T’is the Scottish Highlands – ye ken?
Outlander – Diana Gabaldon[1]
It has been said many times that books are the doorway to another world. A world of imagination, possibilities. It has been said that he who doesn’t read lives but one life, and he who reads lives many. There is not a book out there, for which that is more true than Outlander.
Being the first book in a still going series, Outlander opens up the door to a world long since forgotten. The world of eighteenth century Scotland, 1743 to be exact. We see the world through the eyes of Claire Randall, a nurse in the British Army during the second world war. After it’s end, she and Frank, her husband, go up to the Scottish Highlands. Their ‘second honeymoon’ is however abruptly ended when Claire, whilst scouting the environment, is transported back to 1743. She lands in the middle of a slight conflict between the English and Scots. Events follow, and Claire, now using plainly her maiden name Beauchamp (Beech-ham), goes along with the Scots. She lives amongst strangers who, eventually become friends, family, lovers.
Being just the first in a long series of books, Outlander opens the story in an amazing fashion. Hooked from page one, it is simply impossible to put down. The books are well written and stay true to history as much as possible in a fictive story. Diana Gabaldon, a research professor herself, has done an amazing job in opening the amazing story. The book is full of conflict, tension, love and most of all, history.
Some books take the doorway to other worlds more serious than other. Outlander is literally a doorway to another world, but not only for Claire. Even the reader is able to forget the burdens of life in the twenty-first century, and simply enjoy in the seemingly simple time of eighteenth century Scotland. Each character is unique, and the story is vibrant with their bustling energy. Central are Jamie and Claire, of course, and their amazing story. The story is now also a TV show by Starz. The second half of the first season picks up on April 4th, but luckily there are a lot of books to help the fans through what we are calling ‘Droughtlander’.
So, find yourself your own favorite kilted Scot, and join the rest of us in the highlands!