Outlander
A Novel
Book - 2011
Twenty years ago, Diana Gabaldon swept readers into her mesmerizing world brimming with history, romance, and adventure. In celebration of the series that has captured the heart of millions, here is a special 20th anniversary edition of the novel that started it all--including a new essay, a new map, a CD with Outlander the musical, and more.
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient 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 is catapulted 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 love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire--and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Praise for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander novels
"Marvelous and fantastic adventures, romance, sex . . . perfect escape reading." -- San Francisco Chronicle , on Outlander
"History comes deliciously alive on the page." --New York Daily News , on Outlander
"Gabaldon is a born storyteller. . . . The pages practically turn themselves." -- The Arizona Republic , on Dragonfly in Amber
"Triumphant . . . Her use of historical detail and a truly adult love story confirm Gabaldon as a superior writer." -- Publishers Weekly , on Voyager
"Unforgettable characters . . . richly embroidered with historical detail." -- The Cincinnati Post , on Drums of Autumn
"A grand adventure written on a canvas that probes the heart, weighs the soul and measures the human spirit across [centuries]." --CNN , on The Fiery Cross
"The large scope of the novel allows Gabaldon to do what she does best, paint in exquisite detail the lives of her characters." -- Booklist , on A Breath of Snow and Ashes
"Features all the passion and swashbuckling that fans of this historical fantasy series have come to expect." -- People , on Written in My Own Heart's Blood
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Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
The Outlander Series
Fall into the world of Jamie and Claire and you'll always have a sanctuary when you need to find one in a book.
A fantastic read to take you away from it all. I've come back to the series several times and it's always satisfying. Even my husband likes them. Great historical content, page-turning adventure and a riveting love story (Jamie and Claire forever!)
How to explain... intricate historical fiction with a side of fantasy. James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser offered adventure, romance and danger while I was sleep deprived and covered in spit-up, and I fell into his world forever.
From the critics
Community Activity
Quotes
Add a Quote“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone,
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.”
Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone,
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.”
" Hanovers and Stuarts? To me, these were still no more than names on a chart on the schoolroom wall. What were they, compared with an unthinkable evil like Hitler's Reich? It made a difference to those who lived under the kings, I supposed, though the differences might seem trivial to me. Still, when had the right to live as one wished ever been trivial? Was a struggle to choose one's own destiny less worthwhile than the necessity to stop a great evil?"-Claire
" Aye, I believe ye, Sassenach. But it would ha' been a good deal easier if you'd only been a witch."-Jamie
" Ye need not be scairt of me. Nor of anyone here, so long as I'm with ye."-Jamie
" I wanted ye from the first time I saw ye-but I loved ye when you wept in my arms and let me comfort you, that first time at Leoch."-Jamie
" For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough."-Claire
" There are things that I canna tell you, at least not yet. And I'll ask nothing of ye that ye canna give me. But what I would ask of ye-when you do tell me something, let it be the truth. And I'll promise ye the same. We have nothing now between us, save-respect, perhaps. And I think that respect has maybe room for secrets, but not for lies. Do ye agree?"-Jamie
Notices
Add NoticesSexual Content: Although not explicit, there is quite a lot of sex in this book (mostly between consenting & married adults). There is one instance rape which, while not shown explicitly, may still be disturbing to some readers.
Summary
Add a SummaryEnglish nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall and husband Frank take a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in 1945. When Claire walks through a cleft stone in an ancient henge, she's somehow transported to 1743. She encounters Frank's evil ancestor, British captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and is adopted by another clan. Claire nurses young soldier James Fraser, a gallant, merry redhead, and the two begin a romance, seeing each other through many perilous, swashbuckling adventures involving Black Jack. Scenes of the Highlanders' daily life blend poignant emotions with Scottish wit and humor. Eventually Sassenach (outlander) Claire finds a chance to return to 1945, and must choose between distant memories of Frank and her happy, uncomplicated existence with Jamie.
EPLPicks_Teen
Apr 07, 2010
In Scotland with her husband on a second honeymoon after World War II, Claire enters a circle of stones and is transported back to the Battle of Culloden 200 years earlier, where she must marry a Scot to save her husband
Comment
Add a CommentYou will need LOTS of time to read this book as it's very thick with small print.
The first book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander follows Claire Randall as she travels to Scotland 1743 during the war between the Scottish and British. It is a historical romance novel and has been adapted into a television show of the same name, which I love very dearly. This is the only book in the series that I've read so far, but it was amazing and beware, there is a lot of sexual content. Outlander is an adult series with many scenes expressing sexuality. However, it is definitely one that I recommend, along with the tv show because of the incredible adaptation it is. It is incredibly faithful to the book, making both elements of media a need to see and read. 5/5 Stars. @SeraphinaWilliams of the Hamilton Public Library Teen Review Board
Book 1 in the Outlander series
The best Historical Romance of all time!
An epic adventure from start to finish!
Good. Parts were slow but the story line sucks you in.
Read in private when time allows
A great first book in the series! A long read but hard to put down. If you have watch the t.v. series, the book very closely matches it but the book is much better like most adapted books are. I highly recommend this read, it's funny, adventurous, emotional, sad, horrible and romantic all rolled up into one book! Enjoy!
Beautifully written with just the right amount of description and detail, this book will always be one of my favorites. Anyone who loves fantasy, romance, and/or historical fiction is sure to enjoy this book, as well as the sequels. Best of all, they turned the series into a TV show!
I have absolutely loved all of these books!! The fact that the author is from Arizona makes it even better. I have not watched the series but listening to the audio version of these books is astounding. Maybe you have already read the books, now try listening. I've listened and now I shall read the books. Wonderful books!!!