The Outsider

by Penelope Williamson

Book Overview

After Rachel Yoder's husband is murdered by outlaws in an act of outrageous greed, she must raise her 10-year-old son alone on the Montana Plains. One day, a handsome stranger dying from a gunshot wound walks into her ranch. With simple kindness, she treats his injury and nurses him back to health. Soon Rachel finds herself drawn to this mysterious outsider with a violent past--and must put her future on the line for a last chance at happiness.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446604771
• ISBN13: 9780446604772
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Vision
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorite movies!

I'm so looking forward to reading the book after seeing the movie with Tim Daly many, many times, especially after reading the stellar reviews.

Unbelievable!

I have never been so affected by a book as I was reading THE OUTSIDER. This book is absolutely incredible! It is the story of two very different people who come together to find the most beautiful and sweetest love, and of one man's figurative journey from the utter depths of hell to the light of heaven.I think what made me love this book so much is the depth of the characterizations, especially that of the hero. Ms. Williamson writes with a lyric beauty that makes you come to know the mind, heart, and soul of *all* the characters. I can't quite find the words to describe the hero, Johnny Cain. He is so completely lost, so very tortured, and so desperately in need of love....and the heroine, Rachel, gives to to him wholeheartedly, and by doing so, saves him. Ironically, there is only one scene in the entire book, where we get a glimpse of Johnny's thoughts. Because Johnny is an "outsider", we never learn what he thinks and feels, never see his point of view (a quite ingenious and appropriate [but at times, a bit frustrating] tool, I must say). Except for one scene at near the end, and oh, what a heartbreaking scene it is! A life long man-killer, Johnny believes himself to be beyond redemption, ("I *like* being damned," he says at one point) but it soon becomes poignantly clear that he craves and needs redemption (and the hope that comes with it) above all else. There is an aching sweetness and tenderness to Johnny Cain, the notorious, hardened killer, that makes him so unforgettable. I completely fell in love with him. ;-)I know I haven't mentioned anything about the plot or the other characters, but, to me, it is Johnny, the outsider, that defines this book. Needless to say, THE OUTSIDER is a very emotional, and often difficult, read. I don't think I've ever cried so much while reading a book. The last 30 pages or so are especially sad and poignant...I don't want to give anything away, but I have never seen a hero and heroine go through what Johnny and Rachel did.I cannot say enough about Ms. Williamson's writing. She is truly unparalleled. I've read two more of her books, and loved them both, but this one is definitely my favorite (if not favorite book I have ever read). Thank you so much for this book, and for creating Johnny Cain. :-)

A book to be savored!

Have you ever tasted a chocolate so rich that you just let it melt in your mouth and close your eyes to really enjoy the sensation? Or, have you climbed into a steaming bubble bath after being outside in the cold? These sensations are akin to Penelope Williamson's writing. Now wait, before you go and pick up _The Outsider_, you've really got to evaluate your reading tastes. It's not an easy book to read, and it's definitely not right for everyone. I'm not even sure if it was right for me. But, if you enjoy reading some excellent calliber writing, _The Outsider_ is a must have, if only for Penelope Williamson's lush descriptions and sweeping style.Rachel Yoder belongs to the Plain People, an Amish sect that is even stricter then it's for fathers. She has made a promish to live the strait and narrow way, no matter how brutal it may prove. And yet, when she married Ben Yoder, she fell head over heels in love with him, and she knew that this new passion she felt must be sinful. And, she figures that the Lord is punishing her when some outsiders brutally hang her husband. Rachel dove deeper into her religion, determined to live her life the way God intended and to have her son grow up to be a good boy whom no one can find fault with.This all changes the day Johnny Cain stumbles onto their sheep farm. He's wounded and near death, and Rachel knows she must do something. She takes him into her house and nurses him back to health, meanwhile arising suspicion and mistrust in the Plain community. Johnny Cain is obviously an outlaw, but worse then that, he is an outsider and only knows the ways of the sinful, flashy world. Johnny helps Mrs. Yoder keep up her farm and protects her from their violent, beef farming neighbors. And these two completely different people begin to spin a love so strong that it seems nothing can break it. But, can it stand to be tested by the worlds the two of them can never have at the same time?Heavy, heavy book, is _The Outsider_. Just think about it, the main character is Amish. Rachel is not your regular, pray every minute, Amish woman, but still, her religion and relationship with God is the main thing in her life. Her son Benjo was a doll. He has a stuttering problem, and your heart just goes out to the poor boy. Johnny Cain is in a large way just like Benjo. He tries to hide his hurt, but when it's out in the open, you see that he is just like the boy, scared to be hurt. Together, these three make up a wonderful set of well fleshed out main characters whom you will grow to care vary much about.I also really enjoyed the side characters. You can't even really call them that, Penelope Williamson makes them as real as the main characters, it's just they don't have the fucous of the story on them. Penelope Williamson took the time to make sure that every single one of the characters in her book was well developed and real to the reader. As an effect of this, you will be drawn into the book completely. I

Outstanding

5 years ago I was urged by a librarian and friend of mine to read 'Heart of The West', I never did. One day browsing through a used book store I vaguely recognize Williamson's name, having picked out nothing better I left with 'The Outsider'. Whatever made me pick up that book I'm not sure, I am sure however that I've never made such a worthwhile purchase. This book burned into my very soul. It was beautiful and poignant. Williamson's writing style is genius and what all writers should aspire to. Since reading 'The Outsider' I have since picked up all of her books. Bravo Ms Williamson I'm anxiously awaiting all future publications.