Another DNF? I must have a veil of scrutiny covering me. Why am I not so easily impressed anymore?
Although really…I kind of love it?
Let’s dive right in!
(Found on Goodreads)
Their passionate encounter happened two centuries ago when the gallant renegade Jamie Fraser sent her back to her own time, pregnant with his child, believing he would be killed in the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746. Now their daughter has grown up and Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Drawn back across the chasm of time she seeks once more the man she could never forget, the destiny she cannot ignore…
DNFed approx 230 pages in.
Why why why why why?
Why did all the books just go downhill for me? UGH.
Outlander was a favourite book for me. Since then it’s just not been going well.
So here’s the story of how the first 200 pages of this book went for me.
First off, I was just bored. It started with a complete implausible situation for me, which wasn’t great. But it switches between two perspectives: neither of which I found interesting for the most part. But I thought “well it’s the beginning of a very long book, so I’ll give it a chance.” 200 pages in, that hadn’t really changed.
And there’s the small fact that I really don’t like Brianna. I’ve no idea why, I just don’t.
Then we have the situation where I noticed something and couldn’t stop noticing. That being how many times Diana Gabaldon describes Jamie Fraser’s eye and hair colour. I started tabbing them – in 10 pages she’d mentioned his hair and eye colour 6 times. Once even 3 times on one page. REALLY?!? I know he’s meant to be this swoon worthy character, but I’m pretty sure we established in the first book what colour his bloomin’ hair and eyes are.
That, paired with the fact that every single person ever mentioned seemed to idolise Jamie, just started to become infuriating to read about. I use to adore Jamie. I’m pretty sure in my review of the first book I’m just fangirling over him. But now…
Now this situation stands: I came across a little scene that made me dislike him. A lot.
Now I’m about to rant about a small scene in the book, so if you don’t want to read a minor spoiler, skip ahead to the next paragraph. Because this scene…I don’t even know. (This is your last chance to skip ahead – don’t blame me if you read it.) So basically, Jamie Fraser rapes a woman. Now, I KNOW that this is set in the 1700’s, and rape was hardly uncommon back then. But that’s not why it bothered me. It bothered me because for the first time in this series (as far as I’m aware), rape was treated like it was a good thing. All other mentions of it had come with reactions of disgust or general disdain, but when Jamie Fraser does it? No, apparently he was doing her a favour. And I don’t care that technically, the woman started things – she very clearly screamed at him to stop numerous times, in which his response was that rape was – and I quote – the “only coherent thing” to do. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Not once did it say that he’d done a bad thing, even when the after effects of that ended up so much worse. It was horrific to read.
So quite frankly, between that scene and everyone idolising him, I can’t bring myself to like Jamie Fraser anymore. And I’m not even sorry.
But that means that there was no way in hell I was going to carry on reading a 1000+ page book about someone I don’t like. Especially when I don’t like one of the main side characters either. I haven’t got time for that.
NOTE: Trigger Warning for rape.
Rated 1/5 stars
Book Depository
Share your thoughts!
Have you read this book/series? What did you think?
If you haven’t, do you plan to?
Do you watch the TV show?
Let me know in the comments!
Until next time…
Come and visit me!
A frolic through fiction 
I’ve read Voyager a few times and I don’t remember that scene but then I don’t always if it’s been awhile since I’ve read the book. Having said that, Voyager is probably my least favourite of the series. I actually do like the first half of the book but they end up on a ship to the Caribbean and ultimately to America and that whole half I really disliked. I’ll likely reread the series before the next book comes out so I’ll watch for this scene.
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It’s only last about a page or so, it can easily get lost in a 1000+ page book! But yeah, I didn’t really like the idea of where it was going anyway because I know the second book is focused on Brianna and I don’t like her either ahaha 😆
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Yeah I’m not going to read her books especially after what she said on Twitter about English degrees and how you don’t need one and they are worthless. I am going to skip it. But great review! I love reading your DNFs! 😂
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😆 ranty reviews are the best ahaha. But yeah Diana is known to say a lot of things that offend people – I actually found a response she wrote about this scene and it just makes it worse so!
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Ugh. Sorry you wasted your time on it. ☹️
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Oh my goodness, I honestly can’t remember this happening at all. Was I skimming scenes or did I somehow just not notice? My love for the books it dwindling a little, going to read the 4th and see how I feel.
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It was only a page or so, so it’s easily missed in such a huge book! I hope you enjoy the 4th book anyway, I wish I enjoyed it enough to continue!
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Bummer! I loved Outlander – I’m currently listening to the audiobook so I can pick up Dragonfly in Amber. Sorry to hear you were disappointed in this one – and thanks for pointing out the spoiler so I could skip ahead of that part LOL! But now I know to read Voyager with a careful eye. Thanks for your honesty in this review! 🙂
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No problem! I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
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I can completely understand why these books are tough to get through. And I never noticed the ridiculous amount of times Clare comments on Jamie’s hair and eye color! HAHA
As for the rape scene, if it’s the scene that I think you’re referencing, I believe that Jamie’s sister, Jenny, had some strong opinions about the situation? I don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think it’s just glossed over… But it’s been a few months since I’ve read it, so I could be wrong.
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It wasn’t even clare commenting on any of those times I mentioned! She wasn’t in the book at that point so it was just totally random mentions ahaha!
Ahhh well at least there’s that then. Jenny is probably my favourite character for that reason, she’s not afraid to say what she thinks. But still, I don’t like Jamie Fraser anymore and don’t want to read about him, which is a shame *shrugs* I hope you enjoyed them more than I did!
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To be honest, the fact that Jamie basically goes on to rape someone really disturbs me- but I also hated how rape was used all the time in the plot of the first one and the portrayal of Jaime’s rape in the show just made me rage quit forever. Not totally relevant, but yeah, I don’t know why this series has to be like this
Great review- made me really glad I already quit this series!!
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I suppose the amount of rape just suits the time period, but it doesn’t exactly make for entertainment
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Yeah I get that for sure- but you’re right
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