Questions about Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon?

Question

Hello,
I've read that the Outlander series is amazing and one of the best romance books out there, but I've also read that the hero hits and rapes the heroine, which makes me reluctant to read it... I don't think there's anything that could truly excuse abuse or rape, but for people who read the book(s), how did you not end up hating the hero? What did he do to redeem himself? Should I still give the series a try?
Oh, and also, does the Hero cheats on the heroine throughout the series? Because I've also read that in the second book, he keeps ogling other women (which seems kind of disrespectful and which I really don't appreciate).... And don't worry about spoiling too much. I'm not the kind of readers who cares much for them (unless the genre is crime or mystery)

Answer 1

Ok, at the risk of sounding like an apologist, Jamie is an amazing guy. He's very enlightened for his time, but he is from the 18th century in which different rules applied (and she is from the 20th). Back then, a certain amount of wife beating was considered the way to "keep your woman in line." That said, he does spank her (I can't remember if it's bare hand or the old belt) for disobeying him and putting people in very real danger, but she threatens to castrate him if he EVER does it again. He promises not to and never does. I can't agree that he ever rapes her. Coaxes and convinces her, sometimes very insistently (bit not forcefully, if you catch the difference), but to be honest, that's no more than you would find in any relationship. If she said "stop," he would.



He also does NOT cheat on her. There's a point or two where she wonders, but he is faithful to her (he actually comes home with a wild story and she looks at him and comments that there's no other woman who could believe a story like that b/c they aren't married to him!). Admiring a pretty girl as part of the scenery and not as a potential conquest or fling is the limit, and to me can hardly be called cheating. And one of the women he's looking at is an old acquaintance he had a mad crush on years ago, so there's some wistful thoughts there.



EDIT: it occurs to me that someone may have told you or been confused about Frank, the 20th century husband, who was not abusive, but he was seriously unfaithful to her.



And if you want more than my opinion, check out the Ladies of Lallybroch website for Outlander enthusiasm and more answers. http://www.voy.com/14018/

Answer 2

Why would you not just read the book for yourself and find out the truth? Outlander is a wonderful first book of a hugely popular series. All those people can't be wrong. My usual advice is to read at least past page 50. The first pages give a lot of important background that you will need to understand the rest, as well as giving some insight into one of the main characters. I have passed this book on to several dozen people and only had one or two people return it with negative responses. The hero is a strong principled man of his time and the heroine is smart, talented, and a humanitarian. I can't say enough good things about each of them. Read and enjoy.

Answer 3

Seriously, is this post for real? For one, the author HERSELF states that she doesn't write romance novels because she doesn't follow the "formula." Jamie, the18th century HERO - who is the virgin - is several years younger than Claire, the heroine - an accidental time-traveler, who has a beloved husband in the 20th century. The age reversal and who's a virgin and who's not, defy the standard heaving-bosom-bare-chested-hunk on the book's cover that most "romance" novels adhere to. You know...the ones where the heroine is an innocent blushing 18-yr old virgin and her counterpart is a 30-yr old rogue/rake, a master of seduction and hedonism but who changes his wild ways upon finding the blushing virgin who will become his bride.



As for the rape, it's not the heroine who is raped but the male hero - raped by a sadistic, power-hungry 18th century military officer. The heroine is the one who organizes the rescue of the man-in-distress in spite of the overwhelming odds for failure, not the other way around.



Ogling other women? Fer Pete's sake...it's the 18th century, not the 21st century, and male/female equality was NOT a common occurrence, but Jamie DOES appreciate the individualism of the woman he loves, and comes to understand that her attitude is based on her futuristic understanding of life between men and women.



The best advice I can give you is to leave your 21st century presentism (look up the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentism_%28literary_and_historical_analysis%29) at home, and understand that this book is HISTORICAL FICTION and should be judged on THAT merit.



If you're not able to do that, maybe you should wait until you're over 30-yrs old and have a few more life experiences of your own to understand the draw of these books.



Seriously.....

Answer 4

It has been many years since I read the books, so my memory does escape me a bit. The beating questions have been answered but as far as the cheating, I don't think it has been answered fully. Jamie does not cheat on her, exactly. However, if I recall correctly, I know all of you Outlander-folks will jump on me if I mis-speak (you said you didn't care if it was a spoiler so her goes)...there is a very long time that Jamie and Clare are apart from one another with the expectation of never seeing each other again. During that time, I do believe that Jamie did take up with someone. You never feel that Jamie is cheating as his belief was that Clare was dead to him. I agree with the other people...you must read and choose for yourself. Every person I know who has read the novels (and there are many) have never loved a fictional man more than Jamie.

Answer 5

Read it! He is the one who gets raped. He spanks her 1 time and it was not something he wanted to do but in the 1800's if a women disobeyed that's what was expected and she put all the men in danger so until he did all was not right with the other men. It is a love story and it's historically correct. He does not cheat. He has nothing really to redeem because he is a man millions of readers have fallen in love with. I would read it for yourself whoever told you that either didn't read it or understand it. It's the best series I've ever read.

Answer 6

There is no proof that Frank ever cheated on Claire save for her own speculations and assumptions. Diana Gabaldon herself has said that there is no evidence to say that Frank cheated on her at any time in their marriage.



And I agree, there is no rape by the hero, ever. Is there mad passionate sex? Yes. Does Claire ever find herself yielding to the desires of her body even when she is so angry she wants to refuse him? Yes. Ever had mad crazy angry make up sex? Was it rape? There you have your answer.



There are some instances of rape/attempted rape in the book--but not by Jamie. He is a man of honor--and one that will seek justice and vengeance for the victims.



As for the spanking scene--there's a difference between a necessary punishment and a beating. It is a difficult scene for a woman of the 21st century to read at first, but Jamie completely exonerates himself in the scenes immediately afterwards, and, based on his own backstory, which he shares with Claire--you'll completely forgive him. The scene is very necessary to the story line, not added gratuitously. Through their attempts at coming to terms with what Claire has done wrong, and why her actions put peoples' lives in very real danger, you learn a lot more about Jamie's life and things that mandated that he take that action.

Answer 7

I suggest you just read the series of books for yourself instead of relying on some bad information. Only you can decide what is appropriate for you. Think context! I think whoever has been telling you the above is either misinformed or jealous that they are not as successful as the author of the Outlander Series...

Answer 8

Jamie DOES rape Claire, a few days after the beating. And no, it's not passionate, mad sex, when the heroine starts begging the hero to stop because he is hurting her. And yes, it is rape when the hero, instead of stopping, immobilizes her hands and becomes even "more passionate". She consented to the sex but the fact that he refused to stop when she told him to changes the situation.

Answer 9

He does not repeatedly cheat on his wife. At a point they are apart for 20 years and (202 years in time). They both have other relationships at this time, but it would be impossible for them to be together, she believes he is dead... he knows she is in the future.



They're sexual relationship is spirited on both of their parts. In fact the heroine tells him early in their marriage that he can be rougher, she wont break. There are however at least three rapes in the series... this is historical fiction, and the truth be told. Rape was more common at that time. Jamie does not rape Claire. He adores her.



Claire is one of the strongest, resourceful and intelligent women you will come across in literature.



This is an amazing series. Try it for yourself. YOu'll be hooked..

Answer 10

I don't know here you got your info but you are totally wrong. He would never rape anyone and never hurt Claire. Jamie is the most honorable person you could ever know. His whole life is about protecting those who need protected. He and Claire have the most beautiful love story. The way they handle all the problems they encounter is awesome. He never cheats on Claire. I don't have any idea what anyone would mean about him ogling other women. He and Claire are all about each other and no one else. (Except Frank)

Answer 11

No, the hero Jamie NEVER rapes the heroine. You have such a wrong impression of these books I can only suggest you actually read them

Answer 12

I don't know what book you have been told about, but it wasn't Outlander. Nothing in your description even remotely comes close to describing what the Outlander series is like. Read it, I don't think you will be sorry.

Answer 13

Don't know where you got this information, lassie, but it is simply inaccurate. It is the best book series out there but you have to realize that it accurately depicts the time (1743-1745). Jamie is the most honest, loving, honorable person imaginable. However, he is dutiful and takes his responsibilities very seriously. He does take his belt to his wife but she also willfully disobeyed him and put not only them, but the men they were traveling with, in serious jeopardy. As far as cheating. One word--NEVER EVER EVER!

Answer 14

You canna find it in ABOSAA's because it is in the _First book_, Outlander. BTW. Herself will be releasing a new Lord John mystery, "Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade" in Sept/Oct.

Answer 15

while reading a written book, you're stimulating the human brain. You transform your life literacy and reading skills and also you in the process, are more literate. Despite having today's modern technology, you nevertheless still need to be able to read.

While watching t.v. can be good fun, it isn't doing anything to the human brain.

Answer 16

I watch or read everything...I like finding out new stuff.