some non-fiction reading in my future. Lol. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger, I have to agree with you about (view spoiler)[Jamie. I was starting to get a bit concerned myself because he just didn't come across strong enough at first. As you say, he almost seemed too soft for a warrior of his time. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Part 2

i find that I somehow keep wanting to picture them in a more medieval setting, guess it's all that fantasy I read,and have to keep reminding myself it's taking place only about 20 yrs before the American Revolution. But you're right, jingles, the clan life, etc is quite interesting.

The story does seem to be picking up the pace quite a bit so I'm sure it's going to be a struggle for me to contain my pace.

I'm excited to see (view spoiler)[what's going to happen on this road trip ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Ange]

Does anyone else think (view spoiler)[ That the book is setting you up to dislike frank through jonathan thereby making the inevitable infidelity with Jamie okay. I admit I like Jamie way more he's much more exciting and interesting than frank but still she is essentially still married. (hide spoiler)]

[Anita Reads]

Ok. Finally got it downloaded to my iPhone and I've now listened to the first 26 minutes. Not much to go from.

I'm hoping to get through a couple of hours during work today.

[Debbie (Doc)]

I would love to join in on this one. I've had this on my Kindle forever!

[Renee]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[
I don't read much historical fiction. The time travel element intrigued me and is the reason I decided to read this.

I enjoyed the first part set post WW2. I particularly like this era an I love swing dancing and the music and fashion from the 1940's.

I liked the scene with the lady reading tea leaves and Claire's palm. The forked marriage line = her falling in love again, so I'm expecting that one to come. Is it really cheating on your husband if you have involuntarily time travelled and have no idea if you will ever see him again? I'm usually really anti infidelity, but I'm more comfortable with it in this case.
(hide spoiler)]

[Rosina]

Phew finally cleared up my reading schedule to jump in on this....I have it on my kobo and sat down to read yesterday and my kobo was acting up so I had to dash to the library to get a copy..

I am in the midst of Ch2. Loving it. This is my fourth time attempting to read this book.
Does anyone else find while reading this book that you get right immersed in it and then realize that so much time has past and you have to rush to get something else done. I thinking this weekend I might be cancelling my plans just plunking down and reading this.
Doing my darnedest to not look at the spoilers until I am done Part 1.

[Rebecca]

@Renne - (view spoiler)[ I agree about the infidenlity part. I have a feeling Claire is going to struggle with that as well. She made it clear that she wouldn't and didn't cheat on her husband even though they spent so many years apart and she was surrounded by men. But this is such a strange situation, and if she is stuck there, I guess she may want to build a life there. (hide spoiler)]

Also, since she has time traveled, I wonder if (view spoiler)[ she is going to change historical events. Since she knows some of what will happen during the 18th century events, I wonder if she will influence they and even change them somehow with her knowledge. In part 1 she's already shown that she knows some things about the English that may help the Scottish? (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

@Ange - I agree...Jamie is much more fun than Frank.

Renee and Rebecca, (view spoiler)[ I too, have a pretty strong stance against infidelity. This thought occurs to me though. Does a person ever really know for sure how they will react or what they will do when faced with a life-altering situation?

I think it noble and right that both Frank and Claire declare that they would never be unfaithful. They are after all, only protecting their marriage, which is as it should be. However, even though this is a work of fiction, I think this is a clear picture of how things can so drastically change in someone's life, that they actually find themselves doing the something they never thought they would do.

In any case, it's going to be very interesting to see how it all plays out, don't you think? (hide spoiler)]

Rebecca, (view spoiler)[very interesting observation about the possibility of changing historical events. (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

Rosina wrote: "Phew finally cleared up my reading schedule to jump in on this....I have it on my kobo and sat down to read yesterday and my kobo was acting up so I had to dash to the library to get a copy..

I am..."

I always love it when you and I have time to read a Historical Fiction book together. It's always such fun!

[jingles]

Anita wrote: "Ok. Finally got it downloaded to my iPhone and I've now listened to the first 26 minutes. Not much to go from.

I'm hoping to get through a couple of hours during work today."

How are you liking the narrator, Anita?

[Rebecca]

I really like Jamie! He has been through so much, but he is still so kind!

[Anita Reads]

jingles wrote: "Anita wrote: "Ok. Finally got it downloaded to my iPhone and I've now listened to the first 26 minutes. Not much to go from.

I'm hoping to get through a couple of hours during work today."

How ar..."

I really like her.
I've so far listened to the first 3-4 hours I have no idea where I am chapter wise.
(view spoiler)[She almost just realised that she's in the 1700s and that she's in Scotland. I wasn't a huge Frank fan, but thought he was ok. I'm curious about Jamie. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

I just finished Part 2 (Ch6-10).

The author has a wonderful talent for story telling. I find myself wanting to just sit here with some tea, lean back and listen. (Unfortunately I'm at work, so that's not quite possible). The characters a lively and I think I finally have everyone straight (so many Scottish names). I am glad I'm listening to the audiobook version, because there are many words that are written in Scottish slang I guess? And mostly when the narrator says them I understand what they are.

[Imke]

Part II Chapters 6-10:

I liked this part a lot more than the first part. The story get's going and the descriptions are wonderful (except those of the punishments those are a little gruesome). I loved reading about Claire finding her way within castle life.

Here is a picture I found of Claire in her apothecary.


Also I like the way Claire's relationship with Jamie is developing.

[Rebecca]

Ooh I love that picture!

[Rosina]

Ok jingles

I couldn't resist and have now gone to the dark side

I joined audible...I think if I read and listen at the same time (hope I am more successful than walking and chewing gum or the head and belly pat) this will add to my experience for this series

Here is info on the deal if anyone else is interested.

there's actually a deal for audible now that you can sign up for three months at $1.95 a month. Then it goes up to $14.95.

Use the promo code HOLIDAY14

[Rosina]

jingles wrote: "Rosina wrote: "Phew finally cleared up my reading schedule to jump in on this....I have it on my kobo and sat down to read yesterday and my kobo was acting up so I had to dash to the library to get..."

Really looking forward to this read with you...I am game to get caught up in this series...

[jingles]

Imke, I love that picture! Very nicely done :)

Yay Rosina! I think you will really like Audible. I have to say, I am really enjoying the reading/listening combination thing. Oh - Audible has a Daily Deal thingy that pretty neat. I've found some really good audios through that.

Anita, I'm so glad you are enjoying the audio.

[B'burg Linda]

Do any of you know for sure that (view spoiler)[ Jamie is Claire's love interest? I'm wondering about Dougal. (hide spoiler)] I am really enjoying this book and glad that you all started this buddy read. Otherwise, this book would have continued to sit on my tbr shelf.

[Shannon]

Beginning of Part 3

I loved this section.

At this point, you've been completely immersed into this timeline, the characters have all come to life, and the story has completely sucked you in.

I've got to say, I'm usually not a big fan of Romance novels, and as such I've always been a bit skeptical of reading this novel. But so far, it's not hitting any of my buttons.

(view spoiler)[I think how Galbadon handled the burgeoning romance between Claire and Jamie was quite well done. There was a bit of prepared hesitation to approve, as Claire is already married, no matter how dreamy Jamie might be portrayed. But by the time it came to pass, I really was alright with it.

It's a quiet, slowly blooming romance that leaves me quite taken in, which coupled with the historical context, and hints of action leaves me quite sure I'm not going to be able to restrain myself to the planned daily reads. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to seeing what's next.

[Rosina]

Gosh the reading and listening goes so well. I don't want to do anything else.

I will post thoughts and questions in the morning.

[Shan ~A~]

Didn't get a chance to start until today. I got it in print and audio, so that I can listen in the car and then finish up once I'm home. It's all very complicated.

I am only a couple of chapters in, but I have made note of a few things so far.

I am wondering who the man in the street was that Frank saw, or if it was actually a man at all?

Favorite phrase, sentence, quote,or whatever you want to call it: I stayed stiff as Lot's wife.(view spoiler)[(Claire, when Frank hugs her after basically accusing her of sleeping with someone while she was working during the war) (hide spoiler)]

Don't know why that stuck with me, but it did. I love it because it makes so much sense and yet I would have never thought to use it.

After this scene or rather during I kept thinking, turn it around on him and ask him what he was up to during those 6 years. Usually the guilty party is the one making the accusations. (view spoiler)[I was glad to see that great minds think alike, because the thought does later run through her mind about what he must have been up to during that time. She doesn't voice it (hide spoiler)]

I love how descriptive Diana has been so far. When she is describing the storm, during the time Frank and Claire were in their room (view spoiler)[ and Claire was upset about Frank accusing her of having a romantic interest during the war (hide spoiler)] made me flinch a little like I was actually experiencing the storm myself.

I will say that I believe that I would be able to connect more with Claire if she had gotten thrown back into the past from our current time. I also may have felt a little more sympathy for her being taken away from Frank if I felt that they were more than friends who have sex with one another. I just didn't feel the chemistry between, so I haven't been able to feel sorry that they are not together right now.

What I am looking forward to finding out is how she is going to react once she realizes when she is, and also I wonder how long she will remain in the past, and if she does get back to her own time how much time will have passed then.

I have to disagree with whoever said it felt like a history lesson. I was looking for the post, but must keep reading over it. Anyway, I felt all the talk of history was staying true to Frank, because that's his field and basically they were their to not only spend time together, but so that he could find info about his ancestors or at least one ancestor in particular.

Now with her being in the past. I keep thinking why hasn't she realized that something is not quite right. Hurry up and get it Clarie.

I know this is a ramble, sorry.

[Shan ~A~]

B'burg Linda wrote: "Do any of you know for sure that [spoilers removed] I am really enjoying this book and glad that you all started this buddy read. Otherwise, this book would have continued to sit on my tbr shelf."

I was wondering the same. It seems as though that could be a possibility.

[Anita Reads]

Darn it. I listened to another half hour, but I think I'll have to listen to that again, as I zoned out because of work. *sighs*

I'm planning to listen a lot to it during the weekend, as I so far don't have any plans. So I'm thinking I'll listen to it while doing chores and wrapping gifts for my sister Christmas calendar presents thing (we do that every year, so that each day in December until the 24th we'll get a small present).

[Greta]

@Ange- (view spoiler)[I do think it's set up in this way a little at least. I didn't mind Frank at all, but it definitely didn't help my view of him knowing how terrible his ancestor is. (hide spoiler)]

@Renee- (view spoiler)[I agree, she really thought of the one situation where infidelity is fairly acceptable! It is almost as if Frank has passed away and it's not really her fault. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

@Shan - I was the one who said it seemed like a history lesson at the beginning. I agree with you that it is really part of Frank's character to ramble on about history and his interests. However, I think that maybe even Claire was a little bored of it. I was just ready to jump into more action and I think at the beginning I wasn't quite "into" the book yet. Now I want to go back and re-read what he said, because I see it's so relevant to Claire's current situation.