In the foreword to this book, the author recounts that her publisher told her this book would have to be a word-of-mouth book because it was just too weird to describe. While there is some truth to that, I shall do my best to describe it. This is primarily a historical fiction with some time travel and a heap of romance thrown in. Gabaldon doesn't shy away from describing any of the practices of 18th century Scotland in excruciating detail - whether it's the punishment of a young thief by nailing his ear to a post or the use of herbs and plants in both medicine and magic.
Gabaldon covers a slew of social issues throughout her fiction. You'll find Elizabeth Beachamp's reactions to domestic violence, corporal punishment, homosexuality, relationships between husbands and wives, and fealty between lords and subjects expressed in a refreshingly honest way. I personally liked the juxtaposition of religion, magic, and science in 18th century Scotland and the question that Gabaldon raises of whether we have progressed or regressed in our thinking about those subjects.
Overall, it is a great read, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Dragonfly in Amber.
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