Customer Reviews

Cross Stitch

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who view this page to see what books other than Outlander that Diana Gabaldon wrote, look somewhere else. This is Outlander but published under a different name in Britain. Since it wasn't stated anywhere, I thought I might clarify it. I loved Outlander so I gave it 5 stars, though 4 1/2 might be more correct.

To clarify further from other reviews, this version of Outlander was also published in Australia which is where I purchased a copy.

Cross Stitch takes you on the most unbelievable rollercoaster road as far as your emotions are concerned. I think I cried about 7 times at various different points throughout the book, sometimes from joy and other times from sadness. It is a fierce and passionate love story as well as being an accurate interpretation of life in the 1700 & 1900's, with many historical references throughout.

The main character Claire is a strong, intelligent and sometimes feisty woman who is very lovable. She's married to Frank Randall in the year 1945 and manages to go back in time to the year 1743 in which she meets Frank's sinister ancestor Captain Black Jack Randall and flees into the arms of a few Scottish clansmen. That's when the real story begins!

What really impressed me about this book was Gabaldon's realistic interpretation of the historical events of England and Scotland and the way in which she paints the world the characters live in. It ignited a passion in me to learn more about the times for that particular era which no other book I've read has been able to do. Having never been to the UK, I find myself wanting to visit the Scottish highlands and see for myself the landscapes that she painted so vividly in my mind and to visit their forts and castles.

Cross Stitch is a highly satisfying book, which gets my hearty vote of 5 out of 5!

I have read the entire series from Outlander(thanks for pointing out that Cross Stitch was the same, thought I found another one!) through A Breathe of Snow and Ashes at least 3 times now. The comments from the 2 star are very sad indeed. Perhaps they should have taken the time to read the entire book/series and then would understand that scene was consistant with the era and NEVER happened again! I also think you should understand that this series has been mis-labeled as a romance. It is much more than that - its an adventure! Its about their lives and how they just seem to fall into the craziest predicaments.

I can hardly wait for the next installment. I check Gabaldon's site constantly in anticipation of the next one.

In 1989 I accidentally picked up Dragonfly in Amber without knowing it was the second in a series once I figure that out I have been hooked for life. When I saw this title I thought maybe it was another book. I did not realize it was Outlander with a different title so the reviews helped there, but I have to say anyone who reads these books gets hooked. They are so well written and executed that I cant wait for the next one to come out. Diana Gabaldon is a superb Author and her depictions of history intertwined with her characters leads you on an unimaginable journey filled with tears, laughter,love and hate. WOW What an adventure.

Ms Gabaldon is a magnificent character writer - I feel that I personally know the characters, good and bad. She gives such intimate descriptions that demonstrate their personalities, frailties and strengths. They are not perfect; they seem like family or neighbors. The world they live in is steeped in color, sights and smells, from the horrors of the battlefield and prison cells to the bread baking in Mrs. Bugs oven; from stinking slavers to the high mountains of North Carolina.
Claire, Brianna and Roger must all adapt to vast social changes, including speech, dress, money (mostly lack of it) and even posture (you don't walk like a woman should.) Women, excluding widows, were merely property not so many years ago, and had little say in their own lives, never mind that of politics. If Jaime was extreme in his handling of Claire in Outlander, it is because that was the accepted behavior. Keep reading, and you will understand that the author uses this action to demonstrate the complete lack of recourse that any female had in those times. What a shock to a 20th Century woman lost in another era. That is what the Two-star reviewer has missed. (Although Claire eventually mostly forgives Jaime, she never forgets, nor does she allow him to forget. There is a fabulous scene in the last book where they both refer to that moment, and the fact that they each have the power to hurt the other but not without hurting themselves.) Ms Gabaldon uses numerous incidences of violence throughout the series that display tumultuous times, frequent lawlessness or corruption of the law, and even complete lack of law or law enforcement - all things that Claire, and especially Brianna and Roger, must learn quickly or die. There are also instances where communities must band together for survival for shelter, food and protection (try 4 families in one 3 bedroom house with no running water.) I think that honest research into undeveloped parts of the world today will show that life must have been a tremendous struggle during the European settlement of this continent.
But, I think the best part of the story is the enduring love between Claire and Jaime, through all of their struggles. They are a shining example of a committed marriage for better or worse, richer or poorer. And any woman who doesn't believe she is looking for her own "Jaime" is fooling herself.

Like most of the people who wrote reviews on this book and on all of Diana's books, this series is the only series I have ever read that has stuck with me for over 15 years. I have read and re-read every one of the books and cried when my husband surprised me with her last book I didn't even know was coming out. I have been reading since I was 5 years old, non stop, voraciously. For these books to be my favorites that I read and read again is saying alot.

Ms. Gabaldon fleshed out her characters so well that they are truly unforgettable and real. There are no cheesy fake romance lines in these books, but a real love story.

Regarding the 2 star review, someone is being too defensive. The point is that Claire is not weak and helpless but is in a world where women are treated as such. Even a kind, loving person like Jamie is steeped in his culture's view of women and their behavior. But through the series, Jamie comes to value Claire's independence and intelligence. That part of the first book was a contrast to their future relationship. Women can only be put down if they allow themselves to be.

There is someone on here that gave this book 2 stars due to views on brutality. Um, if you want to read an excellent book, disregard that review. Yes, there is a scene that he beats Claire, though later he regrets it. Just as in any book, people need to be OPEN-MINDED and not allow their "views" disrupt the enjoyment of reading a book! The book mostly takes place in the 1700's, um, so of course most--if not all--men back then (in Scotland) believed in keeping their wives (who were considered to be men's property--just like a plot of land) in line by physical means. I know Diana Gabaldon might have made a mistake or two in her research in this book--which she admits on her website--but overall I think she did (and continues to do!) an amazing job on the researching she did for this series! Absolutely incredible!
The way they dressed, the way they prepared food, traveled, talked, what people's views were, etc. was very well-written and in much detail.
If you read the entire book, word-by-word, I can almost bet that the story and the beloved characters will stay with you for a very, very, very long time.

Every devoted reader has a small selection of books they'll NEVER EVER forget. The ones you connect with in a special way and continue to linger.

This beautifully crafted series - starting with Cross Stitch - by Diana Gabaldon, will forever remain with me. It was an absolute pleasure to read.

Just a small note of advice tho ...... If you are wise enough to read this book, be ready for the rest ..... once you start, it's impossible to stop.

Sure, some of the following books like 'The Fiery Cross' & 'A Breath of Snow & Ashes' are quite substantial sized books, but when your inside the story, each page turn goes unnoticed. If anything, you'll be sorry to see the end. Realizing this AFTER I read Cross stitch, I made sure I had every book on hand, so withdrawal symptoms remained at a minimum. (Until now as I have just finished ABOS&A)

Buy it or loan it ..... either way ....... READ IT.

You'll be glad you did.

I have read almost everything Diana has written. If you make it through this first book, the story gets better...just hang on. I eagerly await her next novel. Dont be intimidated by the length of the books, it is worth it. This is one of the few series of books my mom and I agree on, usually our tastes are different.
I don't claim to be a historian and don't double check any of her references, but find it believable. She lends a personal side to the history, reminds us humans were involved. I also enjoy Claire's use of herbal remedies in the pharmaceutically-lacking 1700's. I find myself wanting to learn gaelic so as to hear the words being spoken.

After having read many of the reviews and the novel, I think what you think of it depends on what you expect going in.

1)If you were expecting a straightforward romance novel, you most likely will be quite disappointed. Maybe you want to pick up something else.

2)If you were just expecting historical fiction, as I was, the book may hold your interest. It's obvious that the author did a lot of research, which I always appreciate when it comes to historical fiction. Inaccurate historical details can make me dislike a book pretty quickly.

3)If you are put off by violence, don't read this. Just don't-there is a copious amount of it, against men, women, children and probably animals, although I don't remember specifics on that.

4)If you write yourself, or were an English major, or tend to read a lot, some of Jamie's dialogue will make you cringe. Some parts are truly risible.

"I gave you my soul, now I'll give ye my cock!"

Seriously, Jamie says that to his wife. At that point I had to put the book down to laugh for a while. But I wanted to see how it ended and kept reading.

Re: Jamie spanking his wife. I suppose I'm the only person who wasn't put off by it. I tend to prefer realism in historical novels. I expect to hear about bad smelling people, lice, customs and ways of living that disgust me. Unfortunately, at that time and place, in that situation, a man beating his wife was not at all unusual. Vile and unpleasant, but true to the time period.

Yes, the author could have had him defy the way his clan did things and not beat Claire. But it would have been anachronistic--in that time, place and situation, his actions were reasonable. Now of course, someone would call the police.