As I begin to type, I can't believe that it's November 2 and I am beginning to blog about my 52nd book of this year. I still have two more months of reading before the year is over, too. Those two months are sure to be filled with Dragon in Amber, the second in the Outlander series. Since the book is about 800 pages, and filled with Scottish history that I currently do not know, I suspect it will take me that long to finish it. Maybe longer since the Holidays are fast approaching.
Outlander is the first in a series of (I think) 9 books by Diana Gabaldon that is causing craziness amongst women my age and older (and maybe some younger). My friend, Scottie, told me that I HAD to read the book, but suggested that I first WATCH the first season on Starz (or get the DVDs) in order to more accurately understand what's happening in the book. I knew the book was set in the Scottish Highlands, there was lots of dialect and Gaelic for me to muddle through, and the thought of reading 600+ pages was intimidating, so I took her suggestion and watched the series. On my iPad, nonetheless. Scottie was right. It was so much better this way.
The series is addicting and when you watch it you will understand what I mean, but it provided such a great warm-up for the book that I also recommend watching it before reading the book. And watching the series ruined NOTHING from the book. In fact, it helped me know the characters, their voices, and their Gaelic phrases which, in my opinion, only helped me to better appreciate the beautiful novel even more. The producer of the series took the 600 page book and divided it into 16 one hour TV shows. He pretty much included everything in the book in the series, with only a few minor exceptions. And, if your watch this on Starz Play, you can get a 3 minute bonus segment after each episode which explains why each one was done the way it was done. It's awesome background information. Honestly, I am anxious about reading the second book without the aid of the TV series to help me. I suppose I could wait until April until season 2 came on TV, but I don't think that I can. I want to read on!
Outlander is set in 1945 in Post-war Scotland and it begins as the story of Claire and Frank Randall, as they set out to rekindle a marriage separated by six long years of war. During a second honeymoon to Scotland, Claire ends up traveling back in time to 1745 (it's more realistic than it sounds, trust me!) and becomes separated from Frank, yet determined to make it back home to him. During this separation, Claire, out of necessity, joins the Mackenzie clan and marries James Fraser out of a need for basic protection. Outlander then transition into the beautiful love story of Jamie and Claire, but it's not without the trials and tribulations of typical life in 1745 (which is no picnic). Claire is quite literally thrown back in time and has to adjust and think fast on her feet just to survive. Once you throw into the mix that Jamie is a wanted man with a price on his head, you are in for a story like no other.
I am typically not a fan of time-travel stories, but this one is amazing and worth the time you will take to read the story and watch the TV series. It is a commitment, however. Now that I know that there are about 7 more books for me to read and that Outlander is the skinniest of them all at 600 or so pages, it seems that my reading material over the next four or five years has been determined. I will read them all! And since I know that the TV season 3 is already in the works, I may be set for TV watching for the next decade, too!
This is a good one. A must-read.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
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