‘Outlander’ is outstanding

Aloha to all you “Game of Thrones” fans out there! This week’s book, “Outlander,” is the title of the first book of the award-winning eight book series “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon. It was published in 1991, the very same year that George R. R. Martin began writing his first book “Game of Thrones” of his seven book series, “A Song of Fire and Ice.”

A great year apparently!

Outlander brings the reader into a multi-genre saga that has delighted millions of readers. Looking for adventure in a historical setting with a little romance along with some intriguing time-travel elements added in? Outlander is just such a story! Also, Outlander is a novel that crosses into many genres: readers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy the depth and detail of the past this book explores; fantasy readers will love the interplay between the modern main character and the past she is entwined in (and the ramifications thereof); for those who crave a good love story, the lead character is living two full lives — one in the past and one in her present.

Meet 20th-century British nurse Claire Randall who unexpectedly time-travels to 18th-century Scotland and finds adventure, mystery, and romance with the dashing Highland warrior James Fraser. (By the way, for those Doctor Who fans out there, James Fraser was inspired by the character Jamie McCrimmon from a classic Doctor Who episode, “War Games.”).

Recently, the “Outlander” saga has become a hit series on Starz, which in turn has created a whole new readership that has begun to discover this timeless series. Outlander has been a regular seller in our bookstore for many years, and once people start reading this epic series, they can’t wait to get their hands on the next book and dig in! See you soon!

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Ed and Cynthia Justus are owners of The Bookstore in Hanapepe.