Diana Gabaldon

[BookStop]

Read her books? I just came across Drums of Autumn, and even though I don't like romance novels, this one looks intriguing. I realize it is the fourth book and I should start with the first if I'm going to read them at all.

I don't like romance, I mean straight-up romance, the likes of Jane Feather, Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught (not that they aren't all good writers of their genre-just not my cup of tea), but I do like Nicholas Sparks & Anita Shreve, who write very romantic books. Does Diana Gabaldon write romance, or romantically?

[murphy]

I'd say she writes romantically. She gets very upset when bookstores put her books in the romance section. She also has a very good sense of humor and wit. You really should start with Outlander, or Crosstitch as it is called in the UK.

[imported_Goldwine]

I love her books. they are a fascinating blend of time travel and historical fiction with great character depth. it is one of the few series that i actually read more than twice!

[dwndrgn]

I would consider it a historical fantasy with romantic leanings - not strictly a romance but there is certainly some involved. Very good reading - I've read the series many times (except for the latest book which I don't own yet but I'll get that one caught up soon I expect!). Definitely start with the first book as you'll have many mentions of previous scenes and characters and without background may end up a little confused.

I hope you enjoy them!

[BookStop]

I'm still looking for the first book - I'm pretty price savvy when it comes to my book purchases and I'm really hoping someone will bring one to trade in the shop.(free for me)

[Brown Rat]

Romantically, not romance. She doesn't stick closely enough to the romance "formula."

I read Outlander many years ago, and although I liked much about the book, there was an unfortunate whiff of homophobia about the novel. Perhaps homophobia is too strong a word, but I didn't enjoy her depiction of the sadistic, gay, bad guy. There was something . . . over the top about the depiction that made it feel like the author's personal issue rather than mere characterization.

(Don't get me wrong. I've read and not been bothered by other books with gay villains or gay characters who have sadistic tendencies. I'm not being "politically correct" here or responding in a knee-jerk fashion. I'm saying that there was something in Gabaldon's depiction of such a character that threw me out of the story and, once I had finished the book, made me disinclined to read any other novel by her.)

[dwndrgn]

There are actually other gay characters in the novels that aren't sadistic bad guys, just normal people. I never really thought of him as a bad guy because he was gay - it seemed to me that he was portrayed as a sadist first and it just so happened that he was gay. I also think that he was done a bit over the top as a device to create a specific tension. Though, it is quite possible that she's got something against them. I don't know her personally so I've no idea.

BookStop - if you lived near me I'd loan you one of my copies (I have two by accident).

[BookStop]

Thanks for the thought.

[nixie]

I've been gifted the series recently, not really into romance but they look intriguing

[dwndrgn]

You'll have to let us know how you like (or not) them.

[murphy]

Originally Posted by nixie

I've been gifted the series recently, not really into romance but they look intriguing

It's really not a romance book. Romantic, yes. She's a witty writer that had me in stitches in spots, telling a very good story. And as far as a problem with gay, she has written several books about Lord John, who comes in later in the series, that are quite sympathetic.

[No Inspiration]

Originally Posted by Brown Rat

Romantically, not romance. She doesn't stick closely enough to the romance "formula."

I read Outlander many years ago, and although I liked much about the book, there was an unfortunate whiff of homophobia about the novel. Perhaps homophobia is too strong a word, but I didn't enjoy her depiction of the sadistic, gay, bad guy. There was something . . . over the top about the depiction that made it feel like the author's personal issue rather than mere characterization.

(Don't get me wrong. I've read and not been bothered by other books with gay villains or gay characters who have sadistic tendencies. I'm not being "politically correct" here or responding in a knee-jerk fashion. I'm saying that there was something in Gabaldon's depiction of such a character that threw me out of the story and, once I had finished the book, made me disinclined to read any other novel by her.)

In the companion book to her series "The Outlandish Companion", she addresses the different gay characters in the books.
I realize you only read the first book, but in the rest of the series there is a prominent gay character who is protrayed very nicely. She actually wrote a novel and a few short stories about the character.
Just something you may not have known.
I love the books because they are rich in historical facts, folklore, and medicine. I also think they are very well written and engrossing.
I wouldn't consider her books romance, either. She certainly doesn't.
Lena.

[papercut]

I'm usually very skeptical about books that use time travel as a plot device, but I think Gabaldon actually pulled it off with her honest, compact writing style-- besides, Jamie is absolutely loveable.

[BookStop]

Finally got a copy of Outlander (free - weeheehee).

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by BookStop

Finally got a copy of Outlander (free - weeheehee).

The best price! Let us know what you think. As someone who's read them a million times (maybe a slight exaggeration ) I always like to hear a fresh view.