By Larissa Page
Content warning: rape, infidelity, infant death
The Outlander is a backlist title published first in 2007 but followed up in 2020 by its sequel Ridgerunner. Based on the hype Ridgerunner received (shortlisted for the Giller Prize), I decided to pick up The Outlander so I could read it before diving into Ridgerunner (though they can be read separately).
The Outlander can be described as both historical fiction or western; both would be completely accurate, in my opinion, as it takes place in the Canadian frontier just after the turn of the century (1903). The first chapters I found a bit slow, with much focus being put on a solitary venture (or flee) into the forest and mountains. The nature descriptions were reminiscent of Elizabeth Hay’s Late Nights on Air.
The story does pick up a bit when more characters enter (and leave) the story, and “the widow” (as she’s referred to) makes her way farther along on her adventure. The story becomes a bit of a western saga with her story, as well as a bit of a “cat and mouse” story with little snippets focused on the Boulton brothers and eventually the Ridgerunner, who are looking for her as she moves through the Albertan landscape.
While historical fiction has made its way into my reading list several times, it is not often I read something considered a western—this may be the second one I’ve ever read, in fact. While I wasn’t sure about it at first (as mentioned, it was a bit slow), I ultimately enjoyed it. Adamson created characters that were easy to root for despite their flaws, created adventures I was happy to join the characters on, and the ending was exactly what I wanted it to be.
I also appreciated that this tale (because that’s almost how it seemed in its telling) included so many minor characters that, however briefly present, were all very important in different ways. Adamson didn’t waste space with these characters. They entered the story when they needed to, then promptly exited as the widow moved on or the direction changed, but each and every one had a profound impact and were completely necessary.
I, personally, am thrilled to be able to continue this story (set 14 years later) with Ridgerunner.