I was in a CompuServe writing group with Diana Gabaldon when she was writing the first volume in her Outlander series. It was clear she was a very bright and knowledgeable woman (also very nice), but even after the book became a best-seller (yay, Diana!) I had no interest in reading it. As I've stated, I wasn't a romance reader, and I didn't read fantasy either. Over the years, the series' popularity grew without my participation.
Then a few years ago I was browsing my library's ongoing book sale as I always do after Scrabble on Thursday afternoons when I saw this unusually fat book pushing others out of its way on the shelf. Outlander. I thought, Why not? I paid $1 and took it home.
Well. I loved it instantly. I loved that it started out post-WWII and was set in Scotland. (My middle name is Campbell.) I loved the heroine, with her subtle, clever humor. I was fascinated with the stones. Once Claire went through them, I loved the history of that time and place. And of course I eventually loved Jamie--or, more accurately, I loved watching their relationship develop, obstacles and all.
I didn't love everything about the book . . . I could have done without the detailed description of Jamie's torture at the hands (and everything else) of the gay villain, for example. But by the time I (reluctantly) finished, I wanted to go to Scotland. I had no intention of going, and thought it was a little crazy that I'd even want to--that a book would have this effect on me. Then I read some Amazon reviews (as I often do after finishing a book) and learned that more than a few readers were so moved to go to Scotland that they actually went! I don't know what they expected to find . . . Jamie?
Anyway, my son gifted me with the entire series on my Kindle, but so far I've read only the first two books. I don't know why . . . I have a feeling if they were paper books I'd have finished them all by now, but reading 900+-page books can give you a repetitive strain injury, so that doesn't make much sense. I know two people who have read the entire series twice. At least I haven't done that. And I didn't go to Scotland.
As I read this I found my inner voice reciting all the possible reasons that I should go to Scotland. I'm up to about 25, and haven't read the book or seen the series.
ReplyDeleteI once wrote a poem entitled, "Why I've Always Wanted to Visit Scotland." But my reasons don't even come close to 25. Kim, it sounds like it's time for you to go.
DeleteA woman in my bookgroup -- a retired middle school history teacher -- has read the entire series and loved it. I am halfway through the first book (I did watch the tv version) and am always thinking I need to go back to it.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Scotland three times -- two week-long trips, one a few days. The first was in 1976 during the heat wave -- I got a nice suntan at Loch Sween. The second was on my honeymoon where we only went to Edinburgh. The third time was in 2002 where we stayed a week on the Isle of Mull and also visited a farm that once was run by my ancestors. You folks need to go!
I have not read these books. I went to Scotland for 2.5 weeks in 1997 and it was one of the best trips of my life.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the books. Nor have I been to Scotland. I have seen Seasons 1 and 2 of Outlander and would love to go to Scotland, however. But I don't want to accidentally time travel while I'm there, so I will avoid large rocks if I ever do go.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to avoid large rocks.
DeleteI have only read the first line (haven't even finished the first sentence yet), and I'm open-jawed with amazement again. OF COURSE you knew Diana Gabaldon! lol
ReplyDeleteThis book - which was published under the title Cross Stitch here - was when I first heard the phrase "bodice ripper." I've read all the books (I think - maybe not the last one). She became so fabulously successful that I think her editors became less vigilant, and her subsequent books are long and lengthy and far too detailed, and so can be harder to get through. I think the first and third books were my favourites (yes, I've read them several times). Watch the TV series - they've done a really good job of translating the books to screen.
And I have Scottish ancestry, but still haven't gone. It is getting higher on my list now (it's always been a "we can go when we're old" destination), as ancestry has been joined by the pull of photography, and puffins.
PUFFINS!!!!!!
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