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I have not read this. Been hearing a lot about it since the movie came out. What is it about really? Heard it was something to do with a guy in a circus. Doesn't really sound like my cuppa...

Who? The Twilight guy? LOL, me neither. I'm just not feeling the kid, but my niece is totally gaga about him and literally forces me to suffer through all the Twilight films with her. God save me...

Sorry that didn't work out for you. I was kinda looking to hear what you think of this to decide whether I wanted to read it. As I mentioned up thread the story isn't really standing out to me at the moment, but it could still end up being a good book.
Anyway, makes perfect sense what you said about reading it yourself instead of listening. I've felt the same way about some books I've listened to on audio -- eg Outlander which I dnf'ed because the narrator just wasn't pulling me into the story. I plan to give it another go since it's such a popular and beloved book for many, but boy those ... what is it ... 800+ pages are daunting. I just don't have the time to dedicate to super long books. Maybe when I retire! lol
Had the same reaction with Time Traveler's Wife too although I persevered and listened to the end.
One of the best books I listened to on audio last year was The Help. The narrators were awesome! Every last one of them. They managed to take me away with the story rather than having me focused on their voices. It was like listening to a radio play -- I could picture the scenes very carefully in my head. I think that's a perfect example of how an audio book should be experienced.
My next books on audio will be A Song of Fire & Ice: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin and The Bronze Horseman. Hopefully they will be good!
Anyway, makes perfect sense what you said about reading it yourself instead of listening. I've felt the same way about some books I've listened to on audio -- eg Outlander which I dnf'ed because the narrator just wasn't pulling me into the story. I plan to give it another go since it's such a popular and beloved book for many, but boy those ... what is it ... 800+ pages are daunting. I just don't have the time to dedicate to super long books. Maybe when I retire! lol
Had the same reaction with Time Traveler's Wife too although I persevered and listened to the end.
One of the best books I listened to on audio last year was The Help. The narrators were awesome! Every last one of them. They managed to take me away with the story rather than having me focused on their voices. It was like listening to a radio play -- I could picture the scenes very carefully in my head. I think that's a perfect example of how an audio book should be experienced.
My next books on audio will be A Song of Fire & Ice: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin and The Bronze Horseman. Hopefully they will be good!

Ok ... you know you really get me in a stew when you make such passionate statements without elaborating. You must explain why, my love. I vaguely remember a conversation we had before but I can't fully recall what you said. Did you actually tear up the book??? LOL, wow. Must have been some book if it solicited such strong feelings in you! You have to explain in detail what you didn't like.
Not that you're alone in your powerful dislike. It seems to be one of this books where people either loved it or hated it.
Not that you're alone in your powerful dislike. It seems to be one of this books where people either loved it or hated it.

I really wanted to like this book but I couldn't. This book is now in the garbage after reading the most horrific ending ever. I know that most are in favor of this book or against it. I stand proudly with my fellow haters because this book was straight up trash. Oh how I hate thee, let me count the ways!
1. The book was too boring. Goodness! I struggle to get to page 200. It was only then that I finally got into the story.
2. Too many details that I felt did not contribute to the story was included in this book. She could have cut this book in half and I would have gotten the point.
3. Claire makes me sick! I hate stupid women. I could not for the life of me understand her actions. Now, you are on your second honeymoon, and somehow you end up time traveling in the past. You all of a sudden forget that you're married? You carry on with another man? I don't get it. True enough, she behaved okay in the beginning but then she went downhill. I never really understood why she wasn't really concern with getting back home. I don't know about anyone else but I would miss today's modern conviences. She was just going along with the flow and it didn't fit in my mind.
Once Claire and Jamie was married, I was slightly disturbed. Of course in my head, I couldn't honor the marriage. But okay, Claire obviously did and consummated it. From there on out it was nothing but sex. How many times did they need to have sex? They even had sex after she was nearly raped. Like savages, they are humping in the woods or wherever because they are horny. I wanted a real connection between these two and all I felt was lust!
Then Claire gets even more disgusting IMO. Jamie felt the need to punish her by beating her. He beat her "within an inch of her life" and this was acceptable. I know that we are talking about a particular time frame but it still doesn't make it right. My problem wasn't with Jamie. In fact, I actually liked him. He was very sweet (minus the beating). My problem rested with Claire because she easily accepted the beating because he started telling about the many times he had gotten a beating. I really wanted her to look at him and say, "Shut your a** up!" but no instead after numerous accounts of when he was on the receiving end of the beatings, she says "I love you!"
From that moment the book went even more downhill because I hated her!
4. What happened to Frank? Just like that, he was gone. Every time he was mentioned throughout the book, she quickly pushed back any thoughts of him. She even had a chance to go back, but instead she chose to stay with this dude. Never once thinking, "What happened to Frank? Is he worried? I miss him!"
5. The grotesque details of the rape. I thought it was going to be a minor scene but instead it went on and on. I couldn't take it. I felt so bad for Jamie. My heart was so heavy when he went into the details. Then what do idiot Claire do, she re-enacts the scene in a sense to get him to respond.
I can't go no further because I'm sick!
Oh yes! I remember now. It wasn't a convo we had, it was this review I read. Interesting. I know the notorious beating in this book caused a huge division amongst fans.




I went with a girlfriend to the movie who had never read the book, and she really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a rental at least when it comes out on DVD.

I really wanted to like this book but I couldn't. This book is now in the garbage after reading the most horrific ending ever. I know that most are in favor of this bo..."
I read Outlander a few years ago. It was definitely longer than it had to be in my opinion. In the end, I think I had mixed feelings about it. Some of the ladies at my job read this one together, and they just went on and on about how much they loved it. At first I was wondering if I read the same book as them. I rarely re-read a book, but I'm wondering if I read it again, would I get more out of the story? I'm planning on re-reading it with a group of people,so that I can discuss things while we go along. I will say that I read the next one or two books in the series, and I can't remember what happened. I did so much skimming that I think I may have missed some important details.
I'm placing the audio book on my ipod now to listen to it do when I finally see it, I can finally listen to it over the next few weeks.