Well, if nothing else, I must say the pace of the story is moving right along. I would have thought we would have had more back story to wade through before getting to Claire's experience at the stones.
Favorite quote:
"Life among academics had taught me that a well-expressed opinion is usually better than a badly expressed fact, as far as professional advancement goes." - ClaireNo doubt Diana is writing this from her long association with academia. I would definitely agree (not that I have had a long association with academia), but I have also found that simply stating something with confidence goes a lot farther to convince others than those who can quote fact after fact yet with an unconvincing lack of passion.
Favorite scene:
I was mildly amused at Claire's lack of interest in the discussion between Frank and Reverend Wakefield discovering all of the history surrounding Black Jack Randall. I certainly would have been eager to join in their discussion. I was a little sad when Claire left the room to have tea with Mrs. Graham...
I was mildly amused at Claire's lack of interest in the discussion between Frank and Reverend Wakefield discovering all of the history surrounding Black Jack Randall. I certainly would have been eager to join in their discussion. I was a little sad when Claire left the room to have tea with Mrs. Graham...
Additional comments:
While obviously the Druidic elements are critical to the story, I'm finding it difficult to connect there. Before you start throwing stones, I get it; it's cultural and very historically accurate, yes. I'm just not sure if it's a guy thing or if it's just me, but the tea leaves and palm reading stuff (yes, I understand it's important foreshadowing in the story), just makes me kind of, well, roll my eyes. Let me hasten to add: I AM NOT DISLIKING THE STORY, I am merely trying to be honest in my perspective on the book. If my wife knows anything about me, it's that if you ask my opinion you're usually going to get it. :)
While obviously the Druidic elements are critical to the story, I'm finding it difficult to connect there. Before you start throwing stones, I get it; it's cultural and very historically accurate, yes. I'm just not sure if it's a guy thing or if it's just me, but the tea leaves and palm reading stuff (yes, I understand it's important foreshadowing in the story), just makes me kind of, well, roll my eyes. Let me hasten to add: I AM NOT DISLIKING THE STORY, I am merely trying to be honest in my perspective on the book. If my wife knows anything about me, it's that if you ask my opinion you're usually going to get it. :)
Ok, from what my wife told me about the series, Frank and Claire's "roll in the hay" (or in this case, "cow parsley") leaves me wondering how many episodes of this I will have to endure in the rest of the book. Yes, I'm sure most guys would be, like, "My wife knows that I'm reading this book, and they have excerpts from Penthouse letters in here? Dude, I am stoked!" But, seriously, is it really necessary to have the lovemaking scenes described in such detail? For me, and this is obviously just me, it totally distracts me from the story itself. Yes, I know Frank and Claire are married, but that doesn't mean I want to peek in on their bedroom while they're, y'know...right? Let's let them have their moment, and understand they've had their moment, while not experiencing their moment with them. Kinda creeps me out. K?
Thanks for the honesty .I gave a copy to a friend and her hubby came seeking me out to say I gave his wife porn. Question: Would you prefer it not be there in the Starz TV Series? Or is that different from reading. Curious how you men think.
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Di, thank you! Yes, I think I would prefer it not be in there in the TV series. If the Game of Thrones book adaptation is any indicator, I can tell you that I only made it through the first episode of that TV series, but the nudity and explicit scenes really made me feel unnecessarily uncomfortable. I don't get it; maybe I'm just a prude. I'm sure most guys would want to watch it just for that. Not sure why, but I am of the opinion that good cinema can still convey the concept without having to be so explicit. But for sure you can't use me as a standard of how all men think... just ask my wife! ;)
DeleteDi Shaw, that is a great question. Often women have a greater response to sex when in the written form rather than (like men) in the visual form. That being said, I know very few men who didn't enjoy the sex scenes in GOT or Black Sails or... The few that I do know who didn't enjoy the scenes found them gratuitous. I personally don't mind the scenes, assuming that there is a purpose behind it. I deplore unnecessary sex and violence in literature. It is the mark of an author who has yet to know their own story.
DeleteAs a very happily married woman whose hubby is smart enough to call her "my wee Sassenach" now and again, might I suggest that you wade through what will be more than a few lovemaking scenes with a set of open eyes. Perhaps there might be something of interest, y'ken? And no mmmmmrph-ing, lol?
ReplyDeleteAye, Sandi, I see your from the McLaren clan, are ye? (Does everybody start speaking in an Irish brogue after reading these books?) I promise I'll do my best, although my wife has offered to "take the hit" and re-read those portions when I get to them to make sure I'm not missing any plot points, if needed. :)
DeleteHahaha - that would be Scots!
DeleteDangit Sherri! I KNEW I mis-wrote that and meant to correct it to SCOTTISH brogue! Okay, my face is officially red. Yes, if you're speaking in an Irish brogue after reading the books, you may have to move a little further east and north :). (But don't end up in Wales, because nobody knows what the heck THEY'RE saying).
DeleteYou a a very good writer, Steve, and quite humorous too! Love it :-)
DeleteThanks, Sherri! Hope you continue to have fun following along!
DeleteI have to say that I did not care for so many lovemaking scenes and I am not a prudish woman, but somehow I felt they detracted from the storyline. This story is so detailed and so convoluted it does not need graphic sex scenes. And there are many more to comr.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Silver, I concur. I also am not a prudish woman. :)
DeleteI get it; well, since I know there are more of those scenes to come, I can only guess that the story would still be viable even if those sex scenes were toned down a bit. But, I also am NOT a best-selling author, so...what have we learned here? :)
Just laughing at your frankness and yes there is much more to endure. Though...no...can't say that here. Spoiler. Even speaking as a woman who does love the books and the sex scenes, I can see your point of view. What fascinates me is when you do get into the Highlander portions, Diana is equally skilled at expressing the male relationships, the violence and gore of battles, the strengths and weaknesses of men and how they respond to all of the above. At least I think so, as a woman. So hopefully you will find a pleasing balance to offset the sex scenes! :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, Cynthia, there is nothing better to offset a good sex scene than a gory battle scene. :) I will have to cross that bridge when I get to it, and I will be sure to let you know if I think the male perspective is represented fairly or not. But as you can tell from my chapter commentary, I'm not sure I'm a typical male candidate for this job...
DeleteI have no problem with you rolling your eyes during the palm-reading and tea leaves - I do the same thing when people talk about Biblical stories like they actually happened. :-) We all have our levels of disbelief.
ReplyDeleteHaha nationalparkduo. Seriously, this is my favorite comment so far. Touche, my good friend. Well played!
DeleteI SHOULD have made it more clear that I viewed the tea leaves and palm reading more as "girly", and well, kind of contrived, while the guys were out discussing the "important" historical nitty gritty which is where I would have rather been.
Levels of disbelief, indeed; I stand corrected. I will mind my inadvertent biases a little more closely; thank you for the good-natured reminder. :)
Tho this has me belly laughing!
DeleteI just skim through the sex scenes. I find them unnecessary, but I know that sex sells, especially in a romance novel, which is essentially what this is. I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the contract that there had to be X number of scenes...It remains, however, one of my favorite books, and I've read it countless times. I'm enjoying your perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I guess I'm just curious about how many of the readers have commented about reading through the SERIES numerous times, as in, the whole set of gigantic books, is this right? When does anyone doing this have time to do other stuff, like, I don't know, brushing your teeth and mowing the lawn? :)
DeleteI've read the first four or 5 several times as I would re-read them when the newer books came out. The last few I've only read once or twice. Audiobooks help!
DeleteDr. G's sex scenes deepen the relationships of the characters, revealing additional character traits and exploring the physical aspects of intimacy. The fact they are sexy too is just an added bonus ;-) Thanks for this blog- I'm enjoying your perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional insights, Lori. Yeah, I get it. I guess for me I can find intimacy in other things too, like holding hands and pressing our foreheads together. I also think there are other ways of depicting the acts without necessarily being as graphic, but I can see why it's appealing, obviously. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
DeleteHi ~ I'm a relative newcomer to the Outlander series; I don't know the books nearly as well as some others would, but I have read them all. I just found your blog (it's great!), and I know you're a few chapters past this point, but I'd like to comment on the subject of the sex scenes.
ReplyDeleteI think there may be another way to look at it. These books are very descriptive of just about every aspect of these character's lives, as well as everything around them. The author does not shy away from detailed descriptions of wounds, disease, battles, food, clothes, bodily functions, physical surroundings; everything. Why should she not also include depicting the physical relationships that were and are very much a part of the lives of men and women, whether coupled or not? I personally don't find them too graphic, and I understand that they might be for some. But I think that for the most part, you learn things about these people and their relationships during the sex scenes, and I feel that they DO serve a purpose.
Well, JoMarie, the idea that we learn more about the character relationships is certainly a common thread in those who think the sex scenes enhance the story. But I think you bring out an additional valid point as well; as detailed and descriptive as Diana is with every other aspect of the story, why would this be something left to the imagination?
DeleteI don't know; I still think a lot of those emotions and character advancements can be displayed in other ways, but you sure are right about one thing: it certainly keeps Diana consistent in her storytelling.
I'm 50/50 sometimes I skim, sometimes I read those parts slowly. Just depends on my mood. I agree with the statement about DG's being graphic in all aspects...just wait my friend, just you wait.
ReplyDeleteJessica, Table 1 woo hoo! Such a cryptic comment: "Just wait, my friend, just you wait..." Wow, the only thing missing from that statement is the evil laugh: "Mwahahahahaha!" :)
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