The Outlandish Companion
Page 73
Voyager (1995)
(hardcover)
ISBN 0-7126-6133-6
(paperback)
ISBN 0-09-942851-2
The first Voyager paperback cover looks very like the hardback cover—which is a pity. It featured a female figure purporting to be Claire, looking like either a teenybopper or someone who had escaped the house wearing her bathrobe (variations, owing to separate publication in Great Britain and Australia/New Zealand), a redheaded male figure lurking in the background, evidently intended to be a ghost from its spectral shape, and what is presumably Brianna, depicted as an overgrown ten-year-old in a granny dress. It’s also a rather nasty purple.
In this case, the reissue—third iteration of the Same Horrible Woman—was actually an improvement, but I’m still looking forward to the newest attempt.
The hardcover may be available, but I wouldn’t bet on it; UK hardcovers are normally done in relatively small print runs, since the main demand for these is from libraries.
Drums of Autumn (1997) ISBN 0-7126-7623-6
This one was done—and is likely still available—in both hardcover and paperback. The cover design is actually not too bad, save for the presence of a very literal-looking female in the center. This was actually the first appearance of the Lady with Brown Hair; since the book sold quite well, the publisher promptly reissued the other three books with cut-rate versions of the same cover—and the same model, with her hair combed differently.
Stay tuned for the new and much improved cover, not featuring female portraits, or so they tell me.
RUSSIA
Well, we did sell rights to the first three books to a company called Centrepolygraph, but I’ve never seen any of these books, and in fact have no idea whether they ever were published in Russia, let alone what they might look like.
HOLLAND
A Dutch publisher, Meulenhoff, has bought rights to the first book, and it should be on the market soon—titled de Reiziger. If it does well, presumably they might want the rest.
POLAND AND KOREA
Contracts for Outlander have also been signed with publishers in Poland and Korea, but no information is available as yet regarding titles or publication dates.
AUDIOTAPES
There are several taped versions of the books (see “Frequently Asked Questions”). The commercially available versions are the (severely) abridged tapes from Bantam, and the (delightfully) unabridged ones from Recorded Books, Inc. Addresses and ISBNs are given below.
Bantam Audio
Random House Inc. 1540 Broadway New York, NY 10036
Read by Geraldine James, who is a wonderful British actress. Great productions, but owing to the abridgement, these tapes make a good accompaniment to the books—not a substitute for them.
Outlander
(four tapes, six hours) ISBN 0-553-47329-8
Dragonfly in Amber (four tapes, six hours) ISBN 0-553-47330-1
Voyager
(four tapes, six hours) ISBN 0-553-47331-X
Drums of Autumn (four tapes, six hours) ISBN 0-553-47332-8
Recorded Books, Inc.
270 Skipjack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
For a free catalog, call 1-800-638-1304
The unabridged series is read by Davina Porter, a terrific actress who does a wonderful job with all the voices, but particularly with Claire’s.
Since unabridged recordings are in demand mostly by libraries (being hideously expensive, owing to the length), you may or may not find these versions in your local bookstore (if you do, you’ll know it. They aren’t inconspicuous). RBI offers a catalog service for rental books, however, available either through their Web site, or by phone.
Outlander (32.5 hours) ISBN 0-7887-1298-5
Dragonfly in Amber (39.5 hours)
Part 1(15 cassettes, 22 hours) ISBN 0-7887-2170-4 Part 2(12 cassettes, 17.5 hours) ISBN 0-7887-2472-X
Both Voyager and Drums are also in production by RBI, and will be released in 1999.
This seems to be rather effective. My own editor confesses to feeling like a drug pusher when she gives people Outlander.
This paperback has been published with two cover designs, as of 1/98. The original cover design included a stepback illustration, but reprints of this edition do not include the stepback.
My father-in-law—a lifelong cowboy—didn’t like the horse, either.
I asked my father (whose first language was Spanish) about the meaning of this title. He laughed and said that while it technically did mean “Outlander,” the meaning was not so much “Foreigner,” or “Stranger,” but rather something like “Hick from the Sticks, “or “Somebody from waaay out in the weeds.”
I assume this is the Latin American edition. I don’t have an ISBN for the Spanish edition, because the publisher sent me copies of only the Latin American one.
They sent me only Spanish copies of this one.
These have been published in low-cost book-club editions, but I don’t believe they are available in paperback.
8Persons wanting autographed copies of books, bookplates (these are free, on request; just send me a stamped, self-addressed envelope to return them in), or anything else, can contact me by mail at P.O. Box 584, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-0584.
9Adding insult to injury, people all over Australia asked me whether the cover portrait was based on me! No, it wasn’t.
10Owing to the publisher’s fear at the time that no one would buy it. The original paperback appeared with “Money-Back Guarantee” stickers—an offer which, I’m pleased to say, no one ever took up.
Which is, I supposed, why they decided to do away with it.
APPENDIX VII
THE METHADONE LIST
Well, I’m slow. Or at any rate, it definitely takes me longer to write these books than it takes readers to read one. Consequently, a number of people have asked whether there are any other writers who write books like mine, so they will have something to read while waiting for the next in the Outlander series.
I’d be hard-pressed to recommend books like mine, because I sort of like to think mine are unique.1 There are, however, quite a few excellent books that are also unique, and that might also appeal to readers who like my books.
I’ve arranged this listing (roughly) into sections, according to the principal elements or genres of the stories. Those people who are most taken by the time travel premise or the fantastic elements of the Outlander novels will be more likely to enjoy books on the Fantasy or Historical Fantasy list, whereas those of you who especially enjoy the historical details might prefer the “straight” Historical list, and might not like some of the others.
Still, I can enthusiastically recommend most of the writers on this list, from my own experience as a reader; a few were added that I haven’t yet read myself, but have heard excellent things about. Try them; I hope you’ll like them!
HISTORICAL FANTASY
These are books with a skeleton of straight historical fiction, fleshed out in various forms of fantasy.
Judith Merkle Riley
A Vision of Light
In Pursuit of the Green Lion
The Oracle Glass
The Serpent Garden
JMR writes historical fiction (from different periods), with a little romance, a good sense of humor, and excellent research—and she also has a touch of the supernatural or paranormal in all her stories.
Vonda McIntyre The Moon and the Sun
Vonda McIntyre is a well-known (and award-winning) science fiction/fantasy writer, but this particular book is a really nice mingling of straight historical fiction with fantasy. The Sun King with a captive mermaid at Versailles? Fascinating, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally engaging.
Connie Willis Doomsday Book
A terrific time travel story, mixing good science fiction and very accurate historical fiction (setting: the Dark Ages in Britain). Very suspenseful, excellent writing.
Tim Powers The Stress of Her Regard
FANTASY
Laurell K. Hamilton
The Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series
A unique series (nine books so far), dealing with the adventures of Anita Blake, licensed vampire executioner and working zombie raiser, who—in the course of the series—is courted by a werewolf and a vampire, and battles just about every form of supernatural creature I’ve ever heard of—and not a few I hadn’t. Extremely violent and bloody, but never gratuitously so. Nonstop action, but the most interesting aspect of the series is the increasing complexity of the moral questions asked, as the chief character explores her own powers in greater depth, and begins wondering exactly what the differences are between the humans and the monsters.
Lois McMaster Bujold Shards of Honor
A story set in the future, but with characters and values instantly recognizable in the here and now. A good adventure, with a strong central love story.
Anne McCaffrey
An excellent storyteller—and prolific writer —who deals with dragons, telepathy, and any number of other adventurous elements.
Raymond Feist
Faerie Tale
The Riftwar Saga (six-book series)
All of Feist’s books are good; the six books of the Riftwar Saga are a good recommendation for those who particularly enjoy a mix of fantasy and adventure. Faerie Tale is a standalone, and—I think—the most interesting of Feist’s works, mingling supernatural and sexuality in an intriguing way.
Richard Adams Watership Down
This book gives you entertainment and adventure, together with the illusion of being completely encompassed by another world—in this case, a rabbit warren.
HISTORICAL FICTION
Jack Whyte
Jack Whyte’s books (six, so far) deal with pre-Arthurian Britain, and include characters such as Merlyn and Arthur himself—but are straight historical fiction, with no hint of fantasy or magic. As Jack says, “I wanted to figure out how the bloody sword got into the stone—and how the kid pulled it out—without having to invoke magic.” He’s succeeded, and in the process, gives a detailed and absorbing picture of just what happened in Britain when the Roman Legions folded their tents and went away, leaving the remnants of the Roman settlers to deal with the local Celtic tribes and the struggle to preserve their notion of civilization.
Dorothy Dunnett The Lymond Chronicles (six books) The Niccolo Series (eight books)
Dunnett writes big, fat historical novels, rich in plot, character, and detail. The Lymond Chronicles are set in the fifteenth century, the Niccolo books in the fourteenth—both cover a lot of territory, including most of the countries of Europe and the Mediterranean. Dunnett is one of those authors that people either love or hate; little middle ground. The style of writing is rich and the prose often gorgeous—but I sometimes find it oblique.
Jennifer Roberson Lady of the Forest Lady of the Glen
Lady of the Forest is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, told from the point of view of Maid Marian. Lady of the Glen is much more straight history; a fictionalized—but quite accurate—account of the Glencoe Massacre.
Nigel Tranter The MacGregor Trilogy, and others
Tranter is a very popular British author of historical fiction. The MacGregor Trilogy deals with the Jacobite era of Scottish history, but he has a great many other interesting titles, dealing with other parts of Britain’s past.
Robert Louis Stevenson
An oldie but a goodie. If you haven’t read Treasure Island or Kidnapped recently, treat yourself.
Morgan Llywelyn
Llywelyn’s books deal sometimes with characters from legend (e.g., Red Branch, which tells the story of Cuchullain) and sometimes with historical persons and events (1916). Her territory is Celtic History, well-researched, and her stories are absorbing.
Charles Palliser Quincunx
If Charles Dickens had been interested in writing puzzle stories, he would have written this. It’s a huge book, with multiple interlacing (and engaging) plots, all written in a very authentic Victorian style. Very evocative and deeply interesting—but it’s not light reading (about three pounds, I’d say).
Brian Moore Black Robe
Set in the late seventeenth century, this is a small book; sparsely written but very evocative—the story of a young French priest, sent to convert and serve among the Huron.
HISTORICAL, FICTION SERIES
For those who—having found a good thing—want it to go on and on. These are excellent series, some based on historical events, some merely using historical settings for fictional adventures—but without any fantastic overtones.
Patrick O’Brian The Aubrey/Maturin series
O’Brian is the most renowned of the seafaring historical novelists. His series (the first book is Master and Commander), featuring Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and ship’s surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin, is set during the Napoleonic Wars. Great characters, wonderful language, excellent historical detail.
C. S. Forester The Horatio Hornblower series
Not quite as sophisticated as O’Brian, but still a very good storyteller. The Hornblower series covers the same period and setting—the British Navy in the Napoleonic Wars—as does
O’Brian, but is very different in terms of character and style.
Sharon Kay Penman
Penman writes on significant British (English and Welsh) historical events, using real historical characters as well as fictional ones.
Bernard Cornwell The Sharpe series
I’ve read a couple of Cornwell’s other books, which I thought were well researched. I haven’t read the Sharpe series yet—I’m saving it for a treat, next time I finish a manuscript—but have had it highly recommended to me. PBS did a miniseries based on some of the books, which was well received. The time period is the same as that covered by O’Brian and Forester—the Napoleonic Wars—but Sharpe is a soldier, rather than a sailor, and the stories are mostly land-based.
George MacDonald Fraser The Flashman series
Flashman is a man you love to hate. A cad, a cheat, a bully, and a bounder, he cavorts through history—with the reader cheering him on. These books are not only remarkably entertaining, they’re remarkably researched—with equally entertaining footnotes in each. Flashman’s career spans a good part of the nineteenth century, and several continents.
Winston Graham The Poldark series
Set in Cornwall during the late 1700s. Very good historical soap opera, with extremely engaging characters. PBS had two fourteen-week miniseries based on these books.
HISTORICAL MYSTERIES
Anne Perry
Perry has two series, both set in Victorian London. One involves a married couple: Thomas Pitt (a policeman) and his wife, Charlotte. The other series involves Edward Monk, a policeman who wakes up in the first book of his series (The Face of a Stranger), in a hospital, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Both series are excellent in terms of period detail and social issues; good plotting.
Steven Saylor
Saylor’s series features Gordianus the Finder, and are set in Rome during the first century B.C. Written with excellent literary style, and a remarkably colloquial feel for ancient Rome.
Lindsey Davis
A different series set in ancient Rome, featuring Marcus Didius Falco, a fourth-century B.C. gumshoe, and his girlfriend, the Lady Helena Justina. Much lighter than Saylor’s books, and a matter of taste; many people like the spoofing modern tone, some don’t.
Sharan Newman
The Catherine LeVendeur series (four books so far) is set in medieval France. Engaging characters, with a sense of humor and a strong sense of the times.
Walter Satterthwait
Walter has a contemporary
mystery series, which is excellent, but has also written a couple of single title historical mysteries. One of these—Wilde West—is unfortunately out of print, but worth looking for; it features Oscar Wilde as detective. Two more recent mysteries, Escapade (with Harry Houdini), and Masquerade, feature Beaumont, a Pinkerton operative.
Dorothy L. Sayers
One of the writers who was an important influence on my own writing. While not originally written as “historical” mysteries—they were contemporary, at the time—the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries are some of the best, in terms of evocation of social and physical ambiance, rich, three-dimensional characters, engaging plots, and what my husband refers to as Deep Meaning (i.e., moral questions with implications that go beyond the immediate story. “Does this have lots of Deep Meaning?” he asks, when I give him a new excerpt to read).