The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just 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 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 is catapulted 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 love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Alright, we read the mighty famous Outlander, and we both give our hearty recommendation. It could be considered primarily a romance, but it has so much more than that. Action, humor, and so many immersive chapters to get readers into the old Scottish atmosphere. It’s a wild ride. Although the last part was a bit of a drag as she spent so many pages describing ancient Scottish ways that it stalled the plot and made my brain hurt.

However, when the plot gets going, it gave us plenty to talk about. My friend was very invested in Jamie, crying when he was hurt by Randall, gasping, all the feels. Captain Randall, by the way, is the most chilling villain I’ve read about. The sheer graphic detail of his deeds made us squirm. He’s truly a sadist.

The romance was good too as you come to admire Claire, and love Jamie, and can appreciate the adult communication between them as the infatuation comes to an arranged marriage and then true love. While I still kinda felt bad for Claire’s modern day husband, Frank, we both agreed with how much time they spent apart and the implication that Frank will eventually be okay while Jamie wouldn’t if they broke up, cemented how Jamie and Claire are true loves.

Some stand-out moments had to be when Claire and Jamie find a middle ground after Jamie explains the point of physical punishment back then and promising not to beat her again, and his tears of joy when she fixes his hand because if they had left it up to a “modern day” doctor then, it would have to be amputated from infection.

Additionally, we thought that Claire might not be able to see Frank the same way again after meeting his horrendous ancestor (and physical twin), Captain Randall.

Furthermore, it had so much political intrigue with the Fraser clan, and Jamie’s manipulative uncle. Not to mention Geillis! We were both so surprised by the reveal that she was also a time-traveler. I wish she had gotten featured more, the hints of her story of how she managed to insert herself into local politics and fit in must have been interesting in itself. Maybe it will be further revealed somehow in the equal. Same with Captain Randall’s fate.

I also admired that it dealt with the topic of male rape, it’s hardly talked about today, but this was published back in the 90s and Galbadon dealt with it directly and sensitively. Also it had Jamie be the virgin on their wedding night instead of Claire. Very subversive.

The biggest compliment would have to be my friend wants to read the next book in the series. I think I need a little break before I get into another 500p behemoth. Good thing we only have one more book for this year’s book club to go! Fingers crossed we finish it before New Year’s.