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A review by paigeweb
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
Perhaps it was unfair of me to read the Outlander book after watching the show, because I can’t help but judge the first in comparison to its adaptation. If anything, setting the two against each other gives me a greater appreciation for how aptly the show alternately synthesizes/condenses and expands upon its source material... With this in mind, sections of the book felt bloated, surprisingly abrupt, or simply random by contrast.
Aside from (subjectively) inferior differences in terms of pacing and characterizations (Murtaugh is a prime example), I generally was impressed by Diana's prose. Her language is best employed in descriptive passages, where it flourishes, but sometimes flounders when it comes to dialogue... much of which felt awkward and unrealistic, even considering the archaic setting of the characters.
Aside from (subjectively) inferior differences in terms of pacing and characterizations (Murtaugh is a prime example), I generally was impressed by Diana's prose. Her language is best employed in descriptive passages, where it flourishes, but sometimes flounders when it comes to dialogue... much of which felt awkward and unrealistic, even considering the archaic setting of the characters.
Ultimately, I’m glad I gave this book a try but I’m unlikely to revisit it in the future and will likely stick to the STARZ series for the sequels.
P.S. The "Shape of Things" section at the end of this edition - an intimate look inside Diana's mind and at her writing process for the series - was really fascinating!