Book Summary: Rural Wisconsin, 1909. In the bitter cold, Ralph Truitt stands alone on a train platform waiting for the woman who answered his newspaper advertisement for “a reliable wife.” But what he gets is Catherine Land, a would-be black widow who plans to win the wealthy man’s devotion…and then slowly poison him to death. What she has not counted on, however, is the passion she finds in the seemingly solid, forthright Truitt—a man whose own past is far from pure, and who harbors secret plans of his very own.
MY Thoughts? Well...let me just start by saying this is NOT what one would consider a romantic story. However, the word CREATIVE is the first word I think of to describe this book. Upon a visit to Borders (to purchase my second installment of the Outlander), I had not only ONE person suggest this book, but two absolute strangers tell me to read A Reliable Wife. I figured I really couldn't pass up that sort of recommendation.
This is certainly not my typical novel; however, I was pleasantly surprised - just in a different way. I wasn't sure what to expect, so when I began to read I was truly blown away as to the unusual nature in which this book is written. There are more twist and turns that I could even imagine. JUST when you think you've discovered a character's 'true self', the rug is pulled right out from under you and you are left with your mouth gaping wide thinking "what the hell?". I will say that unlike many of today's contemporary novels, this story has many underlying layers which contribute to the overall feel and relationship climate throughout. This story is without a doubt one which is extremely thought provoking and pretty provocative. To be quite honest, the characters are not even very likable, but somehow in the mist of their 'madness', you find yourself rooting for them. There's an uncertain feel that leaves you guessing and questioning every one's morals, and THIS is one of the many reasons that it became a "can't-put-it-down" book. Additionally, many occasions I found myself, not only surprised at the turns the story took, but down-right SHOCKED at the visualizations of such extreme circumstances.
To sum things up. Even if you are a typical romance novel frequenter (like myself), this story holds something very different, but intriguing. The relationships, though they are not your typical "can't live without you", are so creative you become immersed in the love that does exist as well as the characters that although you feel like you know so well, you are never quite sure what their decisions may be.
I really hope anyone who hasn't read this one, gives it a shot. BE OPEN MINDED! (However, I forget that not everyone is the sucker I am for a love story, so I guess some may be typically drawn to this type of unique writing style.) Good luck and let me know what you think!
Okay, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I just finished my re-read of Outlander (book 1). Since this is no small book it took me awhile to decide to pick it back up (Izzy is probably pounding her fist shaking her head because I have about 30 books to read to catch up on what's going on in the books she's already read.). That being said, I just couldn't stay away - I have re-read my Twilight series (and I'm sure I will continue to pick them up from time to time *duh*) but, my need of some Jamie and Claire action outweighed all logic. So, just gotta say... re-reading is sooooo much more interesting - and *cough, cough - steamy*! With these books yes, you have to use your imagination to create the scene - no movie to give you an idea where the author was going - but in some instances it is THAT that makes it much better. (Oh! and I need to mention...please don't let the slow start discourage you - I PROMISE - it's worth the time.)
During my first Outlander read - I stumbled upon a fellow blogger who's blog became my companion during my "all things Outlander read" (no exaggerations - if I wasn't reading - I was Internet searching about it). Carol @ MyOutlanderPurgatory.com. I strongly recommend her blog for several reasons.
She gives you a chapter by chapter re-cap of her reading, feelings, and even funny predictions- giving all the info in a nice, neat, clever little package.
She is one witty little lady - seriously...Laugh Out Loud funny.
Although her opinions may not have ALWAYS been the same as mine, her feelings on certain things may open your eyes to another way to see a "situation". (However, most of the time they were spot on.)
She has playlist for the book - nuf' said - and pretty good taste in her "soundtrack". (This really stuck with me since I am a true sucker for music and I LOVE soundtracks!
AND NOW....A few additional notes that I would like to mention about Outlander. Upon my reading, I was reminded of yet ANOTHER reason to love this book - Memorable quotes and passages! I'm going to share a few of my favorites from Book 1.
~ "Does it bother you that I'm not virgin?" He hesitated before answering.
"Well, no," he said slowly, "so long as it doesna bother you that I am." He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door.
"Reckon one of us should know what they're doing," he said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over." (Chapter 13)
~"Are you scared of me?" He didn't look it. Perhaps he was nervous though...He looked into my eyes and smiled.
"Aye, More scairt than you, I expect. That's why I'm holdin' your hands; to keep my own from shaking." (Chapter 15) - Simply precious!
~"I didna realize that ye did it face to face. I thought ye must do it the back way, like; like horses, ye know." (Chapter 15) -priceless.
~"I'll thank ye," said a cool, level voice, "to take your hands off my wife." (Chapter 21)
~"...Keep to your bed, laddie, and, er. . . rest."
"Why is it," I demanded, looking after the crusty old horsemaster, "that everyone seems to assume we've no more on our minds than to get into bed with each other?"
"For one thing, we've been married less than a month," he observed. "For another --" He looked up and grinned, shaking his head. "I've told ye before, Sassenach. Everything ye think shows on your face." (Chapter 24)
~"I mean to be sure you'll remember me while I'm gone." (Chapter 24) - Mmmmph!
~"...Because I wanted you." He turned from the window to face me." "More than I ever wanted anything in my life," he added softly.
I continued staring at him, dumbstruck. Whatever I had been expecting, it wasn't this, Seeing my openmouthed expression, he continued lightly. "When I asked my da how ye knew which was the right woman, he told me when the time came, I'd have no doubt. And I didn't. When I woke in the dark under that tree on the road to Leoch, with you sitting on my chest, cursing me for bleeding to death, I said to myself, 'Jamie Fraiser, for all ye canna see what she looks like, and for all she weighs as much as a good draft horse, this is the woman.' " (Chapter 27)
~"My love," he whispered. "Oh, my love. I do want ye so."
"Not the same thing, is it?" I said. "Loving and wanting, I mean."
He laughed, a little huskily. "Damn close, Sassenach, for me, at least" (Chapter 27)
~"Ye know," he observed letting go at last, "you've never said it."
"Neither have you."
"I have. The day after we came...."
"And I said that loving and wanting weren't necessarily the same thing," I countered.
"....I wanted ye from the first I saw ye -- but I loved ye when you wept in my arms and let me comfort you..."
"...You first"
"No, you."
...He leaned across the fence, reaching, and I stepped into his arms, feeling the heat of his body and the beat of his heart.
"I love you." (Chapter 31) LOVED the vision of this!
~"And if there was eternity, or even the idea of it, then perhaps Anselm was right; all things were possible. And all love? I wondered I had loved Frank; I still did. And I loved Jamie, more than my own life. But bound in the limits of time and flesh, I could not keep them both. Beyond, perhaps? Was there a place where time no longer existed, or where it stopped? A place where all things were possible. And none were necessary." (Chapter 39) - perhaps this sums up what Claire has been trying to figure out through the ENTIRE series? I thought it stated everything perfectly.
~"I meant it, Claire," he said quietly. "My life is yours. And yours to decide what we shall do, where we go next. To France, to Italy, even back to Scotland. My heart has been yours since first I saw ye, and you've held my soul and body between your two hands here, and kept them safe. We shall go as ye say." (Chapter 41) - deep sigh.
***I'm certain I have forgotten several (since it is 12:30am) but feel free to remind me. I shall add to this when I stumble upon more and re-read again***
Category: Must Read, "What to read after Twilight"
Book Synopsis:
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon - when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach - an "outlander" - in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord... 1743.
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
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If I could recommend ONE book to read afterTwilight - it would beOutlander!
MY Take on this epic love story - So, how many times have you Google searched "What to read after Twilight?", well, I did it all to often before I stumbled upon this glorious series. Every time I did a search for my next book, the only thing that seemed to be recommended reads were teenage vampire stories. For me, when I fell in love with Twilight, I was anxious to read a more sexyadult version. Something that didn't leave EVERYTHING up to the imagination, but still had substance. My next attempt was pointing toward the Charlaine Harris series, True Blood. While I'll say it had some of what I wanted, there was something missing. I was left wanting something more. I stopped reading at book 2. So the search to find "what to read after Twilight" continued for me.
During a casual visit to Borders one day, I remembered a conversation with Izzy where she mentioned a different recommended read, which didn't involve vampires. I was intrigued, and decided to go for it (although it's no small read).
Claire's accidental travel into eighteenth century Scotland begins with disorientation and turmoil. Her confused feelings are accompanied by heartache while her husband Frank remains in 1945. When she is put into a situation where her nursing skills are needed there's an unexpected chemistry between her and her patient is not even acknowledged by her until later.
Jamie and Claire's remarkable star crossed lovers story has everything from passion, intense adventure, anguish and even (surprisingly enough) comedic relief. These characters are developed so well (although many criticizeGabaldon'sOVERdescriptions from time to time) that you are able to relate to their experiences even when we can not even begin to imagine what these times were like. While the endeavors are an important part of this novel (duh!), the core of the novel is still based around Jamie and Claire's relationship (much the way I felt about Twilight). It is very difficult for me to describe the intimacy you feel within the relationship between Jamie and Claire, maybe because I have never read a book that has such gripping descriptions of the steps this romance takes.
To say simply to read Outlander after Twilight, I believe does this book an injustice. If you simply read the first book, you WILL read the others. It is NOT another vampire story, however, it does have the supernatural twist of time travel. So, if you are like I was...googling away...looking for your next read. STOP NOW! Pick up this book, and you'll be hooked.
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