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

[Shan ~A~]

I have a few thoughts since my last posting. I have managed to read a little over the holiday week. Some things I was thinking and then the answer showed up later, but I will put them all(copy/paste)
(view spoiler)[ There were many superstitions in that time. Leaving a baby out because they think it's a changeling. Utter nonsense. How can they believe something that will allow a innocent baby to die?

I smelled set up a mile away when Laoghaire came to tell Claire that the widow Duncan (Geilie) was ill and asking for Claire. I don't know why Claire didn't find her sudden cheerfulness suspect. Then you go there and find nothing wrong with Geilie, except in her cups.

So, it was no surprise to me, that Laoghaire was the one who put the ill-wish in her (Claire's) bed.

Knowing that Colum and Dougal were talking about Geilie in the conversation that Claire overheard between them definitely puts what they were saying in a new light, although I didn't think it was Laoghaire. Even if it had been her that never would have made me think that she wasn't still crazy about Jamie.

It seems cruel that they would kill Geilie knowing that she is with child. I also can't believe that they would go ahead with making Claire go through the trial and everything knowing she is Jamie's wife.

I was oddly proud of Geilie for admitting to being a witch to basically save Claire. She could have stayed quiet and condemned them both, because I don't know if Jamie would have succeeded in saving her.

Found myself nearly in tears when Claire finally told Jamie when she was from, this after he asked if she was a witch. It was heartbreaking. I have to say that this scene is what made me fall in love with Jaime.

What sealed my love for Jamie:
This is only a partial quote:

"I believe you, " he said firmly. "I dinna understand it a bit--not yet--but I believe you....There's truth between us, and whatever ye tell me, I shall believe it. "

And then:
"Do you really believe me, Jamie?"
"Aye, I believe ye, Sassenach. But it would ha' been a good deal easier if you'd only been a witch."

At the end of part 4 Claire finally does something that makes me feel like she has some sense after all. When faced with the choice of going back to her time and Frank or staying in the past and with Jamie, she actually contemplates from all angles and makes her decision. Jamie wants to know why she chose to stay: "Because," she said, "I bloody well can't do without you, Jamie Fraser, and that's all about it..."
Best answer ever.

Good to know that according to Jamie they will wait until the baby is born to burn Geilie. Small favors, that. (hide spoiler)]

I am a few pages into Part 5 and Jamie is seeing Jenny for the first time in a long while. Jenny is with child and of course Jamie, with the information he has gathered about the events that happened the last time he saw her, jumps to all kinds of ridiculous conclusions. I wanted to thump him upside the head for not giving her a chance to talk/explain. Then we get that playful side of him and Claire's relationship that I love to see so much, after he stops be being pig-headed.

[Ginger]

Hope anyone/everyone in the states had a good Thanksgiving :)

I must say that Outlander could have ended before part 4. (view spoiler)[ Claire decides to stay with Jamie the end. (hide spoiler)]

I have no idea where the story is going at this point but I don't feel like there are any loose ends. I guess unless you count (view spoiler)[ Frank's ancestor and you would think she would want to leave him be or else Frank may not be born, and that would just be wrong. (hide spoiler)]

[James]

Well I have completed chapter 17- 21 and I have some thoughts on them as well. First, I was furious about (view spoiler)[Captain Randall raping Claire and I personally wanted to kick him in the groin, but on the other hand it would be kind odd to see Frank not being a human anymore if Captain Randall gets killed. Finally, the fight between Claire and Jamie was pretty heartbreaking, but I don't like the fact that Jamie is punishing at all when she feels really guilty about it. (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

So true on that ending, Ginger. It does tend to drag on for awhile, I'll admit.

James, I have to totally agree with you. Black Jack Randall is just horrible. Beyond horrible.

I think the one thing we all keep commenting on and wondering about is (view spoiler)[if Jonathan Randall is dead, then what of Frank? And if there is no Frank, what happens if Claire returns to 1945?

Will Claire return to 1945? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

jingles wrote: "So true on that ending, Ginger. It does tend to drag on for awhile, I'll admit.

James, I have to totally agree with you. Black Jack Randall is just horrible. Beyond horrible.

I think the one th..."

(view spoiler)[ I think she's going to return, and I bet she brings Jamie with her. (hide spoiler)]

[Ginger]

Still trudging along. I am enjoying the continued growth in their relationship (view spoiler)[ and I am really liking Jamie's sister and her husband. She is adoreable. (hide spoiler)]
I must say that I really don't know how this is going to end. I am just hoping it is not on a cliff...that would be irritateing.

[Greta]

jingles wrote: "So true on that ending, Ginger. It does tend to drag on for awhile, I'll admit.

James, I have to totally agree with you. Black Jack Randall is just horrible. Beyond horrible.

I think the one th..."

Yes, Jingles. I have wondered about all of those things myself!!

[Rebecca]

Jingles said "I think the one thing we all keep commenting on and wondering about is (view spoiler) "

I am so curious about this! I definitely think we will learn more about that, hopefully in the next book, because it's a huge cliff hanger.

[Ginger]

RebeccaS wrote: "Jingles said "I think the one thing we all keep commenting on and wondering about is (view spoiler) "

I am so curious about this! I definitely think we will learn more about that, hopefully in the..."

[Shan ~A~]

Wow, I have to agree with the person that said Diana Gabaldon does not shy away from putting her characters through the ringer(paraphrasing here). She definitely does not shy away from the hard subjects. This is as close to being "real" as a story that is also steeped in fantasy and a little of everything else can be.
(view spoiler)[I have mentioned once before how wonderfully descriptive Diana Gabaldon is, but it can't be said enough. I feel as though I am present in the moment that this story is taking place most of the time. There are moments that stand out more than others and this time it is the scene of Jenny going through childbirth. That resonated with me.
Shortly after that Jamie is caught and Murtagh and Claire team up. An unlikely pair if I ever saw one, but they surprisingly make a great team. Claire, and we the readers, get a few things concerning Dougal and Colum confirmed for us and we find out Geilie and baby's fate. Which wasn't much of a surprise, since her death was expected. We all know what used to happen to suspected witches. We did get some important numbers from Geilie 1-9-6-7 which I believe along with Claire that must be the year that she came fron. I however disagree with Claire when she thought Geilie saying I think it's possible has anything to do with going through the stones. She made a similar comment after she asked Claire if she loved Jamie and Claire answered yes.
I guess only time will tell. I wonder will the year 1967 play a part in later stories?

What I love most? This novel is full of strong women. Claire drives me crazy most of the time, but that woman, along with others here, takes charge when need be. I have also found her to be very resourceful when necessary. Going into Wentworth Prison to help save her man os one of the bravest things that I have seen her do. When it comes to Jamie she takes no prisoners. I love how she is willing to risk all for him, cause I know he would do the same and it's good to know that she loves him just as much.
Jamie being imprisoned was right up Randall's alley. He has Jamie exactly where he wants him. His unwilling lover.
Claire again showing her strength during the battle between woman and beast.
It boggles the mind how carefree they are about men having sex with men, especially since the men in question don't welcome the advances.
As for as Jamie is concerned, how much can a man take without just giving up and just throwing in the towel? He and Claire are definitely evenly matched. They fight so hard for themselves and each other. When the hard knocks of life come a-calling you find out really quick who you can and cannot trust. I wonder which if any of the secondary characters from this book will be seen again in others. (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

(view spoiler)[Is Randall really dead? If so, what happens with Frank?
Anyway, this is a first with me reading of a man being raped, so often its the other way around. Then again this book has been a story with a few role reversals. Not saying that men have never been raped or came to their marriage bed virgins, its just not the norm in the reading material that I have read thus far. (hide spoiler)]

[Ange]

Im a little behind on this but still enjoying it, I really want to read some of your spoilers! Im up to just over 40%, so far I would say the book is good but not great but Im sticking in there and hoping for a bit more action soon

[Shan ~A~]

Finally finished and I have to say that I think that the end of this segment was okay. I am left with a few questions, mainly regarding Franks ancestry, but I guess I will have to read on to find out. I am on my phone typing this so I will not include those things, but I am looking forward to having my questions answered in the books to come. I huess Claire wasn't paying much attention to the history discussions Frank was having after all.

[Anita Reads]

I finally found time to finish this one.
I really loved the narrating of this book, how good she was at speaking the different dialects. That made the read a lot more enjoyable I think.
I did think at times that the story was dragging a little, but overall I really loved it. One of the questions I have now is as a lot of you mentioned

(view spoiler)[How has all what Claire has done affected the future, and will she ever go back to that time, and if so would Jamie be able to go with her, and how would that turn out? (hide spoiler)]

[James]

Hey, guys I have some thoughts from chapter 22- 23 that were on my mind and trust there are really good. Also, I am very excited to be at part four of this story, but now I will focus on letting my thoughts run free.

(view spoiler)[First, I really didn't like the fact that Jamie thought that beating his wife up was the right to go after Claire did something really reckless. Also, it will take me along to time to trust you again, but I have forgiven you for doing this digesting act since you felt guilty about it. Finally, the arguments between Claire and Jamie are refreshing to me when it comes to book couples because normally book couples relationships are not that realistic at all in the Ya books that I normally read. (hide spoiler)]

[Rosina]

Well i am finally getting some time to read...I am starting Ch 21 where Claire has been taken to the Fort....I am pretty sure this isn't going to go well..

My thoughts so far. I am amazed at the amount of research that would have to go into preparing for writing this novel/series.
Knowledge of the customs/supersitions of the times
how to fight with different weapons
Knowledge of herbs

I think i would get lost in the research and would never have gotten the book written.

I just found this book has anyone taken a look at it? If so what are your thoughts?

[Ginger]

I finished. Wow that was hard for me.
I admire the author for amazing world building and the amount of research that had to have gone into the writing of this book.
For me, it was too tedious. Every activity was detailed out for the reader. The tangents that she went on randomly, while intiresting, frustrated me when I wanted the story to carry on.
I had mixed feelings on the characters but over all I enjoyed them very much.
Reading this certainly had me wondering if I could do have as well as Claire had I been in her shoes.

[Shan ~A~]

Looking for a copy of book 2 in the series? It is 99 cents right now @ amazon.com.

[James]

Shan wrote: "Looking for a copy of book 2 in the series? It is 99 cents right now @ amazon.com."

That is awesome news Shan and thanks for the info.

[James]

Also, I have finish Part IV a while ago and I have some thoughts.

(view spoiler)[First, I am wondering how if Gallie will manipulate Clarie sometime in the future if she is somehow still alive from the witch trails. Second, I really want to see Lollybough so badly and I am excited that the next stop of the journey is there. Finally, I feel like I am starting to root for Jamie again without any hesitance after he trusted Clarie when it came to how ridiculous her personal story was. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Rosina wrote: "I just found this book The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon has anyone taken a look at it? If so what are your thoughts? "

I absolutely had to have it when it first came out. I was Outlander crazy, and the books are so long I didn't want to re-read every time a new one came out. I found it quite helpful in that respect.

There's more in there than just character descriptions, too.

[James]

I have finished Part V and yesterday and here are my thoughts.
(view spoiler)[First, I am so excited that Jenny has a baby girl and the bond between Clarie and her was amazing to see after having a short period of time together. Second, seeing Jenny and Jamie interacting with each other was quite interesting. Finally, I was pretty nervous when it came to knowing if Jamie will die or not. (hide spoiler)]

[James]

I have finished Outlander today and I loved it a lot. Also, Part 7 has a lot of shocking betrayals and twists that I didn't expect at all and I easily read the second book of the series once I see the Outlander TV series first season.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I just finished the book. This is was wonderful re-read. When I first read this book I was in my teens and still in high school. Now that I'm about 2 decades older I have noticed a few things about this book.

Back then this is just a 5 star book. I loved it. Now I'd rate it a 4 star book.

Now, I see some things I don't like much. First of all (view spoiler)[She was so quick to leave her husband, Frank. I mean yes, she did get caught in time travel but if she had the choice between the two time periods.

I remember not liking Frank the first time. This time I just felt really bad for the guy.

Okay, for any of you out there, that would like to time travel back, it wouldn't be fun. First of all, most of us would die because we'd be labeled as a witch. I'd be burnt at the stake! :( That part really stuck with me.

Also, there is no toilet paper or wet wipes. There are no stores. No feminine hygiene products, or even good birth control The list just goes on and on.

I felt that sometimes she'd just drag on and on in the book. :(

I haven't watched the TV show. I don't think I will. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Kaora wrote: "I was a bit underwhelmed in general.

You can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I didn't like the characters, and I grew bored with all the action the character..."

I know what you mean. I read this first back in 1995 and loved it, I was 17 at the time. Now that I'm 2 decades older, goodness aged myself there. I have to say it isn't a 5 star book. I think it's a 3.5 to 4 star book now. I see a few things I don't like about the book.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Kristin wrote: "I've just started this and on Chapter 5 if anyone else wants to read it along with me."

I was reading along but just finished today. :)

[RachelvlehcaR]

Ginger wrote: "I finished. Wow that was hard for me.
I admire the author for amazing world building and the amount of research that had to have gone into the writing of this book.
For me, it was too tedious. Ever..."

I have to say that this book was a good historical romance. It opened my world to the sexy scot. ;) I was 17 at the time. I heard my mother talking to a friend about the book. I was like oh, I'm going to snag this book from my mom's romance section and read it. I devoured it. Now reading it I have had a different experience. It wasn't as good as I thought. I think life experiences and style of writing really just made it a different ride this time.