OUTLANDER SERIES: TIME TRAVEL VIA DIANA GABALDON

It’s ironic. The closing of my favorite bookstore (Borders) introduced me to my favorite writer, Diana Gabaldon (or Herself, as she is known to her fans). It happened during the early stages of Borders’ going-out-of business sale (sniff, sniff), when I was doing some serious shopping, perusing all the sections.

WELCOME TO OUTLANDER

A few years ago I had pretty much stopped reading fiction. I was wrapping up my masters in historic preservation, and even before that found myself drawn mainly to non-fiction titles for quite some time.

During my shopping at Borders, I spotted one of the later books in the Outlander series on a table, read the back matter and was fascinated…but wait, this sounds like a series…where is the first book? Ah-ha, found it!

I wasn’t even done with the first book when I was busy buying up the rest of the series!

Last week, I – got my mits on the newly released eighth book, Written in My Own Hearts Blood, and honestly, I am afraid to start it! Why? Because I know I won’t be able to put it down!

I have so much going on right now, but I have been waiting and waiting for this book! What do I do?

Needless to say, I could read this series over and over and over. Oh wait, I have read them over!

SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

No spoilers here, but the basis for the story is this: time travel! Yay! One of my most favorite topics, as many of you know! In the first book, Outlander (of course), our heroine Claire falls through time in a stone circle while on honeymoon in post-World War II Scotland, and finds herself in 1743, just before the Second Rising in Scotland.  Her English accent and strange attire immediately put her under suspicion.

Cool storyline, but it’s the telling that makes it special! These tomes are lush with detail. The characters pull you in; you won’t always like them, but they are inarguably engaging. Diana Gabaldon is the supreme storyteller. She weaves twists and turns that will take you by surprise; even take your breath away!

While the series revolves around the romantic relationship between twentieth century Claire and eighteenth century Jamie, there is something for everyone. It’s the perfect combination of passion, intrigue, historic events and detail, all interwoven with complex relationships.

The best part is…and one of the reasons I’ve chosen to blog about this fabulous series…Herself takes research very seriously, so you get a wonderful sense of what life was like over 250 years ago.

You are transported to another place and time. I find myself thinking in “Scottish”…I ken verra weel I dinna ha’ the Gaelic…but I sure think I do when in Outlander Mode! And now, if something upsets or baffles me I often think…dinna fash—what would Claire do?

COMING TO THE SMALL SCREEN!

I’m a big proponent of “the book is better than the movie” but I am super excited that Outlander is coming to TV in August on Starz! (I don’t have Starz. I will have Starz by August!)

 

DID I MENTION I KINDA LIKE THESE BOOKS?

I’m telling you, I cannot recommend this series enough! If you decide to check it out, be sure to start at the beginning. Outlander was first published in 1992, and I have to say I am glad I only came across the series a few years ago; it allowed me to read all the books in succession. Waiting for the latest installment has been torture!

I think I just answered my own question of whether or not to start the latest book…I’ve been waiting too long for this one not to jump in and start flipping those pages! Ok, gotta go…I’m hitching a ride to past…again!

Have you read the Outlander series? If so, how do you feel about it? Do you think in a Scottish accent too?

Would you want to time travel if given the opportunity?

I want to know, so share your thoughts in the comments below!