Outlander Book Series - Question if you read the whole series

[ronandannette]

I agree! Directv had a free binge-a-thon where you could watch certain shows for free even if you don't subscribe to the channel over Christmas. I watched outlander and enjoyed it so much I went out and got the first book. I actually checked the series out from the library and watched it again after reading book 1. The actor who plays Jamie

I had exactly the opposite experience. I watched Season 1 of the series when it was broadcast. I love sci-fan; it's my favourite genre and felt pretty mislead when I actually started reading the books and discovered the story is basically a historical romance instead. I gave away the beautifully-bound box set I received last Christmas without even finishing the 2nd volume.

 

[nugov2]

I had exactly the opposite experience. I watched Season 1 of the series when it was broadcast. I love sci-fan; it's my favourite genre and felt pretty mislead when I actually started reading the books and discovered the story is basically a historical romance instead. I gave away the beautifully-bound box set I received last Christmas without even finishing the 2nd volume.

I like both genres, but I didn't really get a sci-fi vibe when I watched the tv series though. It definitely does not fall into that genre in the books I've read so you did the right thing if historical fiction isn't your thing.

Have you watched Orphan Black? That's a great sci-fi show that doesn't get talked about a lot...of course not based on books so nothing to read. I'm assuming you've read/watch Game of Thrones.

 

[ronandannette]

I like both genres, but I didn't really get a sci-fi vibe when I watched the tv series though. It definitely does not fall into that genre in the books I've read so you did the right thing if historical fiction isn't your thing.

Have you watched Orphan Black? That's a great sci-fi show that doesn't get talked about a lot...of course not based on books so nothing to read. I'm assuming you've read/watch Game of Thrones.

Not science-fiction, science-fantasy (heavy on the fantasy) like the Wheel of Time series, if you're familiar with that. I actually really liked where the show put the emphasis on certain aspects of Claire's "time-shift" in the first season. I was looking for more of that and less bodice-ripping.

 

[lizabu]

Frank describes the man/spirit he saw and based upon his description we know it is Jamie. We do not get to hear about it from Jamie's perspective yet but Diana has hinted that the story will be told. Based on the age of the man Frank describes many fans believe that perhaps Jamie had an out of body experience at Cullodan. I am obsessed with this book series and I'm my second time through (including the Lord John books and the bridges). The show is my favourite too.

 

[AndieKay]

I've read the series many, many times. Every time she puts out a new book, I re-read the series so I'm all caught up and ready for the new one. And I love the show, too!

 

[ronandannette]

I've read the series many, many times. Every time she puts out a new book, I re-read the series so I'm all caught up and ready for the new one. And I love the show, too!

Lordy, how fast do you read? Isn't there like 8 or 9 of them now? Given that I've got about 20 minutes a night to read novels, getting through all of them would take me about a year.

 

[lizabu]

Lordy, how fast do you read? Isn't there like 8 or 9 of them now? Given that I've got about 20 minutes a night to read novels, getting through all of them would take me about a year.

The first book was published 20 years ago

 

[AndieKay]

Lordy, how fast do you read? Isn't there like 8 or 9 of them now? Given that I've got about 20 minutes a night to read novels, getting through all of them would take me about a year.

In general, I'm a pretty fast reader. But also... she takes a long time to write the books, so there's plenty of time to prepare

 

[AndieKay]

The first book was published 20 years ago

Yep. This. And she goes years between books. It's totally do-able to re-read the series in preparation for new books.

I am REALLY looking forward to the second season of the show. April can't come soon enough.... for my first WDW trip AND for Outlander season 2!

 

[lizabu]

I didn't even know there was a book series. I saw the commercials for the tv show and though it looked good. I was sucked in. Then they went to commercial and there was an ad for indigo books and they had a special on outlander books. And I was like ?!? There are books? So I ran out and got the first four and just couldn't stop...lol.

 

[AndieKay]

I didn't even know there was a book series. I saw the commercials for the tv show and though it looked good. I was sucked in. Then they went to commercial and there was an ad for indigo books and they had a special on outlander books. And I was like ?!? There are books? So I ran out and got the first four and just couldn't stop...lol.

Awesome! I'm trying to remember how I got started on them years ago. My mom had a copy of Outlander kicking around, and I'd finished the book I'd been reading and lacked another, so I started it, and haven't looked back since.

Oh, if every woman could have a Jamie Fraser!!

 

[ronandannette]

In general, I'm a pretty fast reader. But also... she takes a long time to write the books, so there's plenty of time to prepare

Not as long as George R.R. Martin (one of my favourites). HBO actually produced and aired all 5 of the existing volumes of his epic fantasy in less time than it's taken him to write the 6th...

 

[nugov2]

Not science-fiction, science-fantasy (heavy on the fantasy) like the Wheel of Time series, if you're familiar with that. I actually really liked where the show put the emphasis on certain aspects of Claire's "time-shift" in the first season. I was looking for more of that and less bodice-ripping.

Oops, sorry I misread that. Lol on the bodice ripping....I agree it was definitely heavy on that. I am not into harlequin type books and I thk5ught the first book was borderline harlequin for me, but I feel like by the third book it doesn't have that vibe anymore.

These books, like the GOT series are a serious time commitment. I have a lot of time to read luckily so I can plow through books quickly. Hopefully the rest of the series will be good. I will probably take a break after book 4 though and read a few other books on my list and then finish the last ones.

 

[nugov2]

I'm dying for that book to come out!!!! Come on George get it together!!!

 

[AndieKay]

Not as long as George R.R. Martin (one of my favourites). HBO actually produced and aired all 5 of the existing volumes of his epic fantasy in less time than it's taken him to write the 6th...

I almost wrote that earlier, lol! How many more grey hairs I have now waiting for him to get the next one out!!!

 

[ronandannette]

I'm dying for that book to come out!!!! Come on George get it together!!!

I almost wrote that earlier, lol! How many more grey hairs I have now waiting for him to get the next one out!!!

Ah yep...he's apparently a total whack-job. Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time) died and still managed to write a book faster than George...

 

[TLSnell1981]

Lordy, how fast do you read? Isn't there like 8 or 9 of them now? Given that I've got about 20 minutes a night to read novels, getting through all of them would take me about a year.

Only 20 minutes a night? I hope you are a speed reader !

No way, I would've ever had that much self control

 

[TLSnell1981]

Frank describes the man/spirit he saw and based upon his description we know it is Jamie. We do not get to hear about it from Jamie's perspective yet but Diana has hinted that the story will be told. Based on the age of the man Frank describes many fans believe that perhaps Jamie had an out of body experience at Cullodan. I am obsessed with this book series and I'm my second time through (including the Lord John books and the bridges). The show is my favourite too.

Book 6 describes this....as a dream. Although, I agree with something, more like an out of body experience.

 

[Christine]

Awesome! I'm trying to remember how I got started on them years ago. My mom had a copy of Outlander kicking around, and I'd finished the book I'd been reading and lacked another, so I started it, and haven't looked back since.

I remember I was VERY reluctant to read these books. It was probably 10-12 years ago. There was a LOT of talk on book sites about this book and it was classified in the romance genre. I avoided the books for so long because I just thought I was "better" than that! No way was I reading a romance novel (plus, admittedly I avoid books that seem to be the "rage" such as the 50 Shades stuff). Well, I must have gotten seriously bored and picked one up. Yes, it was VERY heavy on the bodice ripping, but the historical part of the book is right up my alley and I LOVED that. Now, I'm not a big fan of the Scottish history time period, but it was bearable! I think I just really liked Claire's modern experience clashing with the old-time stuff. That's really some of my favorite stuff through the whole series.

To the poster who thought it was science fantasy, yes, I think you were misled. I'm sure the time traveler piece puts it in that genre too but, as a whole, that's a very small (yet important) part of the books. I mean, yes, it's a huge deal, but the other doesn't seem to really dwell in those details.

 

[RedHatDisney]

ronandannette - have you ever read David Eddings books? EXCELLENT! back to lurking