Diana Vowles

Advantages: concise text, great value
Disadvantages: none

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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: wonderful characters, very readable
Disadvantages: its size may look daunting, but don't be put off !!

...The book 'Cross Stitch' (Outlander = US title) is a novel by Diana Gabaldon. It is the first of currently four novels by her, following a woman called Claire & a man called Jamie. It is essentially an historical romance, but the twist is that Claire is from modern day Britain & Jamie is a Scottish Highlander from the past ! It is the best novel I have ever read - a large book, but one that somehow doesn't seem big enough, as you miss the characters once you have finished reading it. They are excellent, well-rounded characters, with wonderful storylines & a very well researched view of history. Jamie is probably the most romantic hero in a novel, but he is far from being a perfect 'Mills & Boon' / Barbara Cartland type. These books are amazing & Diana Gabaldon is a magical writer. Read this & be spellbound ! Highly recommended.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent read
Disadvantages: Can't put it down to get the chores done.

...Once again, Diana Gabaldon has surpased herself. We follow Jamie and Claire in the next step of their journey, and I must say I sometimes felt as if I were right there. Diana Gabaldon manages to express herself so clearly without overuse of words, that one can almost feel the emotions running through the pages, feel the air around the characters, smell the scents around them.. Every time I reread the series(Mmhmm) I am amazed at how Jamie, Claire and their entourage are kept interesting and alive. It would be so easy for their characters to become stale after awhile, but Diana Gabaldon manages to keep them real. Her descriptions of life in the 1700's are brilliant - possibly not 100% accurate (if you are a history professor), but I most certainly enjoy the way she brings the feel of the times so easily to her readers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful