I am reading this book for the fourth time for two very good reasons. First, because the author, Diana Gabaldon, writes such fascinating tales packed with information and action that I can reread one of her books and not be bored.

Second, because she writes so darn slow. Outlander was published in 1991, Dragonfly in Amber in 1992, Voyager in 1994, and Drums of Autumn in 1997. Her fans have been waiting for years for the fifth installment of this series, The Fiery Cross, and on November 6th, 2001 it finally arrived.

So, if this new book is available, why haven’t I read it and posted that review? Because, I am an anal-retentive reader and I must reread the whole series from the beginning to get the full affect. I do this each time a new book is released. I want to remember the shock the first time Claire traveled through the ‘fairy stones’. I want to laugh again with Jaime and Claire as they sort out the quirks in their new marriage. I need to be reminded of the anguish Claire feels when torn between 1945 and 1743, between hot baths and feeling like she has a destiny to fulfill, between two deep and abiding loves, between going back and staying.

Sound like a crappy romance novel yet? I know what you are thinking...time travel... torn between two lovers. You think this is just another historical romance, don’t you? Well, it isn’t. There is a lot to this series of novels to attract many types of readers. Don’t get me wrong, there is romance-but it is a mature and poignant romance. There is history- but it is an accurate and engrossing portrayal of fast paced time in Scottish history. Written in the first person point of view, this book is full of suspense, humor, romance, great sex scenes and historical information and language that are accurate for the time period. The characters are so well developed they compel you to care what happens to them next. The scenes are not described in excessive detail- I mean, who cares what shade of blue the carpet is? The plot is fast paced and full of intrigue. At 850 pages, you probably won’t be able to read it in one sitting, but you’ll want to.

Let me explain...no, there is too much. Let me sum up; Buttercup is marrying Humperdink in little less than half an hour. So all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the princess... Oops, wrong story.

This story starts in 1945 with Claire and Frank Randall visiting Scotland for a second honeymoon. They were married 7 years ago, shortly before World War II broke out and they are trying to rediscover each other. Frank is interested in genealogy and Claire has taken up Botany as a hobby. This hobby is not a big stretch for her since she is a nurse. The knowledge from both these hobbies will save her life.

During this vacation, Claire discovers a ‘stone circle’ that looks like a smaller version of Stonehenge. In the midst of chaos and terror, Claire was transported to the same spot, but in 1743. To a time of clan raids and the intrigue of a budding war between the Jacobites and the English. What is fascinating is how she uses her knowledge of medicine and botany to survive and help others in this archaic era.

One of the first people she mends is Jaime Fraser. This same clansman will later save Claire from the hands of the English when he marries her. Their relationship develops slowly, giving the reader time to become involved in both of their paths. Jaime is an outlaw with a price on his head. Claire is believed to be a spy for the Jacobites and by some, a witch. In the beginning there is a constant struggle to stay safe interwoven with Claire’s struggle to return to the standing stones to try and get back to her own time. In the end, it becomes a struggle just to stay together and stay alive.

I will warn you, the book ends on a cliffhanger. The last line will make you want to run out and get Dragonfly in Amber. Interesting characters are like good friends- they make you want to stick around and see what happens next.


For more information on the series and the author, Diana Gabaldon’s home page can be found at;
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~gatti/gabaldon/gabaldon.html





Recommended: Yes