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A review by zena_ryder
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
4.0
We learn on the very first page that "the widow" has killed her own husband and is on the run from her twin brothers-in-law. The story grips the reader into that action at the very beginning. And the writer succeeds in having us sympathize with the widow, Mary Boulton, without us knowing why she killed her husband. We find ourselves on her side, even though we know she's killed someone.
Part of the tension at the beginning of the book — in addition to whether she gets caught or not — is why and how she killed her husband. I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed in the story when it's revealed (gradually). It's basically what you expect.
The pacing was sometimes off, such as the domestic interlude with the pugilistic preacher in Frank. This went on a bit long for me, with nothing much happening (until the famous Frank slide) except the gradual revealing of backstory. I also felt that her escape from prison using a silver table knife was unrealistic. (And she had no trouble stealing the horse, even though we're told early on that animals don't like her.)
I also really didn't like the ending.
However, despite various flaws, I very much enjoyed this book. At times, the language is beautifully evocative and I like the Mary character. I'm definitely planning to read Adamson's follow-up book, The Ridgerunner.
Part of the tension at the beginning of the book — in addition to whether she gets caught or not — is why and how she killed her husband. I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed in the story when it's revealed (gradually). It's basically what you expect.
The pacing was sometimes off, such as the domestic interlude with the pugilistic preacher in Frank. This went on a bit long for me, with nothing much happening (until the famous Frank slide) except the gradual revealing of backstory. I also felt that her escape from prison using a silver table knife was unrealistic. (And she had no trouble stealing the horse, even though we're told early on that animals don't like her.)
I also really didn't like the ending.
However, despite various flaws, I very much enjoyed this book. At times, the language is beautifully evocative and I like the Mary character. I'm definitely planning to read Adamson's follow-up book, The Ridgerunner.