A STARZ Original Series From Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore: Outlander

**Liam** · 30th March 15, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by frank_a

For fans at least in the states, the series starts again this coming Saturday.

Frank

And Canada too, I believe.

**Orionson** · 31st March 15, 05:23 AM

Well, I have finally seen it! Took advantage of the 30 Day Free Trial on Amazon Prime and did a marathon 8 episode stint.

I like it. I like it very much. I had decided well in advance not to peer too closely at the fine historical details and to focus on the "big picture", as it were. I simply love the overall feel of the piece and I am hungry for the next episodes. I may even buy the books.

What pleases me most is that it is filmed here in Scotland. A wise choice. No other country can stand in for the wild majestic beauty of Scotland. I only wished that they filmed at the actual Clava Cairns nearby Culloden, which, as I understand it, inspired the book in the first place. Clava Cairns could easily have been filmed in just as an effective manner.

I also like the fact that for the most part, they are using Scots Actors and that the Gaelic is not subtitled. It really powers home the point that the non Gaelic speakers are others, outsiders, outlanders in what is for them, an alien community. It makes the reinforces the point that the English, the Sassenachs, rarely, if ever understand, or appreciate the rich Gaelic Culture they are moving in.

I also greatly appreciate the subtlety of the way Jamie turns the word Sassenach into a gentle loving term of endearment when he speaks to Claire when they are alone.

I note that there are many books in the series (8?) so far and I hope that the films prove popular enough to run through all the books in the manner of Harry Potter. I've done some film work myself as an extra. I have the requisite naturally bearded Heilander "look". I'd love to be involved in this at some point. Travel to Cumbernauld, indeed, anywhere in Scotland, would be no problem at all.

Pity, I've just checked online at the Outlander Casting Site I just missed the cut off for the casting of Series 2. Ach well, fingers crossed that Series 3 gets the nod and I apply in time next time.

Now, where's that remote? I think I'll watch it again.

**tpa** · 31st March 15, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Orionson

I may even buy the books.

What pleases me most is that it is filmed here in Scotland. A wise choice. No other country can stand in for the wild majestic beauty of Scotland. I only wished that they filmed at the actual Clava Cairns nearby Culloden, which, as I understand it, inspired the book in the first place. Clava Cairns could easily have been filmed in just as an effective manner.

The books are definitely worth reading and relatively inexpensive on Amazon or Kindle. I don't know whether Clava Cairns had anything to do with Diana's original inspiration, but I do know she had never visited Scotland until long after she started writing them. It was all done from research in the USA, which makes the spirit of Scotland that she has captured all the more remarkable.

**Orionson** · 31st March 15, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by tpa

The books are definitely worth reading and relatively inexpensive on Amazon or Kindle. I don't know whether Clava Cairns had anything to do with Diana's original inspiration, but I do know she had never visited Scotland until long after she started writing them. It was all done from research in the USA, which makes the spirit of Scotland that she has captured all the more remarkable.

I was indeed, aware that the author had never been here before she had written the books. That was the reason why I decided not to read them when they came out. Yet, I had also read somewhere that it was the actual Clava Cairns nearby Culloden that had been the inspiration for the story. As I've said, they are very atmospheric and evocative.

I am happy to concede that she has captured the spirit of the Highlands and the period very effectively. I've read in many of the reviews however, that as usual with Hollywood productions, much has changed from the book to the screen. I do wonder what those changes may be. I suppose that the only way for me to find out is to read them for myself.

**Dughlas mor** · 31st March 15, 01:44 PM

I have yet to bring myself to purchase a book from the "Paranormal Romance" section of my local Half Price Book store, which is where the Outlander series is found. After hearing so many positive reviews on this site, I guess I`ll be seeing what all the fuss is about. The trouble is now that the series is so popular, they can`t keep them in stock.

**Mechamaniac** · 31st March 15, 02:43 PM

For those of you who could fit a canary or two under your kilt, the books are good, but the first couple have large swaths of "heaving bosom" romance schlock folded in. Overall, they are a worthy read if you're interested in the period but if you're a guy, ye've been warned by another that there are some real eye rollers in there when it comes to, as they like to refer to it often "mmphm".

Also, unless you read incredibly fast, you won't blow through these. The author tends towards the extremely verbose, especially in the later novels. That said, they are extremely enjoyable and at an average length of 800 pages, you'll definitely get your money's worth. Just do your arms a favor and get the e-books ;)

**fluter** · 31st March 15, 02:47 PM

Let me just offer that the "romance" classification of the first Outlander book was not accurate by the conventions of the genre. I commend them to any male members of the species who may have refrained on that account.

Edited to add: if you like your books on paper, I recommend the trade paperback format over the mass-market paperback. bigger pages == less obese volume == much easier to hold. I was given a paperback copy of Outlander (which has long since disappeared on long-term loan), and my copies are trade paperback or autographed hardbound.

I do love me some long books (see also Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle).

**Richrail** · 31st March 15, 03:50 PM

My wife purchased the books for me for Christmas, along with a nice bottle of Oban 14 year old. I do really enjoy the books they are a wonderful escape.

**kilted Kiwi2** · 31st March 15, 05:53 PM

I was curious about Outlander so I bought a used paperback copy to read, as far as fantasy stories go it was not too bad, but the costumes in the Starz TV show are pretty bad, fantasy leather jerkins , French riding boots with kilts on a horse !, no moggan's pictured at all & men wearing ladies jewelry i.e Broaches on their plaid . It was written by a woman for a female audience hence the kilt lifting porn and fantasy costumes . If you are serious about history of that period just read Burts Letters instead but if you are looking for light entertainment Outlander is fine !

**KiltedKnome** · 31st March 15, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by kilted Kiwi2

I was curious about Outlander so I bought a used paperback copy to read, as far as fantasy stories go it was not too bad, but the costumes in the Starz TV show are pretty bad, fantasy leather jerkins , French riding boots with kilts on a horse !, no moggan's pictured at all & men wearing ladies jewelry i.e Broaches on their plaid . It was written by a woman for a female audience hence the kilt lifting porn and fantasy costumes . If you are serious about history of that period just read Burts Letters instead but if you are looking for light entertainment Outlander is fine !

... kilt lifting porn and fantasy costumes? Sounds like fun. If I wanted something historically accurate like a documentary, I would read something else. By the way, have you read the posts by Terry Dresbach, the costume designer? She had interesting insight into how costume designing and production for a major production walks a fine line between "as accurate as possible" and "get it done quickly".