Outlander by Diana Gabaldon read through *SPOILER*
The first book in the series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander, also known as "Cross Stitch" in the UK, has been started by a few members and more are (hopefully) going to be joining us. I think before anyone makes a post to discuss any aspect, we should put in the subject line (same thread, just a new subject line) what Chapters your post will include so that we don't have to put "Spoilers" on every post. IMO, that gets a bit long. Anyway, I'm really excited about this, and hopefully it will be something many others will enjoy. For those who may be interested, this link http://www.its.caltech.edu/~gatti/gabaldon/ takes you to the main page of Diana's site, and I must say it was an informative, and humorus read through. LOL Diana Gabaldon really has a knack of reaching out and connecting with her fans :G Have fun!  |
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| Stacy,
What is the order of the books? I've been trying to figure it out and can't. I'm almost done witht hte first and don't know what the second one is. |
| The second one is Dragonfly In Amber. |
| Part One
Inverness, 1946 The book begins from Claire's point of view, and in the first few chapters introduces the main characters, as well as numerous secondary characters. To lead us into the story, Frank's historian fetish indirectly introduces us to his ancestor, Johnathon Wolverton Randall. We learn character history, and IMO, an integral part of the first chapter is the ghost that Frank claims to have seen looking at Clair through the window from outside their rooming house in Inverness. The ghost was a big chap, in full highland regalia, wearing a stag brooch. The wind, although strong, wasn’t blowing his kilt. Claire is too busy being angry with him for saying he would forgive her for being unfaithful, she then wonders about his fidelity, their time apart during the war was a long time.... In Chapter two, Claire goes on an expedition looking for local plant life, and ends up at Craigh Na Dun. Claire remembers her trip to Stonehenge years before, and mentions the cremated remains in some holes at Stonehenge. We meet Roger Wakefield for the first time, a young orphaned child being raised by his Uncle the Reverend. Mrs. Graham (the housekeeper) reads Claire's palms and asks if she is a bigamist.... the lines oddly reveal travel, and staying put. Frank and the Reverend discover some odd bits of info about Frank's ancestor, and then nothing is mentioned of it again so they decide he must have had a patron protecting him. Frank and Claire go to the henge and witness a Druid ceremony. Claire goes back the next day to retrieve a plant she was interested in, but as she nears the rocks, she hears humming coming from one of the stones. When she touched it the stone screamed, and the others were shouting.... she is dizzy, confused, and powerless. Chapter 3 starts with Claire waking up in the dark.Claire thinks there must be a movie being filmed when she sees soldiers on horses go by, and then thinks she sees Frank. It is not Frank however, it is Johnathon Wolverton Randall. Randall thinks she is a whore since she is only dressed in her "shift". Then a man in a kilt knocks Randall down.Claire is then hit on the head and knocked unconcious, coming to later on horseback near a cottage. She introduces herself to her kidnappers as Claire Beauchamp, deciding to use her maiden name. We are introduced to Dougal, Rupert, Jamie and Murtagh. The man called Jamie was injured though with a bullet wound and a dislocated shoulder. The men were trying to put the shoulder joint back incorrectly, Claire steps up and does it. This causes more confusion, especially when she tells them she is a nurse, and they think she means wetnurse. The confusion is rampant now, as Claire tells them to take the injured man into town, and the woman present says “what town?”. The men take Claire with them when they leave the cottage. Claire riding double with Jamie so she can offer assistance if needed. When Claire sees Cocknammon Rock, she admits to herself that everything is pointing to the fact that the man that looked like Jack Randall, was probably Jack Randall, her husbands six times grandfather. Then there is yet another fight with muscats going off. Claire is thrown into a bush, but is soon picked up again. Jamie faints off the horse a short while later. It seems he has added a stab wound from a bayonet to the list of injuries. With 7 more hours in the saddle expected, Claire is told to patch him up. Having some difficulty in this task, she swears rather freely, much to the astonishment of the men. Despite her protests, they move on through the night. |
| I didn't want to do spoilers, it kind of ruins the read through for those who are reading the books for the first time, but since everyone is all over the place I don't see how else to do it. Since we all read fast, how about discussing 3- 5 chapters at a time and then move on to the next bunch? |
| You know, I forgot all about the ghost, it allmakes sense now!! You are right!!!
There is soooo much in this book, so much to keep track of, so much to remember. I think you could re and re read it a dozen times and still "miss" things. |
| Yes... you could read it over and over and still pick up something new, or a different interpretation each time... |
| sounds good Stacey |
| I'm on Chapter 24 - it's amazing how fast you can read when you're stuck on a plane for a few hours! |
OK - I'm done! So when do we start talking? All the stuff I want to talk about is near the end (  ) so I wasn't sure if I should wait... |
| hahahahahahaah, gets pretty juicey doesn't it!! |
| You guys go ahead. I'm not getting very far in it for some reason. Did it take you guys a while to get into it? I'm only on page 105. |
| You need to hang in with all the "historical stuff". |
| Okay, I've gotten to page 310 and still trying to hang in there.
I'm sure this was explained, but can someone tell me why Claire is called "Sassenach"? |
| That's a gaelic word meaning "outlander" or more exactly"englishman"
originally meant "saxon" I kind of gave up on discussing the read through because it just didn't work out. LOL So, I'm reading it, but I've only read a bit because I haven't had time. I've read it before a couple of time though so anytime anyone wants to post whatever is fine... I am eager to see what others think of it. I also had a hard time getting interested in the first book the first time I read it, but once I did, I was totally hooked and I enjoy re reads even more every time |
| I'm going to the Celtic Festival in Flagstaff in two weeks and Diane Gabaldon will be there doing a reading from the latest book. Too bad I can't bring Bailey for a photo op! No dogs allowed except service dogs. |
| I would love to meet her.... lucky you |
| WOW!! REALLY!!!! That would be a GREAT experience!!!
I must admit to being well into the second book!!!! |
| Ok, just because some of the posts regarding the book have gotten mixed up in another thread I'm going to copy and paste some of the relevant replies.
Tasker's Mom wrote: I just got to the "good part" (which means the leading lady has sex with the leading man) AHHHHHHH such romance!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had to stay up late to get to the end of the chapter.  Tasker's Mom wrote: I'm almost finished with the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This weekend I couldn't put it down! Stacy wrote: Well, I finished the book. I can't help but think, "What's wrong with me". I really didn't enjoy it too much and it was a struggle to get through it. I think maybe it was just too unbelievable for my boring imagination. Or it could be that the picture I have in my head of Jamie's physique and barbaric personality reminded me of a guy I knew in high school...story for another day  . Sorry, but I won't be able to read the rest of the series. I went to the library yesterday and took out a Patricia Cornwell mystery, "The Lovely Bones" (Oprah book), and the story of the BTK killer (I'm disgustingly fascinated with crazy people). Tasker's Mom wrote: HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Not to worry, that is why there are so many different kinds of books!!! I on the other hand am at the end of the second book and can't wait to get to the third. When I read a novel I WANT it to be totally farfetched and unbelievable, FANTASY!!!!!!!! I live reality everyday, for pleasure I want to go to the land of "make believe". Willowsprite wrote: Sorry you didn't enjoy it Stacy.... Everyone has different tastes, which is why there are sooooo many books Hope you enjoy your next choice more. Ginny... so what do you think so far? (other than liking it )Tasker's Mom wrote: I am entralled by it all!!! I think because I am a nurse I find the "medical" end of it totally fascinating. I am also finding the history end of it interesting as well. OF COURSE it's all totally improbable..........or is it?????? Time travel is certainly one of the "age old" or "new age old" questions. WHAT IF......... And the romance of it, GOLLY  a real page turner when it comes to the "bedroom" scenes. Some of the "male domination" is a bit annoying and I sometimes think she's treading a fine line between abuse and romance but then I remind myself that it is after all fiction. Who wouldn't want to be ravaged by a well endowed Scottsman!!!!!!!!!!!!!Willowsprite wrote: Tasker's Mom wrote: I am entralled by it all!!! I think because I am a nurse I find the "medical" end of it totally fascinating. I am also finding the history end of it interesting as well. Yes, the scientist in me loves those parts too It's interesting to see the evolution of science, a lot of the time it went from old wives tales designed to protect future generations in a way they could understand. After all, they didn't know "why" certain things would hurt them or make them sick, or heal them or make them better, they only knew that they did.Quote: OF COURSE it's all totally improbable..........or is it?????? Time travel is certainly one of the "age old" or "new age old" questions. WHAT IF......... That's where a creative and open mind comes into play I think. It's so cool to think it could happen.... but even if one cannot stretch their imagination into believing it could, it's still fun to imagine what it would be like if it did Quote: And the romance of it, GOLLY a real page turner when it comes to the "bedroom" scenes. Some of the "male domination" is a bit annoying and I sometimes think she's treading a fine line between abuse and romance but then I remind myself that it is after all fiction. Who wouldn't want to be ravaged by a well endowed Scottsman!!!!!!!!!!!!!Well, we must remember it takes place in a time that what we consider barbaric is not thought of that way back then. I just LOVE the Jamie/Claire chemistry! Love so strong, it's volatile. Love it. You just know Jamie would protect her at any cost. And now I can't say anymore on that because you're only on the second book! LOL  Tasker's Mom wrote: Well I must admit that the Jamie/Claire chemistry is all part of the intrigue. As a pretty severe cynic when it comes to matters of love and romance (us divorced women are men little animals) I must admit I do wallow in the improbability of such devotion. I get crankey over picking up dirty socks and cleaning the bathroom twice a week because it's been used by A MAN  , not sure I'd do very well with breaking into prison and saving my "beloved" from the tortures of the damned LOL!!! |
| Do you ever wonder what goes on in the mind of people who write epic novels like this? The detail and story just amaze me. HOW DOES SHE DOE IT???? Does she just sit down and the sotry spills out or is there an outline that she fleshes out??
I love her descriptive writing style, you really do feel like you are right there in the midst of it! |
| Yeah, I love her style too.... descriptive enough without being overly descriptive....
I know some books I actually just stop reading if I find the author feels the need to describe the same rock or tree in intimate detail more than once.
It does amaze me to read an epic novel like this, I often get the idea in my head to write a novel, and I'll think up what I think is a great idea, storyline etc... and start writing but never get past a chapter or two. I think the difficulty comes from not creating the world in which I wish my story to take place in enough detail beforehand. The characters, environment, storyline etc, I think really do need to be outlined, and developed well before actual writing begins. One of these days I hope to figure it out. |
| I don't know how she keeps all the details straight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| who is the gost Frank saw outside the window in the begining of the book |
Anonymous wrote: who is the gost Frank saw outside the window in the begining of the book
I think it's Jamie... but she hasn't elaborated on that "yet" As far as I know, from getting to read snippets of the next book, it will be explained in book 7  |
| THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AN NEW TO DIANA GABALDON BOOKS. I JUST FINISH OUTLANDER AND I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT GOST. |
| Willow, do you know when the next book is due out? |
Bailey's Mom wrote: Willow, do you know when the next book is due out?
The 7th book, An Echo in the Bone, is expected to be released in 2009. |
| I haven't read them (they are next on my list, after I finish the Philippa Gregory books - The Queen's Fool, The Other Boleyn Girl, etc).
LeAnne has them all, so I just need to wait until daughter Lisa in NY finishes the first 3 she took back to NY with her! |
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