In 1946, after WWII, a young Englishwoman named Claire Beauchamp Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank. She’s an ex-combat nurse, he’s been in the army as well, they’ve been separated for the last six years, and this is a second honeymoon; they’re getting re-acquainted with each other, thinking of starting a family. But one day Claire goes out walking by herself, and comes across a circle of standing stones—such circles are in fact common all over northern Britain. She walks through a cleft stone in the circle….and disappears.
Back into 1743, where the first person she meets is a gentleman in an 18th-century army officer’s uniform. This gentleman, Jack Randall, looks just like her husband Frank—and proves to be Frank’s six-times-great-grandfather. Unfortunately, he also proves to be a sadistic bisexual pervert, and while trying to escape from him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Highland Scots, who are also trying to get away from Black Jack Randall—though for other reasons.
In order to avoid being handed over to Captain Randall, Claire is obliged to marry one of the young clansmen. So she finds herself trying to escape from Castle Leoch and her Scottish captors, trying to get back to her husband Frank, trying to avoid being recaptured by Captain Randall—and falling in love with Jamie Fraser, the young man she’s she’s been forced to marry. The story rolls on from there…
Deb's thoughts - Have you ever had people tell you that you are going to like something and then somehow stubbornly you are determined NOT to try it? No? Okay, it's just me then. Every online book club or store put this in my recommendations list based on what I read, but did I read it? No. I did give in and buy the book. Did I read it then? No. I gave it to my friend to read. She loved it and is now on the sixth book in the (8 depending on how you count them) book series, "A Breath of Snow and Ashes."
When I saw on the Artist on Demand schedule that I'd be talking to the author, Diana Gabaldon on Monday, October 29, I thought surely this is a sign. Yes, it was. This is a wonderful book! It really can't be put in to one category but if you made me do that, I'd probably pick Historical Fiction but it's much more than just that title.
Remember when your parents to used to say to you, "Do as I say and not as I do." Yeah, I hated that too. Trust, though, this is a novel that is truly engaging and entertaining. Don't wait as long as I did.
Also, check out the source for this information the author's website dianagabaldon.com. She is super interesting too!
I hope she doesn't read this before we talk tomorrow, but tune in at eight pm est to hear our discussion. Listen in here.
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