The outlandish companion : in which much is revealed regarding Claire and Jamie Fraser, their lives and times, antecedents, adventures, companions, and progeny, with learned commentary (and many footnotes) by their humble creator

Amazon.com ReviewFor nine years, four books, and nearly 4,000 pages, Diana Gabaldon has entranced readers with her talent for historical authenticity, dramatic plot lines, and strong characters in the Outlander series. Her superb writing has earned a loyal audience, but after a million and a half words, even the most fervent of fans may have a difficult time trying to recall the exact details of the secondary characters, let alone the obscure ones. Thankfully, Gabaldon's The Outlandish Companion is here to help.Part crib notes and part trivia guide, this essential handbook includes synopses of the first four novels, a character guide, notes on plot development and research, answers to frequently asked questions, and teasers for the upcoming novels--there're even horoscope charts of the central characters, a list of fan Web sites, and choice recipes for the truly devoted.Readers looking for a fix of Gabaldon's humorous voice or insight into her writing processes and characters will certainly be more than satisfied, but those looking for the next installment of Jamie and Claire's adventures will have to wait for The Fiery Cross, the fifth book in this bestselling series, expected sometime in late 1999 to early 2000. --Nancy R.E. O'BrienFrom Kirkus ReviewsAs with the guides to the Hobbit tetralogy and the fiction of Stephen King, Gabaldon offers a companion volume to her Outlander Seriess four time-travel historical romances, Drums of Autumn (1997), etc., in which she tells us much is revealed regarding Claire and Jamie Fraser, their lives and times, antecedents, adventures, companions and progeny, with learned commentary (and many footnotes) by their humble creator. She also provides full synopses of the four novels and includes excerpts of forthcoming books in the Claire and Jamie Fraser series. Listed, too, are all the novels characters, their origins and family trees, horoscopes, and sketches of clan badges and shields, along with genealogical notes. For non-Gaelic readers, Gabaldon assembles a glossary and pronunciation primer. Additionally, she supplies details on her research, E-mail excerpts, notes on herbal medicine, illustrations, and recipes, plus a huge bibliography. Gabaldon fans who have followed the story of British Red Cross nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall will welcome this act of buoyant hubris by a vividly entertaining author whose later installments have turned into baggy-pants behemoths of 900 pages. (Literary Guild featured alternate selection) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon has captured the hearts of millions with her critically acclaimed novels, Outlander. Dragonfly In Amber, Voyager, and Drums Of Autumn. From the moment Claire Randall accidentally steps through a magical stone that transports her back in time more than 200 years to 1743, and into the arms of Scottish soldier Jamie Fraser, readers have been enthralled with this epic saga of time travel, adventure, and love everlasting.

Now Diana Gabaldon has written the ultimate companion guide to her bestselling series, the book only she could write - a beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish. As a special bonus for those who are eagerly awaiting the next appearance of Jamie and Claire, she includes never - before - published excerpts from upcoming works in the series. And there's lots more in this lavish keepsake volume for the many devoted fans who yearn to learn the stories behind the stories:

• Full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn
• A complete listing of the characters in all four novels, including extensively researched family trees and genealogical notes
• Professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire
• A comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage
• The fully explicated Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel
• Frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers
• An annotated bibliography
• Tips, personal stories - even a recipe or two
• Essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, and more

With the insight, humor, and eye for detail that has made her novels such an outstanding success story. Diana Gabaldon here gives her readers the best gift of all—The Outlandish Companion.

New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon has captured the hearts of millions with her critically acclaimed novels, Outlander. Dragonfly In Amber, Voyager, and Drums Of Autumn. From the moment Claire Randall accidentally steps through a magical stone that transports her back in time more than 200 years to 1743, and into the arms of Scottish soldier Jamie Fraser, readers have been enthralled with this epic saga of time travel, adventure, and love everlasting.Now Diana Gabaldon has written the ultimate companion guide to her bestselling series, the book only she could write - a beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish. As a special bonus for those who are eagerly awaiting the next appearance of Jamie and Claire, she includes never - before - published excerpts from upcoming works in the series. And there's lots more in this lavish keepsake volume for the many devoted fans who yearn to learn the stories behind the stories:- Full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn - A complete listing of the characters in all four novels, including extensively researched family trees and genealogical notes- Professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire- A comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage- The fully explicated Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel- Frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers- An annotated bibliography- Tips, personal stories - even a recipe or two- Essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, and moreWith the insight, humor, and eye for detail that has made her novels such an outstanding success story. Diana Gabaldon here gives her readers the best gift of all--The Outlandish Companion.From the Hardcover edition. "Diana Gabaldon has captivated millions of readers with her critically acclaimed Outlander novels, the inspiration for the Starz original series. From the moment Claire Randall stepped through a standing stone circle and was thrown back in time to the year 1743--and into a world that threatens life, limb, loyalty, heart, soul, and everything else Claire has--readers have been hungry to know everything about this world and its inhabitants, particularly a Scottish soldier named Jamie Fraser. In this beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish, Gabaldon covers the first four novels of the main series, including: full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn; a complete listing of the characters (fictional and historical) in the first four novels in the series, as well as family trees and genealogical notes; a comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage; the fully explicated Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel; frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers; an annotated bibliography; essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, creating characters, and more; professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire; the making of the TV series: how we got there from here, and what happened next (including "My Brief Career as a TV Actor"); never-before-seen photos from behind the scenes of the Outlander series. For anyone who wants to spend more time with the Outlander characters and the world they inhabit, Diana Gabaldon here opens a door through the standing stones and offers a guided tour of what lies within."--Hardcover dust jacket, p.[2-3] #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Diana Gabaldon Has Captivated Millions Of Readers With Her Critically Acclaimed Outlander Novels, The Inspiration For The Starz Original Series. From The Moment Claire Randall Stepped Through A Standing Stone Circle And Was Thrown Back In Time To The Year 1743—and Into A World That Threatens Life, Limb, Loyalty, Heart, Soul, And Everything Else Claire Has—readers Have Been Hungry To Know Everything About This World And Its Inhabitants, Particularly A Scottish Soldier Named Jamie Fraser. In This Beautifully Illustrated Compendium Of All Things Outlandish, Gabaldon Covers The First Four Novels Of The Main Series, Including: • Full Synopses Of Outlander, Dragonfly In Amber, Voyager, And Drums Of Autumn • A Complete Listing Of The Characters (fictional And Historical) In The First Four Novels In The Series, As Well As Family Trees And Genealogical Notes • A Comprehensive Glossary And Pronunciation Guide To Gaelic Terms And Usage • The Fully Explicated Gabaldon Theory Of Time Travel • Frequently Asked Questions To The Author And Her (sometimes Surprising) Answers • An Annotated Bibliography • Essays About Medicine And Magic In The Eighteenth Century, Researching Historical Fiction, Creating Characters, And More • Professionally Cast Horoscopes For Jamie And Claire For Anyone Who Wants To Spend More Time With The Outlander Characters And The World They Inhabit, Diana Gabaldon Here Opens A Door Through The Standing Stones And Offers A Guided Tour Of What Lies Within. From The Hardcover Edition. IT'S 1946, the Scottish Highlands are in bloom, and Claire Randall, an English ex-army combat nurse, has come to Scotland on a second honeymoon with her husband, Frank, from whom she's been separated by the war. A guide to the Outlander series, time-travel romances featuring Claire Beauchamp Randall, a Red Cross nurse. Included are synopses of novels, biographies, family trees and pronunciation help