We went to Dallas on the weekend and it was a rushed and busy trip but I was a lucky girl as my husband decided to do all of the driving and so that meant I got to read quite a bit. Yay.
I decided to take Outlander with me because I figured it was a chunky enough book for the seven hour ride (to and from) and lucky for me the story was engaging and fun. I had a few quibbles with the main character, Claire who travels back in time and who I thought was a bit too nonchalant about it. I am sorry but I think I would have been freaking out a bit more than she did.
Anyway, still enjoyable though until about half way through the book and we get to one scene that just left me thinking “What?!” I really hate to mention spoilers but I think I have to so if you’ve not read the book and don’t want to be spoiled, look away now!
What was my big complaint? If you’ve read the books, I think you know. The scene where Jaime beats Claire and then she justifies it and all is good with them. Hello? I didn’t find this romantic, erotic, nothing. It was just a major letdown.
So now I’m kind of stuck as to what to do. Do I continue reading as I’ve already gotten through half of that chunkster or should I move on? Part of me wants to figure out how the end is resolved but I guess I just don’t want to read more about the “love story” as it doesn’t feel all that romantic to me. Ah well. So is it me? Did anyone else feel like this after reading this book?
I haven’t read this series yet, though I’ve read lots of good reviews on them.
Re. that scene, that is totally unbelievable! Well, I’d be stuck if I were you too.
I haven’t read the book yet but have it on my shelves. That scene will be a deal breaker for me although since I read the spoiler (and you did warn me) maybe I can brace myself and get past it? I hope you will find a way to finish the entire book and let us know what you think. So many people rave about this book but there have been a few who haven’t. I’ll be interested in your opinion.
Melody – I know, I’ve always read wonderful reviews of this book and so I was a bit taken aback by that part of the book. I really don’t understand why it was necessary too.
Kathleen – I haven’t decided yet what to do. I think for tonight I’m just going to opt for starting a new book! haha… I guess what’s so surprising for me is that this is considered somewhat of a romance novel isn’t it? At least I always thought of it that way and so that was kind of a shock. I’ll keep you posted on what I end up doing!
I felt the same exact way. I am a feminist and guard constantly against that kind of thing in my reading (or try to), but…. and this is a ‘but’ I use rarely, I took into consideration time period. I think Gabaldon was trying to show the quite dramatic difference in what was expected of women and what Claire actually was. And from my recollection, Claire doesn’t exactly say, “Oh ok, I deserved it.” Now, that being said, I would consider it a trigger, particularly for anyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship. The problem is that scene is blatant. We see violence against women all the time on television and in movies and books. Unfortunately, many times we just write it off as being the work of a psycho. Once we do that, I think we, in a way, pass it off as not a real problem but an aberrance.
Ok, I’m off my soapbox. All in all, though, I really enjoyed the books, and Jaime really comes to learn quite a lot from Claire. As the book progresses and as the other books progress, you really see them as a partnership.
jrav – I agree, I do think that’s why Gabaldon has the scene, to show the difference in gender roles and you are right, Claire doesn’t quite say she deserved it but she rationalizes it and that’s what I can’t wrap my mind around because after all she is not a woman from that time. I’m glad to hear that the other books show the progression of the relationship. That’s good to know! I ended up starting a new book tonight because I think I needed a break from this one but it’s still on my nightstand 🙂
Definitely stick with it. Their relationship does evolve – and not to excuse him, but Jamie is so young in the first book and has no idea how to be a husband other than what he’s seen. I think Gabaldon does a good job of showing that development in both characters.
I would agree with Carrie. I did a double take as well, and it made me harbor some icky feelings for awhile towards Jamie. In the future, the two of them both struggle with this isolated occurrence. It haunts Jamie. They have an interesting relationship, these two.
I didn’t like that part either. It made me quite angry. But, not to excuse it, if you look at it as time and cultural difference it is a little easier to stomach. If it is any consolation it never happens again (at least that I can recall) and the pair end up having a very romantic relationship. so do keep going!
Sandy: I totally forgot about that. They do both struggle quite a bit with that incident.
I am so surprised by how many are rationalizing to continue reading this book. I equate that acquiescence to condoning or justifying the behavior. Would anyone have their same opinion if it were happening to them in real life? As book lovers, I think everyone has several piles of books waiting to be read and maybe these books are more deserving of one’s attention.
In response to what Katherine said – I read a lot of books that have behavior I don’t condone or take part in. Just because I continue to read the book doesn’t mean I’m in favor of wife beating in real life – any more than continuing to read a book in which a character commits adultery means I’m in favor of that, or stealing, murder, lying, etc. If we only read books in which the characters’ behavior was morally perfect, reading would be a boring pursuit.
You really do have to take into consideration the time period. Was it wrong then as it’s wrong now? Yes. However, it does make a huge difference. Plus, once Claire and Jaime get to know one another and he understands, he feels quite a bit of guilt over it. It’s something that, as a couple, they have to get through. Most wife beaters don’t ever reach that point. Had this been continual behavior or had he not understood the wrongness of it, I would have put the book down instantly.
And I agree with what Carrie K. is saying – 100%.
I didnt finish reading your post, because I have this book on my nightstand and want to read it soon 🙂 Now youve got me curious!
Ugh, that sounds like a dealbreaker to me. Though I certainly sometimes finish books even when I don’t condone the behavior in them, when I get disgusted or frustrated by the character’s actions, it’s harder. Hmmm…a quandary!
It really has been a while since I read the book–I totally forgot that part. In a way that’s probably a good thing as I came away from the experience remembering the rest of it–the happier, more romantic moments. I expect I was shocked, too, but put it down to the period and class–of course Claire being modern….
If this Claire character is a modern day person, as I thought she was, I’m pretty sure this would be a major deal breaker for me. Talk about cultural differences! My husband and I are from different cultures and our first languages are different (although we’re able to communicate in English -lucky me!), but we still have to deal with lots of cultural differences. I can assure you though, that there are lots of men here in Japan that I wouldn’t give the time of day- too different in terms of their expectations of me and in my experience love does NOT overcome this. I’ve read a fair amount of romances, including one about a guy who used to abuse his wife and after some serious therapy they reconciled – but it was an incredibly complex relationship for them to navigate and I thought the author did a fine job of treading a very thin line (should she or shouldn’t she go back to him after everything he’d done?). Anyways, I’ve heard lots of raves about Outlander but I’m thinking this one is definitely off the list for me now. Thanks for this post!
I should add the disclaimer that my perspective is also colored by the fact that my father was a police office who worked domestic violence cases and I’ve known 3 women, very close to me who were in abusive relationships. Needless to say- deal breaker.
It’s been a while since I read the book, but if I recall, Claire isn’t necessarily a “modern” woman. Yes, she is a twentieth-century woman, but wasn’t she transported from the 1940’s? I could totally be remembering that wrong, but if she was it’s not necessarily what I would consider modern-day, especially in regards to feminism and female empowerment. She’s definitely a strong woman, especially for the time period, but the first wave of feminism hit in, what? The fifties? So it’s not totally unusual for her to rationalize the behavior, since that’s what a lot of women did in the 40’s. (A lot of women STILL do it, even though it’s the 21st century!)
I think the series is excellent and I hope you don’t decide to abandon it just because of that scene. Jamie does come to realize how wrong he is for his behavior and the two of them do work through it. I agree with jrav; it’s about their growing together as a couple and learning to be a team, and it’s more a sign of the times than any shortfall in Jamie’s personality. I hope you keep reading!
Interesting. I’ve been thinking about starting this series, but I’m still on the fence. I’ll be curious to read your thoughts if you ever finish the book.