Outlander's Sassenachs: Essays on Gender, Race, Orientation and the Other in the Novels and Television Series

by Valerie Estelle Frankel

A time travel epic featuring history and romance, Outlander --unlike most adventure series--is aimed at women audiences. The kilted male characters, the female narrator, the fantastic period costumes are atypical of male-gendered television. Both the show and the novels on which it is based address issues most series shy away from, like breast feeding, abortion and birth control. Role reversals are common--the powerful Claire rescues her virginal husband Jamie from sexual abuse. When the villainous Black Jack Randall displays his genitals to the heroine Jenny, she laughs. This collection of new essays examines Outlander as an exploration of what it means to be a capable 18th century woman and what it means in the modern world. As Claire explores different models of strength in both periods, Jamie comes to understand the nuances of male honor, power and alternative sexuality through the contrasting figures of Black Jack and Lord John. As the heroes negotiate the complications of marriage and life, they make discoveries about gender that resonate with modern audiences.

Genres: Nonfiction

172 pages, Paperback

Published July 4, 2016

About the author

Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of 88 books on pop culture, including Doctor Who - The What, Where, and How; The Villain's Journey, History, Pop Culture, and Hidden Meanings in Hamilton; and How Game of Thrones Will End. Many of her books focus on women’s roles in fiction, from her heroine’s journey guides From Girl to Goddess and Superheroines and the Epic Journey to books like Star Wars Meets the Eras of Feminism and Fourth Wave Feminism in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's editing a series on Jewish Science Fiction for Rowman & Littlefield. Once a lecturer at San Jose State University, she now teaches at Mission College and is a frequent speaker at conferences. Come explore her research at www.vefrankel.com.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as a deeper way to think about outlander. It seems it would be a very interesting basis for a class or other discussion.

The first section, on diversity, was very thought provoking. About slavery, racism, disability, wounded knee, appropriation.

The second section, about masculinity, was less memorable to me, although the thoughts about homosexuality were interesting.

The last two sections, about women, and feminism, were interesting. I disagreed with a lot of the last two essays though, in terms of their thoughts about Randall being a gay man as the villain (I think they misunderstand his being turned on by causing pain vs attraction to men) and in their thoughts about domination (failing to appreciate that a man can be dominating in a consensual relationship without it being rape).

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great group of essays discussing different themes in the hit novel series (and television adaptation) Outlander. I just wish there was some consistent editing. As a scholar, I hate when one chapter is gorgeously edited, and the next does silly things like leave Outlander out of italics. Or have unfinished quotes, etc. But there are some great essays in here!

Areas of interest include:
Part One: Questions of Diversity
Part Two: Eighteenth-Century Masculinity
Part Three: Women's Choice for Time Travelers
Part Four:Claire as Feminist, Postfeminist, and Anti-Feminist

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about me is I love a good collection of analytical essays. These were very interesting and illuminating. I'm a huge fan of the TV series and have been thinking about diving into the books out of sheer curiosity of what could have been left out. These essays have only stoked that fire to dive deeper into the story of Outlander and its surrounding lore. All of these authors are very talented and thorough in the research of the times mentioned and of the books themselves. Reading about Lord John Grey was particularly interesting and I look forward to reading the books that pertain to his story as well.

[Kristina W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the print version, not kindle, but wanted the cover to appear. I liked some of the insights to the novels and show, such as in regard to slavery, Native Americans, and the Highland culture, and the section on birth control. Other aspects I’ve already discussed to death on Twitter, so didn’t feel as pressing a need to absorb every syllable.

[Devorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to know academics enjoy this series too. At times lie these I wonder yet again…. If I’d become a college professor would I have a best seller on my hands already?