Shabby Sunday: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – 1991

On By MischenkoIn Historical Fiction, Reads, Shabby Sunday, Vintage Books

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Today is my 5th Shabby Sunday! To see all the Shabby Sunday books that I’ve chosen, please click on ‘Shabby Sunday’ under categories.

Shabby Sunday Meme

I have a lot of old vintage books and one of my plans when I first started blogging was to do a post every week or so that shared one of my cherished vintage books. Then, I thought that maybe there might be other book bloggers out there that have some vintage books, heirlooms, or maybe some old books from childhood that they might want to share. I decided to start a weekly meme titled ‘Shabby Sunday’ for those who would like to participate and share some of their old vintage books. Do you have some shabby books you’d like to share? Please feel free to participate. Feel free to use the picture I’ve provided if you’d like to. If you decide to do this meme, please consider linking back to me so that I can see the book you’re sharing.

 

Today’s shabby share is:

Outlander

by Diana Gabaldon

1991

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I chose this book because believe it or not, it was written in 1991 – 26 years ago! My copy is the first edition from 1991. I love the cover.

Blurb: 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.

My Thoughts:

Claire Randall is a nurse living in Scotland with Frank, her husband, just after the end of World War II. Frank is absorbed in studying his family tree and tracking one of his ancestors named “Black Jack” Randall. Claire has an interest in Botany and studies plants along with their healing factors.

One day, Claire comes across a stone circle called Craigh na Dun.

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While there, she discovers a plant and can’t stop thinking about it. She comes back another day to collect the plant near the stones and hears one of the stones scream. One after another, they all scream. Something strange is happening and Claire wakes up in Scotland, but in 1743. She witnesses men in kilts and a man that looks like Frank but isn’t. Quickly, Claire is taken away by a band of Scotsmen and this is where she meets Jamie, a man she’ll soon have to marry if she wants to survive.

 

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Claire and Jamie from the series on STARZ

 

This was an outstanding book that kept me entertained throughout. I was completely immersed in this story from start to finish. I loved Claire and Jamie’s smart, yet stubborn characters and enjoyed the formation of their relationship. All the characters had good development with some that I loved and some that I hated, but most were unforgettable. The pacing was perfect and never once did I want to stop reading, except for the few parts I found a tad difficult to read.

Some consider this a romance novel, but I think of it more as historical fiction. It does have a good amount of romance, but so much more than that. I’m not a history buff, but it seems that Diana Gabaldon has really done her research with this series and has spun a tale that can’t be forgotten.

My rating on this one is 5-stars.

5 Sterne

 

Add it on Goodreads or find this edition on Amazon

You can find many editions of this series on Amazon, eBay, and many other sites.

This edition is:

  • Hardcover: 627 pages
  • 1991 Delacorte Press – Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing
  • ISBN 0-385-30230-4

 

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There’s seven parts total in the first book:

  • Inverness, 1945
  • Castle Leoch
  • On the Road
  • A Whiff of Brimstone
  • Lallybroch
  • The Search
  • Sanctuary

 

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Thanks for reading this week’s Shabby Sunday. If you have some old vintage books you’d like to share, please feel free to participate in this meme.

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38 thoughts on “Shabby Sunday: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – 1991”

  1. starjustin

    Wow! Does the T.V. series coincide with this vintage story? Everyone seems to be hyped about the series. I’m not much of a T.V. watcher so I think ill try this original book. 📘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. I have that exact same edition! Mine is a bit battered from being read over and over. I was trying to figure out a way to upload a photo from my phone in response to your blog post, but I’m not very smart. So I’ll send it to you via email. That’s so cool. This is a great book and although I find the TV series less so, I’m still enjoying it.

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    Reply

    1. I’m thoroughly amazed! That’s so awesome. I just love this cover. I have to agree, I love the books so much more than the series. I love the cast though. You’ll have to let me know your thoughts on season three. I haven’t started yet! 🤗💜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. So far, episode 1 in this third season was actually pretty good. My problem with the series overall is that they have changed some very key elements in the past two seasons, which I suppose is Artistic license. I’m enjoying the cast of characters so far and maybe it’s just taken to this point to find the groove of the series. Regardless, I think you’ll enjoy it.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. I thought season two was a little different with the way they filmed it. I’ve enjoyed the first two seasons, but like the books better. I think I watched the DVDs which were split into two parts or something. I literally feel transported when reading these books though!

          Thanks for the update. We will definitely have to put our thoughts together on the series! 💖

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Nel

    Already said this on a different post but I love this cover!! Do you watch the TV show? Season 3 just started airing but I’m waiting for like half the season or so to come out before I binge it. I get so emotional whether I’m reading or watching it even though I’ve only read 2 books so far

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Me too, Nel! I do watch the show, but haven’t started season 3 yet. Like you, I’m waiting. Trying anyway! I did read the third book, but It’s been so long, I’d like to review it over again first. I love to binge like you!

      Just finished Ozarks. INSANE. Let me know if you guys decide to watch that. My husband and I liked it, but it’s so bad, lol.

      Have a great Sunday!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. How awesome! I only discovered this book when the TV show came out so I am really behind and only up to the third book in the series so far. I love the TV show though and it’s one of the few we get a day after you guys so we aren’t behind!
    I love that you have the first edition of the book, and it’s so well kept!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Yes, I decided if I waited until I read the third book I may be waiting a really long time! I don’t really have a problem with book vs TV like some people have so I’m not worried about that, although so far I think theyve kept Outlander pretty solid.

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. I thought I might review it again first, but I may just start it! Already 2 episodes in. I wish I could just binge it all, lol.

          I love the way they’ve done the filming and everything, but seem to always prefer the book. 😉 💜

          Like

  8. daniellethamasa

    Wow, that original cover is actually really cool. And man, I wasn’t even thinking about how long ago this series started. I’m only around 100 pages into Dragonfly in Amber, so I have a long way to go with both the books and the TV show (I refuse to watch what I haven’t read, so I own season 2 but have yet to see it).

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. daniellethamasa

        The first time I read Outlander, I didn’t like it that much because I saw some of the scenes as problematic so I put the book down halfway through and walked away. But so many positive reviews and recommendations led me to give it another shot, and I enjoyed it a lot more the second time, so I was able to finish it. I’m finishing up a season 1 rewatch before I continue with book 2. I figured that would be a faster refresher than reading Outlander again.

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        1. I know exactly what you mean! I’m glad you were able to stick with it though. I’d like to review the third book before I watch season 3 and that’s the plan. You’ll have to let me know how you feel about the second! 💗

          Liked by 1 person

        2. daniellethamasa

          Oh, I think I’ll probably post up a review after I finish reading Dragonfly in Amber. And I do already own Voyager so I can jump into it whenever the mood strikes as well. Autumn and Winter tend to be when I read longer fantasy novels, and other bigger books. The Outlander series definitely hits the mark in length.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Oh, wow! I USED to have the exact same copy! Since I’ve read all the books in the series, I donated all my hardback copies of the series except the last two for some reason and just have them all as Kindle because they are so HUGE and were taking up so much space on my bookshelves!! That brings back so many memories! I love the books and the series although I’ve not had time to watch the 1st 2 episodes of season three yet, which has made me sad 😦 But I’m going to binge them as soon as I get a chance!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. How awesome! They are big books for sure. I have the next two books in first edition as well, but need to collect the others. I too haven’t watched season three yet. I’m trying to hold off for a bit. We have to share thoughts on season three! 🖤😄

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