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Gil Adamson
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The Outlander: A Novel (P.S.) Kindle Edition

by Gil Adamson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 3,102 ratings

“A remarkable first novel, full of verve, beautifully written, and with all the panache of a great adventure.”
—Michael Ondaatje

In 1903 a mysterious young woman flees alone across the West, one heart-pounding step ahead of the law. At 19, Mary Boulton has just become a widow—and her husband’s killer. As bloodhounds track her frantic race toward the mountains, she is tormented by the knowledge that her two ruthless brothers-in-law are in pursuit, determined to avenge their younger brother’s death. Responding to little more than the primitive fight for life, the widow retreats ever deeper into the wilderness—and into the wilds of her own mind—encountering an unforgettable cast of eccentrics along the way.


With the stunning prose and captivating mood of great works like Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain or early Cormac McCarthy, Gil Adamson’s intoxicating debut novel is the brilliant and gripping tale of one woman’s desperate escape.
 

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  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  4. Publication date
    October 13, 2009
  5. File size
    2.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Set in 1903, Adamson's compelling debut tells the wintry tale of 19-year-old Mary Boulton ([w]idowed by her own hand) and her frantic odyssey across Idaho and Montana. The details of Boulton's sad past—an unhappy marriage, a dead child, crippling depression—slowly emerge as she reluctantly ventures into the mountains, struggling to put distance between herself and her two vicious brothers-in-law, who track her like prey in retaliation for her killing of their kin. Boulton's journey and ultimate liberation—made all the more captivating by the delirium that runs in the recesses of her mind—speaks to the resilience of the female spirit in the early part of the last century. Lean prose, full-bodied characterization, memorable settings and scenes of hardship all lift this book above the pack. Already established as a writer of poetry (Ashland) and short stories (Help Me, Jacques Cousteau), Adamson also shines as novelist. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Tracked by bloodhounds and pursued by brutal-looking redheaded twins, a gently reared young woman flees over the plains of western Canada and into the mountains. She hears voices and sees events that may or may not be happening, causing her and other characters in this stylistically complex novel to question her sanity. The widow (as she is called in the first eight chapters of the book) is rescued by strangers who allow her free passage on a ferry or give her sanctuary and one who starts her back toward reality and sanity. Adamson cleverly integrates techniques of the adventure-suspense novel with a refined, often poetic style. She maintains suspense while portraying the wilderness of Canada’s far west and providing fine portraits of the people who lived in and were shaped by it. The slow unfolding of story and character coupled with lyrical descriptions of the terrain, an occasional touch of bizarre humor, and a multitude of well-chosen historical details will appeal to readers of literary writing as well as historical- fiction fans. --Ellen Loughran

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0017098GE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Reprint edition (October 13, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 3,102 ratings

About the author

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Gil Adamson

Gil Adamson

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Gil Adamson (born Gillian Adamson, 1 January 1961) is a Canadian writer. She won the Books in Canada First Novel Award in 2008 for her 2007 novel The Outlander.

Adamson's first published work was Primitive, a volume of poetry, in 1991. She followed up with the short story collection Help Me, Jacques Cousteau in 1995 and a second volume of poetry, Ashland, in 2003, as well as multiple chapbooks and a commissioned fan biography of Gillian Anderson, Mulder, It's Me, which she coauthored with her sister-in-law Dawn Connolly in 1998. A selection of Adamson's poetry also appeared in the anthology Surreal Estate: 13 Canadian Poets Under the Influence (The Mercury Press, 2004). The Outlander, a novel set in the Canadian West at the turn of the 20th century, was published by House of Anansi in the spring of 2007 and won the Hammett Prize that year. The novel was later selected for the 2009 edition of Canada Reads, where it was championed by actor Nicholas Campbell.

Adamson currently lives in Toronto with poet Kevin Connolly.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
3,102 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They appreciate the vivid descriptions of the natural world and personal details. The characters are described as interesting and colorful. Many readers praise the strong female protagonist and her struggle for survival against all odds. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it fast-paced and enjoyable, while others mention slow moments in the beginning. Overall, the book keeps readers interested throughout.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Story qualityWriting qualityCharacter developmentDescriptionStrengthPacingInterestReadability
336 customers mention "Story quality"294 positive42 negative

Customers find the story engaging with an effective narrative and surprising twists. They appreciate the well-developed characters and gripping plot that keeps them hooked until the end. Overall, readers enjoyed the book's compelling story of personal development.

"...The plot is not too complex but the way it is all put together is so fascinating. It is the type of book that you hate to close at the end...." Read more

"A great storyline with interesting characters. This is a good read with a strong female lead. The books I give 5 stars are books I would read again...." Read more

"...Its not a bad book at all, its just not all that interesting. For example, no real compelling reason is given as to why she shot her husband...." Read more

"...While it has all the elements I love in great fiction - great characters, a protagonist I care about and a suspenseful plot, it's greatest five-..." Read more

151 customers mention "Writing quality"127 positive24 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They appreciate the lyrical prose and descriptive language that make them feel and picture the scenery. The book is well-written and edited, with surreal and fantastical overtones. It captures their imagination with sentences that evoke imagery and emotion.

"...I could not put it down unless I had to. It is so well written and so interesting...." Read more

"...THe writing is poetic, I read later the author is a poet, and you can tell. Her story telling abilities I think still need some developing...." Read more

"...This book has sentences that evoke imagery and emotion that brought the cold, barren west alive for me and made me care deeply for a young woman who..." Read more

"...I'm not female but the way the character is written, the problem solving methods she uses and her attitudes strike me as being true to life...." Read more

82 customers mention "Character development"79 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They find the strong female character relatable and empathize with her. The book features a variety of colorful characters.

"...It is so well written and so interesting. The characters are so well presented: vulnerable and lovable and despicable...." Read more

"A great storyline with interesting characters. This is a good read with a strong female lead. The books I give 5 stars are books I would read again...." Read more

"...in the wild are somewhat interesting and some of the characters are almost interesting, something was just missing for me...." Read more

"...the elements I love in great fiction - great characters, a protagonist I care about and a suspenseful plot, it's greatest five-star element is its..." Read more

37 customers mention "Description"29 positive8 negative

Customers find the book's descriptions vivid and realistic. They appreciate the detailed portrayal of life in the early 1900s, including personal and natural calamities. The author has done extensive research into life in the wilds of Canada during that time period. The characters are described as complex and relatable, and the events are described as gripping and real.

"...A good educational and believable story about a some well-developed characters." Read more

"This is a very unusual tale and perspective on particular kinds of madness and on a view of parts of the North American continent and its people..." Read more

"...The environment is described beautifully. The detail of every aspect of life in that place and time is there, yet it is not a detraction or boring...." Read more

""The thing to be feared always came from within: exhaustion, unsound thoughts, ignorance, starvation."..." Read more

23 customers mention "Strength"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a gripping tale of survival against all odds. They appreciate the human will to overcome adversity and thrive under difficult circumstances. The real-life characters and Mary's struggle for survival physically and mentally drive the story. The characters are well-presented as vulnerable, lovable, and despicable. The book is a good read with a strong female lead and enduring characters in tough times.

"...The characters are so well presented: vulnerable and lovable and despicable...." Read more

"...This is a good read with a strong female lead. The books I give 5 stars are books I would read again...." Read more

"...She gained an inner strength which made her believe in herself. Kept my interest throughout. Did not care for the ending...." Read more

"...still wild settings, the real-life characters and Mary's struggle for survival physically and mentally drove the story and me, the reader, to the..." Read more

44 customers mention "Pacing"17 positive27 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pacing. Some enjoyed the fast-paced story and found it interesting and different from other fiction. Others felt the first few chapters were slow but picked up later on. Overall, opinions are divided on whether the pacing is good or not.

"...At times I found the book slow but in the end something kept me reading and I'm glad of it...." Read more

"...just living and trusting in herself brought her contentment and quiet happiness. She gained an inner strength which made her believe in herself...." Read more

"...have given 5 stars except for the fact there were times when the story lagged a bit. Poetic writing gave the feeling of 'being there'...." Read more

"The story starts slow and is hard to stay interested. But as it progresses, it becomes an amazing story of grit, determination, and survival." Read more

41 customers mention "Interest"22 positive19 negative

Customers have different views on the book's interest. Some find it engaging and hard to put down. Others find the plot distracting and difficult to follow, making it a struggle to finish. Overall, opinions vary on whether the book is an enjoyable or tedious read.

"...of the never ending pursuit of Mary by her brothers-in-laws keeps the reader riveted...." Read more

"...And worse, reading the novel was a major struggle, a mental torture which I don't need...." Read more

"...Kept my interest throughout. Did not care for the ending. Makes you guess at her ultimate goal in life and what she was actually seeking." Read more

"...I loved the ending. Not a quick read, but an enjoyable journey countenanced by some first-class writing." Read more

29 customers mention "Readability"10 positive19 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it an interesting and atmospheric read that takes them out of their comfort zone. Others feel it lacks interest and is a waste of time.

"I thought this book was a complete waste of time. Unfortunately the title is what caused me to read it in the first place...." Read more

"...For a first time novel this was really good. Its a very atmospheric read. I keep waiting for Gil Adamsom, a Canadian author to write another novel." Read more

"...All in all, this book was weird...." Read more

"...While it was not a great book, I only ask that it keep me interested, and be true to itself...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Madelyn S. Perry
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Outlander: A Novel (P.S.) by Gil (Gillian) Adamson is stunning
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    About six years ago I was listening to NPR radio when I heard a young woman being interviewed about a novel she had written using some parallels to the life of one of her ancestors. The young author was Canadian and was very good at expressing her experiences in writing her award winning novel and dealing with some reactions to it. I tried to remember the title and the author's name, but I was driving and could not write it down. All I could recall was the author's name, Jill (sic) Adamson. Since the author's first name was was spelled Gil I could not find her, even on Amazon. The Outlander, by Gil Adamson appeared on a few emails from Amazon about three years ago. I liked what I read but I failed to notice the basic plot's similarity to the book I was drawn to on NPR that afternoon. So I placed the title on my wishlist -- for three years.
    Then one day as I sorted through the titles I'd amassed, I paid more attention to its write up -- and then checked the bio on the author. I noticed that Gil Adamson is a woman! The "G" is a soft sound, not hard as in "girl." Immediately, I knew this to be the "lost book" from the NPR interview. I received it a couple weeks ago and started reading it a few days ago. I could not put it down unless I had to. It is so well written and so interesting. The characters are so well presented: vulnerable and lovable and despicable. The plot is not too complex but the way it is all put together is so fascinating. It is the type of book that you hate to close at the end. It is now one of my favorites.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Tina Truck
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A great storyline with interesting characters. This is a good read with a strong female lead. The books I give 5 stars are books I would read again. This is not one of them despite how well written it is.
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  • Topolino
    3.0 out of 5 stars Didn't love it, didn't hate it...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This story starts promisingly enough, and suspensefully as well. A widow is wandering through the woods in the Canadian ROckies running from two men who are hunting her. You soon find out that she's a widow by her own hand and the two men are her brothers in law. THe writing is poetic, I read later the author is a poet, and you can tell. Her story telling abilities I think still need some developing. Its not a bad book at all, its just not all that interesting. For example, no real compelling reason is given as to why she shot her husband. Its not an arranged, awful marriage, its sort of just that she didn't like her life. I don't know if this is some sort of Thelma and Louise moment, but if it is its glossed over in the story(not that Thelma and Louise was anything great). The adventures in the wild are somewhat interesting and some of the characters are almost interesting, something was just missing for me. I will try another book by this author, maybe this story and I were just not made for each other!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Denise K. Maguire
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Surprise
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this Book, and have recommended it to every book lover I know. This is not a "read it in one night" thriller, but a book to savor as the story- which often is thrilling - slowly evolves. While it has all the elements I love in great fiction - great characters, a protagonist I care about and a suspenseful plot, it's greatest five-star element is its extraordinary language. This book has sentences that evoke imagery and emotion that brought the cold, barren west alive for me and made me care deeply for a young woman who did a terrible thing.

    The story takes place in 1903 when the West was still being developed, and life could be a violent struggle for survival against a hostile environment. This is where vigilante justice was more common than jurisprudence and family vengeance was considered a reasonable response to crime committed against a member.

    Right on the first page we know Mary is running for her life after committing a terrible crime by killing her husband. By the end of the first chapter I was rooting for her to survive the cold, snow, hunger and loneliness that are all barriers to her escape and to avoid the terrible fate that awaits her if her brothers-in-law succeed in tracking her down.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Erich Ball
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Subject with Interesting Twists - A Good Read Outside my Comfort Zone
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book was definitely outside my comfort zone. It's protagonist is a woman in the 1800s, whose name we don't find out for a large portion of the book. The story follows her trek through some pretty wild country in the United States, dealing with physical and other challenges that come up. The story develops slowly but we get a sense early in the book that she is in danger and escaping from something. That turns out to be two somethings in fact - two men chasing her for revenge. I'll not give away more of the story line, in case you buy it.

    The setting of this book is unusual both in time and space. Most books set in that period have strong male protagonists, which gives this an unusual flavour also. I'm not female but the way the character is written, the problem solving methods she uses and her attitudes strike me as being true to life. Similarly with the men seeking revenge - they are not simply brutes but gradually develop a character that is consistent with what I imagine to be the life at the time. At times I found the book slow but in the end something kept me reading and I'm glad of it. Overall I enjoyed the book and there are times that I still get flashbacks to the storyline.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • AmosTrue
    5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific read
    Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book is satisfying both as a story (a gripping story, well paced and with memorable characters) and as a piece of writing (reminiscent of great genre fiction of the past, with passages of deft and moving lyricism). I loved it, and can't wait to read Ridgerunner.
    Report
  • Bansi Dhar Dandriyal
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good but..
    Reviewed in India on September 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    We had a lot of expectations from Amazon regarding this book but were kinda disappointed when the book's cover was folded, giving it an unpleasant look and and the ink used for printing was very light!
    Report
  • sally MacLaren
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fight for Survival
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If like me, you find the first few pages heavy-going, persevere, because this is a great read. The main character, who is referred to as 'the woman' for most of the book and only gets a name towards the end, gradually becomes more and more of a real person, and I found myself really caring about what was going to happen to her in her fight for survival. The people she meets along the way may be unusual and even eccentric (outlanders like herself) but they are well-drawn, realistic characters and at least three of them are strangely endearing. Her pursuers, on the other hand, are so single-minded that they are like characters from a computer game. The wilderness is beautifully portrayed and the quality of the writing is high. I am looking forward to reading more by this writer.
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  • Mme Pamela Bas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excéllent
    Reviewed in France on April 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    J'ai adoré ce livre magnifique plein de descriptions poétiques autour de la fuite de "la veuve" (titre du livre en français) et l'histoire de sa vie difficile. On se trouve plongé dans des paysages rudes du Canada au début de siècle dernier. Je n'ai pas pu posé le livre avant d'avoir lu la dernière page.
    Report
  • lester r dalley
    4.0 out of 5 stars like Oliver, I want more
    Reviewed in Australia on February 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Occasionally I read a book twice. "The Outlander" was one of these. like Oliver, I want more!
    Report

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