Anyone not like Outlander?

[faith194]

It took me two years to read the first one, and I couldn't get into the second one. Most of my friends read the series quickly, and some have read it twice, while waiting god the newest installment. I just couldn't get into all the time travel/keeping characters straight. I feel like I am in the minority.

[charlatti]

I couldn't be bothered to finish the first one, so I can't give a real opinion on the book, but there are plenty of people who don't like it. I suppose when you don't like a series, there isn't really much to talk about, so you don't hear from those people.

[msmerymac]

I didn't like the first book at all. I thought it was slow, and I thought it was boring. There were only two parts that really stood out for me, and I bet you can guess what they were. And I don't particularly look forward to more scenes that are stand-out in THAT way, so...

I also thought the characterization was weak. Everyone was pretty flat. Example: bad guy was BAD. The end. Jamie is the GOOD GUY. I mean, he messes up, but we're supposed to root for him! (Which may be one reason I had SUCH a big problem with the "hero" beating his love interest.) Claire was an idiot in many ways.

I was disappointed because I thought a historical epic that took place in Scotland and involved time travel was totally something I would love, but the writing and plot just didn't do it for me. So I had no interest in continuing the series.

So, not for me. Funnily enough, my husband said we should get Starz (or Showtime?) because the show looks AWESOME. I said, "I'm sure it does, I think they filmed it in Scotland!" but it's not something I want to pay money to see right now.

[sparrowsong]

I did not like the first couple books much. The sexual violence really turned me off and the part when they were in France was zzzzzzzz...... I can't remember where I stopped reading or why I picked the books back up again. It was a couple years after giving up on it. I finally got into the story when they were in the Caribbean and then even more when Brianna and Roger traveled back too.

[AJL]

I find it's one of those series that few people are luke warm about. They either really love it or it's just not for them at all.

[labbie]

I finished the first one and never could bring myself to go on. I thought it was just ok. I've always felt like an oddball for feeling this blah about something that's so raved about. So I'm glad I have a place to share my dirty little secret. :-)

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[persa]

So funny you posted this now since I just posted on my local board's book club that I started outlander and I gave up at the 5% mark (on the kindle). I then read a synopsis online and started reading Paper towns instead, lol.

I just couldn't get into it. I would consider watching the series though.

[aurora]

I enjoyed the series (I'm currently re-reading the 2nd-to-last one so that I can remember what happens before I pick up the last one), but I can also see why not everyone would like it. I use books like this as an escape; I'm not going to pretend that it's high literature. I also really enjoy historical fiction in general.

[faith194]

Thanks for the perspectives! I just feel like "so many people love them. I love historical fiction. What the heck is wrong with me??" I may watch the series, too, just to see if I can get into it a bit more.

[msmerymac]

I heard a short clip from the show this morning and it has voiceover narration, OMG. But we're getting free Starz this weekend, so I'll watch it.

[Wallflower]

I have friends who are big fans and are always trying to get me to read it. I'm not sure what my hesitation is, but this has been an interesting thread to follow. I'll probably check out the series just to be able to talk about a little with these friends.

[rootbeerfloat]

I'm halfway through the first book, and I'm still neutral. It is my kind of book, but Claire bugs a bit, and I wish it moved faster.

I wanted to read it before watching the show, so at least I'll accomplish that. Does the first season = first book?

[1yeartogo]

I liked the initial premise of traveling back in time to Scotland. After that it was too "Rape-y" for me. I only read the first book and have no idea why women would celebrate all this sexual violence and keep reading...

[dorothyinAus]

I can't really say. It never looked like something I'd enjoy, so I never even bothered starting it. Sometimes I feel a bit left out not reading what everyone is talking about, but at the same time nothing puts me off a book more than everyone talking about it. I avoid bestsellers like the plague -- at least until long after the furore has died down around them. Even so, I don't think I'll read this particular series.

[charlatti]

Sept 1, 2014 2:11:35 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

 Sometimes I feel a bit left out not reading what everyone is talking about, but at the same time nothing puts me off a book more than everyone talking about it. I avoid bestsellers like the plague -- at least until long after the furore has died down around them. 

Kind of a thread jack, but this fascinated me. What about best sellers or having people talk about a book do you dislike so much? Do you enjoy book discussion in general? 

[dorothyinAus]

Sept 1, 2014 7:29:00 GMT -5 charlatti said:

Sept 1, 2014 2:11:35 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

 Sometimes I feel a bit left out not reading what everyone is talking about, but at the same time nothing puts me off a book more than everyone talking about it. I avoid bestsellers like the plague -- at least until long after the furore has died down around them. 

Kind of a thread jack, but this fascinated me. What about best sellers or having people talk about a book do you dislike so much? Do you enjoy book discussion in general? 

I do like book discussions in general.  I love to share thoughts on books I've read and enjoyed.

I think it's just my contrary streak that turns me off something everyone is discussing and I see everywhere.  The more I think about it, the more having everyone talking about things makes it feel like I have lost my own individuality.  

One of my co-workers once commented to me that I read more books she has never heard of than anyone else she has ever known.  That was such a nice compliment for me.  (Though at the time I was reading Agatha Christie's At Bertram's Hotel, so I'm not sure how wide her knowledge actually was.)  I admit to avoiding bestsellers from the displays in bookstores, but I don't really go seeking out books no-one else is reading.  It just happens that way, I think.

[charlatti]

Sept 2, 2014 23:33:40 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

I think it's just my contrary streak that turns me off something everyone is discussing and I see everywhere.  The more I think about it, the more having everyone talking about things makes it feel like I have lost my own individuality.  

One of my co-workers once commented to me that I read more books she has never heard of than anyone else she has ever known.  That was such a nice compliment for me.  (Though at the time I was reading Agatha Christie's At Bertram's Hotel, so I'm not sure how wide her knowledge actually was.)  I admit to avoiding bestsellers from the displays in bookstores, but I don't really go seeking out books no-one else is reading.  It just happens that way, I think.

The loss of individuality idea makes sense, especially in an internet world where we are constantly flooded with opinions. I can definitely relate to the joy of discovering a little known book, too. Thanks for answering! I have heard others say they avoid best sellers and while I'm sure it's different for every person, it's really interesting to hear the reasons.

[Deleted]

I found that I had to really work to get through the first 100 pages of each book (I only read the first three though). I ending up liking those well enough and I can see why people love them and I can also see why people hate them. After the first three I really didn't have a desire to keep going.

I thought they were good but not life changing.

This thread is amusing me though because on the old book club board on TN, if you mentioned "the beating" or anything some of the regs would just rip you apart, lol.

[msmerymac]

Sept 3, 2014 7:23:36 GMT -5 @mrsbecky07 said:

I found that I had to really work to get through the first 100 pages of each book (I only read the first three though). I ending up liking those well enough and I can see why people love them and I can also see why people hate them. After the first three I really didn't have a desire to keep going.

I thought they were good but not life changing.

This thread is amusing me though because on the old book club board on TN, if you mentioned "the beating" or anything some of the regs would just rip you apart, lol.

After the Great Migration I think that was the FIRST thing discussed on this board, lol. "So, um, are we allowed to be truthful about Outlander?" You know, without people being all, "No, you just don't GET it!"

[dorothyinAus]

Sept 3, 2014 19:53:41 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Sept 3, 2014 7:23:36 GMT -5 @mrsbecky07 said:

I found that I had to really work to get through the first 100 pages of each book (I only read the first three though). I ending up liking those well enough and I can see why people love them and I can also see why people hate them. After the first three I really didn't have a desire to keep going.

I thought they were good but not life changing.

This thread is amusing me though because on the old book club board on TN, if you mentioned "the beating" or anything some of the regs would just rip you apart, lol.

After the Great Migration I think that was the FIRST thing discussed on this board, lol. "So, um, are we allowed to be truthful about Outlander?" You know, without people being all, "No, you just don't GET it!"

That is definitely one of the nice things about here.  I don't have to feel like so much of an outsider for not liking or not reading THE book of the moment.