Outlander Series discussion

This is just a fun thing to see how you found the Series and maybe how it has impacted your life. Do you see life differently? Do you see the characters in the people around you? What influanced you the most about the story?

I found the series when my daughter, while working in the university offices, talked with a co-worker and the co-worker was into them. Chelsi, my daughter, read the first book and recomended it to me. I had never read a time travel book, or one that was so detailed about Scotland and the time period. I really fell in love with Jamie, though since I am a red head I like to think of him with blonder hair, and his sense of honor.

Though Jamie is much more fierce than my father, he does remind me of him. My Dad was a very truthful and honorable person. If someone took advantage of him he would never have returned that favor. Taking a loss would have been better than taking advantage. Jamie is also a tireless person. That is also true of my Father and my Husband. Somehow they can work forever, long after I have given up. Jamies sense of family is also a reminder of both my Father and Husband. They were and are very dedicated to our family. Doing anything possible for our children. Including letting them make mistakes, and learn from them.

I now have a great desire to travel to Scotland and see what it is truely like there. Our family lienage is from Scotland and Ireland and England. So it would be interesting to find out more. But the way of life is what really interests me. I hope that it hasn't changed to the point that it is just like America. I want it to be a little more old world, more slow pace of life.

I think what has influanced me about the story is that I want to fight for what my world is going to be like. Not that I'm an Activist, but that I have to be more in control of how things effect my life and what influance I have in it. Right now with the Economy being what it is I see many people panicing. I don't think that it is helpful to any of us to panic. I want to take charge of my life, just like Jamie and Claire, and change what I can, and accept what I can't. Thier courage in the story is inspirational to me. The way they handle problems, like when Bree is raped, and accept that they can't change what has happened but can help out the best they can is wonderful. They use experience mixed with common sense to find answers to problems, and live with the consequenses. I like that.

But the true inspiration is their love for each other. In today's world it is hard to find that kind of dedication to each other. They not only love each other when they are young, but continue to love and admire each other while aging. They way Jamie sees Claire as she gets older is sweet and wonderful to me. I think that I'm a total romantic when it comes to that. I want people to grow old together and appreciate each other along the way. True Love is still around, it is just a little hard to find sometimes. But let's all just keep looking.

Wendy wrote: "This is just a fun thing to see how you found the Series and maybe how it has impacted your life. Do you see life differently? Do you see the characters in the people around you? What influanced yo..."
I was in West Palm Beach Florida on a Business trip and I was with a collegue that I really didn't know at all at that time . We went to a very large bookstore that was in walking distance to our hotel to pass some time. I was just getting into knitting to pass the time I spent weekly on airplanes. She recommended Outlander and several other books, I bought everything she suggested. Outlander however, was the last book I started to read (this past October) I kept putting it aside...Well need I say more!! I have been hooked ever since.
One thing that I have noticed from reading all the blogs about this series, is that I read too fast and miss lots of important things! I don't think I have ever read anything that was sooooo analyzed soooo much!! It's rather facinating!

I think that the true inspiration of the book is the love and committment that Jamie and Claire have for one another and for the folks around them.
Ditto Wendy for all that you have said !!! I too would love to travel to Scotland! My family is Italian and I would love to go to Italy also...,but Scotland really is calling me!
I also think that courage is a main focus in this book, and through adversity one can still maintain the high ground and rise above.
My daughter this past weekend was held-up at gunpoint and is VERY BLESSED to be alive,the police stated that they did not think that this thug's intentions were to rob her...luckily an aquaintance drove up at the right time and rescued her....Courage in this day in age can be very difficult! but with all the evil and bad out there, I do believe that there are many good souls still around!!! not to mention guardian angels! I will Always keep looking for the good! I'm sick of the bad!!

I was introduced to the series by an old co-worker. She was planning her own Celtic outdoor wedding and one day we struck up a conversation about Scottish romances.... she recommended I read Outlander and I've been hooked ever since (this had to be at least 8 years ago). It was also around the same time that Braveheart came out in the theaters, which just added to my Scottish fascination. I love reading the books while listening to that soundtrack.

A co-worker was reading them a long time ago and suggested that I read them. The only thing she told me was that they were romantic novels about a time traveler. At that time I thought no way. Not my type of book. Then another co-worker insisted I try them and convinced me that it was NOT a science fiction romance. I am so glad I tried them. I was instantly hooked. It has been a really long time since I have found a book - let alone a series of books- that has kept so involved in the characters.

I agree with you Wendy on what you said aobut the characters having so much courage and the ability to face their problems with common sense and live with the consequences of their actions. I can't wait for the next book.

GoodReads reviews introduced me to Outlander and it was love at first read. It had been described as great historical fiction and that was enough for me... it hooked me from the first few pages. First I loved reading about Scotland which I knew little about and then it took me to one of my favorite history chapters-- early Americana-- and despite the detail-laden pages, every book has been worthy of 4-5 stars...

I was introduced to the Outlander series on Quitnet(the quit smoking website). Now the series is my addiction!!

Angela wrote: " I was introduced to the Outlander series on Quitnet(the quit smoking website). Now the series is my addiction!! "
Angela that is a great !!!!!!!!!

I found this series via my mother. She's never read a book from cover to cover twice over before the first book in the series, so I knew it had to be good!
Also, it has been my experience that this series spreads like a wild fire! Now I've gotten many people hooked on it! I even get random people in coffee shops coming up to me wanting to talk about the book because they too are such big fans.

Cynthia, I'm so sorry that your daughter had such a scarry experience. I'm grateful that everything turned out well, and that it has changed your perception of the world.

That is what books do. They change our perceptions of the world and people around us. With a books influance we can make our own reality.

I'm so glad that Angela found Outlander and was able to quit her smoking habit. Although I've been accused of being addicted to books, my husband thinks as long as it isn't drugs or alcohol I'm okay. hehehe

Keep writing your experiences and thoughts about the books and your life. Love to all!

Thank you, you are so sweet! Yes, it was a wakeup call for all of us to be aware of our surroundings! She has been very courageous.

Claire had to be extremly courageous especially after first going through the stones, she never let her fear overide, for the most part, rational thinking. She was impetuous at times, but is able to keep her wits about her.

I also think it would have been very scary for Claire to go back to her "real time", can you imagine what was going through her mind? Not to mention attempting to conceal her grief and explain things without looking like a complete loon. They probably would have locked me up and thrown away the key!

I saw the Drums of Autumn in the library and rented it but couldn't get into it so... returned it and looked whether they had the first book. They didn't. So I gave up.

Until last year there was a big book fair in Amsterdam and again I saw the Drums of Autumn sold second hand. So I thought to myself: ok, let's try again. I bought it and read it and loved it :) And then in about 4 months I was through the whole series so far.

And don't worry about reading too fast, that's why books are so great: you can always read them again. Not everyone wants to know all the minute details and then theorize about it all (those people are sometimes called Hard Core Fan Freaks, for example and I used to be one, but for another book series). But Outlander stands out foremost for its story and characters.

What are you trying to say Doris? Of coarse we are hard core Fan Freaks here! hehehe

I didn't know if I would like the story at first as well. It took me a while to get to it after my daughter lent it to me, but then it really captured my attention.

I think that Clair is impetuous at times because she comes from the future where things are nnot so strict. Women have much more freedom in the 20th century compared to the 18th. I don't think I would have lasted long there at all. Jamie would have had to beat me ofton. (I'm still not sure about that part.)

:P I'm trying to say that the important bit is to enjoy the book(s) and not worry about noticing all the details.

Hard core FAN Freak here!!!

I found the series at Booksfree.com. It was one of their recommendations. Of course they played up the romance bit and that's usually not by style of book. I can't really say why I decided to give it a try. I was looking for something new to read, so I rented it. Fell in love with Jamie and Claire's story! Read Outlander four times while waiting to get the second book and it progressed from there. I've hooked two other people on the series since then by just sending them the first book.

Haha the influence? I enjoy all of the 'luxuries' we have more. If I'm showering I'm thinking how glad I am to have hot, running water and body wash instead of a stream or wash basin with a fat based soap. I'm glad I can get a fever without it being fatal.

But I do notice that things, everyday things, seem to just be more important to the people there. Jamie and Claire never have the trouble of being distracted by leisurely pursuits. He's not watching too much football and Claire's not out running the kids around and shopping. Jamie is vital to their survival and so is Claire. They have important things to think about, and work together for. I think we lack that today. Men lack that. Being really, really needed by the family. Being useful and necessary. Having clear roles. I think men like that. Having a defined role. I like that DG really does like men. You can tell it from the story. I mean the creature that is a man.

Oh, Doris, one of the joys of these books is finding details. DG is fabulous for putting in things that you never noticed before. Things that tie other things together in the continuation of the story. I'm not a fan freak. I just appreciate her cleverness. She IS very, very clever. The fun is in the details. Putting two and two together. If I had a series of books that I worked this hard on and put in these details it would be a delight to have readers who found them. I'd know I had a thinking audience for my books. These aren't just historical books they're lush with details. Diana is a great writer.

Renee,
I could not agree with you more...on everything you stated! The ins and outs of the story, those hidden details,are what keep us reading over and over again!
love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is what I love about these books. You can read them once and really enjoy them and you can read them over and over and still really enjoy them and find something new in them. It is very rare to find a book let alone a series of books that you can analyze and pull apart and keep reading and still love.

I love that we can re-read these books. The first time that I read them I was frustrated by all of the detail. I wanted the stoy to move faster. But now that I have read them a couple of times I appreciate the details more. I tried really hard to visualize what DG wrote on my last time through.

I very much agree Renee! There are parts that are so hard to read because they're so real - I almost fainted in a crowded tram when I read the scene where Jaime and Claire find the dead slave woman in the mill... the drip-drip of the blood onto the floor...

But not just that, sometimes it's the casual (or, in some cases deliberate) pain people cause other people, and I don't mean just physical pain. The only other writer I can think of who is as emotionally hard to read with as pacy tempo and gripping story is Robin Hobb.

Also, for me personally it's just SUCH a relief to read a historical novel that is actually good on the details and atmosphere. Not having to make tiny remarks ("yes, but she's forgotten about..." or "well, kind of, but it's a generalization" or, worst of all "anachronism!") in my head all the time :)

Oh, I agree Doris. At first I reacted 'Ugh, why did she have to give the details?' on my first reading of the Jamie/Randall encounter. Then I realized that a lot of books just pass things like that over. The hero or heroine might be somewhat traumatized, but we never really know why.



I think, for a lot of writers, it's just somewhere they're not willing to go. To really impart to the reader what happened. The bare, nasty facts of it. I never get the feeling with DG that it's gratuitous. If I did, I wouldn't continue to read.



I do really hate a lot of plot holes or having to suspend belief a great deal. These books flow and really are like time travelling because you completely lose track of the time while reading! In an a instant you look up at a clock and it's two hours later. :) Because you get so involved with what's happening. They're mini standing stones these books. They just drag you in and don't let you go.

I must have discovered the series in late high school or early college - it's been so long! Outlander had the cheesy romance cover, I almost passed it over. I've been hooked ever since, must be on my 3rd or 4th re-reading ay this point.

The characters are so real, I just get totally absorbed. The details are wonderful - not an easy mindless read, it makes you think.

I definately want to travel to Scotland one day, I wonder if anyone has put together an "Outlander tour"?

I haven't heard of any tours before Stephanie, but that would really be great. Though I have talked to a freind that went and spent a couple of years in Scotland, and some of the places portrayed in the book are fictitous. There really isn't a Criag na Dun Stone Circle, or Lollybrock, yet there are certainly places very similar. I've looked on Wickipedia about Culledon Feild and the battle. She had many of the details correct. DG certainly does her research.

Stephanie wrote: "I must have discovered the series in late high school or early college - it's been so long! Outlander had the cheesy romance cover, I almost passed it over. I've been hooked ever since, must be o..."
I heard there are dedicated "Outlander Tours" I would love to go with a group of fans!! How fun would that be?

I think an Outlander Tour is an excellent idea.
Getting back to the reasons for why we love the series ,I think it is the strong charachters. I also love to pick up one of the books and just reread a particular story line. One of my favorite things about them are the stories within a story. My newest thing is listening to Outlander on audio, been learning a lot about pronunciation, only now when I read I have Davina Porter's voice in my head.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!!!

Speaking of Mom's, Do you ever wonder why Claire doesn't get pregnent when she comes back to Jamie? Then when she is kidnapped and raped they are suddenly worried that she could be pregnent from that. Maybe they weren't concerned about it, thinking that if it happened, Okay. But the book talks about how Claire doesn't want any more children when they find that baby of the lady that Lisps. (the traders wife that owned Joe and Kezzie)

I would think that since she is in her late forties when she returns it would be difficult for her to get pregnant, since us ladies are born with only a certain amount of eggs with age our child bearing years are numbered.( thank goodness!)
We all have heard of couples who try and try to get pregnant and seem to be unable to conceive until they adopt a child, then they end up pregnant; well, research has shown that when women are very stressed they produce an enzyme that can basically kill sperm, hence why most rapes do not produce pregnancies, along with couples who are also stressed and frustrated trying to conceive. Once the ladies relax the magic happens!

So..I found an Outlander tour website.
www.celticjourneys.us/tours/2010/outl...
I am seriously thinking of saving up for a 2010 trip.
So is that too obsessive?

I think that is awesome Angela! I think you should go for it! I plan to do the same, why not


















I think you should go for it!!

My friend and I found that odd, the stress over Claire maybe being pregnant. She's having hotflashes in Fiery Cross.

And since she has dangerous pregnancies I could not understand why she'd not have 'the operation' before she went back. It would have killed her to get pregnant again, so I don't get that.

(Shouldn't this be in the 'spoiler discussions' area?)

--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com

Good point Renee!

Sorry, I didn't think about what area I was writing in. If your new to Outlander, just ignore me.

For more on this go to new topic, Claire's Return.

Stephanie wrote: "I must have discovered the series in late high school or early college - it's been so long! Outlander had the cheesy romance cover, I almost passed it over. I've been hooked ever since, must be o..."

They do have an outlander tour in Scotland. I don't know much about it though. I found it when I was researching tours because we want to visit. I think it's in August/September. If you google outlander tour Scotland you will find it.

When I worked at Waldenbooks about 3 years ago, customers kept suggesting it to me because I like historical fiction. Well, we had it in the romance section and I admit - I'm a bit of a book snob and didn't want to read a romance book. I eventually saw Outlander in my library's used book store for 99 cents and bought it. I tried reading it but after like 20 pages gave up.
Then about 2 years ago I starting dating my current honeyman. He had read Outlander in college for a class and told me I should read it and how much I would probably like it. So, I re-started it and stuck with it and ended up loving it! He then continued to buy me the whole series and I've had an addiction to Outlander since :-)

One of my coworkers was reading the books and recommended them. I was a goner when I finished Outlander! I am so excited for September to get here! By the way, I new to the group.

Welcome Tracy! We all love them like you do!!

I used to work in a public libary, and was able, as one of the "perks" browse the new books before they went out on the shelves. I liked historical romance,Scotland, and just liked the cover. So I read it before all the hoopla!! Of course I always tried to be the first to snag them when they came out. After I quit that job, I had to put my name on the waiting list like everyone else :( The last two, I broke down and bought them because I just couldn't bear the 30+ on the library waiting list!

I understand about the waiting list thing. I don't think that I could wait either.

I own all of the books in paperback, Echo will probably come out in hardbacka nd be expensive, but I don't think that I will be able to wait. I'll just have to go ahead and buy it. I'll re-read it over and over, so no waiting lists for me.

I actually picked it up in 1992 and have been recommending it to all my friends and co-workers. I own all of them in Hard (to keep on my book shelve) and paper back (for ease of reading). Wendy....you might look into used book stores. The one that I go to buys Hardbacks if they aren't released in paper backs yet. I have done it with quite a few that I couldn't wait for then got them agian in paperback to complete my collection.

My mom gave me Outlander to take on a camping trip. When I got back I gave the book back to my mom and told her I did not have time to read it. She refused to take the book back and she told me to find the time. Which I did because you do what your mom tells you to. I fell in love and now recommend it too all my friend.
Outlander is the book that started my reading faddish. I have been out of control since trying to find books to read that can compare to Outlander. When I was done with the series I was actually sad and lost. I started to read a lot and have a true addiction know.

Angela wrote: "So..I found an Outlander tour website.
www.celticjourneys.us/tours/2010/outl...
I am seriously thinking of saving up for a 2010 trip.
So is that too obsessive?"

NO

NO, can I go with you! I want to go so bad and noone will go with me!!!!

I was in the book store yesterday and came across this series. I didn't buy the book because I wanted to come on and investigate what everyone's thoughts were prior to buying. It appears there are a lot of people that love these books. Makes me more intrigued to go buy it. I am wondering if it is a real page turner? I noticed they are somewhat thick books so I wondered if they would keep my interest.

Peggy-- get the first book from the library-- best way to test drive a big book! Great series!

The bigger the better when it comes to this series! You never want them ( or at least I don't) to end!!

I went to half price books and they didn't have the first one which also makes me think that they are good books. lolol. I think I will take Heidi up on her suggestion and swing by the library. Wish me luck

Good luck Peggy and happy reading! Each book gets better and better! Let us know how you like them.

The Library is still out of Dragonfly in Amber, I'm reading this all out of whack!

My library didn't have it. I am going to just break down and purchase the book. I have coupons!!