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I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worried the book series will be a letdown after the tv show. (Even the author said they did an amazing job!!) Then again, how can I wait months for season two?? Are the books much different than the show?

What are your thoughts on this? Should I just suck it up and begin book two?

Most people say books are always better. That said the series is VERY long and quite an investment to read. I would give it a go and see what you think. Though absolutely start from the first book because there was stuff that was cut from the show that will benefit you to know.

Hannah wrote: "Most people say books are always better. That said the series is VERY long and quite an investment to read. I would give it a go and see what you think. Though absolutely start from the first book ..."

Nooooo! You're telling me that I still need to read book one after investing 16 hours in a TV show?? Maybe I'll pick up the audiobook.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Most people say books are always better. That said the series is VERY long and quite an investment to read. I would give it a go and see what you think. Though absolutely start from ..."

I would definitely recommend the audio books narrated by Davina Porter. She's incredible. Start from the beginning. It's worth it. Amazing books!

More intimately to me - books are always better, it allows you to get into the head of the characters and know what they are thinking.

If you had rather watch than read, then you can wait the years and years it will take to get to the Revolutionary War in America on TV. The TV series is very good, but you are missing so much from the book. The most amazing H&h in literary history on into their 40s and 50s. Jamie and Claire continue to play central roles in the continued books. When the next book debuts, I will drop whatever I am reading and read it cover to cover. The only other book series that compares to this is Angelique.

The books are better...simply because they contain so much more detail and story. They books may seem long, but really they are never long enough.

I do recommend reading them in order, and maybe taking a break and reading other books in between. There's no rush, it took me a year to read the first six and I loved them all.

Don't let the size of a big book scare you....it's really no different then reading 2 or 3 smaller books.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Most people say books are always better. That said the series is VERY long and quite an investment to read. I would give it a go and see what you think. Though absolutely start from ..."

Well if you really enjoy it it shouldn't be that miserable lol. And watching the show IMO is never the same experience as reading a book.

I am new to the series. I am listening to book 4 (Drums of Autumn) now. I highly recommend the audio. Davina Porter is excellent. I don't think I would have finished the books if I hadn't listened to them. So many pronuciations that I would have gotten wrong. The adventures that the characters go on keeps me interested. You just never know what will happen next. Love them and worth the investment of time.

I loved these books and have read them all a few times now, the relationships never get stale. I have seen the show and agree they did a good job, but of course the books are richer and fuller and allow you to fill,in all the details with your imagination. I never noticed they were long, just that I enjoyed each moment spent in that world. I also had to read the spin off tales and enjoyed all those too !

Book aren't always better that TV shows/movies,

But in this case the bookד are much better, the TV show is the let-down.

I don't care for either of the main characters.

I admit I think the books are too long, which is why I tend to skip parts and come back to them later. Even so, the books are 5* whereas the series, for me, is barely 3*.

*In time I will give the series 3.5, if I stop comparing it to the books I can see the story is a well told one, a lot was put into it and it's evident.

Still, it's hard for me to look past the bad acting. "Jamie" is busy sounding like a medieval scot, and "Claire" is busy sounding English, putting on a face, huffing and puffing during love scenes. They are good at times.

Most books are better than the show/movie. The books, though long are worth reading. I am waiting for #9.

Love the books, liked the TV show.
To me that read the books, it seems the TV show was so slow ! While the books definitely packs a lot and are fast pace in action.
Go for it ! There are some of the best ever !

The whole series is fantastic. I have read them all and loved them. Also I am enjoying the TV series but it will take some time to cover what's in the books!

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..."

Read them all - it is so worth it!

Loved the show. Hated that it had to end for the season. So of course I was elated to find out that there were 8 books of this story and even more elated to find out how incredibly long each book is. Yes I think the first season was as good as the book. Each had its own merits. There are things you can do in a book that you can't on TV, and things on TV that play out better than they would in a book. I think they did a masterful job of the show and only noticed a few major differences, yet understood why they were done that way. But...I'm not a patient person and I had to find out what happened next and now, 4 books later, living on 4-6 hours of sleep per night (the books are LOOONG and there aren't very many good stopping points) I am in Outlander Heaven. Ha.

The series is very close to the book (the first one anyway, as that is all I have seen!)
But as with all series the books fill in a lot of the detail that just can't be put into a limited time space available to the TV company!
The whole series of books is absolutely terrific and I have read them all about 4 times so I am maybe a little biased!
The TV series I found very hard to watch in places, so from that point of view the books are by far and away the best way to get a complete picture of what is going on in the series as a whole.
They are all big reads, but well worth it.

I think that the show is better than the book. Largely thanks to well-chosen actors and the chemistry between them. Sam and Catriona - a perfect match!
The books have a lot of things are not logical. A lot of confusing things. Of course, the book is also fine, but for me the show better. I look forward to the second season.

zvezdochka87 wrote: "I think that the show is better than the book. Largely thanks to well-chosen actors and the chemistry between them. Sam and Catriona - a perfect match!
The books have a lot of things are not logica..."

One thing I discovered about the books is if you read the shorter novellas, they often answer some of the mysteries that leave you scratching your head. They cover the stories about people or events which are glossed over in the big books.

Dawn wrote: "One thing I discovered about the books is if you read the shorter novellas, they often answer some of the mysteries that leave you scratching your head. They cover the stories about people or events which are glossed over in the big books. "


I read the first book and now finish second. I hope after reading the short stories I get some answers. I would add that the characters in the book are very bright and certainly without those wonderful books we would not have seen such a wonderful TV show.

If you don't want to read the first book, I would recommend getting the Outlandish Companion. It has the synopsis of all her books (1-4 is in Volume One, 5-8 in Volume 2). It also has background information on the author, characters, family tress etc. That way you're gonna be able to differentiate the tv show vs the book. Although, I would recommend reading them still. It seams liek a lot of reading, but once you start, you CANNOT stop reading! I'm on book 3 of the series right now and I am totally hooked!

I have read the first 4 books. Have not seen the show yet. I have to say that these books are very very very long. So if you are not in for the long-haul you might as well skip it and get the cliff notes.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..."

I'm telling you, pick up the book now! I'm so like you at the beginning, but because of the droughtlander I finally resigned my self to reading (after rewatching the whole series) and now I'm at book 7! It's gives light to a lot of things in the tv series, and more! There's still a few months before season 2... so. :)

I think the books really are better in that they go into far more detail than the series. Having said that they have stuck quite closely to the books so far.

I am sorry to say I have not watched the series. I have been an Outlander fan since book 1 came out and it has been so long ago I am now listening to the audio version.
AMAZING is all I can give as a review. Why I did not watch? I have Claire and Jamie in my mind a certain way and dont want to get aggravated comparing them. Listen to audio I promise you wont regret it. Even book 1 again. Kindle has them with audio less than what book alone is at store. Worth every penny.

Debbie wrote: "I am sorry to say I have not watched the series. I have been an Outlander fan since book 1 came out and it has been so long ago I am now listening to the audio version.
AMAZING is all I can give ..."

I felt the same way because I had my own images to, but these two actors are amazing bringing these charactors alive

The shows are so good. Claire and Jamie are just as I pictured them in the book. You will not be disappointed. The books are so long. After book 5 (1100 pages) I took a long break and haven't been back yet. I am convinced that no one edits her books. She just writes and writes and never pares anything down. Good writer just very very verbose!

I will not watch the show. Claire is totally different then I pictured and so is Jamie. I looked at the cast before the show started I've seen clips and I just get mad so I refuse to watch it. Lol with that being said the books are great. But I am kind of ready for them to wrap up.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..."

Having read all of the books and bought and watched the first season of the Stars series (I don't pay for Stars programming) on DVD I have to say you NEED to read the books. Without giving out any spoilers here I will explain as best I can. I am an avid reader and easily get lost in the world of the characters in exceptionally good books that I have read. This book series has got to be one of my most favorite of all of my 61.5 years on this earth. They truly are a masterpiece. That says a lot having read some amazing fiction such as Tolkien's Hobbit, Rowling's Harry Potter and C.S. Lewis's Lion, Witch and Wardrobe.....all of which, by the way, you NEED to read if you only saw the movie versions :).

All producers take creative license with books they turn into screen productions. Although Gabaldon has a LOT of control with what is changed, there are indeed changes. There is going to be one huge change coming up this season that eludes me on how they will make it work without removing pertinent story line information. With that said, there is just no way they can fit a whole 800 plus page book in 8 hours of screen content without changing events or leaving scenes out completely. From what I can tell so far each book will be done in a season. The books are so much more rich in content and story line that I can't imagine anyone saying the screen version is better. There are small things that are recorded in the written story of the characters that help a reader understand them in depth. One of these small things is explained on the podcast of one of the episodes. Something was actually left IN the screen version that should have been removed since they changed that part of the story line and it was not caught until after production. So, of course it was left in, and no one watching would ever realize had they not read the books. But for those like me that had, it gave me pause during that short scene with a "Huh" moment.

I see that Cerissa mentions how disappointed she is that the actress looks nothing like Claire to the point she won't watch the show. I have to totally agree that I was confused as to WHY they chose that look for a main character. But then I also have to say she portrays the attitude to a perfect T so Cerissa you should watch them if for no other reason than to see many of the magnificent scenes come to life with it being filmed in Scotland and to see many of the amusing moments between Claire and Jamie come to life. I WISH they had made her wear colored contacts though :)......another one of those small details that is huge in the books and gets left out of the screen version.

Unlike her I was torn to have the books end. I literally consumed them in a few short months. Yes I was very pleased with the ending, but I wished I had not already read them so I could have the adventure again for the first time. I am now on my second reading of them. It is fun to read them fresh and watch the DVDs to compare differences.

I HIGHLY recommend reading the books. Now on my To Read list are some other books she has written about various characters in this series like one of the character's parents lives.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Most people say books are always better. That said the series is VERY long and quite an investment to read. I would give it a go and see what you think. Though absolutely start from ..."

You must not be much of a reader :)....I am reading the series from the beginning again after finishing it and watching the series :)

having watched the first 4 episodes only , the books are WAY better - im listening to them on audio, and its incredibly captivating.

The TV show is great, but the books have so much more content, and depth...

Being probably one of the only men who has read all 8 books and watched the Starz show as well, you NEED to read the books. The show is really good, but there is so much more detail in the books that its impossible to capture in a 1 hour episode.

Chip you are so right
The show has skipped a lot of the good stuff

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..." THE BOOKS ARE REALLY GOOD AND READ VERY FAST!!

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..."

Read the series. You will not be sorry. In fact, you will be like the rest of the Outlander Obsessed masses. You will count the days until the next Starz season begins because you know what happens and you want to see that fabulous cast show it to you.

I have read books 1-4 or 5, and have seen the show. I say, definitely read the books first. While the Jamie & Claire from the show are terrific and spot on, I found some of the directorial decisions annoying and tedious. I found all of the scenes with Tobias Menzies, even as Frank, extremely annoying. He wheezes like someone with adenoidal problems and I found him very repellant. The show adds more segments for the Frank character which are not interesting, and not even in the books, and I've no idea why. The nasty scenes with Menzies as the villain are prolonged as to be excruciating. When you see torture, it has a much more visceral impact than reading about it, and I don't really need or want to have this kind of impact. They could have shortened these scenes and made more time for the tender scenes between Jamie and Claire, which are so well written in the books. In fact, for me, the draw of the novels is the fact that so many difficult-to-write scenes are in fact written out by Gabaldon, for the interaction between Jamie & Claire. Many times, I believe both novelists and screenwriters avoid writing dialog that is challenging, real, and intimate. Ms. Gabaldon gets credit for attempting to tackle the issues head on. So, although I have enjoyed parts of the show a lot, I have found the books more enjoyable, and by reading them first, you get to enjoy more of the suspense of the story. My 2 cents.....

Agree. Found the show's very sexually violent scenes in the end of Series 1 excessive and difficult viewing ( my husband refused to watch them). I did like the "dressing" and settings of both Series, totaĺly amazing and the focus on " the female gaze" in the sex scenes is quite unusual. I am now reading the later books and they are really good.

The books are so much better. I love the show, the acting is excellent and I think they really capture the essence of the characters. Especially the lead actors, who are incredible. But there are inevitable compromises in reducing large books to TV series and as always the show runners can't help themselves by adding a few things that change motivation or play a little too much with the story. Some of these are great, like the Rupert and Angus double act, others are just plain annoying. Jamie's behaviour at Lallybroch is an example. So read the books (all of them) and enjoy the TV series as well.

Hera wrote: "The books are so much better. I love the show, the acting is excellent and I think they really capture the essence of the characters. Especially the lead actors, who are incredible. But there are i..."
I agree with you - and the same is true for other shows based on novels. Readers "see" with an inner eye and it is unlikely that a show can match the reader's unique personal vision. I am currently enjoying one aspect of Season 2 - the frocks! The dressing of the Series is really fabulous. However I also think the emotional content is blunted and quite a lot is lost.

The shows are awesome and they do a very good job however; there are so many details in the books that you will miss. Also, they can't do the show the way the books are written for flow purposes. You should read the books they are long but amazing! I can't wait for book 9 to come out!

They're a much different and better experience, in my opinion. I probably feel this way due to the fact I had just finished the first book and found myself hooked, then stumbled across the series, and decided you couldn't top something like the art of words in a book like this one.
So, it's really up to whether you're the type of person to appreciate the ink on paper that you can enjoy and paint images and faces, or prefer movies where it's all done for you, and the book is simply summed up in one great action-packed show.
Have you had a book-to-movie situation before? Harry Potter, maybe? See what majority of your past choices and outcomes suggest.

Amora wrote: "They're a much different and better experience, in my opinion. I probably feel this way due to the fact I had just finished the first book and found myself hooked, then stumbled across the series, ..."
Completely agree and I was thinking of the Harry Potter series as well. The one movie that completely concentrated on the fling between Ron Weasley and Lavender I think her name was...the snogging incident...There was SO MUCH that needed to be in that movie that were the guts of the story that were left out to go on and on and on about the little fling.

Tracy (Cornerfolds) wrote: "I've put off reading the series for years because it's just SO long!! I decided to watch the show instead, but now that season one is over... well, I'm dying to know what happens next.

I'm worrie..."

The books are better!!