Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series: A Primer

As you probably know, the eighth major novel in Diana Gabaldon’s renowned Outlander series, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, comes out on June 10^th. Fans are in a frenzy waiting for the latest installment in this larger-than-life saga—and if you’re familiar with the books, it’s easy to understand why. They’ve been described as everything from historical romance, to fantasy, to military history, to horror, but this series is nearly impossibly to pigeonhole as any one genre (or even five), which is part of its limitless appeal.

The first novel, Outlander, opens in 1946 with the story of Claire Randall, a former WWII combat nurse, who is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 Scotland. There she is relentlessly hunted by Jack Randall, the cruel, sadistic great-great (and a few more greats)-grandfather of her modern-day husband, Frank, and falls under the protection (and spell) of a handsome Scottish warrior by the name of Jamie Fraser.

Outlander has all the makings of an epic series: terrific writing, memorable characters, a unique storyline; plus romance, intrigue, adventure, betrayal—the works. Best of all, you get two (fascinating) time periods for the price of one!

Still skeptical? Hoping to learn a little more about the Outlander series before you commit yourself to the first astonishing 800+ page volume? You’re in luck—we’ve put together a little introduction to this compelling series, just for you. Here are 5 reasons you’ll want to lose yourself in the epic adventures of Claire and Jamie.

The History
Outlander quickly transports you to the 18^th century Scottish Highlands, plunging you into the dangerous, unpredictable everyday lives of the village folk, castle dwellers, mercenaries and soldiers who populated that world. The depth and scope of Gabaldon’s knowledge of Scotland’s history and culture is breathtaking, and every detail draws you in further—from the descriptions of dress, weaponry, and social customs, to the accents and dialects spoken, to the medicinal herbs and other remedies (leeches, holla!) used to cure illnesses at the time. In the way that only the best historical fiction can, Outlander teaches you about the past by immersing you in it. This series is like a harrowing history lesson, dipped in a simmering romance, and wrapped in a kilt.

The Characters
While together they make up one of the most enthralling fictional couples in recent memory, like the best romantic characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser are each marvelous pieces of work in their own right. Claire’s wartime background as a combat nurse means she is used to keeping cool under pressure—and you can’t help but admire her courage and resourcefulness under even the most frightening of circumstances (and there are a lot of frightening circumstances, particularly for a woman traveling alone through the Scottish Highlands during the 18^th century). Jamie Fraser too is a deeply multifaceted character; a bold and fearless warrior with a strong sense of right and wrong, he is also tender, charmingly self-deprecating, and intensely loyal. These are characters you will root for.

Claire and Jamie’s friendship and eventual romance also brings out the best in each of them. They relate to each other in a refreshingly direct and real way, and as they learn to truly trust and care for each other, the deepening of their relationship is one of the best elements of the book. Due to the centuries of history that lie between them, Claire and Jamie’s values and ideals are not always in sync, and there is something inspiring about watching two characters you love and respect hash out their differences, and find ways to connect against all odds.

Lots of Action (of Every Kind)
The Outlander books—especially the first novel—are a seamless blend of heart-pounding action and adventure, along with more than a few heart-pounding romantic interludes. In fact, I found them difficult to put down because something exciting (in one way or another) was frequently about to occur. This tension, combined with Gabaldon’s skillful exposition and ability to create instantly memorable characters, means that you will never be bored while reading this series.

Lots of Humor
In a book that is filled with violence, adventure, and nail-biting suspense, a little comic relief goes a long way. Fortunately, protagonist and narrator Claire has a wickedly sharp sense of humor, and her shrewd observations of the situations she finds herself in inject some much-needed levity into the story. Jamie also has a great sense of fun and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Although the humorous angle of these books is not often mentioned, I was surprised—and delighted—by how funny they frequently were.

Last But Not Least, Fear of Missing Out When the Show Debuts This Summer
OK, this is perhaps the most inauspicious reason to get into this series, but no one has to know that it impacted your decision. Besides, you know it’s going to be that much more enjoyable watching the highly anticipated debut of the television series Outlander late this summer when you’ve already started reading the books and are well-versed in Claire and Jamie’s world. There is something inherently satisfying about seeing a terrific series brought to life on television and being able to say things like, “That’s exactly how I thought X character would look,” and, “Well in the books, they handled this part differently.” So if you needed any further reason to check out this series, let this be the final straw.

Have you read or are you thinking of reading Outlander?