Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Warning: Spoilers. This review is almost entirely about the rape scene of Jamie and of how much I hate Claire. Reading it if you disagree with those things as being reasons for me to hate this book will be pretty pointless. I won't change my mind and really don't care if you feel differently. I enjoyed Outlander up until the part where Jamie was brutally raped followed up with descriptions that have scarred me as well. I have no issue with two men consentually loving one another but raping a man, especially one who supposedly embodies all that is masculinity, and he ALLOWS it to happen, makes me lose respect for him. It is one thing to be overpowered but to lay there and literally take it is absurd. I don't care if you made a heartfelt promise so your super worthless wife is promised safety, you fight. I can't imagine any Highlander male not killing or at least being killed on the spot rather than be so defiled. It disgusted me so much that I really do not want to carry on the series. The rape scene is not the only appalling aspect of this book. I hate Claire to the point I wish her character would be killed off. I like strong and independent females but she is just ridiculous in her attempts to show that her balls are bigger than the men's. She constantly risks the lives of all the men sworn to protect her and learns NOTHING from it. The prison scene where Claire fails miserably to rescue Jamie destroyed any chance of me liking her. I am not a strategic person when it comes to escape plans but even I knew to be watching Randall. Hell I would be on the floor stabbing him instead of standing helpless on the bed watching my husband fight an apparent giant. Where was the resourceful, strong, bullheaded Claire? She did more to kill Jamie's spirit than Randall did by being absolutely worthless. I have never hated a fictional character more than her. But Claire isn't the only horrible character in this series. Randall's character is by far the most horrific that I have ever read. The excessive brutality with flogging and the mistreatment of Claire was ample proof of how deplorable of a character he is. There was absolutely no need for the rape. It detracted from the story and Jamie's character as being so rugged and strong. It is like Diana almost enjoys brutality because of how much unnecessary and graphic incidences happen in this book. I know things like this went on but it is not needed in a book that is suppose to make me fall in love with it. And book two continues the nightmare with further descriptions of Jamie's rape. I was trying to move past it but it is like the reader needs to feel as uncomfortable as possible. I just wish I had known how horific the brutality was because I would have NEVER read it. I don't get the hype. Claire willingly abondons her husband for another. If it had been me, I would have rather been killed than betray a seemingly faithful man. I don't buy for a second that she had no choice in the matter with the arranged marriage. Staunchly telling the men she was married, and them supposedly being Christian, would have stopped that process. Her hesitations was because she didn't want to get married not that she couldn't because she already was or that she loved Frank too much to basically cheat on him and throw him to the curb. She was just bored with Frank (her disinterest in his interests was proof) and was attracted enough to Jamie to cheat. Again I hate her. She is passionately adored by two handsome men and I have NO idea why. Diana is a wonderful writer sans her sadistic treatment of her characters. She is an author I would refuse to meet because quite frankly her imagination frightens me.