Any fans of Diana Gabaldon (Outlander) novels?

[smy3th]

Just curious how many read and loved or hated any of these. I guess they are mostly chick-books, but they were pretty sexy, and the time travel out-of-time aspect is a device that I have always found intriguing.
For those unfamiliar, quoting from her website:

Diana Gabaldon is the bestselling author of the Outlander series, featuring Jamie Fraser, an 18th-century Scotsman, and Claire, his 20th-century wife. The Fiery Cross is the fifth book in the award-winning series and is available from your local bookseller. The next book in the series, tentatively titled A Breath of Snow and Ashes, will be published 27 September 2005.
Diana has begun a new mystery series featuring Lord John Grey, a character to whom we were first introduced in the Outlander series. Lord John and the Private Matter is a novel on bookshelves now. Lord John Grey and the Succubus is a novella featured in the fantasy anthology: LEGENDS II: New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy.

I have not read any of the Lord John Grey novels. That character never really interested me.

I have to say that after reading the books, it added a little something to touring Scotland and seeing all the standing stones all over the countryside.

 

[morewickedfun]

I love her and her books.
hot and steamy.

 

[Adrenaline]

I've heard a lot about her but have never tried her books, mostly because I'm not a fan of the time-travel plot line.

 

[Boobyprize]

started well, but then faded fast. she realised she was onto a winner and carried on writing far beyond when the story should have finished.

 

[honeylick]

started well, but then faded fast. she realised she was onto a winner and carried on writing far beyond when the story should have finished.

i agree. but i love them nonetheless... and have read all 5 books at least a dozen times. i am drawn to them for the storytelling... the imagery is vivid without being overwhelming and it's like she transports you not only into the room for conversation, but also into the characters minds for the rest of the dialogue.

as for the steamy parts, well, they were terribly romantic laced with a little debauchery, but hardly erotica.

 

[Merrymaker]

I enjoyed the first two...good escapist reads.

 

[smy3th]

started well, but then faded fast. she realised she was onto a winner and carried on writing far beyond when the story should have finished.

I agree that the the plot declined as she went along. It had its ups and downs, but I think she wore it out. I thought it was a mistake to move them to America, but I suppose after 1745, it got hard to maintain a plot based on a swashbuckling Scot in Scotland. I don't think she expected to have to write a whole series, and she didn't plan ahead on ways to leave places for the plot to go.

 

[Fata Morgana]

I love these books, especially the first two. But...I do like anything with a time-travel theme.

The last one, The Fiery Cross, was a severe letdown though. The wedding (that never happened) at the beginning seemed to go on forever. It picked up about two thirds in again though, but she did seem to lose her edge a bit. That Jamie Fraser though....phwoaar!

The next one 'A Breath of Snow and Ashes' (I think) is supposed to be out later this year isn't it?

Have you tried any Sara Donati? Writes in a similar fashion. The first of her series - Into The Wilderness - sort of picks up where Last Of The Mohicans ends. Quite good.

 

[dclabrecque]

Yes - my favorite books ever. Book six is due out late sept. I just drug out the others with the intent to read all five before #6 comes outso all is fresh. I'm not usually a fan of time travel. With five books, the characters are so developed, I feel like I know them, and am always sad to finish one.

 

[perks]

I have a signed copy of the fiery cross. neener neener

 

[smy3th]

So, I guess I'm the only guy that's read these books. Does that mean I'm gay, or what? Must be, "or what".

 

[Fata Morgana]

So, I guess I'm the only guy that's read these books. Does that mean I'm gay, or what? Must be, "or what".

Nah...my friend's husband has read them and thoroughly enjoyed them all.

 

[perks]

So, I guess I'm the only guy that's read these books. Does that mean I'm gay, or what? Must be, "or what".

Although, you're the only guy I know who has read them, unless you particularly appreciated the Fraser getting fucked in the ass part, I'd say no, you're not gay you just like the in depth and original story line.

 

[smy3th]

Although, you're the only guy I know who has read them, unless you particularly appreciated the Fraser getting fucked in the ass part, I'd say no, you're not gay you just like the in depth and original story line.

No, that really didn't turn me on at all. How was it for you?

 

[smy3th]

Nah...my friend's husband has read them and thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Ah, that explains it. You probably know he read them only because his wife told you. Men read them; they just don't like to admit it.

 

[perks]

No, that really didn't turn me on at all. How was it for you?

not a turn on at all, I believe *trying to remember back* I think I actually shed real tears during that part.

 

[Fata Morgana]

not a turn on at all, I believe *trying to remember back* I think I actually shed real tears during that part.

That bit was awful.

Don't you think she downplayed Black Jack Randall's death? Seemed to really gloss over that. And the death of Fraser's friend...what was his feckin name? Was it Murtagh? Or am I thinking of Lethal Weapon?

 

[perks]

That bit was awful.

Don't you think she downplayed Black Jack Randall's death? Seemed to really gloss over that. And the death of Fraser's friend...what was his feckin name? Was it Murtagh? Or am I thinking of Lethal Weapon?

I can't think I have to remember, but yeah I do think the death was just jumped over, like she was bored with the whole situation, and wanted to get on with her other story lines. The cool thing about her stories is that the emotions are so real, except for that bit. It left it feeling flat instead of multi- dimensional.

 

[Fata Morgana]

I can't think I have to remember, but yeah I do think the death was just jumped over, like she was bored with the whole situation, and wanted to get on with her other story lines. The cool thing about her stories is that the emotions are so real, except for that bit. It left it feeling flat instead of multi- dimensional.

And this is the bit that I keep going back to...

Do you remember right at the beginning of Cross Stitch (think it's called Outlander on your side of the pond) before Claire travelled through the stones, a big red-haired guy was looking up at her bedroom window (Fraser I guess), Frank saw him watching her and then he disappeared down the street.

She's never explained this. Was he a ghost? Did Jamie manage to time travel then? Will it be explained in the next book? I hope so...

This one bugs the shit out of me!

 

[perks]

And this is the bit that I keep going back to...

Do you remember right at the beginning of Cross Stitch (think it's called Outlander on your side of the pond) before Claire travelled through the stones, a big red-haired guy was looking up at her bedroom window (Fraser I guess), Frank saw him watching her and then he disappeared down the street.

She's never explained this. Was he a ghost? Did Jamie manage to time travel then? Will it be explained in the next book? I hope so...

This one bugs the shit out of me!

oh lord, it's been years, I mean I read that first one, ok devoured it, years ago...

Did you read the Companion?

 

[Fata Morgana]

oh lord, it's been years, I mean I read that first one, ok devoured it, years ago...

Did you read the Companion?

I only read them about 3 years back. On a mad whim I bought the first 4 together (good job I enjoyed them). When she's finished with the series I think I'll go back and start them all over again.

No, not read the Companion. I read the Companion to the Mayfair Witches/Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice and it kinda spoilt it for me. I know it's a bit daft, but reading those kind of books, make the characters seem less real for me somehow.

 

[perks]

I only read them about 3 years back. On a mad whim I bought the first 4 together (good job I enjoyed them). When she's finished with the series I think I'll go back and start them all over again.

No, not read the Companion. I read the Companion to the Mayfair Witches/Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice and it kinda spoilt it for me. I know it's a bit daft, but reading those kind of books, make the characters seem less real for me somehow.

this one wasn't so bad in that respect, and it did answer LOTS of the questions. It was more of a content describer than a spoiler, for me.

 

[lovetoread]

I think she goes into too much detail and forgets the bigger picture. Dont get me wrong, overall, her stories are good, in my opinion. I loved the man on man interaction, but sometimes getting through the smallest details was hard to do.

 

[Weird Harold]

So, I guess I'm the only guy that's read these books. Does that mean I'm gay, or what? Must be, "or what".

Nope, I've read them as well and enjoyed all of them.

I wouldn't put them a the top of my favorites list but they're not anywhere close to the bottom either.

 

[smy3th]

And this is the bit that I keep going back to...

Do you remember right at the beginning of Cross Stitch (think it's called Outlander on your side of the pond) before Claire travelled through the stones, a big red-haired guy was looking up at her bedroom window (Fraser I guess), Frank saw him watching her and then he disappeared down the street.

She's never explained this. Was he a ghost? Did Jamie manage to time travel then? Will it be explained in the next book? I hope so...

This one bugs the shit out of me!

Good point. I hadn't actually remembered that specifically, but I did keep feeling she'd left out some explanations.