Reviews

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

glenn_toto's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

It was fine. Not nearly as good as people made it out to be when they were trying to convince me to read it. I found Claire to be more likable at the beginning of the book and found I liked her less and less as the story went on. Jamie is fine I guess. I liked the world building. I didn’t like the rape, domestic violence, and how the only “queer” character was sadistic and a “freak”. Poor representation, but I get that it was written a while ago and is meant to be representative of people in the 1700s. Again, it was fine. 
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cam_shopaholic's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

4.5

nesssiie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

5.0

elfbread's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book, but it wasn't quite as good as some other historical fictions I have read. I'll probably continue reading the series and watch the Starz mini-series when it comes out. I'm not a huge fan of time-travel in stories so that took some getting use to, but the characters were very enjoyable in this book. Loved Claire and Jamie.

lillyfraser's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

amanda_rw's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

5.0

emspeid's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

carlottacauthon's review against another edition

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4.5

Very gripping and the writing style and characters are amazing, but very brutal and gruesome in descriptions of torture and mutilation

mistressviolet's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
Beautiful writing and a story of love and survival set in 1743 Scotland. Great worldbuilding. The historic elements really encompassed the era in which the book is set. 


That being said, it's worth stating the obvious—men in the 1700s were pretty ugh. They got away with a lot of shit that wouldn't be acceptable nowadays. So, while it does add to the historical accuracy, you have to go into this one with some altered expectations: patriarchy reigns supreme, there are instances of physical brutality, numerous occasions of rape, and other assorted unpleasantries. 


Still, I found this quite a thought-provoking read—constantly asking myself what I would do if I were Claire. 

raedanni's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm not sure how to even review this novel. It was so epic and detailed that I am amazed at the talent of Diana Gabaldon. I love the characters and the story so much, everyone feels so real. I cannot wait to get more into this series. Jamie and Claire are so great together despite all the troubles that they continued to face throughout the book. :)