Zemfirka Blogs

What a story!

I just finished this novel a few days ago and am surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I’ve been hesitant to pick it up even though many have recommended it to me and it has great reviews and a devout following (from what I hear). It’s been on my TBR list for awhile and I admit I have avoided reading this for quite some time, but I am very glad that I gave it a chance.

Before I delve further in, I must say that this is primarily a review of an audiobook read by Davina Porter. It is also the first audiobook I have not previously read, so I did not have any prior expectations for characters’ voices. Even then, I did struggle initially with the narrator through the beginning of the story. I felt Ms. Porter’s voice was not appropriate for that of the main heroine – Claire Randall; but as the novel progressed I’ve come to respect the narrator’s ability to “portray” the characters and even began to enjoy the style of her reading. So, I would highly recommend giving this audiobook a try (it is a great commuter companion).

Outlander is a historical romance novel with elements of fantasy, time-travel, and perhaps a bit of magic thrown in. It transports the reader, and the main character, from the 1945 post war Scotland to the clan-raiding Highlands of 1743 where Claire’s adventures begin and so does readers’ love affair with Jamie Fraser.

This was one very long story, so I can’t even begin to describe all the ups and downs, happiness and sorrow, love and hate encompassed in this book. It was truly an emotional roller coaster. I hated and loved these characters. I rooted for them, and then was incredibly mad at them. But most of all there were parts that seemed to be too detailed and those that were not detailed enough: little things that picked my interest and sent my ears on the wild chase for answers; and chapters upon chapters of descriptive Highlands’ landscapes and life therein that seemed to have no end. When I first started the novel, I felt it dragged on slowly. I whined my way through, almost ready to give up. But as the ending approached, and realizing there were mere minutes left in the audibook – I was suddenly desperate for the story to continue – so many loose ends felt left untouched. Happily, there are still many more books in the series; and Ms. Gabaldon is yet to complete it with the currently published novels, which stand at 7 (or 8?) books. So, without any further hesitation I picked up the second “audio”-volume in the Outlander saga hoping that my answers will finally be found…