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The Exile

An Outlander Graphic Novel
Nov 04, 2017DorisWaggoner rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I've read a few graphic novels that made sense. This one didn't, at all, and I'm a huge fan of the Outlander series. As far as the graphics went, the scenery was often lovely and atmospheric, and I appreciated the Gaelic translations. I've gotten used to Gabaldon's Scottish dialog so didn't have trouble with that. But the plot is so compressed that even though I just finished rereading the first volume last week, and she says that this covers about a third of that book, I got lost in several places. All the men look alike except for whether or not they have facial hair, making it hard to tell the good guys from the bad. There are only four women, and they can easily be told apart by size and hair color. But none of the important characters--even Jamie and Claire!--are well distinguished by personality. This book wouldn't encourage me either to read another graphic novel, or another of the wonderful Outlander series. Gabaldon is a wonderful, funny writer, so it's a shame she decided to try her hand at this form. It just doesn't suit the way she writes best, which is in long, complicated stories full of subplots, complex people, and atmospheric descriptions that make you believe you're really in the time and place she's taking you to.