The Space Between: An Outlander Novella

I was fortunate to find this series as the last book, An Echo in the Bone was published. I didn't have to wait until now for the story to continue. I don't normally read Novellas as a rule, they are too short for much character development especially for Diana's unique writing talents. I agree with others comments that if you read this without the background of the series it wouldn't make much sense. If someone was to read this without the benefit of the series it would definitely give you a curiosity to delve into the story from the beginning. I loved the length and depth of each book and applaud Diana for not going the way of so many authors in keeping their stories to a required length. So many good stories out there cut short by trying to keep within a certain number of pages. I found Outlander shortly after purchasing my kindle in June 2011 and have yet to find any story that has so captured my attention. There are many good authors out there that could take a lesson from Diana's independence in the market place. I can't imagine the story will end with the next book. There are so many great characters to follow. This was an amazing story with a most appropriate title.

Warning - if you haven't read all seven of the books in the Outlander series, this novella will make absolutely no sense to you; there's too much "back story" that is assumed the reader knows. That said, if you HAVE read those books, this novella is a delight. It picks up the story of Joan MacKimmie (Jamie's step-daughter), who is journeying to Paris to become a nun. She's accompanied by Jamie's nephew, Michael Murray, who came home to Scotland for his father's death/funeral. Michael works in the family wine business in Paris and offers to escort Joan on her journey. Enter the Comte, whom we all thought died in DIA, and Master Raymond and some time travel, mystical stuff. The Comte mistakenly believes Joan is Claire's daughter and kidnaps her for his experiments. Michael rescues her (of course). There's some reference to Claire and the Comte "belonging" to Raymond and they disappear together - to who knows where and why - at the end.As Diana Gabaldon herself often says, "Wait and see."

This is an interesting side story to the Outlander series. As with all of Diana Gabaldon's stories, the character development is good, the story is almost non-stop action, and the quality of the writing is excellent. The story involves Joan, the daughter of Loaghaire, the wanna be girlfriend of Jamie's from the first Outlander novel. Joan is taken to Paris by Michael Murray to enter the convent. However Joan hears voices that tell the future. It is a captivating tale, typical of Gabaldon, that there are many promises of romance or stories to relate, but it also suffers from the feeling of being left hanging. Gabaldon's ability to pull you into the story so you don't stop reading is apparent in this novella. There is non-stop action and more of a science fiction content than with most of the Outlander stories. Both the characters, Michael and Joan, are quite sympathetic and the reader is desperate to hear more about them. Gabaldon has her work cut out for her to address all of these stories in future novels.

THE SPACE BETWEEN is a short story/novella (~100 pages) that occupies the space between the last two OUTLANDER NOVELS, AN ECHO IN THE BONE and WRITTEN IN MY HEART'S OWN BLOOD. It takes place in Paris in the mid 1770s, and focuses on Joan, Jaimie's stepdaughter who in en route to a become a nun. Joan, it turns out, hears voices and is prescient. The fill in of her back story is fascinating and welcome. But the most interesting characters are the return from the (presumed) dead of le Comte de Saint Germain and M. Grenouillle, the very mysterious frog-like alchemist/sorcerer/time traveler who knows what from several novels back. The writing is still enchanting and the plotting still captivating. Ant the characters! Often the weakest part of fiction, Gabaldon makes them all come alive and the complex interpersonal relationships are fascinating. This novella focuses much more on the fantasy/sci-fi aspects of time travel and alchemy than most of the novels, and is welcome for it. The whole series is an amazing amalgam of historical fiction, fantasy and sic-fi, military strategy and romance, and is absolutely addicting. Highly Recommended for fans. JM Tepper

There is no other author who delivers such powerful visualization, bar none! Mz. Gabaldon has held my attention and interest for over 20 years. I can't say that about any other series of books, much less any single book, that even comes close. Fast paced, page turning at full speed. I guarantee you won't get much done whenever you pick up a Highlander book! This was a very beautiful "fill in" book to the series. Going back to the earlier years of our saga, giving us insights to details hinted at, but not fully developed in prior novels. Painting with a very fine brush, we're given more jewels of adventure and character, to those we already love beyond all others. Jamie is a complex, street smart, hunk of a man. Honor and common sense at the core of all he approaches. Fiercely loyal to those he loves and cares for, he is the very definition of THE man every woman dreams of finding. DON'T MISS THIS STORY!

LOVED IT. IT HELPED FILL OUT THE STORY.

Is een goed boek, verteld veel over de achtergrond. Vind alleen erg jammer dat het niet in het Nederlands is, zo iets gemakkelijker te lezen zijn.

I am a big fan of Diana Gabaldon. I read her first book in the serie 'Outlander' I in spanish, many years ago ( I suppose already when the first book came out ), and I loved the story so much that I started looking for the rest of the books. I have been recomending the serie to my daugther and she is now also a big fan of the Outlander Story and all the other books around the principle story. I even bought both books 'The Outlandish Companion' to remind me what happenend if I forget something ( so I will be prepared when the story continues).

Excellente petite histoire pour compléter les connaissances sur toute la série. On la lit avec beaucoup de plaisir. À acheter.

Para quem lê os livros de OUTLANDER, é um conto com personagens pouco mencionados, mas explica alguns fatos que foram omitidos nos livros da série (A Libélula no Âmbar). É para quem ama os livros de Diana Gabaldon, principalmente por estabelecer conexões que podem fazer nos livros já escritos e nos próximos não lançados (LIVROS 9 e 10).