Outlander Series discussion
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January Outlander Reread - See post 642 on page 13 for this weeks TOPIC!
On the Books and writers community page they have a dedicated page just for the mistakes she's made. She comments in there all the time.
Being a writer myself (albeit a technical writer), I tend to blame the editors for those small discrepancies. I mean, DG is the creative force behind all those characters, descriptions, and words that weave themselves into the tales that we love. If she makes a mistake (and most are small things), OK; but her editors should be catching that stuff for her -- that's part of what a book editor does!Mostly, I shake my head when I encounter one. I think it's the writer in me and being around so many writers and editors... you have no idea how difficult it is to go to a restaurant with technical writers and editors - they tend to edit the menu before they order! And God forbid that there be an item listed like "shrimps" -- it was waaaaay too embarrassing!
Sometimes, though, the little details make me crazy, because I'm specifically looking for info to compare to something else - like Frank's height. *sigh* Guess I've got just enough of that "writer/editor complex" to sometimes allow those little things to irritate me. NEVER enough to bash or stop reading, though!
Lori:I agree with you. My sister-in-law is a journalist and between her and my husband, they're always finding mistakes in content, character, spelling, punctuation marks, etc... It's become a running joke with them over the years. Some of the "mistakes" they find are really pretty funny.
But, like you said, I keep reading the books because I love them and the characters and try not to sweat the small stuff.
Thats pretty much where I am. I tend to read a book for the whole and either not notice the small stuff or not care.I guess I read and go, "Even the best editors (not that I'm saying they are or arent) can miss stuff."
I don't notice any 'mistakes' I just love reading about J & C and I get wrapped up in the story. :)
One of the things which jumped out at me when I read Outlander was that everything was back to normal immediately following WWII which was far from wtah happened. Apparently this was because it didn't take long in America but here it took a long time!
Morag: DG did say that in the UK version of Outlander, the year was 1946, which would have been more correct, historically speaking. The US version kept it at 1945 and according to DG, the publisher didn't want to change it because of the cost of doing so.But you are right. I've heard and read that things really didn't get back to "normal" for a couple of years after the war ended. Even here in the states, according to my dad who served overseas during the war.
I guess we can chalk this up to "poetic license".
there is one person on amazon who loves to say don't read outlander because of the errors she made about WW2 - the food rationing etc
Just joined up and starting my reread this wknd. Must be at least the 12th time I've read Outlander, although this will be the first time I've read it electronically. Re: this week's topic, I also am a book editor (travel guidebooks) so I probably wouldn't fare so well professionally in the past. Maybe I could be a scribe.
Wow, that's interesting, Dee. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't they in post WW2 Scotland for only a few chapters before Claire gets whisked away to 18th century Scotland? So, wouldn't the rationing have been a moot point? Funny to me that the Amazon poster used that discrepancy to say not to read it. Their loss, says I!
Can someone post what "The Outlandindish Companion" (Appendix I, Errata, page 502) says about the "grey eyes"? I recently lent out my OC to a friend who is reading the series for the first time. I found the "grey eyes" reference on pg371 (paperback) when Geilie and Claire are doing the ritual to discover the sender of the ill-wish...supposedly. I am curious to know what it says!
Leah wrote: "Can someone post what "The Outlandindish Companion" (Appendix I, Errata, page 502) says about the "grey eyes"? I recently lent out my OC to a friend who is reading the series for the first time. I ..."It does not say very much, I'm afraid, just:
Page 445: "grey" should be changed to "green"
(The page reference must be to the original hardcover edition, the paperback and the 20th anniversary edition are both different ones.)
Ch. 24 P. 445 (mm) "beautiful grey eyes"Ch. 24 P. 506 (mm) "large grey eyes"
I probably wouldn't have noticed if there was just one reference.
I found the same as Leah. Pg 445: "grey" should be changed to "green"
Sandy wrote: "For me, it was a disclaimer because I have seen people attacked on these boards for daring to point our errors. :-)"Wendy F wrote: "I do remember that conversation, and from my perspective, people weren't getting upset that the discrepencies were getting pointed out, they were upset because people were using the discrepencies a..."
I did not notice any of these things, which must have happened before I joined this group. I did by no means intend something like author bashing and must feel lucky not having been rebuked! My time with my main/favourite concern is still to come when we get on with our group reading and we will reach ABOSAA, links are to DOA and AEITB as well. I raised this matter months ago, but I seemed to be the only one to be troubled by this discrepancy. The members of this group considerably have changed since then, however, maybe there will be room and occasion for "my" problem when we go through the later books towards the end of the year, or so...
Lotte wrote: "Sandy wrote: "For me, it was a disclaimer because I have seen people attacked on these boards for daring to point our errors. :-)"Wendy F wrote: "I do remember that conversation, and from my pers..."
Well now I am curious about your "problem" maybe you can post in the Echo thread since there are links there and I presume everyone on that thread has read up to that point so spoilers are not an issue.
Diane wrote: "Lotte wrote: "Sandy wrote: "For me, it was a disclaimer because I have seen people attacked on these boards for daring to point our errors. :-)"Wendy F wrote: "I do remember that conversation, an..."
OK Diane, I'll try the Echo thread.
I have been thinking all week about what I could do if I went back. I am currently a librarian so I suppose I could join a convent with a library and work there or join a band of gypsies and tell stories and sing.
Susan I would try my luck with the Gypsies!!! Sounds like so much more fun!
I noticed in my re-read that the book Claire finds in Geilie's "private room" was L'Grimoire d'le Comte St. Germain...(view spoiler)
I finished my re-read and changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars. I can't exactly remember why I only gave it 4 stars two years ago. I suspect my change of heart is due to the fact that I feel like I know these characters like old friends, and that I have suffered along with them. On to DIA! Leah, I agree!
I'm so sorry folks! Things have been a bit crazy the last couple days and I forgot to post our new topic question.Did your opinion of any characters change over the course of your Outlander reread? If so, who and why?
Leah wrote: "I noticed in my re-read that the book Claire finds in Geilie's "private room" was L'Grimoire d'le Comte St. Germain...[spoilers removed]"I noticed this too! It made me even more curious.
I don't know that the Outlander re-read changed my opinion of anyone...since I've read it over a dozen times, I think that ship has sailed. If anything, it strenghtened the opinions I have formed over time.
Well I suppose I meant in general, not necessarily this reread. Like, the first time you read it, you formed an opinion about someone when you started it, but by the end of the read did it change for you?For instance, for me it was Dougal. In the beginning I really liked him. I thought he was funny and attractive... Yes he could be hard, but I figured it was just because he as ambititious. However, over the course of reading the book I felt his moral character crumble with each heinous act.
The first time I read the book, I liked Geilie when Claire first met her, but then when she "drugged" Claire under false pretenses I knew she wasn't to be trusted. (view spoiler)
I agree Kristen and then I ended up loving him! One of my favorites.
Sue wrote: "I agree Kristen and then I ended up loving him! One of my favorites."I know, I definitely did love him by the end!!! Plus, I would find myself laughing out loud with some of his comments or mannerisms.
Wendy, I agree with you about Dougal. He seemed less ambitious and scheming than Column, who always managed to give me the creeps. And even though his solution for Claire benefits him, it could have been so much worse. But when Dougal goes after Claire in the cave, and he's so adamant against doing anything to save Jamie, I saw his true character shine through. Even Rupert, Dougal's right-hand man helped get Jamie out! And DIA, I think we truly see what all those decisions have made Dougal. It's not pretty.
The cave scene was what really made me dislike Dougal, more then anything else. That was what turned the tables for me.And it's interesting that you bring up Colum, because he was another character that progressed for me. I liked Colum actually. I started off distrustful of him, but the more I read the more I liked him. He was a good man, and a good Laird. I think it showed the kind of character he had (view spoiler).
Murtagh is another great character that shows growth. I agree, i didn't much like him in the beginning. He seemed cruel and mean, but over the course of the book you see him open up and you get a glimpse of who he really is. He was reserved, but underneath there was a very smart kind man, who cared an awful lot for Jamie and Jamie's mother.
To me, Murtagh was more of a mystery at first - I couldn't figure out what his motivations were or where his loyalty lie. And he easily slips into the background. But I think I realized that Murtagh was ALWAYS on Jamie's side and to be trusted was during the skirmish with the Campbells (?) over the horses when Jamie & Dougal end up fighting back-to-back. Jamie signals to Murtagh to guard Claire, and he does - without question. He was still a mystery to me, but I realized that Murtagh was always going to serve and protect Jamie.
You're right, I did reach a place early on where I realized he would always be there for Jamie. It was more that I just didn't like his personality in the beginning.I agree Kristen, (view spoiler).
I read Outlander for the first time this month. The end nearly broke my heart! I can't wait to discuss the book with y'all!
Wow! You just read it! We have a newbie! :)Welcome to the group.
Thanks, Wendy! It was an amazing read. I fell in love with Jamie. :-)
Who wouldn't, lmao! Isn't he just the most amazing fictional character?
When you frame it as changes of opinion from the first read, I agree with most of the above. Murtagh really grew on me. I loved how gruff he could be and then soft toward Jamie. Dougal. Ick. Liked him initially then not. Colum, I agree with Wendy F. I really respected him and saw him as less...selfish? as Dougal.
That's it exactly. I respected him more because I felt like he always that the welfare of Clan MacKenzie and Castle Leoch at heart. I think describing the MacKenzie brothers as the Brain and the Cock of the Clan was brilliant.
Zeldabel wrote: "I read Outlander for the first time this month. The end nearly broke my heart! I can't wait to discuss the book with y'all!"Welcome, Zeldabel!
Well I always liked Dougal. I know he had his bad side too but I couldn't help it. Murtaugh won my heart when he put his cloak on the saddle for Claire to sit on so she wouldn't be so "sore".
Sue- I agree. Murtaugh started off pretty "gruff" but I always thought under that rough exterior was a, well, not a kitten, but something very gentle. He just didn't show it. But we all knew what he was like.
Geillie! I liked her when we first met her in Outlander. She seemed to be the only person accepting Claire as a friend. After what we learn later, however, I disliked her very much.
Mary wrote: "Geillie! I liked her when we first met her in Outlander. She seemed to be the only person accepting Claire as a friend. After what we learn later, however, I disliked her very much."So did I!
I liked her at first too, when she introduced herself to Claire when she was collecting herbs. Then I didn't like her. But gave her some slack when she really saved Claire from (view spoiler) Hated her after that!
Yes, I agree with Geillie. I wasn't sure about her for most of the book - there was always something about the way she tested Claire with what she said and the looks she'd give her. And then the incident where Geillie drugged Claire... But when she saved Claire, I decided she must be OK. That is, until we learn the truth about what really happened after she had Dougal's baby, and her entire part in both Dragonfly in Amber (view spoiler) and Voyager (view spoiler) and even in the Lord John Zombie story!Why do you suppose Geillie did save Claire? Was it a weakness for "true love"? Geillie remarked on Claire & Jamie in the thief's hole, something to the effect that "so it can happen". It seems that Geillie really did like Claire, as much as she could 'like' anyone. But I always wondered if Jamie hadn't come bursting in, if Geillie would have saved Claire or not.
Remind me, how did Gellie know who Claire was? Did Claire say something that gave her away? I just can't remember.
Claire Saw Gellie's vaccination scar and knew she was from the future.
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Outlander Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Lover Avenged (other topics)Dragonfly in Amber (other topics)
Timeline (other topics)
The Outlandish Companion (other topics)
A discrepency week would have been fun. I should have thought of that.