Diana Gabaldon - Cross Stitch

It may have come to your attention that every so often I get obsessed with something, normally it's comic book-related but sometimes it's book-related.  Recently I became hooked on the TV adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series for some random reason so I decided to read the book that started it all, for comparison and because I have fallen in love with the characters and their stories.  I bought the book ages ago with the intention to read it before I watched the series but something made me change my mind so I knew that certain events will occur in the book, given that many people have praised the series on its loyalty to the book.  Maybe it was the draw of a large, good looking Scot in a kilt.

Cross Stitch AKA Outlander in the US by Diana Gabaldon is the first book in the Outlander series which focusses on Claire Randall who is on her second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband, Frank, in 1945 following the Second World War.  While wandering the Scottish Highlands, Claire comes across a stone circle and is somehow transported back in time to 1793.  Unsure how she got there and worried for her life, she runs to keep safe but eventually makes it her mission to return to Frank in 1945.

Rating: 10

Recommended To: Historical romance fans; though it is dark

Favourite Characters: Jamie - a bundle of contradictions

Favourite Part: 'Are ye mad, man?' [Dougal] hissed at last.  'What if someone's to see ye!'
Jamie cocked a sardonic eyebrow at the older man.  'Why Uncle,' he said.  'Insults?  And on my wedding day too.  You wouldna have me shame my wife now, would ye?  Besides,' he added with a malicious gleam, 'I hardly think it would be legal, did I not marry in my own name.  and you want it legal, now, don't you?' - Page 271

Good Points: Interesting premise; well-developed characters; Claire and Jamie

Bad Points: Very graphic and sexual at points

Married to Frank Randall, Claire Randall is a former Second World War nurse, trying to reconnect with her husband after years apart on a trip to the Scotland Highlands as Frank traces his genealogy.  While Frank is discussing his ancestors with the local reverend, Claire goes to Craig na Dun, a stone circle that are believed to be a place of great power, to gather plants for her ever expanding collection.  As she approaches one of the stones, she hears a faint buzzing sound and when she touches said stone, she is ripped from 1945 and lands in 1793, in the middle of an attack between the Redcoats and the Highlanders.  Running for her life, she encounters Jonathon "Black Jack" Randall, Frank's ancestor who bears a striking resemblance to his descendant; when he tries to take her in for questioning, he is knocked unconscious by a Highlander, saving her from Randall's sadistic nature, and takes her to his comrades where she meets Dougal MacKenzie and other members of the Clan MacKenzie, including Jamie, a young man that needs tending to, having dislocated his arm during the fight with the Redcoats.  Having worked out she has been transported back in time, Claire represents herself as an English widow, travelling to France to see her family, but unfortunately, the Scots don't believe her and take her to Castle Leoch, forcing Claire to start her own mission of getting back home and to Frank while his sadistic ancestor chases after her and Jamie.

Cross Stitch has an interesting premise in my opinion because it was different from other romance novels I have read before as there are many different elements in it including a slight science fiction angle as Claire time travels from 1945 to 1743 though it doesn't dwell that much in the science fiction genre.  Other elements such as the romance and the passion - both for one another and life - are a great addition to this book as it keeps the momentum of the story going and going.  It was also a fascinating story which I thought was well-written, full of detail and conversation, as Gabaldon seemed to have done a lot of research into Highlander culture and combined with an outsider's perspective on the culture.  The pace of the book was excellent as it was quick yet allowed enough time to take in all of the events which helped draw me in and rarely let me go, a great quality in a book.

It is clear to see that Gabaldon put a lot of time and effort to develop the characters, giving each one, even minor characters, rich personalities and backgrounds, especially the villain who is equally interesting yet terrifying.  No one in particular blends into the background unless by design - for example when the focus needs to be entirely on Jamie and Claire - as Gabaldon has thought about each character making them well defined and clear in her mind which in turn is conveyed well to the reader through the pages of the book.  I can't wait to read more about these characters, especially Claire and Jamie - and Jack Randall who I feel will return - as I want to see how they will all develop and grow over the years that we got to see.

As it is to be expected, Gabldon has written Claire and Jamie so that they fit together as it they are destined to be together and as a reader, we need to believe that or it wouldn't be a very good romance novel, or it wouldn't be as compelling.  It's more than lust between them and that is true from the very beginning; there is trust and affection which is incredibly sweet and then that leads to passion and love even though Claire struggles with her conscience regarding Frank when it comes to her relationship with Jamie, their story is still interesting and compelling.  I loved how they would sacrifice themselves for the other in the end without any regard for their own well-being, illustrating the amount of trust and loyalty in this relationship which can be desirable from an outsider's point of view; I know I want to get to that point in a relationship in my own life where I want to help my loved one at the risk of my own life and him for me.  This is what romance novels aim to do, fulfil a desire or a fantasy and Gabaldon has achieved this.

It may be predictable to favourite the male lead of a romance novel as he is supposed to be appealing, that's his purpose but Jamie captured my attention the moment the red-headed Scot met Claire's eyes.  What makes Jamie interesting to me is that he is a bundle of contradictions rolled into one man; he's tough and violent yet gentle, sensitive, and caring, naïve yet worldly, honest and open but still a mystery.  There are multiple facets to him which makes him unpredictable which then makes the story unpredictable to a point and keeps the reader on their toes.  He is the typical historical romantic hero, acting selfless though there are a few moments where he allows himself to act selfishly and even though he can come across as a brute, Claire brings out his caring and intelligent side as the female lead tends to do in historical romance novels.  Gabaldon has written an interesting lead as she has allowed his character to be slowly revealed over the course of the book while having a clear picture of him laid out so he doesn't become out of character; she made him fascinating and three dimensional rather than just a prop for the female narrator to sleep with.

For those looking for a light, fluffy historical romance novel, you have come to the wrong series.  There is graphic detail - violent and sexual, sometimes both - at certain points which are key to the story, showing how harsh their reality is which can make it hard to read as I believe you have to be in the right frame of mind for something like that.  I found these moments to be honest, rough, and brutal in equal measure as they aren't romanticised or sugar-coated for pleasure, at least not too much in regards to some scenes, which is something I found interesting as it's different from other romance novels I've read.  However, due to the graphic nature of this book, I would say the Outlander series is not for the faint-hearted and I can understand why some have complained about the content but this wasn't a major problem for me, I just feel people should be forewarned.

'Are ye mad, man?' [Dougal] hissed at last.  'What if someone's to see ye!'
Jamie cocked a sardonic eyebrow at the older man.  'Why Uncle,' he said.  'Insults?  And on my wedding day too.  You wouldna have me shame my wife now, would ye?  Besides,' he added with a malicious gleam, 'I hardly think it would be legal, did I not marry in my own name.  and you want it legal, now, don't you?' - Page 271

I had two parts in mind as my favourite part because there was a sweet moment as Claire and Jenny, Jamie's sister, were talking about Jamie as he slept but this one pipped it to the post because it summed up Jamie's cheeky nature, his public façade, as he winds his uncle up, keeping the mood light even though the situation that he and Claire are in.  I may love the sweet side of Claire as she watches her Highlander husband sleep; I love the cheeky Highlander more.  Jamie is the character that keeps the story as light as it can be, just like this, but when he's broken, it brings a darker tone to the book which is something I find impressive.

Gabaldon's Cross Stitch, AKA Outlander, has an interesting premise and fascinating story which was well-written with well-developed characters, something I always look for in a book and a series as well because I loved how Gabaldon wrote Claire and Jamie; they were sweet as you'd expect in a romance novel but they have an edge as well which makes them even more appealing as romantic leads.  Some may find Cross Stitch to be very graphic and sexual at certain points but I find it to be honest and rough around the edges bringing a sense of realism to the story which is interesting from my point of view.  I love Cross Stitch and Outlander, the TV series it has inspired and I have recommend it to numerous people since I have finished it, and was actually doing so before I finished it as well.

Predictions

1. Claire returns to her true time reluctantly

2. Frank and Black Jack make reappearances, torturing our heroes
3. Despite everything, Jamie and Claire remain together as much as possible, saving and helping one another in dire times and comforting one another too