I decided to try Amazon Prime out a few weeks ago. As they offer a 30-day free trial for their services, I thought I would see what it was all about. Part of this trial included their Prime Video, and I browsed through their collection of films and boxsets. One series caught my eye; Outlander.

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I remembered someone mentioning this a while back but, not knowing what it really was, I didn’t take much interest.

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However, reading the information on Prime drew my attention immediately. A woman goes back in time to a significant history period? Those of you that have read my creative pieces (those who have not, you can find them here) will know I love anything historical, particularly time-travel fiction. It is as if someone has made a series purely to feed my love of the genre.

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(Image Copyright of Starz)

Well, what can I say? How did I not see this wonderful series before? I have since discovered that it was originally written as a series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. I usually read the book versions before their on-screen counterparts, as I find they are far more elaborate, but you can be sure that I’ll be reading them as soon as possible (Who can guess what the next book review will be?).

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So far, Outlander consists of three series. The first series begins in 1946, where Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an army nurse, is on her second honeymoon with her husband, Frank Randall, in the Scottish Highlands. Without revealing too many spoilers, Claire is transported to 1745 through a circle of ancient stones. It is here that she has a sinister encounter with Frank’s ancestor, a British army officer who goes by the name of Black Jack Randall. After this, she cascades into a series of strange conflicts and skirmishes between Scottish Highlanders and the British Army.

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I don’t know much about Scottish history, but Outlander seems to have kindled a strong interest, and I find myself wanting to know more about this period. The use of traditional Scottish/Gaelic, the costumes – everything seems to evoke a strong sense of this Highlander lifestyle, and the lengths they would go to preserve their land and traditions.

Be warned, however; some of the scenes can be incredibly graphic. If you cringe at bloody wounds, violence, or even if you feel uncomfortable watching two people make passionate love to one another, perhaps it would be best to skip over these bits, but I warn you; there are quite a few.

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Don’t let that put you off, though! If you find history boring, or you aren’t that interested in Scottish history, I guarantee you will enjoy this. There is something for everyone to enjoy here! A complicated romance, fair amounts of savagery, some mesmerising scenery, and a wee bit of humour; it’s all there.

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Hopefully, I managed to convince you to watch this intriguing series without giving away too many important spoilers. If you want to know more, you’ll just have to go and see for yourself.

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If anyone has any suggestions for books, films, or anything else you would like us to write about, we welcome your thoughts and comments!

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(Posted by Yasmin)