From Annette on Outlander

1. What kind of characters has Gabladon created? Given that she has created a cross genre novel (historical/fantasy/timetravel) are her characters realistically drawn? Are they emotionally and psychologically complex...or flat, one-dimensional and cartoonish?

I found the characters to be satisfyingly complex. I liked the way she gradually developed them over the course of the novel with some individuals (like Murtagh) turning out to be different than first glance. Capt Randall's character a definitely BAD guy also had more nuances and depths than often given to the bad guy. But those depths were darker and scarier than it looked at first. I also liked how Claire discovered strengths and skills she would have never guessed possible.

2. What are a few of your favorite characters and why? What is there importance to the story?

Claire, Jamie, Murtagh, Geillis. The importance of the first three is kind of obvious the story revolves around them. Geillis I appreciate because she was a "fish out of water" like Claire. And her actions as a woman and as a "witch" is what propelled (unintentionally) Claire (and then Jamie) into flight and danger.

3. What assumptions does Jonathan Randall make regarding Claire upon first encountering her...and why? How does that shape the plot of the story?

He assumes she must be whore. She was rescued by Murtagh because he thought she was in distress. Which began her whole journey to Dougal, Colum, and Jamie


4. In what ways does Clair adjust to her new circumstances, and how does she put 20th-century knowledge to work in an 18-century world?

I think psychologically she adjusts remarkably well. she thinks fast and has a survivors attitude. She uses her medical skill to her advantage and finds a place and a role early on. It helps that she knows her scottish history to make sense of where she is and what is going on.

5 How disorienting (or appealing) would it be for you to be transported back in time? How would cope with the time change? What era would be most appealing to you to travel back to? and Why? If you time-traveled, how much of the future from which you have come would you be tempted to reveal? What might you attempt to change using your knowledge of modern times?

I actually don't like time travel novels, it makes my head feel like its going to explode. So I'm surprised that I like this one. Or because I love anything that has to do with Scotland. Or perhaps because the characters are interesting. I'm pretty sure I'd have a hard time if transported more than a hundred years. I'm pretty independent, outspoken etc and am not sure how well I'd fit in as a woman of another time. If I did "go back" perhaps to the mid 1800s when so much was changing and being created in the U.S. a remarkalbe time in history (but mostly for men).


6. The Outlander series was originally difficult to market because it didn't fit into any "neat" genre of fiction. It eventaully caught on and in HUGE WAY. What do you think is so appealing about the series to readers? what is the fascination?

I think its the characters and their relationship. I also think there are constant surprises that take the story in a slightly different direction or explain why the story went where it did. I like that.

I actually read the 2nd book first (not knowing it was a HUGE series...I justliked that it was about Scotland). I highly recommend it Dragonfly in Amber. I think I may like it best of the two...but I don't know...pretty close.