Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone 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 Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. -Summary by goodreads.com

Title: "Outlander"
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publication Date: June 1, 1991
Publisher's Recommended Age: Adult
Beth's Recommended Age: Mature Adult

Review:

Anytime I see "Outlander" at a used book sale or "Half Price Books", I just have to buy it so I can give it to my friends to read.  Although the size of the book is daunting, it is every second.  If I could pick one book to be transported into, I would choose to be Claire in "Outlander". 

The first 150-200 pages is hard to get through.  In fact, I hate to admit that I fell asleep a couple of times in the first 150 pages; however, they were vitally important to the story.  Once you persevere through those pages, it is impossible to put the book down.  James Fraser is the best male character ever written.  The relationship formed between Jamie and Claire is heart warming, captivating and unforgettable.  Diana Gabaldon is a master writer and will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. 

I highly recommend any mature adult to read this book.  There is significant adult content which is why I feel it is not appropriate for readers under the age of 18.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Content:

Violence: Throughout the book, there are significant sword fighting and shoot outs.  The fighting is not graphic, and is part of the history of the area from the setting of the book.  There is a rape homosexual rape scene that is retold in graphic detail that is hard to read.  In my opinion, that is the most gruesome and violent part of the book.

Language: I do not recall there being many curse words, if any, in the book.

Sexual: Jamie and Claire do have sex many times throughout the book.  However, the first time they consummate the relationship is in the context of marriage.  Many of their encounters are described in detail and therefore would be inappropriate for virgin readers. 

All in all, I absolutely love this book.  I love the time period in which it is written and the characters Ms. Gabaldon has created; it is a timeless book!