Customer Reviews

The Outsider

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never been so affected by a book as I was reading THE OUTSIDER. This book is absolutely incredible! It is the story of two very different people who come together to find the most beautiful and sweetest love, and of one man's figurative journey from the utter depths of hell to the light of heaven.

I think what made me love this book so much is the depth of the characterizations, especially that of the hero. Ms. Williamson writes with a lyric beauty that makes you come to know the mind, heart, and soul of *all* the characters. I can't quite find the words to describe the hero, Johnny Cain. He is so completely lost, so very tortured, and so desperately in need of love....and the heroine, Rachel, gives to to him wholeheartedly, and by doing so, saves him. Ironically, there is only one scene in the entire book, where we get a glimpse of Johnny's thoughts. Because Johnny is an "outsider", we never learn what he thinks and feels, never see his point of view (a quite ingenious and appropriate [but at times, a bit frustrating] tool, I must say). Except for one scene at near the end, and oh, what a heartbreaking scene it is! A life long man-killer, Johnny believes himself to be beyond redemption, ("I *like* being damned," he says at one point) but it soon becomes poignantly clear that he craves and needs redemption (and the hope that comes with it) above all else. There is an aching sweetness and tenderness to Johnny Cain, the notorious, hardened killer, that makes him so unforgettable. I completely fell in love with him. ;-)

I know I haven't mentioned anything about the plot or the other characters, but, to me, it is Johnny, the outsider, that defines this book.

Needless to say, THE OUTSIDER is a very emotional, and often difficult, read. I don't think I've ever cried so much while reading a book. The last 30 pages or so are especially sad and poignant...I don't want to give anything away, but I have never seen a hero and heroine go through what Johnny and Rachel did.

I cannot say enough about Ms. Williamson's writing. She is truly unparalleled. I've read two more of her books, and loved them both, but this one is definitely my favorite (if not favorite book I have ever read). Thank you so much for this book, and for creating Johnny Cain. :-)

"The Outsider"is the best book I read during the Year 1996.
There are books which you read and are almost immediately forgotten. Then, there are some will linger in your mind and heart forever. "The Outsider" is one of these rare books. There is an awesome beauty about this books which makes it one of the most unforgettable book I have every read.
The story takes place in an Amish community. Rachel is one of the Plain people. She takes care of her 10 year old son while trying to run a small sheep farm. Her life is one of religious contentment - until "the outsider' comes into her life and stirs passions she had thought buried with her husband. Johnny Cain, a famous gunslinger, comes badly wounded into her life. Rachel soon realized underneath the harsh exterior lies a soul which is crying out for love. Cain believes that he is damned and there is no redemption for him. Rachel, gentle and kind, gives him a ray of hope and he begins to slowly accept that there is some good in him. It is a joy to watch their love for each other slowly grow and finally blossom into the rare and beautiful flower it is. Their growing love for each other is complicated by the obvious, her religion. Rachel fights the attraction she feel for him. Her pious brother-in-law who is also in love with her does not help to make things easy and he continues to judge and criticize her.
The ending of the story is sure to bring tears to readers' eyes. Rachel allows love to guide the hard choices that she has to make. With "The Outsider", Ms Williamson establishes herself as one of the best of the genre. "The Outsider" is a major achievement. It is a hauntingly moving and powerful story. The language of the book is like beautiful poetry, but there is a simplicity that reflects the gentle qualities of the Plain People. One of the qualities I admire about the book is that Ms Williamson's portrayal of the Plain People is detailed and realistic. She lets us see them as the gentle, simple folk they are but we also see the inherent cruelty in their ways.
Ms Williamson, I feel honored to have read this book.
Wayne Jorda

I happened upon the Showtime movie based on this book and was totally entranced by it. Imagine my joy to read "Based upon the novel by Penelope Williamson" among the movie credits! I immediately found the novel on Amazon, ordered it and received it within a few days. I could not put it down! I am not a fan of "bodice rippers", but I do like an interesting historical romance if the characters aren't caricatures, as so many are. Well, Johnny Cain and Rachel Yoder, despite their romance novel names, are anything but! Ms. Williamson is brave enough to give her characters flaws like ordinary human beings. Johnny Cain, when he stumbles upon Rachel's farm, is not a completely likeable or charming guy, but it is believable that he would be taken in by the love and warmth of Rachel's home and family - especially when the reality of his own origins surface. I could have done with a little less of the prostitute/doctor story line but, all in all, it was one of the best books I have read! The ending of the book is somewhat darker than the movie's version, but it moved me so that I reread it several times! I rate this novel right up there with another of my favorites, "Outlander"! Watch the movie (it's available on Amazon, I think), then read the book. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

5 years ago I was urged by a librarian and friend of mine to read 'Heart of The West', I never did. One day browsing through a used book store I vaguely recognize Williamson's name, having picked out nothing better I left with 'The Outsider'. Whatever made me pick up that book I'm not sure, I am sure however that I've never made such a worthwhile purchase. This book burned into my very soul. It was beautiful and poignant. Williamson's writing style is genius and what all writers should aspire to. Since reading 'The Outsider' I have since picked up all of her books. Bravo Ms Williamson I'm anxiously awaiting all future publications.

Wow. This really was interesting. I loved learning about the different way that the characters within this story lived their lives. I also enjoyed watching Rachel and Johnny getting to know one another. As much as I enjoyed this, though..I had a few quibbles...first and foremost, I wanted Johnny's point of view. The book went into everyones head but his( except for a short while near the ending) and this disappointed me. Also, while I enjoyed the depth to which I was introduced to secondary characters, sometimes I felt like the focus of the central players got a lost a little bit simply because there were so many other people within this story. With that said, I have to move on and say how much I adored this book.....and even though I couldnt get enough of the h/h, I have to admit my favorite character was Benjo. Never have I read a sweeter character. This is a book that I would definitely recommend.

This is the 2nd book that I have read by Ms Williamson and she has an enviable talent. The story grabs your attention and the emotions of all the characters leap off the page at you. This is not a romance novel it is truly a love story. Not just the 2 main characters but the love of a father and son, mother and daughter are all felt in this story. I liked the way that Williamson was able to depict the harshness of the lifes of people in these times but also the need (sometimes)for that harshness and their acceptance of it. A beautiful story. Be adventurous and give a go. I can guarantee satisfaction.

Although I am not usually a big fan of the typical Romance genre, (which to me has one dimensional charactors and a very predictable story line) this book seemed like so much more. I am sure some will say the story is "predictable", but I felt as though it certainly was believable and there was more of an exploration of human nature with the "good and evil" being not so clear-cut but rather having lots of "gray areas". For instance, the "Plain People" or Amish of the book who feel they are so "holy" and "closer to God than the "Unbelievers" who don't belong to their religion, in some instances are shown to exhibit the very human foibles of jealousy, anger, and mean-spiritedness and the "Outsider" who is a "cold-blooded" killer is shown in instances where great restraint and a giving and kind nature is illustrated. Some of the Amish in the book are very rigid in their thinking and acting and yet you see where Rachel is less rigid and gives more thought to life and sees things in much less "black and white" issues.

I also liked the two main charactors of the book and if you "like" the charactors you can't help but like the book. I also liked the story but would have liked a little less time spent on exploring the lives of some of the peripheral charactors in the book, such as the town doctor and the prostitute and a little more on the two main charactors. I also wish the author had written this book with some perspective of the inner thoughts and feelings of the "Outsider" but perhaps she did not because he was supposed to be an enigma, a mystery man.

All in all, I highly recommend the book. I also recommend the DVD which closely follows the book.

This story was made into a movie by Hallmark Entertainment...Rachel is played by Naomi Watts and Johnny by Tim Daly. I thought the movie did a pretty fair adaptation of the book which is an outstanding read!

I just loved this book! For anyone who remembers the movie "Witness", and enjoyed the forbidden love caused by the cultural clash, read this wonderful story and finally achieve satisfaction. Ms.Williamson is an excellent writer who writes equally well when dealing with sensitive isssues, or when building sexual tension between her characters. Just when you think you can't wait any longer..."wham" she DELIVERS! "The Outsider", along with "Hearts of the West" are both in my top 5 all time favorite romance reads.

This book takes on the overused plot of rogue meets innocent, but at least has some wordsmithing skill to back it up.

I tore through this book pretty quickly because I was strung so tight waiting for the magical moment when Johnny and Rachel would finally succumb to their attraction. It's a long, and I do mean long, wait that is outright anti-climactic when the author finally gets around to it.

Everyone has their own taste for how much detail they want in the sex department, but the author used a very odd combination of fairly graphic language and less than a page for the scene. It was like having a raunchy one-paragraph stand with a book when you were expecting a chapter of champagne and strawberries. Johnny and Rachel's relationship has chemistry, but it feels like the reader is kept at arms length at the most passionate moments, which would balance out their more restrained, tender ones. It cheapens the experience.

On the brighter side, I really appreciated her writing style and ability to create a plot without endless cliches. (There's nothing worse in a romance novel than cliches and overused plot bunnies) I thoroughly enjoyed her wonderful, descriptive use of language,(as someone who grew up raising sheep, I have to say I was very impressed at how spot-on her descriptions of them were).

Overall, the secondary characters, in particular, fell a little flat and their storylines felt distracting. The worst, though, is being tortured through the romance buildup, waiting for a fiery explosion, and getting a cherry bomb instead.