historical

I just finished reading Diana Gabaldon's Voyager. It is my first book of hers and lo, I find that there are two others that preceed it! This story of Claire and Jamie set both in the 1960's and in the 1700's, is a great read for anyone that loves Scotland and Scottish history. The period comes to life and Claire's unique outlook is both funny and fascinating. Like Marion Zimmer-Bradley, Diana Gabaldon is able to transport us back in time, making it come alive, making the people seem real. I lost myself completely in this book and am now reading her first, Outlander. I am not disappointed! What a great author, I can hardly wait to see what happens next to those wonderful lovers, Jamie and Claire. Even my husband loves these books! There's something for everyone, adventure, fantasy, romance, history. Summer reading at its best!

I was fortunate when I first started reading Diana Gabaldon's intriguing series; fortunate, I say, because the first three books were already available, so I didn't suffer quite so terribly from Claire and Jamie withdrawal. From the moment I picked up "Outlander" I knew that I was reading what perhaps in time will (and should) become the standard for romance, although it is erroneous to categorize Gabaldon's works as simply being "romance". The ongoing saga of the Frasers is enjoyable regardless of what genre you prefer. Diana is just that good. But I digress...

In the third installment of the series, Doctor Claire Randall is vacationing in 1968 Scotland when she discovers that her husband, Jamie Fraser, who she thought was killed during the battle of Culloden, has in fact survived and is alive and well...in 1765. With the aid of their daughter, Brianna, and young historian Roger Wakefield, Claire arranges for the most difficult--and the most rewarding--undertaking of her life: reuniting with Jamie after twenty years of separation.

Full of surprising twists as well as the emotional depth and historical accuracy one has come to expect from Diana Gabaldon, "Voyager" is a novel that stands on its own, which is how a good novel is written, whether or not it is part of a series. However, "Outlander" and "Dragonfly in Amber" (the first two books) are fascinating reads, and I highly recommend them. You will definitely gain a better understanding of what lies between Claire and Jamie!

I thought this book started slow, I would have preferred jumping right into the plot instead of so much backstory. There were quite a few things that were hard to suspend disbelief about. How many times can Jaime be injured? Does anyone realize how hard it was for a woman to get into medical school in the 1950's, especially since she has no formal education whatsoever? And what is with the homosexual hangup? It was OLD in the second book. Does the author think every gay man is out to get her husband? Lots of great action, though, still a very entertaining read.