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I think I much prefer authors who have their books pre-planned.Overall, it was a fairly interesting one-time read, but I don't really see a point of having this book in your library. Gabaldon is no different - she is a great storyteller and creates some remarkable characters, but her plotting is inferior. Rereading book synopses proved that as well. This book was over 600 pages and considering that I've read it during one evening, it is obvious that I skipped a lot. Other than plot summaries and maybe character listing, there was no information in this book that I would reread. Turns out, she is a disorganized writer working without an outline and she never knows where her story ends. In fact, I think I read about 30% of it.There was a lot of information in this "Outlandish Companion" and much of it was of no interest to me - Jamie and Claire's horoscope readings, family trees, glossary and pronunciation guide, outlander websites, research guide, excerpts from the upcoming works, annotated biography and appendixes, etc.What I ended up reading is this: novel synopses (first 4 books), the Gabaldon Time Theory of Time Travel (very interesting), some FAQs (that should have been put on her website), controversy (that addressed some of the issues I had with the book - for instance wife-beating) and some book recommendations.I also read quite a bit about Gabaldon's writing process which I probably shouldn't have done. I've come across such authors before (Maria Snyder and Charlaine Harris) and know this type of writing can take them into very weird places.
Answers alot of quetions you might have had along the way This book if for anyone who has read the other Giana Gabaldon books.
She also includes explanations about how and why she wrote the books, how she developed the characters and stories about amazing coincidences with the real world. Otherwise, it can be a spoiler.She also includes personal information about herself and her life as an author. It includes a summary of the first 4 and a list of all the characters with an explanation of who they are.
If you are reading the Outlander Series, you will be glad to have this as an aid. It helps to understand why we have to wait 3 years between her wonderful books. Recommend: Open it after the first 3 books.
This book provides a better understanding of the first 4 books in the Outlander series. Finally you can see where Wentworth prison is in relation to Lallybroch.
That alone is worth the price. And Maps.
Every word is worth it. Read them all, read the companion and then read them all again. All of Diana Gabaldon's books are true works of art. Of the thousands of books I've read her storytelling distinguishes her as an artistic craftsman capable of bringing to life complex and compelling stories that blur the mind's ability to reconcile that the story is fiction and not a personal account.
Disappointing but the seller was quick to refund amount. Notified that no book was in stock after ordering.
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