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A review by vicf99
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I quite enjoyed the first few series of the TV show and so thought I might also enjoy reading Outlander. And for the first 300 pages or so I did. However, the rest of the book has taken months to get through and there were many times I nearly gave up on it completely.
The first problem is that the book is simply too long. At least half of it could probably be cut out and the story would remain unchanged. There is even a 75 page chapter in which almost nothing at all happens. There are better ways to show the passage of time or characters slowly getting to know each other than endlessly dragging things out and boring the reader.
The second problem is the continuous rape and sexual assault. There are far too many scenes in which characters either experience or are threatened with sexual violence. Just because a book is historical fantasy does not mean these themes need to be present, especially to the extent they are in Outlander. Even consensual moments between characters often make reference to struggling and wanting to get away which may be intended as playful but in the context of the rest of the book are simply uncomfortable.
I really wanted to like Outlander and to begin with I thought I would. However, having finally finished it I won't be continuing the series or recommending it to anyone else.
The first problem is that the book is simply too long. At least half of it could probably be cut out and the story would remain unchanged. There is even a 75 page chapter in which almost nothing at all happens. There are better ways to show the passage of time or characters slowly getting to know each other than endlessly dragging things out and boring the reader.
The second problem is the continuous rape and sexual assault. There are far too many scenes in which characters either experience or are threatened with sexual violence. Just because a book is historical fantasy does not mean these themes need to be present, especially to the extent they are in Outlander. Even consensual moments between characters often make reference to struggling and wanting to get away which may be intended as playful but in the context of the rest of the book are simply uncomfortable.
I really wanted to like Outlander and to begin with I thought I would. However, having finally finished it I won't be continuing the series or recommending it to anyone else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse