Voyager
by Diana Gabaldon
copyright 1994
Challenge: Outlander Challenge 2009
From the back cover
Their love affair happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her....
When she discovers that Jamie may have survived, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face what awaits her...the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland...and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that lies beyond the standing stones.
First sentence
He was dead.
Simply put...
The first half of Voyager spans the life of Claire and Jaime during the years they were apart. During the second half, Claire and Jaime are reunited.
The thing is...there is nothing truly simple in the storyline. Claire and Jaime have lived separately for 20 years. With those years came reality of experiences that each had on their own. Claire, for the most part, lived her life with drive. The drive to be a good mother to Brianna and the drive for her profession as a doctor. Even though, I dare say, she was happy with those two huge roles - I felt that Claire lead a lonely life full of aching.
Jaime, I believe, truly lead his life in a state of loss and need for Claire. Even with that said, he still had to live. In doing so, he made decisions based on the need to live. These decisions, I must admit, I was not too pleased with yet understood nonetheless.
The reuniting of Claire and Jaime was well... a bit anticlimactic. It was good, do not get me wrong, but it was not filled with just Claire and Jaime. We entered Jaime's world, a world were Jaime was not living the most stable, humdrum life. Almost immediately, Claire and Jaime are off on an adventure of self-preservation and of one to protect family. This adventure leads through Scotland, France and the Caribbean Islands and finally....well, you need to read the book.
Worry. Let me some up my biggest emotion of this book with ... Worry. Gosh, I cannot describe truly the sensation of this worry. I worry greatly for Claire and Jaime. Is it because I am concerned that they do not love one another? No. Golly, When they communicate with each other...communicate verbally...there is a great sense of depth in regards to their love. Am I concerned that there are more dark shadows in Jaime's past? A tad bit. I certainly felt pain for Claire when she found out about different details in regards to Jaime. Gosh, I felt like Jaime was a clot-heid at times. Ugh. Claire...wow...she really has a way of putting things into their proper perspective - not right away but eventually. Still, though, I cannot help but wonder if these things will lead to a sense of betrayal for her that she has buried down deep which may find its way to the surface. I do not know, even if a sense of betrayal is felt, I still think Claire and Jaime will work it out.
Here it is, I think my great worry is rooted in this thought... What in the world will Jaime or Claire do if the other dies? I know they have been through this before but seriously...I do not think this grief could be withstood when felt again. Because of my worry, I have found myself jumping ahead in the book to read a passage with Claire and Jaime. Why? Well, this is most certainly out of my character in regards to my reading habits. I never jump ahead for fear of ruining the book. Well, in case with the Outlander Series, I am finding that my periodic jumps ahead with a return to where I was currently reading helps provide me a sense of comfort for which I then can continue to read with alertness. I feel a sense of calm which allows me settle down and read with enjoyment. I will mention, when I do finally arrive at the parts I already jumped ahead and read - it is not boring, I am still greatly involved in the story.
D.Gabaldon's writing certainly takes my breath away. Gosh, she packs her novels with so much intrigue, adventure, history and relationships. Yes, the central driving force...the soul and heart of this series is Claire and Jaime but even with that said, the historical aspects of these books are very central and important. Actually, with Voyager, I felt like the historical aspect was more forefront
than Claire and Jaime. We really do not read much with Claire and Jaime by themselves. They are mostly surrounded by people and what is going on at the moment. Ahh... I do wish there was more scenes of only Claire and Jaime. Scenes of not only physical intimacy but also of emotional intimacy. Nevertheless, I was enthralled with the story.
If I was, willing at this point, to dive more into the history aspect-I could glean a great deal. At this point, though, that is not my main interest as interesting as it is. I do plan on re-reading this series. Why? Well....hello....Claire and Jaime. However, I know there are many details still to actually read...to glean...to understand that a second read will provide.
Sometimes, with a book series, the books tend to take a nose dive in quality as the series progresses. Voyager, book 3, maintained the Outlander series very well. I really liked this book but with that said, is it my favorite at this point? Hmmm...no, but, it is certainly worth the read - very much so!
I will gladly re-read Voyager at a later date in time.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
