Moving on ... I received a promotional copy of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander last fall when everyone was talking about the impending release of the seventh book in the series. It sat on my shelf until now -- partly because of its 850 pages, partly because I knew that many readers either loved it or hated it and I was scared to start a tome that I may not like. I kept meaning to pick it up but then I would choose a safer book or a different review copy. Finally, I guaranteed that I would get the book read this year by choosing it for one of my Take Another Chance Challenge tasks. This was the one for Task 3: 100 Best Book. I went all out in the "take a chance" aspect of the challenge, clicked on the link for "100 Best Romance Novels of the 20th Century" and, lo and behold, Outlander was number one on the list.
If you're not familiar with Outlander or the series, it's the story of a British woman, Claire, who falls into a stone circle in Scotland in 1945 and emerges in 1743. She is forced to navigate a world she doesn't know and to try and return home -- except after a while she starts to question where home really is.
I was definitely curious about what would happen to Claire but I didn't really like her character. However, there were enough other interesting characters in the book to keep me reading. I also really enjoyed the setting and language of 18th century Scotland -- it felt authentic and alive. There were so many things to learn and even the geography and natural history of the land became a character in the story. I won't be rushing out to get the next book in the series--after all, it's another 750 pages and I'm a busy reader--but I am now invested enough to want to continue the series at some point.
Back to the Take Another Chance Challenge ... did I think this was the "Best Romance Novel of the Twentieth Century"? Probably not. I'm not an expert on romance novels and there's no denying that it was romantic but I'm sure that there must be some novels out there that don't have the amount of moral ambiguity that this one does.
Enjoying all the conveniences of modern life and love,
K
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I was one who didn't like it. I wouldn't say I hated it...but pretty close I guess, ha!
ReplyDeleteMainly though, I think, because I thought I would love it. After all, it does employ the time travel device, which I love.
I loved Outlander when I first read it a few years ago--inhaled it, and just about choked because it is a biggish book. Flew through the second and third books, and then took a breather and read the 4th and 5th ones. Then I didn't go further. When book seven was due to come out I decided to prep for it by reading 1-5 again, now I have both 6 and 7 and then will be read later this year.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I enjoy the series immensely, find Claire and Jamie interesting and appealing, especially as in the later books, when they are middle-aged. Book 3 is the best in my opinion.
But, I know that this series doesn't appeal to everyone...
You are taking chances ... on a really long book. I've heard so many people rave about this one ... and I was surprised to see it on the romance list when I was checking out the links. I suspect I shall try this at some point ...it seems like such a commitment though.
ReplyDeleteLenore - I thought it would be more time-travely for sure.
ReplyDeleteJane - I will probably get the second book this summer or something. I'll be sure to at least get to book 3 since you say it's the best!
Jenners - I know ... what a ridiculous chance, right? ;) It's not too bad though because it moves rather quickly. There aren't many descriptive passages.