First thing: I have read all 8 books currently out, so I have a different perspective than someone who has only read the first book.

First things first, yes I loved this book (in fact the whole series). Is it for everyone? No. It takes commitment to read not only a single nearly 1000 page book, but an entire series.

Ms. Gabaldon has done a wonderful job creating multi-dimensional characters, both male and female, so hats off to her. So many authors seem to fall short in that aspect of storytelling. I also felt that the sex scenes were handled pretty tastefully. As someone who usually skips sex scenes altogether, I didn't feel the need to do that with any of these books, as they weren't overly detailed and in fact usually didn't even describe the actual act but rather the moments leading up to it. Another point, it seems that the author put in a fair amount of time researching, which I always appreciate. I don't actually know anything about Scottish history but the effort is apparent, whether it is entirely accurate or not is for someone else to say, but to me it doesn't really matter. This book is a work of fiction so if things were twisted or tweaked to make the narrative flow I'm okay with that because the tone feels right. I find it so irritating to be reading a book that is supposed to take place in another place/time and the characters think and behave as if they're in present day Western society.


I've read several reviews, good and bad, and notice that in particular the "wifebeating" scene is extremely controversial. My viewpoint on that scene when I read it was at first "what the hell?" Then I reminded myself that it was the 18th century in the Scottish Highlands so violence was probably a routine thing and women were viewed basically as property, so it made sense. Now if it was left at that and there turned out to be no point to the scene I probably would have been annoyed. But that scene is used as a means for Jaime and Claire to become equals and strengthens their relationship. Claire doesn't just take the beating and move on. The two talk and come to understand the other's point of view on the matter. Yes Claire endangered everyone and that was not okay, especially considering she basically told Jaime she just wandered off for no real reason, but Jaime also understands that beating her was not the way to handle the situation and that in the future that is not how their relationship will function. Giving the controversial scene a purpose in the story justified the scene. Especially as it is referenced occasionally throughout the other books.

The same goes for the torture and rape of Jaime at the hands of Black Jack Randall. The ordeal serves a purpose in the greater narrative and continues to have impact in the most recent novel. It wasn't done for the shock value or anything like that, it was done with purpose.