I started my book review blog in 2009 and I have read so many outstanding books that I wanted to share them again with my followers on #SegueSaturday.  I first posted this review in September 2011, but I actually first read this fantastic book when it came out in 1991.

Of course, most people have heard of Outlander by now since it became a series on STARZ, but when I finished this book for the first time, it blew my mind and the story stayed with me for years. So much so, that I read it again which is something I rarely do.

When I decided to listen to it on CD, it blew my mind once again with Davina Porter’s rich voice and wonderful dialects.  This is a book I will recommend over and over again. I even have my husband eagerly watching the series with me. 

Seriously, how good is it? Diana Gabaldon says:

What I used to say to people who saw me sitting outside a store with a pile of books and asked (reasonably enough), “What sort of book is this?”, was, “I tell you what. Pick it up, open it anywhere, and read three pages.  If you can put it down again, I’ll pay you a dollar.” 

I’ve never lost any money on that bet.

Enjoy!

MY REVIEW

Hold on for a terrific ride!

I have read this book two times…so far. The first was when it came out 20 years. Was it that long ago? And second when I recently listened to the audiobook on my ride to and from work every day. Even after all of these years, the story is still what I remembered. Brilliant! It has something for everyone. Time travel, romance, history, adventure, and evil villains to name a few.

Claire Randall is happily married to Frank Randall and they are on holiday in the highlands of Scotland in the 1940s when Claire is magically cast back in time to the 1740s and thrown into an era that changes her life completely. She meets a young Scot named Jamie Frasier with whom she marries for her safety and then the excitement begins. The heroes are breathtaking and the villains are pure evil.

After first reading this story 20 years ago, it stayed with me due to the wonderful writing and superb characterization. I also want to note that the narrator for the audiobook, Davina Porter, is fantastic! Her mastery of the Scottish, English and French accents is amazing and makes you feel like you are in the thick of it all.

I plan to read the series, which I did not do 20 years ago and look forward to the continuing saga of Claire and Jamie.

BUY THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Diana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Mexican-American and English descent. She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology.

She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Follow Diana on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.