Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
(Book #1 of Outlander series)
Rating: 🍁🍁🍁
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, it's a fascinating journey into the world of eighteenth century Highland Scots. The attention to detail, historical or otherwise, is commendable. The danger with so much detail is that the author will slip into lecture mode, but Gabaldon manages to seamlessly weave all the information into the narrative without it seeming forced or contrived. The result? I now know how to go about stabbing someone should I ever have to do so.
Gabaldon also indulges in some more philosophical reflections on humanity that I enjoyed, which is what made the adolescent emotions that seemed to permeate the story more disappointing. Like the characters in many other Oops, I've somehow ended up in another universe/time/planet/whatever stories, Claire never really seems to have a hard time with the whole experience. Yes, I know she has her moments of "What the hell have I gotten myself into", and I know that she's a practical minded nurse, but still. Shouldn't she have been a bit more, I don't know...freaked out?
Also, the whole "I'm in love with and married to both Frank and Jaime, but it's okay because Frank said he'd understand if I needed to commit adultery and besides, he's not really born yet anyway so technically we're not married yet, but we are, but the priest says it's okay so it must be okay" thing is a bit much.
So, an excellent story for the setting and quality of the writing, but a bit sub-par in terms of the emotional development and attempt at moral justification.
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