This is what I did this weekend. How did you spend yours?
Oh, dear, yes, I have been sucked into the film adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series of books. I read the first three books many, many years ago. I recall gulping them down, but they are very hefty tomes and I think my interests shifted and I never did get back to the rest of the books. I saw the first episode for free online, but at the time felt only tepid towards it all. Very desultorily I decided I would just get in line for the DVD at the library. I might try an episode or two when my turn finally came up. As we now only get one (very short) week for DVDs at my library (and the line is long so there will be no renewals) it was now or never to begin watching.
Well. I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed watching the first season (or most of it--I still have a few episodes left to watch). Now, you have to definitely suspend disbelief to a certain degree when watching this. And yes, it is pure, unequivocal fantasy. Lots of eye candy--in what world would someone who looks the part of the hero Jamie Fraser ever cross my path? (Trust me, only in a book!). Not much of a parallel between that world and the real world. I am sure, despite all the villainy and dirt of 18th century Scotland that the movie tries to convey, it still paints a very rosy picture. But if you come at it with a view to simply enjoy it as a fluffy entertainment, it's pretty darn addicting.
So now, yes, it has put me in the mood to read something in a similar vein. I could reread the books (I think I would have to begin at the beginning at this point--too much time has passed for me to jump back into the fourth book), but I know liberties were taken with the story, so I hate to read and watch in tandem as then I will be comparing them too much. Better to find a story that has similar traits. Any suggestions?
I am looking for an epic sort of read, historical, perhaps a Scottish setting again, maybe time-slip, but not a requirement. I've already contemplated reading Susanna Kearsley (I love her books but I think I have read most of her novels set in Scotland with a time slip element), and Rosamund Pilcher. I've already thought about Sara Donati. I've read most of Paullina Simons books, which have that same epic story-romance-ish. I'm not quite sure what I want. Something similar--a story you can sink your teeth into and can spend lots of time with yet is still engaging enough that you want to keep picking it up and fly through the story. Maybe Sharon Kay Penman or Judith Merkle Riley or Elizabeth Chadwick, though they all deal in earlier time periods.
Why is it that I see something I like or enjoy--on whatever level (maybe just pure entertainment or maybe something more), but then I must read about it?! It's as if every life experience or pleasure must translate then into a book . . .
Try Barbara Erskine. I read some of her books many years ago. Her heroine travels in time, but becomes a person from that time. Her travels are more like being transfered in time in short intervals where she loses conscience and then wake up in the present time again. The historical time she travels to is very fascinating. By chance I found a book by her on a book swap event recently, Daughters of Fire, which is about the Celtic queen Cartimandua. I am curious if I will still like her books, but I think so.
Posted by: Lisbeth @ The Content Reader | June 16, 2015 at 12:36 AM
I'm watching these too, but got the DVD from Netflix, so no issue on returning it soon. I read Outlander twice and listened to part of it. I'm hoping that this will propel me along in the series a bit. I agree that I've been thinking I needed to begin again and read the first book for the third time. And, I too thought that starting right now, before finishing the first season, might not be a good idea. So, planning on getting to the books in a while. Got no suggestions for you as to read-alikes.
Posted by: Kay | June 16, 2015 at 06:39 AM
I also read the first three Outlander books & then lost interest. I was also going to suggest Susanna Kearsley. Have you read her last couple of books, The Firebird & A Dangerous Fortune? TF is set in Scotland & Russia, I have ADF but haven't read it yet.
Posted by: Lyn | June 16, 2015 at 06:46 AM
I am finding "After Flodden", by Rosemary Goring, hard to put down! It is set in 16th century Scotland rather than 18th cent., and is just over 300 pages long, but there is a sequel ("Dacre's War") and there may be more books planned after that. Not as epic-y as the Outlander series but still very good.
Posted by: Theresa | June 16, 2015 at 02:20 PM
I have heard of her and am sure I have at least one of her books somewhere from ages ago, but I know I have never read her. I sort of like that time travel thing in books--I can suspend disbelief pretty easily as long as it is all well done. I will look for Daughters of Fire--I like the Celtic slant. And if you have not tried her, I highly recommend Susanna Kearsley--she does the time slip thing really well!
Posted by: Danielle | June 16, 2015 at 09:58 PM
I gave up Netflix since I have Amazon Prime, but I think they only offer that first episode which I did watch a while back. I don't know why the library has shortened their loan period so much--I know they want to be able to circulate movies quicker--though I think it has to do also with the fact they are buying fewer copies--of even the really popular films. I was talking to a coworker and apparently there just aired the second half of the first season so I will have to watch for that DVD, too--and try and get in line sooner. I think I will wait to reread any books--better to just concentrate on one or the other as I will only compare and overanalyze otherwise! :)
Posted by: Danielle | June 16, 2015 at 10:01 PM
They are extremely chunky books--I always meant to get back to at least that fourth one, but too much time has passed now and I would have to reread the first three--maybe I will eventually. I am less interested in the story of the next generation--it's hard to imagine Claire and Jamie as middle aged for some reason. I have read a number of SK's books, but not the two you mention. I know I have The Firebird and will have to go and take a peek--I was thinking it was just Russia. I would love to reread a few of her books that I really enjoyed.
Posted by: Danielle | June 16, 2015 at 10:03 PM
I like the sound of After Flodden--will look for it now, too! I don't mind if the book is not epic really--the Outlander books are really quite the undertaking and something less intense and lengthy would not be a bad thing at all. Have you heard of Corrag by Susan Fletcher--not quite the same period or feel but I did pick it up since it is also about the Scottish highlands--in this a woman is accused of witchcraft. I have read Susan Fletcher before and her writing is really excellent. Such an interesting history and the landscape in the shows is amazing!
Posted by: Danielle | June 16, 2015 at 10:08 PM
It's turned out to be a pretty good show, hasn't it? I did read beyond the first three books and believe me, you haven't missed anything. The first three are the best, after that they go downhill very quickly. Sorry though, I have no read-alike suggestions for you!
Posted by: Stefanie | June 20, 2015 at 09:32 AM
I have Prime too and Outlander keeps cropping up on it as a suggestion for viewing so I might take a look - particularly as it is high season for sport on TV so my chances of actually watching much are not high.
I read the first couple of the books years ago but have only the vaguest recollection of the plot so I don't think I will be too bothered by any changes made by the adaptation!
For more of the same, I would agree with Barbara Erskine as a writer to try although I tend to prefer her earlier books - for some reason the last few didn't grab me as much. Having said that I read her most recent one, The Darkest Hour, and thoroughly enjoyed it so who knows?
My favourites of hers are Hiding From the Light, which goes back to the 17th century witch trials and Midnight is a Lonely Place (Roman Britain) - both very atmospheric and a tad spooky.
You could also look out for Pamela Hartshorne - I have read a couple of hers both set in York and going back to the 15/16th centuries and really enjoyed them. I know the modern city pretty well so it is fascinating working out where the places that her historic characters inhabit are now.
Posted by: LizF | June 20, 2015 at 09:50 AM
Meant to add that I began to read After Flodden a year or so back but couldn't get on with it - I thought that the writer was trying to be too clever and to be honest I wasn't too impressed when I saw comments made by her at a literature festival when she was quite dismissive of other historical writers. I've met a few historical novelists and they have all been absolutely lovely and very supportive of each other so her superior attitude irritated me.
Posted by: LizF | June 20, 2015 at 09:55 AM
Just popped over from Cornflower as I saw the mention of Outlander. I too gave up on the books after a few volumes. But I have been enjoying the series when I catch it. If you want good historical fiction, no time travel but some elements of , hmmm, not sure what to call it, metaphysical stuff? read Dorothy Dunnett. The Lymond books are set in Scotland and they are addictive. The other series she wrote is just as good.
Posted by: Lee | June 20, 2015 at 08:01 PM
You've probably read it, but I think A Discovery of Witches has a very similar feel to Outlander, as well as that nice satisfying length. Time travel does occur, though maybe not in the first book (can't remember?)
Posted by: Byrd | June 21, 2015 at 05:55 AM
I was looking at one of the later/newer books and it seems quite melodramatic--Jamie comes 'back from the dead' to find Claire has remarried? Yikes? I have a feeling those first three or four are the classic Outlander story and maybe the best of the group? I don't think I have a lot of desire to read beyond to be honest. I have actually found a few possibilities--similar but not really--one is Corrag by Susan Fletcher, which sounds like a good read about Scotland, though less of that type drama and no time travel.
Posted by: Danielle | June 21, 2015 at 03:36 PM
I also have Amazon Prime and now will have to see if all the shows are streaming--maybe they are and I can watch again for free at a more leisurely pace. I will only say--I didn't mind any changes--it has been a long time for me, too, since I read the books, so I don't remember details. There is a lot of violence, and maybe even more in the second half of the first season which I have not yet seen. I have mixed feelings about that....rape scenes, but then Claire looks so luscious--somehow it felt so incongruous--I hate to be a prude--I know it was a violent time, but were a few of those scenes really necessary? I am going to look for the Erskine books--I do have one somewhere--I think it is the one you mention, but where it happens to be sitting now is beyond me. I am not familiar with Pamela Hartshorne but she sounds very promising as well.
Posted by: Danielle | June 21, 2015 at 03:40 PM
Oh, interesting about After Flodden, since I have seen the book mentioned and I think it was mentioned in the comments here--now I really must look it up. I was thinking I might give Susan Fletcher's Corrag a try as I have read her before and liked her very much. I hate it when authors denigrate others like that--it really is very off-putting!
Posted by: Danielle | June 21, 2015 at 03:42 PM
I have finished the first half of the first season and it ends with a cliffhanger of course, so now I will wait until my library gets the DVD for the second half! Oh, yes, those Dunnett books! I have the whole run of them And the two books that are meant to help with all the references. It looks like a most wonderful series and so tempting but I must admit I am just a tiny bit intimidated by them, too. Have you read them all? Should I not worry and just dive in? :)
Posted by: Danielle | June 21, 2015 at 04:05 PM
Actually I have not yet read it! I think I listened to the beginning on audio if I am thinking of the right books. Will have to go look them up now--thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Danielle | June 21, 2015 at 04:06 PM