Connection Cafe discussion

Group Read: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Discussions Lead: Annette Spratte (Annette has read Outlander eight times!)

Let's meet here every Sunday to discuss and share our thoughts, beginning March 1. See you here!

Read my blog about the fascinating author, Diana Gabaldon. (I found it amazing that she has approx. 1,500 reference books!) https://connection-cafe.com/in-the-ne...

Hello and welcome to this read along for Outlander!
Let's get to know each other a little and share our whereabouts and our personal Outlander history.

My name is Annette and I live in Germany. In 1995, I travelled Scotland for three weeks by motorbike with a friend (with the friend doing all the driving while I sat in the back and enjoyed the scenery). When I came across the book a few years later, I had to read it, of course! The sights and memories were very much alive while I dove into the story of Claire and Jamie for the first time. I loved it so much that I re-read the book again and again over the next years. I knew there was a sequel, but it was set in France and I was reluctant to go there. But my curiosity got the better of me and eventually I did get the next book. I was awed that my fears of being disappointed with the sequel were not fullfilled. I've read the whole series by now and am waiting for book 9, titled "Go tell the bees that I'm gone". In preparation for that, I'm re-reading book one yet again - and I'm still loving it.
So, what's your story? Let's hear it!

Hi Annette and everyone. My name is Joanie and I live in the US. I dont recall the exact year I read Outlander for the first time, but I'm thinking it was at least 10 years ago! A friend at work turned me on to it. This was before I was involved on Goodreads, so I'm excited to read it again and then leave a review. Let's have some fun here. What's your experience with this fab book?

Hi everyone!
So, did you get started with the book? Claire and her husband Frank catch up on each other after being separated by the war for years. And then, out of the blue, Claire is catapulted through time and ends up in 1743. Kind of awkward, don't you think?
How would you react? Play it by ear and try to fit in, as Claire does? Or go about raging mad until you get locked up - or presumably killed?
Has the war experience prepared Claire for life in the 18th century? Let's hear your thoughts!

After the bewilderment stage, I think I'd play it by ear, and let it flow. I would be enchanted with everything going on, but being kidnapped would be scary, of course. But being with Jamie, a man who could protect me, would be an added plus.

Yes, being a nurse in the war will help Claire fit in. She knows modern medicine, which is going to be helpful. But, she is smart to not show too much knowledge at first, due to the era.

Joanie wrote: "After the bewilderment stage, I think I'd play it by ear, and let it flow. I would be enchanted with everything going on, but being kidnapped would be scary, of course. But being with Jamie, a man ..."

After the bewilderment stage - right! I'm not entirely sure I would survive the bewilderment stage - especially if I landed right in the middle of a skirmish. Then again, I am the kind of person to just take things as they come, so maybe I would manage to fit in. Communication would cause a much bigger problem than we think, though. And than depicted in the book. Doing research for my own historical novels, I have come across some texts from the 17th century and no, I would not have been able to unobtrusively slip into that speech mode!

Here's a little detail I noticed that is a pointer in the story:
When Claire visits Geillis Duncan, she is brought to the attic room by a servant. Geillis shows up a little later - flushed and winded, as if running up the stairs.

To those who have already read the book: Do you believe she ran up the stairs?
I don't. I think she was up to something entirely different while Claire waited.

This is the first time it happened to me with this book, but I have to be honest: I'm going to quit.
Knowing in detail the things that are going to happen, I find myself not wanting to read them. I've made it to page 502 in my edition, which is a little more than half the story.
Maybe it's because of all this corona madness, maybe it's because the past half year has been rather rough for me and I'm not up to my height yet. Whatever the reasons, I shall not finish this novel this time around. I'll still be happy to discuss things with anyone who'd like to, though!