Best Books The Exile By Diana Gabaldon

For all of us out there who wait impatiently for Diana Gabaldon's next installment in the Outlander series, here's my solution. If you're as desperate as I am for the next book, just give in and buy or borrow Diana Gabaldon's graphic novel The Exile at your local library.

While it's not as much fun to read as the books of the Outlander series by Gabaldon, you will get your Jamie and Claire fix temporarily and see some fantastic graphic artwork to boot.

This is a powerful graphic novel that is quite unlike anything I've ever seen before. I might add it is certainly a departure from the comic books I'm used to seeing as a child. And while on that subject, this graphic novel is not for young children as there is explicit sexual content.

Diana Gabaldon did a marvelous job with the graphic story version of the now well loved story of Jamie and Claire but Hoang Nguyen's artistry truly makes the book come alive. I think that the graphic novel adds to the series because it gives us some kind of visual picture of these extremely diverse characters and spurs your imagination to envision Scotland in the 1700s.

Even if you might not have imagined Jamie and Claire to look exactly like they are portrayed in this graphic novel, you'll see some of the most wonderful graphic creations in this creative rendition of Diana Gabaldon's masterpiece.

For those of you new to the Outlander series, this is a marvelous group of books by Diana Gabaldon that details many love stories, tons of Scottish history and even a bit of science fiction because the series involves time travel.

It is the story in its most basic description of two lovers who meet when Claire Randall, a combat nurse from World War II goes from the 1940's (when she accidentally transports herself through a set of Scottish stones) to the 1700's. After her voyage through time, she finds herself in the midst of the Scottish and English conflict and falls in love with Jamie MacKenzie, the would be leader of the MacKenzie clan.

There are 7 books excluding The Exile in the Outlander series and each will take you from pillar to post as you read with amazement how their lives evolve and all the people in their lives take shape, past and present. It is an amazing shift from one century to the other and all of the stories carry through from book to book.

The Exile is an abbreviated version of the original Outlander book although there are some variations to the story. The story is supposedly the experience of the events as seen from Jamie's point of view but as told by his godfather, Murtagh.

If you've read the other Outlander books, you will see the similarities to the original story but you will also be able to pick out the different storyline.

All in all, it's a fun read and easily accomplished in a day though you might get bogged down as I did in all the beautiful graphics. This truly is a must-have for any Outlander series fan or anyone who collects graphic novels.

Even our very own Nell Rose will not have to wait as long for her next installment in the series! We have both fallen in love with the series of books and wait on pins and needles for the announcement of when the next book will be out - I might add far too distant in the future but we shall take what we can get don't you think, Nell?

If you'd like to read the entire story, here is a book list of the books in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. However, make sure you set aside at least a month to read each one of these books. These are not 'light reads' or reads like Internet readers are accustomed to.

These books are steeped in Scottish and English history and tradition and tell many stories all at the same time. In my humble opinion, this is what a true novel should be - captivating, deeply moving, sexy, informative, and at all times highly entertaining. Once I pick up a Diana Gabaldon novel, I can't seem to put it down. I practically grieve when I come to the end of the book and know it will be a very long time before I get to the next story.

You can read these books out of order if you like, but they will make much more sense if you read them in order:

• Outlander
• Dragonfly in Amber
• Voyager
• Drums of Autumn
• The Fiery Cross
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes
• An Echo in the Bone

An additional treasure and adjunct to the series:

• The Outlandish Companion

One of the many characters in the Outlander series took on a life of his own in literature and Diana Gabaldon has done several books on him so far - Lord John Grey.

The books in the Lord John Grey series are fascinating reads as well because this series deals with the many facets of a homosexual officer in the English armed forces. The books also show his life intersects with Jamie and Claire. You come to know Lord John Grey through all his trials and tribulations and you can't help but love him as well.

Lord John Grey books:

• Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
• Lord John and the Hand of Devils
• Lord John and the Private Matter

All the Lord John Grey books are well done though not as long as the Outlander books. You get a glimpse from time to time of Jamie and Claire as his life is complexly intertwined with theirs.

The series of books about Lord John Grey are a spin-off of the original Outlander series where we first met him. Diana Gabaldon said that she loved his character so much she just had to write some books featuring his life and I think they turned out to be just as captivating.

You see the world through an English military man's eyes as well as seeing it through the eyes of a man struggling with his own sexual identity in the 1700's. All the books are great reads and actually give you an idea of the emotions and anguish that he feels. In a time when it was totally unfashionable to declare your homosexuality, it is startling to fathom what trials he or others like him faced.

If you're looking for a read that's just a wee bit different from the usual venue (or if you are like me and can't stand waiting for the sequel to An Echo in the Bone), check out The Exile by Diana Gabaldon. 

All the Outlander series books are fascinating and colorful in the extreme.  They are sure to hold your attention as long as you understand that they are the kind of books you savor and can't rush through. 

You'll participate in a bit of Scottish history, then find yourself reliving parts of World War II and its aftermath, then find yourself watching the birth of America. 

Whatever time you find yourself in while reading these books, you'll enjoy every minute of the ride and the read.  While these are works of fiction, there is much to learn that is true and authentic in terms of history and what a great way to read about it!

Wishing you happy reading and hope you get a chance to check out The Exile by Diana Gabaldon.