Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Julia on Outlander

Being in touch with the romance novel community, there was a pretty big shout for joy when Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series was going to be made into a TV series. Some of you may remember from back in 2011 when I reviewed Outlander, that I did not find it that enjoyable. My biggest gripe was with the length of time it took to get to the point and move the story along. So I held out hope that maybe converting this book series into a television show would make the experience better for me. And you know what? It did.

I started off watching Outlander because I was curious. I almost stopped after the second or third episode, but I kept watching. And now I am actually enjoying it more than the book. Is it really just because I couldn't get over the wordiness of Gabaldon's prose? Why was I connecting with pretty much the same story on screen that I couldn't with the books?

Here is my hypothesis. My biggest gripe with the books was the length of time it took to get to any sort of point. The wordiness really didn't even start bothering me until the anti-climatic last 200 pages. Right now in the show we are about 1/4th of the way through (maybe. I honestly don't remember the timeline too much in this book). I think the transfer of this to screen is slowing it down while also getting to the point. 

I realize that is kind of an oxymoron. Each episode moves the overall plot along while still feeling like it is taking things slow. I like it. I think that it is helping me connect with the characters and story a lot more.

In addition, I think that at least so far the series is touching on characterization that bothered me in the book regarding Claire. I never believed her struggle with the two men, but in the show I really do. The actress is amazing in her role. That's actually another thing I really enjoy about the show. The acting is outstanding. I am actually more entrenched in the people around them then I am in the love story between Jamie and Claire.

Another thing I think works really well in the show is the dichotomy they show between Claire's life in the 1940s and her life in the 1740s. The flashbacks work so well at framing the story!

I realize that we are only 7 episodes in, and I have yet to get to the part of the book that really turned me off, so I guess I reserve judgement. But overall I have to say that this series is doing a great job of translating book to screen. If people are interested in a time travel romance story set in 18th century Scotland, you should check this out. I think you can actually watch the first episode free on Starz's website. 

Has anyone been watching? I am curious to get the opinion of other people who read the book? Were you a fan of the book and do you like or dislike the show? Conversely, I'd love to hear from people who just are watching the show. How are you liking the journey so far? 


12 comments:

  1. I have to agree. I recently finished and reviewed Outlander. Although I really enjoyed the book as a break from what I usually read (it was also one of the first "for fun" books I read once school let out), it left a lot to be desired. From the beginning though I thought it would make a great movie or tv series so I'm happy to see that happening. So far I've enjoyed the series immensely. I'm a little tentative about going back to the 1940s, but the idea is great as it fills in missing information that would have been nice in the book.

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  2. I have been watching Outlander and waiting for the next episode every week! I'm liking more and more this series, it started a bit slow but each episode gets better. I didn't read the books, but one of my friends have been slowly reading them and loves them....that's why I was curious about the series. I don't think I'm going to read the books but for now, I really like this series!

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  3. I just jumped in the other weekend and watched two episodes back to back. Enough to figure out what was going on(tho still not sure how her husband showed up back in the past too...?). And her husband/British officer guy is one MAJOR douchey pants! And she is an amazing actress. I'm recording it as of now, curious to see what happens.

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    1. They are two different people. The husband is still in the future. The guy in the past is like his great x a few grandpa or uncle or something.

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  4. I LOVED the entire series of Outlander books and cannot wait for the next one. And I am really enjoying the series. I think they did a great job of casting the characters and sticking to the storyline.

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  5. I haven't read the book or watched the show yet but I've been hearing people rave about it so I'll definitely start watching soon. I've heard a million great things about Jamie.

    Brain On Pause

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  6. I read the first book and I didn't care for it either. It was too wordy. Also the scene where Jaime punishes Claire really turned me off, even though I know it's historically accurate.

    I've only watched up to The Gathering but so far, I'm finding the show a bit boring as well. I find myself on tumblr quite a bit while watching. I'll stick it out I suppose but really I think I'm going to have to just let this one go.

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    1. Yeah it was only recently that I started enjoying it. It's not like my favorite show or anything, but entertaining enough to mostly hold my attention.

      I am glad to find someone who feels the same about the book. I often hear people call it the best romance out there. I can't get aboard that train.

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  7. I'm loving the show so far! I've yet to read the book, I think I'll save it until the series is finished so I don't spoil what happens.. Excited to read it though!

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  8. First off I will admit to being a cover judge and these books have never even appealed to me because of their covers. Then I hear a lot of mixed reviews on it either they loved it or they thought it was vulgar..then I seen how many pages was in it and I was like..I think I will pass. So when the TV show come on I thought well I will watch it and see what it is like..my favorite part of the whole show is Jaime and just listening to them talk. I have kept watching it but I really haven't found it to be that great and it hasn't made me want to read the books. Just the resent couple episodes have I actually felt like it was getting more interesting before that I thought it was a bit slow and boring...but keep watching it for the guy that plays Jaime..lol. :)

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    1. Haha! That is how I feel too. It was only recently that I thought of it as a show I want to watch every week and not just a show I watch when I remember. Their accents are so delicious.

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  9. I completely agree! I read the book right before the show started, and I thought it would never end. I was really turned off by the "punishment" scene punkshouse mentioned.

    I am enjoying the show though. While it is dragging a lot like the book, I find there are several elements that I like much more. I also like the flashes to Frank in the future, and I actually like Jamie in the show, he's adorable! I'll keep watching, but I won't read any more of the books.

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