Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Pat D. chose the book and hosted the meeting. She started the meeting with the trailer for the Outlander miniseries coming in Summer 2014 on Starz TV.

Author, Diana Gabaldon, wrote the Outlander book in 1991, then continued writing the series of books: Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone, and coming in Summer 2014, Written in My Own Heart's Blood. She has three degrees in science, and is a professor living in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has three adult children, and researched Scotland to write this book series. Learn more about her books at her website: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/chronology-of-the-outlander-series/.

Questions and answers:

• Comparison of Jack Randall to Frank Randall: very different men; not many common characteristics
• Claire and Frank relationship: both torn apart by war and were getting reacquainted with each other again, and were working on their relationship
• Claire adapting to the 1700's: experience as a war nurse made her capable of thinking on her feet and adapting to change; used to rough times and uncomfortable living conditions
• Claire's skills: assertive, initiative, nursing, thinker, passionate, able to know future and what it holds
• Claire's choices: chose Jamie, chose marriage, chose to stay
• Colum and Dougal relationship: very different brothers; Colum knew he was not the father of Hamish (Dougal was), but needed an heir for the clan; seemed to like each other but both were competitive
• Jamie and his crimes: time period showed how easily the innocent could be convicted and punished for crimes; always on the run to escape conviction; wanted to prove his innocence
• Claire and Jamie's marriage: two different worlds; knew paths would not cross or would they? (ghost outside the window); did not feel that "infidelity" was happening with Claire and Frank's marriage
• Claire older than Jamie: Claire was 28 and Jamie 23; Claire's experience was beneficial for the couple sexually; she shared ideas of "how to" in the bedroom
• Jamie beating Claire: many wished that would not have happened, but knew that it was a way to show expectation of following orders and "obeying"; our culture would not allow that anymore; more respect shown in today's relationships

The book is historical fiction, fantasy (transport to different time period), and graphic romance. It earned the 1991 Best Romance Novel of the year!

Most of the book club members rated the book highly with comments including: favorite book, enjoyed it, loves science background authors who write fiction; can't wait to read the series; fast read, fun; book took her away, found new friends, connection to the deep love between characters; wanted to keep reading, amazed at author's creativity of story plot; took her out of humdrum life, made her think of other places; felt she was there when reading. The only negative comment from the "Russian judge" was that there was too much R-rated Disney movie content.

Author's website: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/. Here you can find links to her Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. She is also active in the Compuserve Books and Writers Community.