Can you enjoy the Outlander TV series as a book purist?
There are three types of Outlander fans. The book purists are the most loyal to Diana Gabaldon’s work and may find it hard to enjoy the series as a result. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Outlander fans fit into three main categories: book purists, book, and show lovers, show-only lovers. We can all move from one to another. At first, I was a show-only lover, but I’ve moved into the book and show fan category. Book purists are those who want everything to be exactly like Diana Gabaldon’s novels.
Okay, so as a book purist you may be happy with tiny changes. Sometimes scenes need to be cut out or reduced due to time constraints. But what many book purists don’t want to see are show-only scenes, majorly adapted storylines, and extra characters that weren’t there in the first place. Some fans are even unhappy about not getting eye color right!
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There have been many complaints about how the Outlander TV series has handled the adaptation of “Voyager” into Season 3. Fans also disliked changes in the first two seasons. However, is it possible to enjoy the series as a book purist? Here’s a look at what you can do.
Treat the books and shows separately
While you love the storytelling in the books, consider the show as a completely different story. You’ll never lose the story in the books. Those books will always be around. Even Diana Gabaldon has shared that the books are the books and the show is the show. Treating them as two separate entities and not comparing them is simply the easiest thing you can do.
Sure, you’ve possibly spent decades waiting for this book series to make it to TV. You’ve longed for Claire and Jamie’s love story to be told. Now it is and it isn’t quite what you expected from reading the story. But it’s still a story. This is someone else’s adaptation of the same novel you read.
If you want to treat them as the same thing, why not treat the book as a deeper explanation of things? Have the show as the tip of the iceberg and the books as everything flowing underneath.
Don’t set expectations and go with the flow
Many book fans were disappointed about the print shop scene. As someone who didn’t read “Voyager” before Outlander Season 3, I actually really enjoyed the print shop scene. It was believable for a couple that had spent 20 years apart and was seeing each other for the first time. A couple that believed for a very long time that they would never see each other again.
The disappointment from the book fans was that the print shop scene didn’t meet expectations. This is the same with a number of other important scenes in the series.
Rather than set expectations based on the story you’ve developed in your head from the words, take a step back and just go with the flow. Listen to the words the characters are saying and the music playing to drum up emotion. Close your eyes for a few minutes and just let the sounds flow through you.
Don’t set opinions on the first watch
Even as a show-first fan, I’ve struggled with some elements of the story on the first watch. With a second or third watch, things become clearer. Try not to set your opinions from the very first moment you watch a scene, because you will likely try to compare it to the books right away. Remember, it’s not the books.
Watch a second time, this time knowing what to expect in the show’s story. Take the time to see the finer details.
Let go of niggly things
Sometimes you just have to be like Elsa and let it go. That’s the case when it comes to things like actors’ heights, eye color, and even the wigs. There are many reasons certain people are cast and plenty of reasons why individuals don’t want to dye their hair or wear contact lenses.
The more you get annoyed at the niggling, small things, the less you’re going to enjoy the show. You’ll pick up on other details that were changed and always find something to be disappointed about.
There’s nothing wrong with loving the books so much that you want the show to be the same, but it’s not realistic in that way. A TV show has different expectations and needs to appeal to both book and non-book fans. Don’t get me wrong; I know why you want the same book story but people create different narratives in their head and you’re asking writers not to put in their own ideas. That’s never going to happen!
Next: Outlander Season 5: What will Starz need to do to make the Fiery Cross more interesting?
Are you a book purist? How are you coping with the changes the show has made and will likely make in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Outlander Season 4 is still filming. Like Claire and Jamie on Facebook for more updates.