Outlander Read-A-Long Chp 1-7

Jes at Gone with The Words is hosting the Outlander Read-a-long for the first week of questions!!

I am loving the chance to re-read Outlander! (I hope they continue and do the whole series as read-a-longs!!!) But most of my answers are from my recollections of my first read through – which oddly? I remember so incredibly well!!

1. Outlander is a well-known book. Before you cracked it open, what were your expectations or assumptions about this story? Or did you jump into it with a blank slate?
I have already read Outlander (twice) but I remember vividly my first read through!! I wasn’t really sure what to expect, I just knew that my good friend, Lis, LOVED the books. She raved and raved, and read the entire series within a matter of weeks. So I jumped in, hoping to love it half as much as she did. She just told me it was a love story, and that she was madly in love with Jamie Fraser, other than that? I knew nothing.

2. Claire’s husband, Frank, is fascinated with learning more and more facts about his family tree, which extends back pretty far. Do you or anyone in your family keep a family tree? How many years/generations back does it go? If not, have you ever considered or attempted to create one?
I’ve dabbled a bit with genealogy, but I don’t know much. I know on my mom’s family that her Aunt does a LOT of research and has made some pretty cool books for all of the individual families. I also know that my husbands Aunt has a LOT of research as well, so I do know who to go to for more info! I just wish I had more time/drive to do it myself.

3. How did you find Claire’s initial conclusion as to her surroundings after waking up from going through the stones? Did you think that was a reasonable conclusion?
Such a vague question! *LOL* I love how it avoids a spoiler, I really hope that my answers can be that tactful. I think her conclusion was natural (and probably what I’d think too!)

4. How about her composed, rational way of dealing with the fact she’s traveled back in time. Did you find it believable? Do you think you would have been acting the same way?
One of the things that I really loved about Outlander is that I think I would have reacted much the same way as Claire in most cases. I saw a lot of myself in her, and thought her reactions to this crazy new world she was thrust into were very logical and realistic.

5. At this point in the story, what are your feelings or expectations on Claire and Jamie? Is Frank still a factor for you?
I am answering based on my first read through – I have to admit that I all but forgot about Frank. *blush* Really, at this point? I was excited about the idea of Claire and Jamie and was actually hoping that she would never find her way back to “modern” time.

Bonus Question: Frank encounters a man outside of the inn were he and Claire are staying. He is afraid it might have been a ghost. What do you believe that was? Do you have any predictions on what that was about?
I remember being pretty sure this was a ghost. I think I got halfway through Dragonfly in Amber before I really felt sure that it was Jamie – but still had many questions and thoughts. I do/did NOT think it was a ghost though.