THE EXILE: AN OUTLANDER GRAPHIC NOVEL

The Exile is a graphic novel in the popular Outlander series by American author, Diana Gabaldon. The text is by Gabaldon; the artwork by Vietnam-born Hoang Nguyen. Gabaldon states that it covers approximately the first third of the first book, Outlander, but in reality, it covers the first two thirds. The story is mostly told from the perspective of Jamie's godfather, Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, and begins where he meets Jamie returning from France.

While the novel contains some new information, as well as some overlap with the novella, Virgins, much of what it tells is already known to the Outlander reader, although perhaps with some slight variations. The characters are given speech bubbles and thought bubbles, which does put a new slant on some of the characters' motives, and there is a new character, Kenneth, another visitor from the future.

Gabaldon has herself illustrated comics earlier in her life, so perhaps this is the impetus for this form of novel. Hoang's artwork is detailed and colourful, but the Highland men are difficult to tell apart, except for Jamie with his red hair, and Colum Mackenzie with his (over)exaggerated lack of height. Claire is given a set of pneumatic breasts that seem to expand with the story, and Jamie's injury cannot seem to make up its mind whether it resides in the left or right shoulder.

The book is a quick read, especially for those familiar with the story, the presentation is on beautiful paper, and devoted fans of both graphic novels and Outlander may want to lay out between $20 and $30 for this quality hardback; those less fervent are advised to borrow it from the library. 3.5 stars