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January Outlander Reread - See post 642 on page 13 for this weeks TOPIC!
SO glad I'm not the only one determined to re-read this series this year! I've already started... and while I'm trying to read more slowly than I typically do, it's tough not to race through.I love the discussion of when ya'll fell in love with Jamie. I realized on this re-read, too, that I had no idea Jamie would be such a main character, or the love of Claire's life. (Or such a love, period!) It's fun to re-discover the younger Jamie, still all that he is - noble, good-hearted, full of good humor - and still the warrior. I'm so used to thinking of Jamie as the 'older' Jamie of "Voyager" and past. It's fun to see him again, almost with new eyes.
No doubt that he melted my heart in the castle scene, where he pulls Claire onto his lap and calms her. But he always manages to find his way to her, as she does to him. I think I didn't fall in love with him, really, though until he sleeps outside her door in the inn, and is amazed that she'd invite him in and ruin her reputation! And then, especially, when he shows up for their wedding in his Highland finest... *sigh* Of course, when she learns of his "conditions" for marrying her, too...
Despite that I read the book at least 3 times last year, I always read it so quickly. I feel as if I'm reading it again, with fresh eyes this time.
So nice to be able to share with all of you!
Funny how we all admire the same things about Jamie. Men should read novels like this and then they would have any woman in the palm of their hands. Sometimes they are just not too bright!!
My husband read it after he endured my daughter and I nattering about it incessantly for a few months. He loved it too, and may I say, his interest is very sexy.
My husband listened to the audio book while commuting. I don't think he ended up finishing it, but he did say it was good. I think he just wanted to understand what all my fuss was about. Haha!
Jamie became a "man of his time" and real to me when he had to give Claire a whipping. I was very conflicted for a moment. One part understanding and the other outraged. What a smart thing to put in. the resolution and the concialliation afterwards really solidified Jamie for me. I don't expect there are any men that are truly like Jamie but there are bits of him in many and some more than most.
Jeff won't ever try to read it. I'll get him to the movie, if it's ever made.Lori, the scene when he sleeps outside her door was a great one. Especially when she went out to confront whoever it was and tripped over him. He was so grouchy, but in such a really great way.
I loved that he asked her how much she weighed!
even though I know what's to come. I still find the beginning slow. Talking about Clair's hair and buying vases ect. just makes me want to skip the slow parts and jump straight to the stones. I know I will miss some interesting parts like the ghost though.
If I feel that I can read more than one book at a time, I'll find this on audiobook. I have such a hard time with multiple books at once though, and I already have such a backlog. I barely read 5 books last year...I've only read through Fiery Cross, as the last time I read the series, that was the last book... eep? Definitely reason to go through it again.
Hollowed out and completely spent Mary!When Jamie says things like " you're tearin' my guts out, Claire!" he is able to make Claire feel guilty and rethink her behavior without being hateful or mean or retaliatory.
Ladyhawk wrote: "Hollowed out and completely spent Mary!"Glad I'm not the only one!
Diane wrote: "even though I know what's to come. I still find the beginning slow. Diane, I agree about the beginning BUT after finishing the book, I went back to read some of the "history" in the first part - you know the slow stuff about Jack Randall that I didn't really clue in was going to be so important later. I think I was bored because Claire was bored! Still though, I warned my SIL to just get through the first 50 pages and she'd LOVE the book.
Yes Mary, you can never get enough. You are just sad when it's finished no matter how it ends. Therfor we start all over again! I started reading again.Wendy is this where we make our comments? Do I need to make a thread for what jumped out at me after re-reading Chapter 1? Or are all comments going to be here or on the same thread lol I know I am babbling, but just want to voice my opinion in the right spot.
Ok. Well, I know Frank and Claire have been apart for 6 years because of the War. So I get that there needs to be a "reconnection" It is irking me a little that Frank is so into his research that he really isn't spending much time with Claire. (It is supposed to be their 2nd Honeymoon after all.) It seems to me that the only time they are reconnecting is at night when Frank comes back to the Inn and they hahem... work on getting pregnant. I am not sure if it's because I already know what is going to happen or not but I am seeing Frank as being kind of arrogant towards Claire. Like suggesting she should get a hobby hence her interest in Botany, then not understanding why she is interested in the "plants" when he was the one that suggested in in the first place. I think he loves her (that they love each other), but I am not seeing a great match here between them. (Maybe they have both changed during the war) I have more thoughts, but I will at least put this to you all and ask if any one else is feeling this way?
I agree and never really liked Frank from the beginning. There was also that part that he seemed to imply that she had an affair or wanted to while they were apart which implied to me that he had and after being enlightened about his personality in other books I wondered how much he truely loved Claire.
Yes! I kind of got the impression that he was fishing to see if she had had an affair and was giving her an out hoping she would give him an out too if she had said yes. But she was very offended! On the other hand, what a foreshadowing that scene could be too.
Fawn, the part about Frank spending time with his geneology interest didn't even really get my notice; I am married to a man who has a PhD in history and I know how easily distracted he is by that kind of thing. Funny how our own experience lets us read things in an entirely different light....but what you said makes sense! And I DEFINATELY agree that Frank was hinting that he hadn't been faithful. Later, when we see how Jamie needs to make love after combat...it seems a little less unforgiveable. Until we get to know him better later.
Carol L wrote: "Fawn, the part about Frank spending time with his geneology interest didn't even really get my notice; I am married to a man who has a PhD in history and I know how easily distracted he is by that ..."I don't think that's an excuse. I understand 6 years is a long time, but think of it this way. If Jamie had Claire waiting for him-he would've been faithful. And if Frank did cheat, even before the time travel, that makes it even worse. I've never really liked Frank. We meet him, but I don't think I've been given anything to love him for. Yes, (view spoiler)
Wendy F wrote: "Really quick, in the mass message that I sent out I said that the reread will be going through March... that was a flub. The reread of Outlander will be going through FEBRUARY! March 1st is when ..." I can't recall exactly when Jamie Fraser started to come to life for me but I think it was when he started showing off his swords skills before they married and then when they married and he held her hand on their wedding night because they were both nervous and how gentle he was with her. And then he came out of the room and everyone made a rauccous about him losing his virginity,etc. And as time went on I started learning more about him and just fell in love with his character.
This may be an odd choice for when Jamie came to life as a character for me, but actually it was when he decided to take Laoghaire’s punishment. I know at the time there are questions about his feelings for her and we all know how awful she ends up being later on, but when it happened it made Jamie seem really incredible to me. Especially since he didn't even see it as something out of the ordinary.
Jamie came to life for me little by little a first... When he through his plaid around Clair,when he tells Clair of the events of his flogging, when she is crying in his lap and it becomes apparent that he is not completely exhausted... But I fell in Love with Jamie when He and Clair Wed and exchanged the Blood Vow... Every girlish, soft, pink, thing in me came to life and said oooohhhhh!
I guess we have to remember that Claire was only 18 when she married Frank and I think he's 6 - 8 years older than her.But I still suspect that Frank was the unfaithful one during the seperation due to the war.
Yep Fawn, all conversations can go in here. Talk about any thing you ladies want, and only worry about spoiler tagging anything that happens in one of the following books (like Mimi did, thanks Mimi!).I never felt that Frank and Claire had a passionate love match. I agree that I think that Frank had an affair when he was off in the war. And I dont' think it was right, by any means. I do however think that it is common. Sadly, I think Claire's NOT cheating in that time was the admirable thing. So I didn't hate him for that. I also don't blame him for his interest in history during their 2nd honeymoon. I think that it's hard to separate your interests when you're in a situation like that, and I think it showed how understanding Claire was. It's not as though Jamie never did such things, I mean (view spoiler) (Voyager Spoiler). I didn't like Frank much in the beginning though, either. It wasn't for any one thing he did... it was just an overall sense of boredom with his character. There was nothing exciting, or passionate, or anything for me to care about, honestly.
I love that moment when they were on the road and Jamie was showing off his sword skills. It wasn't just his prowess, it also showed me how cocky and young he was, lol. And sexy, heehee. It reminded me of something any 20-21ish aged guy would do, show off for the girl he's flirting with. It was adorable.
And his taking the punishment for Loaghaire was so admirable. It was a huge testament to the kind of man he was.
Great scenes.
I would agree with many others and say that Jamie comes to life when he and Claire get married. During the wedding, but also during their honeymoon. Also, there were some hilarious parts where Jamie and Claire had me laughing for the first time in the book as well! I thought a lot of their conversations while in bed were great. The ones that come to mind are when Jamie tells Claire she should have treated him like getting acquainted with a new horse so he wouldn't have been so "skittish." Also, I love it when Claire wakes up suddenly and yells, "Horrocks!" and Jamie thinks she yelled Hedgehog in his ear.
I don't think I'll ever get enough of Jamie and Claire. I just read Scottish Prisoner to get some more of my Jamie fix and I still love him. But neither he or Claire can be stars alone, together they capture me.
After reading Laura's post, I decided to listen to the audio version this go round. Just started listening this morning & I'm truly seeing Frank differently and seeing such foreshadowing of what's to come from the very beginning. You all are bringing up such wonderful memories describing the many different scenes from Claire & Jamie. As much as I think I might like to see this book on the big screen, I just don't know that anyone could do these two the justice that my mind sees when I'm reading about them & it would definitely have to be a mini-series because there's no way two hours could give it justice.
I'm not sure Outlander will make a great movie. Mostly because what I love the most are the numerous conversations, descriptions of nature and people(including their characters) and Diana's writing. Not all of that can go into the movie and I just don't feel so optimistic about it. Think about it, all those scenes you mentioned along with many others were very important for both making Jamie-Jamie and for Jamie and Claire. Truly, I kind of dread this movie.
Mimi, you are absolutely right. That's why I said, "I think I might like to see this book on the big screen," but I just don't see any way justice could be done to it. Those of us reading it have our own movie screens going on in our heads so the scenes are perfect for each of us in our own way. ;)
In theory I want to see the movie, because who doesn't want to see their favorite story brought to life.Reality says that the movie will probably be terrible and never measure up. So I have mixed feelings, excitement and apprehension.
This is so great that we're re-reading this series(I've probably read the entire thing about 5 times). I've probably also listened to it 4-5 times. Give Davina Porter a chance...she gets into a rhythm with Jamie and I love BOTH versions. There are things you notice differently about both - and enjoy more/less with both...I'm hoping I can keep remember to check up on this regularly - it will be fun to talk with other readers on this......Need my Jamie and Claire Fix!!!!
For me there's really not one crucial moment where the heavens parted, angels sang and I knew Jamie was the one. It was bits and pieces that gradually overcame me til I was a goner for him. I'm with most of you ladies on:
1)When he held her on the horse and kept her warm with his kilt (so thoughtful)
2)When he took her on his lap and comforted her at the castle (so sweet & tender)
3)What really told me the kind of man Jamie Fraser was is the scene where he took the beating for Laoghaire. I was so blown away at his gallantry. (Who does that?!) That was all it took. I was his!
4)When he wore the full tartan for his wedding to Claire
5)honeymoon (need I saw more?)
6)his sense of humor and fierce protectiveness!!!
Oh, I also love that he's not perfect. He's got flaws and I love him the more for them!
So, those are a few... :)
I love how Jamie can't wink, he just blinks owlishly, lmao. I can picture it so easily. Things like that, plus his inability to carry a tune and how he smiles in his sleep when he's happy. Those went a long way towards making me feel like he was a real person.
Wendy F wrote: "I love how Jamie can't wink, he just blinks owlishly, lmao. I can picture it so easily. Things like that, plus his inability to carry a tune and how he smiles in his sleep when he's happy. T..."
I love all those things, too, Wendy! Love how when Claire brushes his hair in his sleep he smiles! My heart just melts...
DG just makes him so HUMAN and REAL!
Jen, Sinatra fan wrote: "For me there's really not one crucial moment where the heavens parted, angels sang and I knew Jamie was the one. It was bits and pieces that gradually overcame me til I was a goner for him. I'm w..."
I found Jamie's comment(view spoiler) or that's how I saw it at least.
Frank isn't my favorite person for many reasons... not the least is his first impression on me. I agree that between his obsession with his ancestral project and his questions to Claire about being faithful the last 6 years, it made it much easier for me to see that Jamie was and is Claire's true match, not Frank.However, this time through, I realized that Claire's upbringing with her Uncle Q probably prepared her for men with obsessions. She spent most of her life traveling from place to place, adapting to strange new cultures, learning about people and places, and listening to men talk about their obsessions - archaeology, doctors, and Frank's history. Ms. G certainly gave us a character (Claire) who would be likely and able to adapt to a new time period!
Oh, and I *do love* how Jamie can't wink!
Mimi wrote: "I'm not sure Outlander will make a great movie. Mostly because what I love the most are the numerous conversations, descriptions of nature and people(including their characters) and Diana's writing..."I agree, Outlander wouldn't make a great movie because of all of the complexities that would need to be included to build the characters. However, I think a movie or mini series would have hope at least if a die hard fan of the Outlander series wrote it! :)
I still hold out hope for a HBO show like Game of Thrones for Outlander...Lori, you are so right and I never even thought about it like that before. Not to mention that I bet she was drawn to Frank in the beginning BECAUSE of his obsessions. It would have reminded her of Uncle Lamb and probably felt comfortable. I never disliked Frank. He had flaws, as all good characters do. But the bottom line was I felt like he was a good man who was just not a good match for Claire.
Wendy (et al) - the more I think of it, the more I don't want to see an Outlander movie. The idea of a series on HBO (or the like) seems more appealing, because I think it would do the story much more justice - not so much rushing and editing out the important stuff.Then again... I'm not so sure I want to *see* the series at all. I can't help but feel that, somehow, Jamie and Claire on screen could never live up to the Jamie and Claire of the books or our imaginations. Let's face it, we each have our own ideas of what they look like, and it would be really difficult not to disappoint! Then again, if the series was any good at all (and hopefully well cast, regardless), I'd probably be hooked!
There have been books to movies that were well casted, and the outcome was wonderful. It's just that the cynic in me things about how RARE those are compared to the ones that are crap, lol.You are so right Marietta, that's what I always think of when I stick up for Frank. Can you spoiler tag that post Marietta? That's kind of a spoiler for the later books.
Lori wrote: "Wendy (et al) - the more I think of it, the more I don't want to see an Outlander movie. The idea of a series on HBO (or the like) seems more appealing, because I think it would do the story much m..."I would TOTALLY pay extra to get HBO if there were a mini series...but I agree that it would make me nervous that the actors wouldn't live up to the characters. Again, I think it would have to be a big Outlander fan that did the creating and the casting. Then I think it could be great!
Depends on the Outlander fan, I think. LMAO.Even as Outlander fans we tend to disagree. I think we're pretty much 50/50 on the Chris Hemsworth/Gerard Butler thing, hahaha.
Just today I recommended Outlander to a friend - I described Frank as "boring" and told her to just keep reading. On my first read, I remember wondering what all the fuss was about. And then Claire stepped through the stones and it was all over. I wonder if Frank was made out to be a bit empty and unexciting so he would be so different from absolutely exciting Jamie. I love all posted the Jamie moments. I haven't started the re-read yet but will very soon. Probably sooner now that some of the moments are fresh and are tugging at me.
The posts also remind me of when Jamie and Claire return to the castle after they are married. Claire thinks Jamie has gone off to see Laoghaire when he really went to buy her a wedding ring. It's just the little things....
I'm in the "no movie" camp. I have this tendency to create my own movie in my head while reading and then, unfortunately, find myself disappointed when the actual movie deviates from my own. Odd, I know....
Mimi wrote: "Jen, Sinatra fan wrote: "For me there's really not one crucial moment where the heavens parted, angels sang and I knew Jamie was the one. It was bits and pieces that gradually overcame me til I was..."Oh, yeah, he was so sweet and naive to a certain extent. I would NOT have done that for Laoghaire. He was just so gallant with ladies. He had no reason to mistrust L'eery.
Loving reading all the wonderful comments on Outlander. I'm definitely doing the re-read after I finish the book I'm reading now and then finish Scottish Prisoner. I'm not very good at reading more then one book at a time!This will be my 3rd re-read of Outlander and the last time must have been at least 2 or 3 years ago. So many of my memories are jumbled up with all of the books to come but have to agree that Jamie really came to life for me when he and Claire were married and then on their wedding night. Before that I had liked Jamie but really fell for him after the wedding.
And imo, it does seem that Claire and Frank don't seem to have much passion in their marriage. In fact I felt really sad when Claire made the decision to not go through the stones at the end of Outlander and stay with Jamie. But I was torn apart with the pain that she and Jamie were going through up to that point in time. It was so obvious that she and Janie were true soul mates and yet Claire was very conflicted about Frank. Not going to comment further so as not to spoil the future books for those who haven't read all of the series yet.
DG does truley make her characters come alive. Such a talented author! In fact I've come to love so many of the characters other then Claire and Jamie; so will be such fun to re-live the story!
Just jumping right in here... to many posts to keep up on... Lol. I started the best book EVER lastnite.. And was instantly sucked in again.. GAWD but there just isnt any book out there as great as this, is there?
My favorite Jamie part... the one that totally sold me , was when he was in the alcove with Loighaire, and Claire discovered him, and he just looks over his shoulder at her and smiles.. That entire scene got me... I like it best whhen he's a shithead.. Lol
LOL! That's a great one Shell.
I know right, He was forever my book boy after that moment..
Leea wrote: "I'm too lazy to look for the quote, but remember when he tells Claire that he knew she was the one when she was beating him half to death for falling off his horse, when he was injured. That is when he came to life for me too! Their love story did really start very innocently, although fast...
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Outlander Series
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With this re-read, the old saying "third time's a charm" should be relevant.