Book 21: February 2008
For this month's selection I turned to my cousin Julia who wrote back to me right away with an idea - a book she described as "history, mystery, bodice ripping romance, time travel". There was one drawback - it was a bit long. But since this is a leap year and we have one extra day in February, I think it's the perfect month to tackle this book. ALL 850 PAGES OF IT. Please join Julia and me in reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
Described by the publisher:
"Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...
In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder 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 border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives."
A review from someone we don't know:
"If you love historical romances Outlander is the book for you. This book sets a new standard for transporting you out of this world. Very realistic, romantic love story. Brave, intelligent, cool headed heroine who manages to keep her wits about her to stay alive in a very dangerous place and time."
Following the trend set last month, this month's pairing is beer. Or, more specifically, Scottish Ale. There are loads of them, so pick something that you like or just the first one that you find. I don't know anything about Scottish Ales, so I'm not able to recommend anything here. My only experience with Scotland at all is an old roommate who was from Edinburgh. Her drink of choice was Long Island Iced Tea and frankly that just does not pair well with reading. Or sitting. Or pretty much anything.
Described by the publisher:
"Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...
In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder 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 border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives."
A review from someone we don't know:
"If you love historical romances Outlander is the book for you. This book sets a new standard for transporting you out of this world. Very realistic, romantic love story. Brave, intelligent, cool headed heroine who manages to keep her wits about her to stay alive in a very dangerous place and time."
Following the trend set last month, this month's pairing is beer. Or, more specifically, Scottish Ale. There are loads of them, so pick something that you like or just the first one that you find. I don't know anything about Scottish Ales, so I'm not able to recommend anything here. My only experience with Scotland at all is an old roommate who was from Edinburgh. Her drink of choice was Long Island Iced Tea and frankly that just does not pair well with reading. Or sitting. Or pretty much anything.
Sure hope I like it because it is the ONE book I am taking along on our trip to Africa. I will give you my rating when I return...sure hope it has a lot of stars...
Reply to this
One of my colleagues was reading this book ages ago. When I asked about it, she seemed, well, embarassed to be reading it. But, like many things that are a temporary pleasure, she couldn't resist it.
Foreshadowing: The many references to animals mating.
Time travel: an intriguing way to get a classic Romance Novel going.
I'll keep going. I want to see if the main characters are inspired by the rutting animals.
Reply to this