10 Reasons We Love Outlander
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There are so many reasons to love Diana Gabaldon’s epic Outlander series, which has been expertly adapted into a gripping television show on Starz and is a certified cultural phenomenon. Part of the beauty of this series is its broad appeal. History buffs, romance fans, lovers of all things Scottish, and readers who simply enjoy phenomenal storytelling and beautiful prose—all these types and more have been jumping on the expansive Outlander bandwagon (which was already pretty full to begin with, since the first book in the series was published in 1991, and it’s been winning die-hard fans ever since). Still, if we were forced (or, even just asked nicely) to choose the most compelling reasons we love Outlander, there would be at least ten, and they would most certainly include the following:
{{ product: 9780553393705 }}1. Because time travel is the greatest
Show me a person who does not secretly dream of being able to travel anywhere throughout time and I will show you someone whose pants are thoroughly ablaze, what with all the lying he is doing. When Claire’s hands first rest on the stones and she is transported, we all get goosebumps—because the idea of being able to do that is simply amazing.
2. Because Scotland is intriguing
I was recently listening to a podcast in which some folks from Glasgow were being interviewed and I was all, “LOL, they sound rough and charming and I have NO IDEA what they are saying.” As it turns out, they were discussing Glasgow’s historic gang violence, so I maybe missed the mark as far as the “charming” thing. Still, Scotland is a romantic place, the Highlands even more than other regions. And author Gabaldon presents us with a Scotland we can understand, a Scotland we love, but not a Scotland that’s romanticized. She shows us the dirt and the violence and flaws, and that makes it even easier to picture—because it’s real.
3. Because gingers are sexy
Let’s be honest. He might not be able to blink without closing both eyes like a solemn owl, and his back might be a tapestry of scars, but Jamie Fraser and his red hair are the epitome of sexiness. Oh sure, he is forever getting into serious trouble, but the man is good, kind, and funny, a hero we’d all gladly fall through time to be with. And then some.
4. Because of the clothes
I do not exactly know off the top of my head what a fichu is, but I know that I am sad that we do not wear them (while leggings continue to be a thing!). And in Outlander, we don’t just get the greatest clothing of the 18th century, we also get the greatest clothing of the 1940s! Bring on the corsets, bring on the plaid, bring on the wool cloaks! Were any of these clothes Downy fresh? Not in the least, but that doesn’t rid them of any of their historic allure.
5. Because we all secretly wish the Loch Ness monster were real
Look. I’m not saying I’m crazy, I’m just saying that the world would be a significantly better, more interesting place if, in a Scottish loch, there dwelled a serpentine sea-beast of ancient lore. I’ll take my magic where I can get it. Even if that magic is essentially a very shy water snake.
6. Because of Claire
It’s a rare thing to find a smart, funny, curly-haired, heroine who also totally owns her sexuality and her sense of self. I love any book in which we are given a strong female protagonist, and Claire is one of the strongest out there. She is mistreated and underestimated and never once lets the obstacles she encounters shake her sense of self.
7. Because of powdered spiders
There is something deeply appealing about reading about all the borderline insane and almost always disgusting tinctures and tonics used back in the day to treat illnesses. We love reading about sheep dung remedies because it brings to life a time that seems out of reach, and because it’s fun to marvel at how far we’ve come (just as future generations will feel smugly superior when they read about our toxic nail polish).
8. Because of olden times
There’s something inherently fascinating about a book set during a time outside of your own. With this one, we get to travel back to two different times, which we can revel in and explore in our imaginations—an ideal way to poke around, considering the lack of the internet and penicillin back in the 18th century.
9. Because of sword fights
It takes skill to write a dynamic and engaging sword fight. Skill that Gabaldon has in spades. Every fight, be it with fists, knives, or anything else is gripping and dangerous, she turns into edge-of-your-seat worthy reading. These scenes are so good, they’ll have you Googling “cheap fencing lessons.”
10. Because of love
At its core, this series is a love story, and a good love story is transformative. It elevates the spirit, feeds the mind, and inspires the heart. A love story can be an escape or can incite hope in the belly of the reader. The story of Jamie and Claire does that, and so much more.
Time travel with Outander on July 5 >