Synopsis According to GoodReads
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon–when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach–an “outlander”–in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord…1743.
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life…and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire…and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
What I Thought of the Book
I’ll be honest and admit I didn’t feel like the book was the work of phenomenal fiction like I was expecting, however I think that was only because it was so extremely hyped up I was expecting something life changing. It’s not really life changing, but it is really good and thoroughly entertaining. You do become quite enthralled with the tale and the heart of the main character-and I couldn’t put it down so I’d say it was good. It involves a lot of the things I love, such as magic and Scotland, and it throws in a little (okay a lot) of hot steamy kilts and romance between the two main characters.
I found I actually became emotionally involved with the characters, which tells of pretty good writing when those emotions can be portrayed in such a way that you’re hooked, and was very sad when it ended, though I was intrigued to know it continues on for another seven books-though I currently have no idea where they could take it. We’ll see, right? I’ve got the next book waiting for me and I can’t wait to get started.
What I Thought of the TV Show
To be honest, I hadn’t even heard of this book before this Summer and it came out in 1990! Suddenly Starz announced they were making a TV series of it and the newest book (book eight in the series) and it was the talk of the town. Everyone was proclaiming their love and sharing the fact that they’d be watching it when it aired. I watched the trailer and decided I really wanted to read the book before it came on. Here’s the trailer:
Can I be even more honest? I may like the show slightly more than the book…. Don’t kill me. I’m always a “book is better” kind of person… However the show really pulled it out for me. You know how you read a book and then see the movie/TV adaptation and think “huh, that’s not how I pictured them”? This is the first time in my life I’ve ever felt like every single character looked like what I had pictured (or at least really close to) and the scenes played out exactly as I had imagined when reading them.
I also have to attribute my love (and over-emotional attachment) for the show to this piece of hunka-burnin’ Scot:
I am overly smitten with Jamie Frazier. I have the biggest book/show crush on this character, and the actor-he isn’t half bad either. Look at that jaw line, and that messy hair… And those eyes that say “I dare you to love me.” Oh and I do. Every time he and Claire were near each other I kept thinking “When are we going to get to the romance?” which may have actually been more of “When are we going to get to the naked parts?” I wont spoil it for you anymore, but here’s another bit of hotness:
Am I saying watch it for the eye candy? Yes… Am I saying that’s the only reason? NO WAY. Watch it for the intricate human emotions these two characters share. Watch it for the mystery and magic between different times. Watch it for the gorgeous cinematography. But yeah, read the book too. A+ to both!
? What did you think? 
