Are you wondering what to do, now that you’ve finished MOBY? (aka WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD)? Well, most people just go back to the beginning and start re-reading OUTLANDER. [g]
As an alternative/addition to this tried and true strategy, though, you might want to watch the brand-new (and looooooong-awaited) tv show of the series, which is about to debut on the STARZ premium-cable channel in the US. AUGUST 9th! 9PM! (It airs at 9 PM in each time zone, so it’s always on Saturdays at nine o’clock, at least in the US.*)
I think Ron D. Moore and Starz have done a wonderful job of adapting OUTLANDER into a 16-episode first season (they’ll be doing one season per book, assuming the first one is a success–and that’s up to you. I think it’s amazing, and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!
*(It will be launching on Showcase in Canada, August 24th, on SoHo Foxtel in Australia on August 14th, and on various dates–not yet announced–in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, China, Germany, and a number of other places that I can’t mention yet as their licensing contracts are still being negotiated with SONY. (SONY owns the international rights to the show; it’s _their_ business to arrange licensing deals world-wide, not mine.)
Hello. . .
I very much enjoyed the first episode of the TV series “Outlander” and am already looking forward to the next one, even knowing the story by heart. Such a thrill to see the various roles filled by such wonderful actors!
I first became acquainted with the series of books when I found a copy of the first three issued under the title “Le Chardon et le Tartan” in a flea market in central France; apparently, this was a special book club issue and I had NO IDEA at the time that there were other books, though someone with whom I’d shared the copy I’d bought for 1 euro told me that she had found a list of other books in the same series. . .
Still reading the most recent book, slowly as I’d like for it to last the summer—which isn’t very likely!
At first I was highly disappointed by Jamie. He didn’t look like my handsome brother!!! But I told myself to go with the flow. Watch and ENJOY. the next thing I remember was a floating, HAPPY, ethereal feeling and wondered what it was!? LOVE!!! I have fallen in love (again) with Jamie and of course, Claire. They did an AWESOME job of capturing my favorite couple. EACH of us has a slightly different picture in our heads of what each character looks like and if the actors don’t match your version – get over yourself!! There is a reason you fell in love with the books, if you’re not careful – you will fall in love with the series! I tell complete strangers about the books if there is something that triggers an urge to share!!! I was astounded to realize that Claire & Jamie have been friends of mine for almost 20 years!!! Boy, how time flies when you’re having fun! I can’t tell you how the series has gotten me through rough patches, and wonderful times in my life. I too, have read and re-read the series many, many times. I also go through withdrawal each time I finish. THANK YOU DIANA for adding so much enrichment to so many lives.
Respectfully,
Bonnie
Ps….my parents weren’t sure what to name me and were about to leave the hospital with me when the Dr came in and said, “What a beautiful wee bonny lass!” “Bonnie it is”, they agreed! PLUS, my Dad told me that I was his “last wee”! I AM the youngest! THANK YOU again!
Diana,
I watched the first episode online, because I come from France
It’s perfect ! I love it ! And I hope that the next episodes will be good too. I read Outlander series since 11 years, thanks to you for these books. I’m not reading MOBY, not yet… Please, said me that MOBY is NOT the last book of the series ! I think I will be sad if it was the last book about Claire & Jamie.
Tanks again, I’ll see you in Edinburgh during the Book Festival,
Hugs from France,
Anaïs
Hi Diana
Of course I’m a huge fan of you and your books!
I love and laugh and cry along with your characters. I always am very satisfied when I finish a book, except for Echo and the Bone, when I brooded over the ending for such a long time. I really love William, Brianna, Roger and the whole gang!(Claire and Jamie too of course)
I’ve watched all the clips and the 1st episode and I think they’ve done a great job. I’m sure its gong to be a huge success!
I have also watched all the interviews with you, Ron, Sam, Catriona, and the rest.
Since I’m not a social media person I thought this would be a good place to give a shout out to all of you. Not only has the cast and crew given us a wonderful new Outlander to enjoy but I wanted to say that I think Sam, Catriona, Tobias, Graham, Ron, you, and everyone else are great people in and of yourselves and thank you for sharing a small part of yourselves with all of us.
Here’s to many more years of Outlander!
My sister, an opera singer with Zurich Opera whom I see only rarely, told me to read the series. As a dutiful (although older) sister, I began Outlander last year. I am nearly done MOBY but stopped and am rereading the series as I can’t bear to be done! I’ve also read the Lord John novels. Luckily for me, my sister came to visit this month and we were able to watch the first episode of Outlander together. We agree that it doesn’t disappoint in any way. Thanks zillions! I do hope she’ll be able to watch the rest in Switzerland.
I really hope it starts airing in the UK soon. I’m a huge fan of the books and have been waiting for this since it was first announced – which feels like yesterday!
From the clips I have seen and from the reviews I have read, it seems like it will be worth the wait… I just hope the wait isn’t too long!
Dear Diana,
My husband and I enjoyed the premiere of Outlander. I have been a huge fan since your first book, and convinced my husband to read Outlander earlier this summer. Now he, too, is hooked.
We watch very little TV and have never paid for premium channels. That changed last week when we signed up for STARZ. It was worth every penny and then some.
I understand that everyone has their own view of what Jamie and Claire should look like. That is one of the wonders of reading. It allows you to interpret and visualize the author’s descriptions. I thought the actors were very believable in their roles.
I was so sorry to miss seeing you at the book signing in Pasadena in June. I got a ticket, but arrived on the wrong date (long story!). But I did get the book. I hope to see you at another event!
Regards,
Susan
When Claire made the comment, “If I was a horse, he could ride me anywhere” I was hooked.
Totally in love with Jamie. Totally. While I see Jamie as taller and broader than the Jamie in the TV series, and also with longer and redder hair, to have a Jamie to watch is HEAVEN! I will always envision him the way I do, but love the series! Oh my, what you created, Diana, that perfect man!!
So happy to hear they Outlander has been PICKED UP FOR A SECOND SEASON!! Diana, Ron, etal, you should be very proud.
Seriously? This is the first I’ve heard. KUDOS to Diana, Ron and the entire cast/crew. I’m not at all surprised, since it’s so well done.
I have waited so many years to see the Outlander series come to life on the screen – and it is here! I’m thrilled and so PLEASED after watching Episode 1. BTW – brilliant idea to make Ep. 1 viewing free! Those of us who love Claire and Jaime and the grand life stories that Diana has woven for us would pay any price to see the pictures in our minds come to life on the screen. Doing that on the big or small screen is an incredible feet – Moore and Galaldon deserve abundant praise for making this dream come true! Well done!!!
9 pm local “all time zones.” Actually for the CDT zone the showtime for Episode 102 was 8 PM.
If you read through all the responses here, you’ll see that this has already been addressed. As I mentioned, I always get cable shows 1 hour _later_ than the folks in the Pacific time zone, so here in Boise, Idaho, I will get the show at 10 PM. Diana admitted to the error earlier on.
OMG, I guess I am going to need an AA or some kind of therapy after this. I am so hooked on this beautifully written and done series. The cast, costume designers, make-up, producers and directors are all doing an awesome job. I keep looking at the calendar to see is it Saturday again. I usually don’t get this totally wrapped up in a series but this is extroadinary. I love it. Something for women and men. You have adventure, action, drama and an era that who wouldn’t want to live in? Then all rolled into a love story too? To much. What an exceptional job Starz has done too. I am swooning just knowing that Season 2 is already approved!! I know how very proud you must be bursting at the seams right now with joy. I would venture to say this is bigger than Harry Potter, sorry Ms Rowling.
I’ve just finished reading “In my own hearts blood” ….wow! Loved it. so pleased there is another coming along.
I am REALLY hoping that the Outlander series will come out on DVD after the first season is over on Foxtel (in Australia here and I dont have pay TV) I will certainly be buying season 1 if its released. Please, please release it on DVD.
Be still my heart….the actor who plays Jamie is so dreamy any vision I may have had whilereading the books has been supplanted by this gorgeous man! Lucky Claire! The first two episodes have been nothing short of amazing, so beautifully set, incredible actors and cannot wait to see the rest!! Must feel other worldly, Diana, to have created this sensational story that has millions spellbound. Congrats on a success well deserved!
Diana,
I have read Outlander 4 times along with the series. I have been in a state of anticipation for weeks waiting for the series on Stars! I too have watched the first show 3-4 times, and I have it recorded on my DVR so I can watch it again. I read a lot and I have never had a book that has stayed on my mind, that needed to be read again and again the way that these books have. Jamie and Claire will live as the greatest lovers of all time, and the series will go on forever. Can’t say enough how much I loved them!
Tammy
I have lost times how many times I’ve read all the books in order from the beginning. By far my favorite is and always will be OUTLANDER. I reread it recently after watching the first episode on STARZ. Love it as much as I did the first time.
Does anybody remember the first time they ever picked up Outlander? I was visiting Tempe for a training and bought it at Borders. I read so late that night, I was a zombie the next day. I couldn’t even make the drive back to Ganado. I have to stay over in Holbrook and continue the following day. I stayed at the hotel until I had to check out, resentful I had to stop reading. That was in2004. Best book series EVER!
Yes, a friend gave it to me, and I had no idea what it was, just another average paperback. I took it to visit my grandparents over Thanksgiving and was blown away.
My first knowledge of Outlander was in a book club. Someone chose it & said I could purchase it at the used bookstore in the Romance section. I groaned loudly but after reading just the first chapter, I was hooked. When I found it to be a series, I was so very grateful as I didn’t want it to end….just like all of you fine folks. Taing Dhia for Diana.
I can’t recall the exact time when I read the first book Outlander, but it’s been awhile. My mother and I both loved the first book, and she passed away in 2007. It wasn’t to much longer after the book came out in 1991, that I bought it, and it’s a 4th edition hard copy with the original cover. Which I understand is very hard to come by these days. I remember when the first talks were about making it into a movie, and I was terribly upset about it, because I know how Hollywood can butcher a book so badly. After so many years of Diana battling with different entities on the subject of making this into a movie, I was very pleased when I read that Starz was going to take on the project in a 16 week series, because I knew there was no way anyone could make this into a 2 hr. movie, and do it justice. I give high credits to whomever found Sam Heughan to play the part of Jamie. Even after reading Outlander as many times as I have, I never really had a clear picture of him in my head, but seeing him play the part is certainly like Jamie coming to life. Even if he didn’t fit the part so physically, he plays the character of Jamie so perfectly. Someone who saw the series first, and then read the book, would not be disappointed. Congrats to Ron Moore. I see an Emmy in his future, along with everyone else involved with this series…
Diana, did you ever think you would have such a huge success with the first episode? Strange, bit I felt like Claire/Jamie were MY favorite characters. AND, now I’m having to share them with all your fans. You have filled my life with fantasy for 21 years. Thank you. Deanie
Diana, I admire you so much. If you follow any of the fan blogs you know how upset your fans are by some of the treatment the show is given in the press, mostly by reviewers who haven’t read the book. You, however, seem to be able to take it all in stride. You are a better woman than me! I’d have to put my head under the covers and instruct my family to keep ALL reviews away from me!
Loved the first of the series! looking for future viewing. Ron Moore has done an incredible capture of the essence of the characters. Don’t have cable or access to view elsewhere (except at a friend’s)will they be making any DVD’s to purchase for the likes o myself? Want to be able to turn my husband on to the story which he has declined in terms of reading ( a shame). To watch on our computer would have to view way too early. So will enjoy with my friend till something shows to be purchased. Thank you Diana for your creative and historical story, has change my life and educated me at the same time
Most sincerely,
Suria Stavish
Counting down the seconds for the next episode this Saturday…ugh! Very upset that yet another show has been added to my list of addictions i.e. Game of Thrones, the Tudors, Lost, etc. and now also Outlander. Sad only because I am glued to the TV watching (re-watching) these shows and then upset with myself as I should also be getting out more… living a little life too. Was in Scotland a few years ago and have to say the Highlands is one of my favorite places… loved the greenery. Really nice to see more of it in Outlander. Love the characters… refreshing to see such a strong female character with Claire, but wow …the actor who plays Jaime…Sam Heughan is gorgeous… I have to keep reminding myself that in real life he bats for the other team.
Love the show. Looking forward to all the future episodes!