Outlander
Book Lovers
Having just declared my love for Outlander, I have to admit that there was a point early on in the first novel where I almost quit reading.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Yep, when Jamie beat Claire as Diana Gabaldon says:
For years and years, that scene has been a source of controversy. Because it’s told from Claire’s point of view, and she certainly thinks it’s a big deal. Some readers — particularly some female readers — often share her sense of indignation and outrage and start hopping up and down about, how dare Jamie? How dare I?
How Outlander Tackled the Book’s Most Controversial Scene
Sign me up as indignat and outraged. Now I've read DG's essay on the subject (if I find it again I'll link to it) as well as many of the responses that came out after it was aired on television so I can understand why she wrote it.
At the time I was reading the book there wasn't all the background/commentary that exists today so I decided to keep going for a bit and see how their relationship developed.
I still can't reconcile my image of Claire as a strong woman with someone who would willing stay with a partner who felt justified in disciplining her. If Jamie had continued to think punishment was an acceptable way to behave towards his wife I would have quit after book one and pretended that Claire made it home to Frank and lived happily ever after.
And about that particular TV scene. Some people thought it was all kinds of funny. I just gritted my teeth and waiting for it to be over. I'm more inclined to be of the same mind as Gellis Duncan in this deleted scene:
