Name: Fene Ufer.
Rating: 4.106299212598425 (889 reviews)
ISBN: 3442350956

Diana Gabaldon

Fene Ufer.

Outlander

Kasey Crewse

I stumbled upon this series in the book store and had not heard of it before then. I bought it assuming this was a historical fiction with some time travel element. The first couple hundred pages were good. I liked the characters and the story line, but soon after this my feelings waned. This story quickly turned into a romance novel with a predictable ending. If you like romance then this book may be for you. I found the story repeating itself too. Jamie is captured, tortured, Claire saves him, sex, repeat. I decided to finish the book, however, so as not to leave a stone unturned. Finishing this book was like trying to cram something down my own throat. I will not be continuing this series at all. 

'Scotland's answer to Game of Thrones' Herald THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING OUTLANDER SERIES. As seen on Amazon Prime TV. What if your future was the past? 1946, and Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. It's a second honeymoon, a chance to learn how war has changed them and to re-establish their loving marriage. But one afternoon, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and vanishes into 1743, where the first person she meets is a British army officer - her husband's six-times great-grandfather. Unfortunately, Black Jack Randall is not the man his descendant is, and while trying to escape him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish outlaws, and finds herself a Sassenach - an outlander - in danger from both Jacobites and Redcoats. Marooned amid danger, passion and violence, her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives. (Previously published as Cross Stitch)

M. Sosotris

I’ve read this book about five times, and it remains just as perfect a novel as the first time I read it.

I adore the concept, the blend of external stakes and internal struggles, the vivid descriptions of place and character, and the sheer reality of the world. 

Throughout this whole series, you really feel like you’re a part of these people’s lives, and this first book just sets the scene so beautifully.

I know the series gets some valid criticism for its overuse of sexual assault as a source of character trauma and stakes, and later on in the series, I do feel it’s used too much, but in this one, it feels both necessary and integral to the worldbuilding. But do be aware that this is something this series employs quite a bit.

But overall, this is one of my all time favourite books. This go around, I read the new audio version narrated by Kristin Atherton, and her narration is utterly sublime. I loved Davina Porter, and had no real concerns with her, but Atherton‘s take on Claire is charming, likeable, and compelling.

Just a fabulous reading experience, and I’m excited to continue as these new editions are released.

THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING OUTLANDER SERIES. As seen on Amazon Prime TV. What if your future was the past? 1946, and Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. It’s a second honeymoon, a chance to learn how war has changed them and to re-establish their loving marriage. But one afternoon, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and vanishes into 1743, where the first person she meets is a British army officer - her husband’s six-times great-grandfather. Unfortunately, Black Jack Randall is not the man his descendant is, and while trying to escape him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish outlaws, and finds herself a Sassenach - an outlander - in danger from both Jacobites and Redcoats. Marooned amid danger, passion and violence, her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives. (Previously published as Cross Stitch)

Luke Harkness

Not quite what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it

Considering the fantasy element this book - I was expecting there to be slightly more fantastical things - however no, it's a love story, all be it mind, a good one.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book - everyone seemed to have a very distinct personality and all forwarded the plot along. This is definitely a character-driven book - don't get me wrong, plenty of plot happens, but there's not exactly a middle and an end, just an ongoing tale which I look forward to continuing in the sequel.

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.


Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.


Sonia Grgas

Read it again - even better than the first time. Still my favorite book of all time.

Doctor Who fanfiction? At 850 pages this took a WHILE but it was a good read for sure. Mildly homophobic though? It's a period piece so I'll allow it.

Yvette

Sarah

THIS BOOK WAS A RIDE AND I AM STILL REELING.

Ok, all in all, it was a solid four stars all the way through for me. Very descriptive, well-written, and excellent at building suspense.

I didn’t find it lacking in any areas, but it didn’t quite hit five stars… I can’t exactly say why, specifically, but it didn’t quite have that gut punch five star reads have for me.

Going in, I was really nervous bc I read some particularly bad reviews and it made seem like it had some heavy, graphic, perverse sexual content all the way through. Much to my relief, it did not (save for a bit at the end that, despite the content, I felt was handled quite well by the author… I won’t say what happened bc spoilers, but it wasn’t idealized/glorified as some people seem to suggest).

Really, though, I can’t emphasize enough how much I love Jamie’s character. He deserves the entire world but the world doesn’t deserve him.

Randall on the other hand? Trash. Absolute trash. That man is walking, talking garbage. I literally spent the entire novel waiting for him to get what was coming for him (and I’m still not entirely sure the conflict with his character is entirely resolved… that’s for book 2 I suppose).

Claire though?? SHE IS SO STRONG. I seriously could not be in that same position without turning into a ugly sobbing mess whereas she just shows up and deals with everything with such grace??? I honestly think people are way too hard on her character bc I am completely awestruck by her stubborn tenacity.

I need to pick up volume 2 before I lose the momentum of the first novel, but I seriously need to clear my head with a light hearted novel first before I plunge back in, head first, to the dramafest that is no doubt awaiting me next lol.

I really really recommend anyone considering picking this novel up to just go ahead and do it! It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely worth trying out and loving than never knowing what you’re missing in the first place ヾ(´∀｀)ﾉ

Favorite of all time! I could write an essay about this book. Jamie and Claire’s love story is everything. From the medicine to family to history!

Bailey Dunn

Wynter

- sorry, nah-huh, this was a bad book
- the story lacked backbone - the common thread that connected random happenings throughout the entire thing. It was mostly "this happened" and then "that happened", and "would you like to hear how I helped a horse to give birth?"
- Jamie is totally in "high-risk" category on his insurance policy. What the heck? This man gets beaten and bled every other chapter or so.
- And speaking of the guy, no dude acts like he does. I mean, Gabaldon just wanted to give her female readers another one of those idealized mannequins to dream about. Not to say that men cannot be selfless and loving, but Jamie has no purpose in life beyond Claire's interests. Also, for being horny all the time, how did he stay a virgin until 23? I thought it was totally unnecessary for the author to bring that into the story
- OMG sex... lots of it. I like an occasional steamy scene in my literature like any other girl. But this book took it to a whole new level. Sex was casually thrown in so often and so out of place, it became at first comical and then just plain annoying. My favourite part was when Claire stabbed a guy to death and then proceeded to roll in hay with Jamie, covered in blood and only a few feet away from the mutilated corpse. Mmmm, nothing says sexy more than a dead man watching you...
- Randall, wth man?! He wins the prize for the most awkward, weird, and sick villain out there. "Tell me you love me"?! Ewww man, get you fantasies under control. Did Gabaldon make him look just like Frank to ease Claire's conscience and our judgment against her for sleeping with another man while still married to Frank?
- and yes, Claire felt not even a teeny bit bad about cheating on her husband, with whom she had a pretty good marriage. Her excuse? "Oh, everyone does that once in a while. You just need to make sure you get yourself out of the fling before bad things like divorce, pregnancy or STDs happen". Bitch. 
- the book was waaaaaaaay too long for what it had to offer. Miss Jackie Cantor, the editor, should have done a better job at cutting bs out of this mammoth. It could have easily been twice as short if you ripped out any unnecessary bickering and talking, and walking, and yes, sex. I feel like labouring through this mess for the last three and a half days earned me a medal of valour or something. But I have no one to blame but myself for forcing me to get to the end. 
- I made a mental note - absolutely nothing happened between pages 250 and 500. Nothing.
- there was one character I liked - Geilie. But she didn't last too long, if you know what I'm talking about.
- what a pile of crap. That is all.

Colleen

An exciting historical fiction adventure. Claire is a spunky, independant heroine whose witty dialogus reminds me of a Kartherin Hepburn character.Although the writing does often wander down rabbit trails of stories within stories that only add some background rather than actually being relevant to the main story line. And here and there it jumps, leaving the reader stumbling to understand what just happened, only to go back and explain what really happened (for those who were reading the pages rather than the authors mind). But despite that, it did keep my interest throughout the 850 pages.

Beatrix Haase

Holy smack. I finally finished the dang book and wow am I speechless.

Did I find it slow sometimes? Yes. 
Did I find some of the scenes to be too much for me? Yes
Did I still love it and give it 5 stars? Yes

It was amazing and I understand why it is so addicting. I was hesitant to go into it because of the sheer size of the series and the positive reviews and the tv show, but I am so happy I did decide to read it. I think it also helped tremendously that I was listening to the audiobook while reading the physical book. I have dyslexia and so for me, doing that really helps me grasp every little thing that goes on in books. I will also say that I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn't have the audiobook playing in my ears. 

Like I said in one of my updates, I bought the second and third books for a good price so I will definitely be reading those once they come in. 

I honestly just want to know what happens next and that is why I will be continuing. However, I will say that if you were to just read the first one and then stop it would be okay and I don't think you necessarily need to go on with the series. Diana Gabaldon did a good job at ending it but also left room for more. 

Jamie <3

xoxo,
Bea

Meghan Navoy

Wow this book was crazy!!! It felt like 3 books in one super long book but I loved it. Adventure, fantasy and romance all in one crazy book

Lyric Hooey

Got into a bit of a reading rut this semester so it took me a couple months to read this one. I almost gave up on it 200 pages in but right around that time I suddenly got very into it and then finished it in 2 days! Glad I read it but not sure if I’m invested enough to read the rest of the series. Really did enjoy Outlander for what it is though and am so happy that Claire ended up with who she did.

*spoilers* *trigger warning for rape*
I don't understand all the good reviews the only plot points in this book are rape I'm halfway through and in the beginning I was like okay there's some attempted rape she just wants to show this is a different time whatever I'm sure it won't happen all that much but nope and when its not rape there's Clair's husband beating her and enjoying it and patting himself on the back for not raping her after but don't worry the next day he does. And mentions again and again how she needs to obey her and he wants to possess her. Can't believe I wasted this much time on this and can't understand why not more people are bothered by this. I'm even more annoyed bc the plot of this could have been so interesting but there is no plot besides rape. (And I don't care that it's set in a different time not everyone was a rapist in that time and even if they were doesn't mean someone now has to glorify it in her book) there are never any consequences and the Claire just accepts it like .5 seconds later. I was gonna push through and finish it but damn the author really tried her best to get me to fucking be sick in the last part I read. I generally never dnf but fuck this book
Edit: I wish I had physical copy of this book instead of an ebook bc I would love to burn it but oh well at least I didn't spend that much money on it bc I got it through bookbub

Twenty years ago, Gabaldon swept readers into her mesmerizing world brimming with history, romance, and adventure. To celebrate, this special commemorative edition features special production details, a brand-new letter and essay from the author, and a Random House Reader's Group Guide.

Ummmm. Lots of thoughts on this one. Writing is great and overall story great. However, quite a few problematic things…not sure if that’s because the book was written more than 30 years ago, or due to views of the author herself. Lots, lots, lots of sexual assault/rape. Fatphobia. Nearly every reference to gay people/actions are connected with pedophilia or rape. Quite a bit of incest as well? Also a part where a mentally handicapped person is only made to be barbaric/a savage. The book is pretty long, and I know there’s a whole series, but there’s lots of taboo. And the last 50 or so pages are…wild, to say the least.

(Bre)anne✨

Full TW list to be added later

Ummmm. Lots of thoughts on this one. Writing is great and overall story great. However, quite a few problematic things…not sure if that’s because the book was written more than 30 years ago, or due to views of the author herself. Lots, lots, lots of sexual assault/rape. Fatphobia. Nearly every reference to gay people/actions are connected with pedophilia or rape. Quite a bit of incest as well? Also a part where a mentally handicapped person is only made to be barbaric/a savage. The book is pretty long, and I know there’s a whole series, but there’s lots of taboo. And the last 50 or so pages are…wild, to say the least.

Fene Ufer.

Reviews

Highlights