Diana Gabaldon
Outlander (1991)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Romance (Historical/Time-travel)
Plot Summary:
It's 1945, and former World War II nurse Claire Randall is vacationing in the Scottish Highlands with her husband when she is mysteriously flung backward in time. She finds herself, lost and alone, in 1743, in the midst of strife between different rival clans. Her life becomes increasing entangled with that of a young warrior, and fugitive from English justice, named Jamie Fraser. Soon, for the safety of both, they are contracted into a marriage of convenience. However, Claire soon finds herself torn between two lives, two times, and two vastly different men.
Geographical Setting: Scotland
Time Period: 1740's, 1945
Series: First in Outlander series
Appeal Characteristics:
This book, the winner of the 1992 RITA Members Golden Choice award, will appeal to those who enjoy their time-travel romance with a large helping of historical detail and realism. Gabaldon has clearly gone to great trouble to make 1740's Scotland feel real and three-dimensional. The setting is not just a veneer like in many historical romances; it is the driving force behind much of the plot and the characterization. The characters of the novel, especially Claire and Jamie, will also appeal to readers, as they are particularly strong and distinctive. In fact, the novel is told from Claire's point of view, so the reader identifies very closely with her. Another major appeal for many readers (and a reason to stay away for others) is that Gabaldon does not strictly follow the "rules" of the romance genre; this is not a story that ends when the two lovers come to an understanding and ride off into the sunset, but rather a story of a relationship that endures and changes. Despite the size of the book (over 600 pages!), the pace is quite fast, with plenty of adventure and characters in mortal peril to keep the reader turning the pages.
Read-alikes: Readers who enjoyed Outlander would also enjoy the rest of the series which continues the adventures of Claire and Jamie (Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and the recently published A Breath of Snow and Ashes). Readers who enjoyed the strong historical detail along with the enduring romance of Outlander should also enjoy Sara Donati's Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner series (Into the Wilderness). Readers who enjoy time-travel romance set in Scotland should also try Karen Marie Moning's RITA award winning Beyond the Highland Mist. Romance readers who enjoyed the historical detail of Gabaldon, don't mind a bit of historically-accurate violence, and especially enjoyed the Jacobite Rebellion setting, should try Martha Canham's three Scottish romances (Midnight Honor, The Pride of Lions, The Blood of Roses). Those readers who particularly enjoyed the time-travel combined with the historical fiction of Outlander should enjoy Nancy Bond's Another Shore; while lighter on romance, Bond's writes with much the same style as Gabaldon, with strong characters and vibrant historical settings.
Red Flags: Graphic sex; detailed descriptions of wounds and illness; some scenes of violence and torture; mild profanity
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