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Outlander #7
An Echo in the Bone
Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he'd rather die than have to face his illegitimate son--a young lieutenant in the British Army--across the barrel of a gun.
Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won't include Jamie's life or his happiness, though--not if she has anything to say about it.
Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna's parents' story comes to life through Claire's letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire's love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles--as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire's fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.
With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure--a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned.
Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won't include Jamie's life or his happiness, though--not if she has anything to say about it.
Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna's parents' story comes to life through Claire's letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire's love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles--as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire's fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.
With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure--a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned.
820 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2009
10.3k people are currently reading
118k people want to read
About the author
Diana Gabaldon
238books179kfollowersDiana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,793 reviews
May 26, 2012
TOP TEN REASONS WHY THE OUTLANDER SERIES IS BETTER THAN THE TWILIGHT SERIES
10. Heroine is not complimented on how delicious her blood smells. Instead, she is told that her ass looks like two ripe melons. Just what every woman wants.
9. When the hero has to rescue the heroine, he doesn't merely have to run at lightning speed across the parking lot. He actually has to travel halfway across the world, kill a few dozen villains, and blow up a few buildings.
8. But that doesn't matter because just as often the heroine can rescue her own damn self.
7. Pirates are WAY better than vampires.
6. The creepy, obsessive dude is an actual villain and not the hero of the story.
5. The denouement involves actual danger, as opposed to what essentially amounts to a Rainbow Gathering gone awry.
4. The doctor doesn't come off as a pedophile.
3. Not one single Renesmee in the entire series.
2. Nobody is sparkly.
1. People actually have sex, and lots of it.
10. Heroine is not complimented on how delicious her blood smells. Instead, she is told that her ass looks like two ripe melons. Just what every woman wants.
9. When the hero has to rescue the heroine, he doesn't merely have to run at lightning speed across the parking lot. He actually has to travel halfway across the world, kill a few dozen villains, and blow up a few buildings.
8. But that doesn't matter because just as often the heroine can rescue her own damn self.
7. Pirates are WAY better than vampires.
6. The creepy, obsessive dude is an actual villain and not the hero of the story.
5. The denouement involves actual danger, as opposed to what essentially amounts to a Rainbow Gathering gone awry.
4. The doctor doesn't come off as a pedophile.
3. Not one single Renesmee in the entire series.
2. Nobody is sparkly.
1. People actually have sex, and lots of it.
Read
January 23, 2019I am a devout DG/Outlander fan, so of course I read Echo in the Bone as fast as I could get my mitts on it...and it left me sorely disappointed!
I actually skipped pages! She said that there were four story lines (hence the four points on the Caltrop on the cover) and I was excited at first. But when I got into the story, I got bored with the overlong passages about William and John's intrigues. Where were Jamie and Claire?? (And why the hell can't they manage a sea voyage without trouble??) I actually started to wish I could read about Brianna (one of my least favorite people...)
I heard her say there was going to be another book after this one (the ongoing belief was that this book was going to be the last one) which is very apparent after this book that there has to be one more. But I feel like if she had cut half of the story out and finished the cliffhanging story lines, she could be done by now, and I could have peace of mind knowing the story is over! I mean I really don't appreciate being led on for 2/3 of a book and then have four different surprise endings.
Some other smaller points:
-felt choppy
-dragged at points and then skipped over more interesting points
-not enough Jamie and Claire!!!
I'm going to read it again more slowly to see if my opinion changes, but first I need to let the dust settle on my disappointment.
**EDIT**
OK, So I've had some time to sit and ruminate on the experience of this book and why I couldn't pinpoint the niggling reason (like bothering a sore tooth with your tongue) why I was so disappointed. There were the shallow obvious reasons of course, like four surprise endings, but deeper still ran something vague and unnameable until now. See, as silly as it sounds, I became emotionally invested in the characters and stories of Jamie and Claire, and rightly so, a good book should make you care about its characters.
Being a typical DG fangirl, I've read all the Outlander novels without much complaint, and re-read, and re-read, and re-read. I don't think I can do that with this book. I think there are about 100 pages I'd be willing to go through again. So yeah, I'm angry that I don't have another book to keep re-reading, as psycho as it sounds.
I'm not really sure if I should be angry at Diana Gabaldon, her editor, her publisher, or anyone else who read this book before it went to press and didn't tell her she needed to get a pair of proverbial scissors. Of course I'll be getting the next and hopefully last book, but with a lesser amount of trust and a greater wariness.
I actually skipped pages! She said that there were four story lines (hence the four points on the Caltrop on the cover) and I was excited at first. But when I got into the story, I got bored with the overlong passages about William and John's intrigues. Where were Jamie and Claire?? (And why the hell can't they manage a sea voyage without trouble??) I actually started to wish I could read about Brianna (one of my least favorite people...)
I heard her say there was going to be another book after this one (the ongoing belief was that this book was going to be the last one) which is very apparent after this book that there has to be one more. But I feel like if she had cut half of the story out and finished the cliffhanging story lines, she could be done by now, and I could have peace of mind knowing the story is over! I mean I really don't appreciate being led on for 2/3 of a book and then have four different surprise endings.
Some other smaller points:
-felt choppy
-dragged at points and then skipped over more interesting points
-not enough Jamie and Claire!!!
I'm going to read it again more slowly to see if my opinion changes, but first I need to let the dust settle on my disappointment.
**EDIT**
OK, So I've had some time to sit and ruminate on the experience of this book and why I couldn't pinpoint the niggling reason (like bothering a sore tooth with your tongue) why I was so disappointed. There were the shallow obvious reasons of course, like four surprise endings, but deeper still ran something vague and unnameable until now. See, as silly as it sounds, I became emotionally invested in the characters and stories of Jamie and Claire, and rightly so, a good book should make you care about its characters.
Being a typical DG fangirl, I've read all the Outlander novels without much complaint, and re-read, and re-read, and re-read. I don't think I can do that with this book. I think there are about 100 pages I'd be willing to go through again. So yeah, I'm angry that I don't have another book to keep re-reading, as psycho as it sounds.
I'm not really sure if I should be angry at Diana Gabaldon, her editor, her publisher, or anyone else who read this book before it went to press and didn't tell her she needed to get a pair of proverbial scissors. Of course I'll be getting the next and hopefully last book, but with a lesser amount of trust and a greater wariness.
June 1, 2017
Bloody hell, I'm freaking tired!
So here's the deal. Most of my friends here on ŷ know that I have been listening to these cd's from the library. Well, I just happened to check the status of their return because I should have had one more month for them to be renewed. Noooooooooooooooooo, on this book someone placed a hold and it's due soon so luckily I started listening to it a few days ago, but now I'm freaking tired because I have had to listen almost non stop while reading another book. Not much sleep. I do not like to listen to audio books for that long even if I LOVE the narrator!
Anyhoo, I'm done and I can take my time with the next audio =)
I didn't like this book as much as the other ones and it didn't even make my favorites list! =( All the other books are 5 star favorites. Oh well =(
I don't like that the family is all broken up and in different places and of course Bree, Roger and the kids are back in the real time world. I must have missed the explanation at the beginning because Bree and Roger are able to read letters from Claire and Jamie. I don't get it and I'm not going to look for it. Oh, there was a book though that was written by Jamie, gave me a little tear in my eye when Roger read it.
That was Roger that read that and he had seen a picture of Claire.
Bree and Roger live in Lallybroch. I reckon they fixed it up all nice. It just breaks my heart.
William (Jamie's son) is in the book more, what with him in the war and all.
Jamie and Claire go back to Scotland after awhile and we get to meet up with some of the old characters, Jenny, Ian and the kids, who are grown up. And there is a death. And of course, on their way back to Scotland they get attacked by pirates and such again. Just stay off the freaking waters!
Fergus and the gang are in the book a little bit.
But, there is some crap that goes down at the end that I hated! It makes me sick and I want to drop kick Lord John Grey!!! Just grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I'm hoping the next book is better than this one and I can get back to loving them or I'm going to kick something! I'm not listening to it right away though because, uh, I'm done listening for a little while after this one! I need a break!
MY BLOG:
So here's the deal. Most of my friends here on ŷ know that I have been listening to these cd's from the library. Well, I just happened to check the status of their return because I should have had one more month for them to be renewed. Noooooooooooooooooo, on this book someone placed a hold and it's due soon so luckily I started listening to it a few days ago, but now I'm freaking tired because I have had to listen almost non stop while reading another book. Not much sleep. I do not like to listen to audio books for that long even if I LOVE the narrator!
Anyhoo, I'm done and I can take my time with the next audio =)
I didn't like this book as much as the other ones and it didn't even make my favorites list! =( All the other books are 5 star favorites. Oh well =(
I don't like that the family is all broken up and in different places and of course Bree, Roger and the kids are back in the real time world. I must have missed the explanation at the beginning because Bree and Roger are able to read letters from Claire and Jamie. I don't get it and I'm not going to look for it. Oh, there was a book though that was written by Jamie, gave me a little tear in my eye when Roger read it.
Grandfather Tales, the book was titled, with the subtitle, "Stories from the Highlands of Scotland and the Backcountry of the Carolinas," by James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. Again, printed by A. Bell, Edinburgh, in the same year. The dedication said simply, For my grandchildren.
Claire's portrait had made him laugh; this one moved him almost to tears, and he closed the book gently.
That was Roger that read that and he had seen a picture of Claire.
Bree and Roger live in Lallybroch. I reckon they fixed it up all nice. It just breaks my heart.
William (Jamie's son) is in the book more, what with him in the war and all.
Jamie and Claire go back to Scotland after awhile and we get to meet up with some of the old characters, Jenny, Ian and the kids, who are grown up. And there is a death. And of course, on their way back to Scotland they get attacked by pirates and such again. Just stay off the freaking waters!
Fergus and the gang are in the book a little bit.
But, there is some crap that goes down at the end that I hated! It makes me sick and I want to drop kick Lord John Grey!!! Just grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I'm hoping the next book is better than this one and I can get back to loving them or I'm going to kick something! I'm not listening to it right away though because, uh, I'm done listening for a little while after this one! I need a break!
MY BLOG:
April 11, 2016
”God, your arse looks fine, wi� the wet linen of your shift clinging to it, it goes all transparent, and I can see the weight of your buttocks, like great smooth round melons ..."
I sort of wondered when I started this book if I was going into Outlander overload and that I might tire of it seeing as I have read 6 of the books in the space of 2 months or so.
No, this book was wonderful, for the most part. I must admit there were some parts with Lord John and William that my eyes sort of glazed over and I lost interest a bit. Only so much I want to read about a boot and foot stuck in a boggy hole!
“This is the thin time, when the beloved dead draw near. The world turns inward, and the chilling air grows thick with dreams and mystery.�
We meet the characters from the previous books. Of course, Jamie and Claire are still my favourites. Bloody “autocorrect�, I spell favourite with a fecking “u�!!! It got it eventually.
Roger and Brianna - wonderful. I love them. Wee Jemmy, what a sweetie.
”Have ye ever in the slightest doubt that I need ye?�, he demanded.
“No, to the best of my knowledge, you needed me urgently the moment I saw you and I haven’t had reason to think you’ve got any more self-sufficient since."
I have read some reviews that say the last part of the book is somewhat rushed and ended abruptly. I did not find that. It was a rushed in such a way that a LOT happens, my mind was spinning. Of course, its easy for me to say that as I can dive straight into Book 8. I would have died if I had to wait a year or so to find out what happens next.
He would make her a new garden one day, God willing.
There were pathways in the dark. I knew; I had seen people die. despite physical decay, there was no dying until the pathway was found. I couldn’t - yet - find mine.
Ian, love him too. We catch up with most of the characters. Fergus, Marsali. Jenny and Ian. Lallybroch. Rollo! I did shed a tear during one part of the book.
”I canna thank of ye dead, Claire. Anything else - but not that. I can’t."
November 13, 2021
”But even things that heal leave scars�.
Debo confesar que le estaba perdiendo la fe a esta saga por culpa del quinto y el sexto libro, pero qué sorpresa tan grande me llevé con An Echo in the Bone.
Atrás quedaron las narraciones excesivamente mundanas de la vida en Fraser’s Ridge, ¡menos mal! En este séptimo libro nos encontramos con las vidas de Jamie y Claire tras haber perdido su casa en el incendio y con todos los bandos de la Revolución Americana más activos que nunca. Ahora, además de las perspectivas de ellos dos en el libro, también hay muchísimos capítulos narrados por William, el hijo de Jamie, y por Brianna y Roger, que ya volvieron al presente.
A decir verdad este sí que es un libro que está lleno de acción, imprevistos y de guerra. Me encantó ver toda la travesía por la que tienen que pasar Jamie, Claire e Ian para poder encontrar un barco que los lleve temporalmente de vuelta a Escocia. Todo lo que viven en ese proceso los lleva al corazón de la Revolución y, una vez más, sus vidas están en peligro inminente. Además, uno de los aspectos que más adoré de An Echo in the Bone es, precisamente, QUE VUELVEN A ESCOCIA. Joder, después de décadas en Estados Unidos, ya me había falta que volvieran a ese país que me enamoró con tan sólo leer de él. Y, bueno, todo lo que sucede cuando están en Escocia también es impresionante y me rompió el corazón en muchos pedacitos.
Por otra parte, no esperaba que me engancharan tanto los capítulos que narra William, pero me gustó verlo en medio de la Revolución, del lado inglés, por supuesto, y conocer a todas las personas con las que se topa en el camino. Y, además, me encantaba leerlo cuando interactuaba con Lord John Grey. De verdad, soy muy fan de ese hombre.
Y, sin muchos detalles, les diré que las páginas finales de este libro me causaron varios infartos. No sólo por aquel malentendido (los que leyeron el libro me entenderán) que causa cierta� eh� nueva relación, sino por el momento en el que alguien se da cuenta de una verdad que había tenido frente a sí mismo durante mucho tiempo. Y es que, por primera vez desde hace varios libros de esta saga, esta historia me dejó con ganas de más y de aventurarme pronto con el octavo de la serie, así que caerá pronto. ¡Además en pocos días se publica el noveno en inglés!
En fin, que sí, que An Echo in the Bone me hizo recuperar la fe en Diana Gabaldon.
Debo confesar que le estaba perdiendo la fe a esta saga por culpa del quinto y el sexto libro, pero qué sorpresa tan grande me llevé con An Echo in the Bone.
Atrás quedaron las narraciones excesivamente mundanas de la vida en Fraser’s Ridge, ¡menos mal! En este séptimo libro nos encontramos con las vidas de Jamie y Claire tras haber perdido su casa en el incendio y con todos los bandos de la Revolución Americana más activos que nunca. Ahora, además de las perspectivas de ellos dos en el libro, también hay muchísimos capítulos narrados por William, el hijo de Jamie, y por Brianna y Roger, que ya volvieron al presente.
A decir verdad este sí que es un libro que está lleno de acción, imprevistos y de guerra. Me encantó ver toda la travesía por la que tienen que pasar Jamie, Claire e Ian para poder encontrar un barco que los lleve temporalmente de vuelta a Escocia. Todo lo que viven en ese proceso los lleva al corazón de la Revolución y, una vez más, sus vidas están en peligro inminente. Además, uno de los aspectos que más adoré de An Echo in the Bone es, precisamente, QUE VUELVEN A ESCOCIA. Joder, después de décadas en Estados Unidos, ya me había falta que volvieran a ese país que me enamoró con tan sólo leer de él. Y, bueno, todo lo que sucede cuando están en Escocia también es impresionante y me rompió el corazón en muchos pedacitos.
Por otra parte, no esperaba que me engancharan tanto los capítulos que narra William, pero me gustó verlo en medio de la Revolución, del lado inglés, por supuesto, y conocer a todas las personas con las que se topa en el camino. Y, además, me encantaba leerlo cuando interactuaba con Lord John Grey. De verdad, soy muy fan de ese hombre.
Y, sin muchos detalles, les diré que las páginas finales de este libro me causaron varios infartos. No sólo por aquel malentendido (los que leyeron el libro me entenderán) que causa cierta� eh� nueva relación, sino por el momento en el que alguien se da cuenta de una verdad que había tenido frente a sí mismo durante mucho tiempo. Y es que, por primera vez desde hace varios libros de esta saga, esta historia me dejó con ganas de más y de aventurarme pronto con el octavo de la serie, así que caerá pronto. ¡Además en pocos días se publica el noveno en inglés!
En fin, que sí, que An Echo in the Bone me hizo recuperar la fe en Diana Gabaldon.
September 28, 2009
The five stars are an expression of my Outlander fangirl enthusiasm, since I'm incapable of objectively judging the quality of these books. I'd probably have given five stars to anything that wasn't a huge disappointment. Which this wasn't, of course; I thought it was quite good.
The first couple hundred pages are admittedly a little slow. We get a lot of POV from Lord John and 19-yr-old William, and there is some crossover from the LJ spin-off series, which I think may be confusing for people who haven't read those books. I like John and William very much, but in this series I really want to read about Jamie and Claire and fortunately the book soon begins to focus more on them.
The last hundred pages are riveting and really quite shocking. But after the earlier slow pacing they felt a little rushed, and the ending is abrupt. It was made worse because I didn't realize that there is an author's note at the end, so the story stopped suddenly when I thought there were still a few pages to go! If I weren't such a fangirl I would probably dock the book a star for concluding with multiple dramatic cliffhangers, which I in general dislike. I don't remember the other books in this series leaving us hanging in mid-scene! There are also some storylines left unresolved, so even at 800+ pages this felt like the first half of an extremely long novel.
But *dreamy sigh* the book thrilled me anyway. Gabaldon claims to write in scenes, and when I re-read these books I do tend to skim some of the connecting narrative and focus on my favorite scenes, and there are plenty of new favorites in this one. Claire's medical work is as fascinating as always, particularly a long sequence which I had already read as an excerpt in The Outlandish Companion.
The first couple hundred pages are admittedly a little slow. We get a lot of POV from Lord John and 19-yr-old William, and there is some crossover from the LJ spin-off series, which I think may be confusing for people who haven't read those books. I like John and William very much, but in this series I really want to read about Jamie and Claire and fortunately the book soon begins to focus more on them.
The last hundred pages are riveting and really quite shocking. But after the earlier slow pacing they felt a little rushed, and the ending is abrupt. It was made worse because I didn't realize that there is an author's note at the end, so the story stopped suddenly when I thought there were still a few pages to go! If I weren't such a fangirl I would probably dock the book a star for concluding with multiple dramatic cliffhangers, which I in general dislike. I don't remember the other books in this series leaving us hanging in mid-scene! There are also some storylines left unresolved, so even at 800+ pages this felt like the first half of an extremely long novel.
But *dreamy sigh* the book thrilled me anyway. Gabaldon claims to write in scenes, and when I re-read these books I do tend to skim some of the connecting narrative and focus on my favorite scenes, and there are plenty of new favorites in this one. Claire's medical work is as fascinating as always, particularly a long sequence which I had already read as an excerpt in The Outlandish Companion.
November 17, 2009
DG’s still a PHENOMENAL writer, her talent has never been in question, but I do question her sanity after reading the last word of this hefty 814-page HC. These are just my random thoughts & somewhat-friendly reminders to myself as future reference, in case I need to refresh my poor memory. This is 1 helluva busy book, jammed w/ innumerable constantly-shifting plots & POVs but the resulting end wasn’t a thrilling ride as the previous ones. I really hope to hell this was simply a failed experiment & that the next 1 will unfold more smoothly than this. I was left dazed & confused @ times in trying to follow the zig-zag tracks, or perhaps it was due to lack of sleep & long hours of OT hahahaa�. I wish I’d read this during my Dec staycation. I’ve read 21 books in-between AEITB so it wasn’t a v. good sign ‘cuz I used to devour DG’s books as if there’s no tomorrow. I’ll prolly not gonna reread =^2
> ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ <
WTF moments :
- The noticeable imbalance in pacing throughout the book. The stop-and-start, going-into-multiple-directions formula could only go so far.
- Claire boinked Lord John after Jamie’s death & the subsequent MOC. < Scratches wig > For real ? Why not just have her commit suicide as she tried to but didn’t ? Or have Claire take a mental vacay from reality for as long as she believed Jamie was 6-FT under ? Good grief. What’s the purpose of this plot device aka her momentary insanity ? Just to add more dwamatic flavor into the BOILING cauldron ? Jamie’s not even cold in his grave yet. Ick. How could she even think, let alone do Lord John ? Is this a potentially awkward luv triangle since he has feelings for Jamie too ? What a tangled web.
- What’s up w/ Jamie’s mild reaction when Lord John fessed up that he had carnal knowledge of Claire ? Oh wait, I forgot, this book only serves as a stepping stone for the next installment
- Was DG sprinting to meet the deadline ? Was she watching Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 when she wrote this epic saga ? As if we’re not poor enough w/ the econ in the dumpster as it is. If I’d forked over big bucks outta my own negative piggy bank, I’d have demanded a half-refund. Good thing I used a library card, not a CC.
- Buccleigh = Another TT victim. So the portals have become a revolving door now. Who’s next ?
- The mystery of Roger’s dad. As if we didn’t have enough intrigue. Maybe he’ll meet his da in another time, amidst his search for Jem ?
- Li’l Jem got kidnapped & took a train to “destination : unknown.� Roger left Bree & Mandy behind, taking Buccleigh w/ him. Will they succeed ? Buck’s supposed to die @ 38 y/o, his current age. Yikes.
- Do we really need another lesson in human disease, anatomy & physiology ? Haven’t I seen Claire stitch up Jamie before ? Ok so this time she’s severing a full digit & trying to leave him w/ a working hand. I don’t think my poor fragile heart can take any more abuse than this. How many more lives does Jamie have left ? Have mercy.
- When Willie met Jamie. If that’s all there is to it, I don’t think it’s worth waiting for. It’s supposed to build up like a crescendo ‘till the moment of truth hits him in the face. It got swallowed up by the impending troops. I expected a so much more electrifying reunion.
- Can Lord John & Willie’s storylines be any more boring ? Wish their tedious episodes coulda been condensed into merely 1 � 2 chapters. Or @ least, keep them in separate sections instead of sneaking them in-between Jamie, Ian, Claire, Rog & Bree’s perilous adventures. It’s too crowded. If U wanna include ‘em, @ least give us more substance to root for. My head’s still spinning from the subplot overload. Wonder why my short-span attention drifted to other books. I thought I could recharge my interest but it didn’t work =^B
- I didn’t care much for Rog & Bree’s modern life in the 1980’s either, hence the 2 stars I dinged on. Just get over it. Their kids were way more riveting & if it weren’t for Mandy’s acute sense of loss, Rog & Bree wouldn’t have known Jem was missing. No wonder they say kids have a 6th sense. For a moment there I felt like in a twilight zone.
- The letters that Bree & Roger read, actually made my eyes kinda glaze over. They’re small & in italics, plus my eyesight is failing, the letters made me drowsy. I was torn between skipping them & not wanting to miss anything pertaining to Jaime & Claire’s adventures.
- Lotsa v. dull sea voyage scenes. Here I am, a fan of swashbuckling pirate romance, I wanted them to get off the ship & land somewhere.
- The diminishing # of Jamie-ism. @ my rapidly-advancing age, I need more to sustain me thru� the next 4 yrs. He still said the most luvly, aaawww-worthy lines to Claire but they’re too far & few between =^D
Fav (some gut-wrenching) moments :
- Claire, like a loose cannon, gave Jamie a delish dressing-down after seeing his injury-decorated self. Almost had a cardiac arrest when the scavenger duo were gonna kill him. @$$-kicking heroine that she is, Claire got the biggest b@ll$ when it comes to protecting Jamie.
- Jamie’s death-defying, gritty battle scenes. I prayed � and this is coming from an unbeliever � that Jamie would not get blown away to splinters like his comrades. In the scene where Claire found him later on, he bared his soul to her ‘bout his motives & principles in joining the revolution. Fell in luv w/ him all over again, what an amazing guy.
- Ian’s bloody slow death of consumption was heart-breaking. Luved that poignant scene where Jamie offered his severed finger to Ian. He’ll always keep a part of Jamie w/ him to next life. Now that’s what U’d call a true BFF.
- Young Ian got to see his da & family. He spent quality time w/ da & revealed that he’s in luv. Ian can go peacefully, knowing that his son got another shot @ HEA.
- Jenny & Claire butted heads again, as expected. Their volatile relationship might keep things interesting in the next 1.
- Jamie & Claire took matters in their own hands, literally. His sweaty, outraged reaction to Claire’s request to “luv thyself� was comical =P Why didn’t we get more lovey-dovey scenes ? The freakin-hawt chemistry was still alive & kicking. Instead, we’re treated to various symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion, vomiting, thirst, starvation etc. Granted, it’s wartime & they gotta conserve their energy, but the romance dept woulda benefited w/ more J & C’s inspiring luv scenes.
- Jamie & Laoghaire’s long-overdue explosive reunion. @ least they got to settle it once & for all. Laoghaire found happiness in an unlikely man, who needed her more than Jamie ever did. Li’l Joanie was all grown-up now & made an overture to Jamie to pave her way to the convent. Claire had the upper hand when she made a bargain w/ Laoghaire, who needed her medical skills for Marsali’s kid. 1 dilemma’s solved.
- Young Ian had a secret son, fell head over heels in luv w/ a Quaker. It’s kinda confusing reading Rachel & Denny Hunters� weird lingo.
- Denny & Dottie, Ian & Rachel = I liked their sweet 2ndary romance.
- Ian’s devotion to his mutt, Rollo. I’m a sucka for heroes who adore dogs. Ian has become my 2nd fav character in the ginormous clan. He felt so anguished over the accidental killing of Arch Bug’s wife. @ last he showed fine mettle, esp when Jamie’s being blackmailed by a scumbag & also in the final confrontation to save Rachel. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of their conflicts in the next installment. It’ll be fascinating to see the adjustments on both ends.
- Jamie saw Simon, his 2nd cousin, from the opposing end. Didn’t wanna kill his kinsman but ended up almost shooting his own son Willie in the head. Jamie met his other cousin, Hamish, it’s a small world indeed. I wonder how many more cousins Jamie’ll encounter.
- Liked Fergus & his mysterious lineage plot. I wouldn’t have minded @ all if DG had included more of his scenes w/ Jamie than the dull Lord John & Willie’s encounters.
- Tom Christie returned, much to Claire’s discomfort ‘cuz he still carried a flaming torch for her.
- DG’s wonderful dialogues. Just can’t get enuff of ‘em.
If her editor hadn’t fallen asleep, methinks the book coulda been more condensed into 500 pages. Get rid of the yawn-inducing segments like LJ & Willie, they should be relegated to the farthest corner of the storyboard. Same w/ Rog & Bree, they should be placed in the back burner, tho� I still wanna know whatever happened to li’l Jem & how Cameron will succeed in making Bree show him the much-coveted treasure, I’m more keen on reading J & C, plus young Ian & Rachel. I want more crunchy moments between Jamie & Willie, as everyone w/ eyes can see their striking resemblance. I still luved her characters� dynamics but I preferred a tighter pacing & more resolutions to dangling threads than just the daily occurrences. 4 years is helluva long time to wait.
> ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ SPOILERS ~*~/*\~*~ <
WTF moments :
- The noticeable imbalance in pacing throughout the book. The stop-and-start, going-into-multiple-directions formula could only go so far.
- Claire boinked Lord John after Jamie’s death & the subsequent MOC. < Scratches wig > For real ? Why not just have her commit suicide as she tried to but didn’t ? Or have Claire take a mental vacay from reality for as long as she believed Jamie was 6-FT under ? Good grief. What’s the purpose of this plot device aka her momentary insanity ? Just to add more dwamatic flavor into the BOILING cauldron ? Jamie’s not even cold in his grave yet. Ick. How could she even think, let alone do Lord John ? Is this a potentially awkward luv triangle since he has feelings for Jamie too ? What a tangled web.
- What’s up w/ Jamie’s mild reaction when Lord John fessed up that he had carnal knowledge of Claire ? Oh wait, I forgot, this book only serves as a stepping stone for the next installment
- Was DG sprinting to meet the deadline ? Was she watching Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 when she wrote this epic saga ? As if we’re not poor enough w/ the econ in the dumpster as it is. If I’d forked over big bucks outta my own negative piggy bank, I’d have demanded a half-refund. Good thing I used a library card, not a CC.
- Buccleigh = Another TT victim. So the portals have become a revolving door now. Who’s next ?
- The mystery of Roger’s dad. As if we didn’t have enough intrigue. Maybe he’ll meet his da in another time, amidst his search for Jem ?
- Li’l Jem got kidnapped & took a train to “destination : unknown.� Roger left Bree & Mandy behind, taking Buccleigh w/ him. Will they succeed ? Buck’s supposed to die @ 38 y/o, his current age. Yikes.
- Do we really need another lesson in human disease, anatomy & physiology ? Haven’t I seen Claire stitch up Jamie before ? Ok so this time she’s severing a full digit & trying to leave him w/ a working hand. I don’t think my poor fragile heart can take any more abuse than this. How many more lives does Jamie have left ? Have mercy.
- When Willie met Jamie. If that’s all there is to it, I don’t think it’s worth waiting for. It’s supposed to build up like a crescendo ‘till the moment of truth hits him in the face. It got swallowed up by the impending troops. I expected a so much more electrifying reunion.
- Can Lord John & Willie’s storylines be any more boring ? Wish their tedious episodes coulda been condensed into merely 1 � 2 chapters. Or @ least, keep them in separate sections instead of sneaking them in-between Jamie, Ian, Claire, Rog & Bree’s perilous adventures. It’s too crowded. If U wanna include ‘em, @ least give us more substance to root for. My head’s still spinning from the subplot overload. Wonder why my short-span attention drifted to other books. I thought I could recharge my interest but it didn’t work =^B
- I didn’t care much for Rog & Bree’s modern life in the 1980’s either, hence the 2 stars I dinged on. Just get over it. Their kids were way more riveting & if it weren’t for Mandy’s acute sense of loss, Rog & Bree wouldn’t have known Jem was missing. No wonder they say kids have a 6th sense. For a moment there I felt like in a twilight zone.
- The letters that Bree & Roger read, actually made my eyes kinda glaze over. They’re small & in italics, plus my eyesight is failing, the letters made me drowsy. I was torn between skipping them & not wanting to miss anything pertaining to Jaime & Claire’s adventures.
- Lotsa v. dull sea voyage scenes. Here I am, a fan of swashbuckling pirate romance, I wanted them to get off the ship & land somewhere.
- The diminishing # of Jamie-ism. @ my rapidly-advancing age, I need more to sustain me thru� the next 4 yrs. He still said the most luvly, aaawww-worthy lines to Claire but they’re too far & few between =^D
Fav (some gut-wrenching) moments :
- Claire, like a loose cannon, gave Jamie a delish dressing-down after seeing his injury-decorated self. Almost had a cardiac arrest when the scavenger duo were gonna kill him. @$$-kicking heroine that she is, Claire got the biggest b@ll$ when it comes to protecting Jamie.
- Jamie’s death-defying, gritty battle scenes. I prayed � and this is coming from an unbeliever � that Jamie would not get blown away to splinters like his comrades. In the scene where Claire found him later on, he bared his soul to her ‘bout his motives & principles in joining the revolution. Fell in luv w/ him all over again, what an amazing guy.
- Ian’s bloody slow death of consumption was heart-breaking. Luved that poignant scene where Jamie offered his severed finger to Ian. He’ll always keep a part of Jamie w/ him to next life. Now that’s what U’d call a true BFF.
- Young Ian got to see his da & family. He spent quality time w/ da & revealed that he’s in luv. Ian can go peacefully, knowing that his son got another shot @ HEA.
- Jenny & Claire butted heads again, as expected. Their volatile relationship might keep things interesting in the next 1.
- Jamie & Claire took matters in their own hands, literally. His sweaty, outraged reaction to Claire’s request to “luv thyself� was comical =P Why didn’t we get more lovey-dovey scenes ? The freakin-hawt chemistry was still alive & kicking. Instead, we’re treated to various symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion, vomiting, thirst, starvation etc. Granted, it’s wartime & they gotta conserve their energy, but the romance dept woulda benefited w/ more J & C’s inspiring luv scenes.
- Jamie & Laoghaire’s long-overdue explosive reunion. @ least they got to settle it once & for all. Laoghaire found happiness in an unlikely man, who needed her more than Jamie ever did. Li’l Joanie was all grown-up now & made an overture to Jamie to pave her way to the convent. Claire had the upper hand when she made a bargain w/ Laoghaire, who needed her medical skills for Marsali’s kid. 1 dilemma’s solved.
- Young Ian had a secret son, fell head over heels in luv w/ a Quaker. It’s kinda confusing reading Rachel & Denny Hunters� weird lingo.
- Denny & Dottie, Ian & Rachel = I liked their sweet 2ndary romance.
- Ian’s devotion to his mutt, Rollo. I’m a sucka for heroes who adore dogs. Ian has become my 2nd fav character in the ginormous clan. He felt so anguished over the accidental killing of Arch Bug’s wife. @ last he showed fine mettle, esp when Jamie’s being blackmailed by a scumbag & also in the final confrontation to save Rachel. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of their conflicts in the next installment. It’ll be fascinating to see the adjustments on both ends.
- Jamie saw Simon, his 2nd cousin, from the opposing end. Didn’t wanna kill his kinsman but ended up almost shooting his own son Willie in the head. Jamie met his other cousin, Hamish, it’s a small world indeed. I wonder how many more cousins Jamie’ll encounter.
- Liked Fergus & his mysterious lineage plot. I wouldn’t have minded @ all if DG had included more of his scenes w/ Jamie than the dull Lord John & Willie’s encounters.
- Tom Christie returned, much to Claire’s discomfort ‘cuz he still carried a flaming torch for her.
- DG’s wonderful dialogues. Just can’t get enuff of ‘em.
If her editor hadn’t fallen asleep, methinks the book coulda been more condensed into 500 pages. Get rid of the yawn-inducing segments like LJ & Willie, they should be relegated to the farthest corner of the storyboard. Same w/ Rog & Bree, they should be placed in the back burner, tho� I still wanna know whatever happened to li’l Jem & how Cameron will succeed in making Bree show him the much-coveted treasure, I’m more keen on reading J & C, plus young Ian & Rachel. I want more crunchy moments between Jamie & Willie, as everyone w/ eyes can see their striking resemblance. I still luved her characters� dynamics but I preferred a tighter pacing & more resolutions to dangling threads than just the daily occurrences. 4 years is helluva long time to wait.
November 13, 2021
2021 This re-reading has done nothing to change my mind about the review I wrote at a previous date.
Diana Gabaldon needs to finish this series. In fact, she needed to finish it in this book:
If she is so crazy about Lord John, keep writing those books about him. Personally, he bores me, and I skipped over those sections. I'm not that into William either, even if he IS Jamie's son.
How many times can Claire and Jamie run into pirates and take over a ship? She's done this before in . And there's lots of other material that repeats or echoes stuff in previous, better books.
There are too many points of view and too much skipping from place to place. If you're not interested enough in your characters to stay on them for more than a chapter or so, why bother?
And last, but not least, virtually EVERYONE is left in a cliffhanger situation. Nothing is anywhere near being resolved--it just ends!
This whole book could have been cut down by about 3/4, added to whatever she is planning for a (hopefully) final book, and published when she is ready to publish that one.
But she yielded--to her publishers, her agent, her fans, whoever and as a result we have this mess of a book.
Sad, really.
Diana Gabaldon needs to finish this series. In fact, she needed to finish it in this book:
If she is so crazy about Lord John, keep writing those books about him. Personally, he bores me, and I skipped over those sections. I'm not that into William either, even if he IS Jamie's son.
How many times can Claire and Jamie run into pirates and take over a ship? She's done this before in . And there's lots of other material that repeats or echoes stuff in previous, better books.
There are too many points of view and too much skipping from place to place. If you're not interested enough in your characters to stay on them for more than a chapter or so, why bother?
And last, but not least, virtually EVERYONE is left in a cliffhanger situation. Nothing is anywhere near being resolved--it just ends!
This whole book could have been cut down by about 3/4, added to whatever she is planning for a (hopefully) final book, and published when she is ready to publish that one.
But she yielded--to her publishers, her agent, her fans, whoever and as a result we have this mess of a book.
Sad, really.
March 5, 2022
So sehr mich zu Beginn dieser Bücher die ungehörige Seitenzahl in die Knie zu zwingen droht, so sehr genieße ich nachher jede Seite, jeden Satz und jedes Wort!
Selten finde ich eine Geschichte, in die ich so sehr hineingezogen werde, in der ich gleichermaßen leide wie ich mich auch geborgen fühle.
Outlander ist und bleibt einfach eine der besten Buchreihen aller Zeiten für mich und ich bin froh, dass ich noch zwei weitere dicke Schmöker vor mir im Regal stehen habe, denn ich kann nie genug von Claire und Jamie und all den anderen grandiosen Weggefährten der beiden bekommen!
Selten finde ich eine Geschichte, in die ich so sehr hineingezogen werde, in der ich gleichermaßen leide wie ich mich auch geborgen fühle.
Outlander ist und bleibt einfach eine der besten Buchreihen aller Zeiten für mich und ich bin froh, dass ich noch zwei weitere dicke Schmöker vor mir im Regal stehen habe, denn ich kann nie genug von Claire und Jamie und all den anderen grandiosen Weggefährten der beiden bekommen!
January 8, 2010
First Sentence: The pirate's head had disappeared.
In this 7th book to the Outlander series, Jamie, Claire and Ian are leaving the Ridge headed for Scotland to take Ian back to his family and bring Jamie's printing press back to the Colonies. Roger and Brianna have returned to the present and have settled at Lallybroch, but they've not completely left the past behind. William is anxious to prove himself in battle and Lord John is dealing with his family, both in England and in Pennsylvania.
I was both delighted and disgusted with this book. Either way, it is clear Ms. Gabaldon (1) rushed the ending and (2) does not have a continuity editor. The story was so rife with coincidence as to almost be humorous. There were so many characters with significant stories it diluted each of the stories. However, there were also historical characters whose presence may have added a veracity to the period but added little to the story.
Jamie and Claire are the focal point of the series. You'd never know that from this book where we jump between Jamie and Claire, Roger and Brianna, Lord John, William, and Denny and Rachael Hunter. The continual jumps in time and focus felt more as though it was bad episodic television than reading what should have been a wonderfully engrossing novel. In addition, there were inaccuracies and terrible inconsistencies that should have been caught.
What makes it difficult is that, in essence I did like the book. There were scenes which touched my heart and even brought tears to my eyes. Gabaldon is very good at tugging the heartstrings. There were scenes of suspense and humor. However, there were also scenes where critically important information was being conveyed among the characters, but the reader was exited from the scene. All the scenes were so scattered throughout the story, it caused the pacing to be very uneven.
...and the ending; I am loathe to even mention the ending. To say it felt rushed would be kind. To say there were more story threads left dangling than a cat playing in a yarn basket would be an understatement. To say it was frustrating and extremely disappointing does not strongly enough express my feelings toward the ending.
Were Ms. Gabaldon a poor writer, I could dismiss all this and walk away, but she is not. I have absolutely loved all the previous books in this series; yes, even Fiery Cross. She has created characters about whom I care and have taken to my hearts. She has created a story in which I am invested both in time--both in reading time alone and in the number of years this series has been part of my life--and in money--I own the books in hardcover, trade paperback and the audio books.
Ms. Gabaldon is, apparently, going to fix some of the mistakes found in the hardcover edition of this book prior to the trade paperback edition being released. That's all well and good, but it still leaves those of us with the hardcover edition, particularly where I bought 6 signed copies at full price, with error-laden books. I should have much preferred the errors be caught and corrected in the first place.
I shall continue with the series as these characters are now part of my life and I really want to know where the story goes. However, I do feel Ms. Gabaldon has a responsibility, both to herself and to her very faithful legion of fans, to spend more time and do a better job on Book 8.
In this 7th book to the Outlander series, Jamie, Claire and Ian are leaving the Ridge headed for Scotland to take Ian back to his family and bring Jamie's printing press back to the Colonies. Roger and Brianna have returned to the present and have settled at Lallybroch, but they've not completely left the past behind. William is anxious to prove himself in battle and Lord John is dealing with his family, both in England and in Pennsylvania.
I was both delighted and disgusted with this book. Either way, it is clear Ms. Gabaldon (1) rushed the ending and (2) does not have a continuity editor. The story was so rife with coincidence as to almost be humorous. There were so many characters with significant stories it diluted each of the stories. However, there were also historical characters whose presence may have added a veracity to the period but added little to the story.
Jamie and Claire are the focal point of the series. You'd never know that from this book where we jump between Jamie and Claire, Roger and Brianna, Lord John, William, and Denny and Rachael Hunter. The continual jumps in time and focus felt more as though it was bad episodic television than reading what should have been a wonderfully engrossing novel. In addition, there were inaccuracies and terrible inconsistencies that should have been caught.
What makes it difficult is that, in essence I did like the book. There were scenes which touched my heart and even brought tears to my eyes. Gabaldon is very good at tugging the heartstrings. There were scenes of suspense and humor. However, there were also scenes where critically important information was being conveyed among the characters, but the reader was exited from the scene. All the scenes were so scattered throughout the story, it caused the pacing to be very uneven.
...and the ending; I am loathe to even mention the ending. To say it felt rushed would be kind. To say there were more story threads left dangling than a cat playing in a yarn basket would be an understatement. To say it was frustrating and extremely disappointing does not strongly enough express my feelings toward the ending.
Were Ms. Gabaldon a poor writer, I could dismiss all this and walk away, but she is not. I have absolutely loved all the previous books in this series; yes, even Fiery Cross. She has created characters about whom I care and have taken to my hearts. She has created a story in which I am invested both in time--both in reading time alone and in the number of years this series has been part of my life--and in money--I own the books in hardcover, trade paperback and the audio books.
Ms. Gabaldon is, apparently, going to fix some of the mistakes found in the hardcover edition of this book prior to the trade paperback edition being released. That's all well and good, but it still leaves those of us with the hardcover edition, particularly where I bought 6 signed copies at full price, with error-laden books. I should have much preferred the errors be caught and corrected in the first place.
I shall continue with the series as these characters are now part of my life and I really want to know where the story goes. However, I do feel Ms. Gabaldon has a responsibility, both to herself and to her very faithful legion of fans, to spend more time and do a better job on Book 8.
February 4, 2020
An Echo in the Bone (Outlander #7), Diana Gabaldon
An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.
In the 20th century at Lallybroch, Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are reading letters from Claire and Jamie from the past, one of which mentions hidden gold, with a location known only to Jem. William Buccleigh, Roger's Scottish ancestor, accidentally appears in their time. Given his date of death on the family record, Brianna and Roger know he is unlikely to make it safely back. Rob Cameron, one of Brianna's coworkers, kidnaps Jem, and appears that he has taken Jem into the past, and Roger and William travel through time to find them; but Rob appears at Brianna's home and orders her to tell Jem to disclose the location of the gold. Jem is locked underground at the dam where Brianna and Rob work, finds an electric train, and starts an escape; his fate is unseen.
In the past, Lord William Ellesmere (actually Jamie's son but raised as Lord John Grey's stepson) is involved in the American Revolution as a Redcoat, but is repeatedly embarrassed until the battle of Saratoga, wherein he distinguishes himself. Arch and Murdina Bug go after the gold on Fraser's Ridge, during a confused confrontation Mrs. Bug shoots Jamie when he tells her to stop, and Ian shoots her. Ian feels guilty for killing Mrs. Bug; Arch vows to take his revenge when Ian has 'someone worth losing'. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave their mountain home for Scotland to see Jenny, Ian, and their children, and also to recover Jamie's printing press. Before they can leave America, they become involved in the Revolutionary War; Jamie accidentally shoots the hat off William's head at Saratoga. A kinsman of Jamie's on the British side, Simon Fraser of Balnain, is killed, and Jamie and Claire are asked to take his body back to Scotland. Before they leave, a stranger tries to blackmail Jamie, but Ian kills him. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave for Scotland to bury Jamie's relative and Ian leaves his dog Rollo with a Quaker woman named Rachel Hunter. Jamie, Claire, and Ian reach Scotland, where Ian the elder, husband to Jamie's sister Jenny, and Jamie's best childhood friend, is dying of consumption when they arrive. Ian and Jenny are ecstatic that young Ian has returned; but Jenny is hostile to Claire who is unable to cure Ian. Jamie apologizes to Laoghaire (his second wife) for their separation. Laoghaire's daughter (and Jamie's adopted daughter) Joan requires Laoghaire to marry her lover, a crippled servant, so that she (Joan) can become a nun. A letter from Laoghaire's daughter Marsali reveals that her son, Henri-Christian, is very ill. In this missive, Marsali beseeches Claire's help in treating him. Claire agrees to return to America to treat Henri-Christian, stipulating that Laoghaire marry her lover, stop taking alimony from Jamie, and help Joan become a nun. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و پنجم ماه مارس سال 2018 میلادی
عنوان: بیگانه (غریبه): کتاب هفتم: اکو در استخوان؛ نویسنده: دایانا گبلدون؛
در سده بیستم میلادی در «لالیبروچ»، «برایانا»، «راجر»، «جِم» و «مندی» مشغول خواندن نامه هایی از «کلر» و «جیمی»، از گذشته هستند، در یکی از نامه ها از طلاهای پنهان شده سخن به میان آمده است، در مکانی که تنها «جـِم» آنجا را میشناسد. «ویلیام بوکلی»، جد اسکاتلندی، «راجر»، به طور اتفاقی ظاهر میشود. با توجه به تاریخ درگذشت وی در پرونده ی خانواده، «برایانا» و «راجر» میدانند که توان آن را ندارند که بتوانند با خیال آسوده آن را برگرداند. «راب کامرون»، یکی از همکاران «برایانا» نیز، «جـِم» را ربوده، و...؛ ا. شربیانی
An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.
In the 20th century at Lallybroch, Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are reading letters from Claire and Jamie from the past, one of which mentions hidden gold, with a location known only to Jem. William Buccleigh, Roger's Scottish ancestor, accidentally appears in their time. Given his date of death on the family record, Brianna and Roger know he is unlikely to make it safely back. Rob Cameron, one of Brianna's coworkers, kidnaps Jem, and appears that he has taken Jem into the past, and Roger and William travel through time to find them; but Rob appears at Brianna's home and orders her to tell Jem to disclose the location of the gold. Jem is locked underground at the dam where Brianna and Rob work, finds an electric train, and starts an escape; his fate is unseen.
In the past, Lord William Ellesmere (actually Jamie's son but raised as Lord John Grey's stepson) is involved in the American Revolution as a Redcoat, but is repeatedly embarrassed until the battle of Saratoga, wherein he distinguishes himself. Arch and Murdina Bug go after the gold on Fraser's Ridge, during a confused confrontation Mrs. Bug shoots Jamie when he tells her to stop, and Ian shoots her. Ian feels guilty for killing Mrs. Bug; Arch vows to take his revenge when Ian has 'someone worth losing'. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave their mountain home for Scotland to see Jenny, Ian, and their children, and also to recover Jamie's printing press. Before they can leave America, they become involved in the Revolutionary War; Jamie accidentally shoots the hat off William's head at Saratoga. A kinsman of Jamie's on the British side, Simon Fraser of Balnain, is killed, and Jamie and Claire are asked to take his body back to Scotland. Before they leave, a stranger tries to blackmail Jamie, but Ian kills him. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave for Scotland to bury Jamie's relative and Ian leaves his dog Rollo with a Quaker woman named Rachel Hunter. Jamie, Claire, and Ian reach Scotland, where Ian the elder, husband to Jamie's sister Jenny, and Jamie's best childhood friend, is dying of consumption when they arrive. Ian and Jenny are ecstatic that young Ian has returned; but Jenny is hostile to Claire who is unable to cure Ian. Jamie apologizes to Laoghaire (his second wife) for their separation. Laoghaire's daughter (and Jamie's adopted daughter) Joan requires Laoghaire to marry her lover, a crippled servant, so that she (Joan) can become a nun. A letter from Laoghaire's daughter Marsali reveals that her son, Henri-Christian, is very ill. In this missive, Marsali beseeches Claire's help in treating him. Claire agrees to return to America to treat Henri-Christian, stipulating that Laoghaire marry her lover, stop taking alimony from Jamie, and help Joan become a nun. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و پنجم ماه مارس سال 2018 میلادی
عنوان: بیگانه (غریبه): کتاب هفتم: اکو در استخوان؛ نویسنده: دایانا گبلدون؛
در سده بیستم میلادی در «لالیبروچ»، «برایانا»، «راجر»، «جِم» و «مندی» مشغول خواندن نامه هایی از «کلر» و «جیمی»، از گذشته هستند، در یکی از نامه ها از طلاهای پنهان شده سخن به میان آمده است، در مکانی که تنها «جـِم» آنجا را میشناسد. «ویلیام بوکلی»، جد اسکاتلندی، «راجر»، به طور اتفاقی ظاهر میشود. با توجه به تاریخ درگذشت وی در پرونده ی خانواده، «برایانا» و «راجر» میدانند که توان آن را ندارند که بتوانند با خیال آسوده آن را برگرداند. «راب کامرون»، یکی از همکاران «برایانا» نیز، «جـِم» را ربوده، و...؛ ا. شربیانی
November 1, 2009
So I love Diana Gabaldon. I wish she would write faster than one new book every four years in the Outlander series, but whatcha gonna do. So Of course I've been waiting with bated breath for this one.
Writing: still draws you into the characters' lives. They are so human, so loving, so flawed yet continuously striving.
Characters: this book has four main plots (yes, four). We get Jamie and Claire, but we also get Ian (who I like to read about), Roger and Brianna (who I found annoying earlier in the series but now really am enjoying), and William and Lord John. That last plot thread really plods. I don't get the sense of empathy with these two characters that I can get with the others. There's lots of plotting and intrigue that really doesn't amount to much. I think the author is a frustrated mystery writer, but the mystery parts of her books don't do nearly as much for me as the time travel, romances, adventure, history, and humor.
Plot: I don't know if I can forgive her for this. She wrote a great book and then failed to end it. Three of the four plots threads end with characters in terrible danger or a major unresolved issue. Why would she do this? In a book that's 800 pages long, it's not like she worries much about editing. Couldn't she write another 50 to 100 pages and get them out of those messes? The cliffhangers are ridiculous when we will probably have to wait another 4 years to see them resolved. No matter how much tension she generates, four years will make it die down. I can't write in any dignified way how upset I am by this- it's cheap, a cheat, and unfair to her faithful readers.
Writing: still draws you into the characters' lives. They are so human, so loving, so flawed yet continuously striving.
Characters: this book has four main plots (yes, four). We get Jamie and Claire, but we also get Ian (who I like to read about), Roger and Brianna (who I found annoying earlier in the series but now really am enjoying), and William and Lord John. That last plot thread really plods. I don't get the sense of empathy with these two characters that I can get with the others. There's lots of plotting and intrigue that really doesn't amount to much. I think the author is a frustrated mystery writer, but the mystery parts of her books don't do nearly as much for me as the time travel, romances, adventure, history, and humor.
Plot: I don't know if I can forgive her for this. She wrote a great book and then failed to end it. Three of the four plots threads end with characters in terrible danger or a major unresolved issue. Why would she do this? In a book that's 800 pages long, it's not like she worries much about editing. Couldn't she write another 50 to 100 pages and get them out of those messes? The cliffhangers are ridiculous when we will probably have to wait another 4 years to see them resolved. No matter how much tension she generates, four years will make it die down. I can't write in any dignified way how upset I am by this- it's cheap, a cheat, and unfair to her faithful readers.
April 13, 2023
3.75 Stars
Apologies for my rambling - this isn’t a review, more my notes so I don’t forget 🥴 ⚠️ Possible spoilers ahead ⚠️
It was bound to happen at some point, and whilst I enjoyed it overall (with one exception), this was my least favourite of the franchise so far!
Partly due to the fact that I was looking forward to the Frasers return to the Scottish Highlands, but the war gets very much in the way, with some chaotic, cray cray, deja vu action. A very bittersweet homecoming eventually occurs, but it’s a long time coming!
The American Revolution isn’t a chapter of history that particularly interests me. It’s a shame because DG goes to great pains to weave a tale incorporating true events. However, in setting up the story, there’s just so much info dump, constant name dropping and crossover characters/references to a spin off series I haven’t read. It made a lot of William’s and Lord John Grey’s POV’s a real chore to read. So much time is wasted on the battles, Lallybroch was cut short, shocking surprises are left open ended, with a rushed/abrupt ending to boot. If I read this back in 2009, I would have been pissed to wait five years for the follow up!
There are multiple POV’s, which I didn’t mind so much because I’m invested in the other characters, but it does affect pacing and the downside was Jamie and Claire felt more like side characters. I still enjoyed their scenes, but some of their actions annoyed me, lol.
Jamie’s attentions are often occupied elsewhere. He casually lets it slip that they won’t be returning home whilst the war is underway and I was surprised he hadn’t discussed this with Claire before-hand. I thought he would have been a bit more perceptive. I felt Claire’s loss keenly. What’s going to happen to poor, Adso? 🥺 Even his decision to join the battle is made without any consideration for his wife’s well being. No surprises that Claire finds herself occasionally in trouble, and whilst she’s no damsel in distress, in fact it’s Claire that saves Jamie, it was always Ian coming to her rescue.
It vexed me greatly that Jamie couldn’t seem to let his ex wife go and I didn’t appreciate the OTT drama that ensued with this particular reunion. Due to certain events, Claire leaves Lallybroch without him. Knowing how dangerous sea voyages are at this time, and after everything they’ve been through, I found it difficult to believe, that Jamie would allow her to go without him, essentially putting his brother-in-law first to support a sister who’s been a right bitch (even young Ian left in pursuit of his own happiness which wasn’t guaranteed).
Anyway, there were many other highs and lows, including:
Present Day Lallybroch
So comforting that Brianna and kids are now living in her Father’s home, but equally sad to see them removed from the Ridge. I really miss the family dynamics, so the correspondence was a welcome surprise and kept that connection going, despite the 200 year divide. Am loving the psychic bonds between Jamie and the kids. Wish there had been more of that.
From the moment you learn that the kids have been threatened, I was on edge, wondering who the mysterious Nucklelavee could be. Never.saw.that.coming! Can’t wait for a certain actor’s return in season 7.
When everything came to a head, I had goosebumps 😳
Sassenach Witch
From the very beginning, there have been hints that Claire’s an extraordinary individual and I was quite excited with that little episode on board the ship. Can’t wait to find out if her powers are finally kicking in.
Reunions
There are a few, but loved Claire’s small scene with Marsali, a character that’s always underutilised. However, I think may be, Rollo finding his master may have been my favourite 🤣
Geneology
Loved Fergus’s heart to heart with, Jamie and am thoroughly intrigued by his/Claire’s family tree. Makes me wonder if there was a subconscious reason when christening his first born.
Quakers
Ian’s new love interest - whilst I really liked Rachel and her brother, Denny, I wasn’t feeling the romance. It came out of nowhere!
William
Loved the few scenes with Ian and Jamie, but aside from discovering, he has very poor navigational skills, I never really got William’s true measure and compared to his kin, found him a bit bland. I just hope as he matures, he’ll grow on me, but with the war still raging, I’m not looking forward to anymore soldiering. The only fighting I’m prepared to put up with is family.
Tom Christie Kisses
Not really a highlight 😂 but enjoyed the subsequent scenes with Jamie and Claire.
Continuity
I always seem to have an issue with the timeline - I can’t quite believe that Brianna & co are living in the 1980’s or that Jem is nearly 10. I figured he was much younger. I guess time flies when you’re having fun, but it hurts my head too much to try and figure it out. Also trivial in the grand scheme but I definitely found an error when it came to Claire’s garden:
“I paused, hesitating; I hadn’t set foot in the garden since the day that Malva and her child had died there. I set my hands on two of the wooden stakes, leaning to look between them.�
But, in ABoSaA
“They were welcome. I had forced myself to go back to my garden in the spring after Malva’s death—I had to; sentiment was all very well, but we had to eat.�
⛔️ Now then � my main bone of contention - major spoilers ahead ⛔️
At 92%, LJG has it on good authority that, Jamie has drowned at sea and on the very same day, learns that Claire is about to be arrested for sedition. In order to protect, Claire, he marries her a few hours later (which I can accept), but within a week, the marriage is consummated (which I can’t)!
It took 7 years for Jamie to lay with another woman, but apparently for Claire, 7 days is sufficient. I know they were both drunk and it was LJG that initially sought her company, but it made me physically sick - thank fuck it was fade to black. I think the morning after might even be worse. The way they lie casually in bed chatting. When he asks to see her in her naked glory. Ugh 🤮 When Claire returned to Frank (her first love), it took months for her to even think of resuming physical intimacy, but you’re telling me after losing the love of her life, after 1 week, she has sex with a gay man, who is knowingly, very much in love with her husband? Everything went against the grain!
I mean, if DG had devoted more time to this thread, as she did for the war, had there been a sufficient period of grief/mourning, it might have made this development a tad more palatable. We get no reaction from next of kin on both sides. William is now addressing his Stepmother as Mother Claire. 🙄 Claire herself is attending social events with LJG, admiring the latest fashions. If that were me, I wouldn’t have been able to eat, let alone get out of bed. When there’s finally a passage with Claire reflecting on her grief, I was on the verge of chalking it up to an unfortunate one off, when LJG comes to her once more and she gives him a hand job, ffs! 🤬
2 months later, Jamie returns out of the blue, very much alive, but pursued by soldiers. He enters their parlour unannounced, dishes out pleasantries, kisses Claire (presumably aware of the moc?), but then has to suddenly leg it, taking LJG hostage to avoid capture, but not before bumping into William on the landing. He says he’ll be back someday, but who knows whenever that’ll be 🙄 However, the one thing I did enjoy from this chapter, was LJG squirming at the thought that Jamie would most likely kill him with his bare hands, when he finds out ☠️ Although, I have to say, Jamie’s reaction was confounding. I’m very much hoping it’s the calm before the storm. Even though LJG’s gone right down in my estimations, at least he has a conscience; this small detail doesn’t even register with Claire 🤨 I guess at this stage, she’s just happy, Jamie’s alive, but I really hope, Jamie makes them suffer 😈
Apologies for my rambling - this isn’t a review, more my notes so I don’t forget 🥴 ⚠️ Possible spoilers ahead ⚠️
It was bound to happen at some point, and whilst I enjoyed it overall (with one exception), this was my least favourite of the franchise so far!
Partly due to the fact that I was looking forward to the Frasers return to the Scottish Highlands, but the war gets very much in the way, with some chaotic, cray cray, deja vu action. A very bittersweet homecoming eventually occurs, but it’s a long time coming!
The American Revolution isn’t a chapter of history that particularly interests me. It’s a shame because DG goes to great pains to weave a tale incorporating true events. However, in setting up the story, there’s just so much info dump, constant name dropping and crossover characters/references to a spin off series I haven’t read. It made a lot of William’s and Lord John Grey’s POV’s a real chore to read. So much time is wasted on the battles, Lallybroch was cut short, shocking surprises are left open ended, with a rushed/abrupt ending to boot. If I read this back in 2009, I would have been pissed to wait five years for the follow up!
There are multiple POV’s, which I didn’t mind so much because I’m invested in the other characters, but it does affect pacing and the downside was Jamie and Claire felt more like side characters. I still enjoyed their scenes, but some of their actions annoyed me, lol.
Jamie’s attentions are often occupied elsewhere. He casually lets it slip that they won’t be returning home whilst the war is underway and I was surprised he hadn’t discussed this with Claire before-hand. I thought he would have been a bit more perceptive. I felt Claire’s loss keenly. What’s going to happen to poor, Adso? 🥺 Even his decision to join the battle is made without any consideration for his wife’s well being. No surprises that Claire finds herself occasionally in trouble, and whilst she’s no damsel in distress, in fact it’s Claire that saves Jamie, it was always Ian coming to her rescue.
It vexed me greatly that Jamie couldn’t seem to let his ex wife go and I didn’t appreciate the OTT drama that ensued with this particular reunion. Due to certain events, Claire leaves Lallybroch without him. Knowing how dangerous sea voyages are at this time, and after everything they’ve been through, I found it difficult to believe, that Jamie would allow her to go without him, essentially putting his brother-in-law first to support a sister who’s been a right bitch (even young Ian left in pursuit of his own happiness which wasn’t guaranteed).
Anyway, there were many other highs and lows, including:
Present Day Lallybroch
So comforting that Brianna and kids are now living in her Father’s home, but equally sad to see them removed from the Ridge. I really miss the family dynamics, so the correspondence was a welcome surprise and kept that connection going, despite the 200 year divide. Am loving the psychic bonds between Jamie and the kids. Wish there had been more of that.
From the moment you learn that the kids have been threatened, I was on edge, wondering who the mysterious Nucklelavee could be. Never.saw.that.coming! Can’t wait for a certain actor’s return in season 7.
When everything came to a head, I had goosebumps 😳
Sassenach Witch
From the very beginning, there have been hints that Claire’s an extraordinary individual and I was quite excited with that little episode on board the ship. Can’t wait to find out if her powers are finally kicking in.
Reunions
There are a few, but loved Claire’s small scene with Marsali, a character that’s always underutilised. However, I think may be, Rollo finding his master may have been my favourite 🤣
Geneology
Loved Fergus’s heart to heart with, Jamie and am thoroughly intrigued by his/Claire’s family tree. Makes me wonder if there was a subconscious reason when christening his first born.
Quakers
Ian’s new love interest - whilst I really liked Rachel and her brother, Denny, I wasn’t feeling the romance. It came out of nowhere!
William
Loved the few scenes with Ian and Jamie, but aside from discovering, he has very poor navigational skills, I never really got William’s true measure and compared to his kin, found him a bit bland. I just hope as he matures, he’ll grow on me, but with the war still raging, I’m not looking forward to anymore soldiering. The only fighting I’m prepared to put up with is family.
Tom Christie Kisses
Not really a highlight 😂 but enjoyed the subsequent scenes with Jamie and Claire.
Continuity
I always seem to have an issue with the timeline - I can’t quite believe that Brianna & co are living in the 1980’s or that Jem is nearly 10. I figured he was much younger. I guess time flies when you’re having fun, but it hurts my head too much to try and figure it out. Also trivial in the grand scheme but I definitely found an error when it came to Claire’s garden:
“I paused, hesitating; I hadn’t set foot in the garden since the day that Malva and her child had died there. I set my hands on two of the wooden stakes, leaning to look between them.�
But, in ABoSaA
“They were welcome. I had forced myself to go back to my garden in the spring after Malva’s death—I had to; sentiment was all very well, but we had to eat.�
⛔️ Now then � my main bone of contention - major spoilers ahead ⛔️
At 92%, LJG has it on good authority that, Jamie has drowned at sea and on the very same day, learns that Claire is about to be arrested for sedition. In order to protect, Claire, he marries her a few hours later (which I can accept), but within a week, the marriage is consummated (which I can’t)!
It took 7 years for Jamie to lay with another woman, but apparently for Claire, 7 days is sufficient. I know they were both drunk and it was LJG that initially sought her company, but it made me physically sick - thank fuck it was fade to black. I think the morning after might even be worse. The way they lie casually in bed chatting. When he asks to see her in her naked glory. Ugh 🤮 When Claire returned to Frank (her first love), it took months for her to even think of resuming physical intimacy, but you’re telling me after losing the love of her life, after 1 week, she has sex with a gay man, who is knowingly, very much in love with her husband? Everything went against the grain!
I mean, if DG had devoted more time to this thread, as she did for the war, had there been a sufficient period of grief/mourning, it might have made this development a tad more palatable. We get no reaction from next of kin on both sides. William is now addressing his Stepmother as Mother Claire. 🙄 Claire herself is attending social events with LJG, admiring the latest fashions. If that were me, I wouldn’t have been able to eat, let alone get out of bed. When there’s finally a passage with Claire reflecting on her grief, I was on the verge of chalking it up to an unfortunate one off, when LJG comes to her once more and she gives him a hand job, ffs! 🤬
2 months later, Jamie returns out of the blue, very much alive, but pursued by soldiers. He enters their parlour unannounced, dishes out pleasantries, kisses Claire (presumably aware of the moc?), but then has to suddenly leg it, taking LJG hostage to avoid capture, but not before bumping into William on the landing. He says he’ll be back someday, but who knows whenever that’ll be 🙄 However, the one thing I did enjoy from this chapter, was LJG squirming at the thought that Jamie would most likely kill him with his bare hands, when he finds out ☠️ Although, I have to say, Jamie’s reaction was confounding. I’m very much hoping it’s the calm before the storm. Even though LJG’s gone right down in my estimations, at least he has a conscience; this small detail doesn’t even register with Claire 🤨 I guess at this stage, she’s just happy, Jamie’s alive, but I really hope, Jamie makes them suffer 😈
’He took a deep breath, shut his eyes, and commended his soul to God. ‘I have had carnal knowledge of your wife,� he blurted. He had expected to die more or less instantaneously upon this utterance, but everything continued just as usual. Birds continued chirping in the trees, and the rip and slobber of the horses champing grass was the only sound above that of the rushing water. He opened one eye to find Jamie Fraser standing there regarding him, head to one side. ‘Oh?� said Jamie curiously. ‘Why?�
September 27, 2009
After several thousand pages of build-up, the Revolutionary War is finally here � and with it, the excitement of the early Outlander novels returns. No offense to the residents of Fraser's Ridge, but it's a lot more fun to see Jamie and Claire interacting with Benedict Arnold than Hiram Crombie. They may be older and wiser than they were back in the Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager days, but this book has more in common with those two novels than it does with the last few that preceded it. I can't help but feel that the Frasers are back in their element; a life of quiet domesticity may just not be their thing.
What else can I say about Echo? Several characters and storylines from the early books (and even the Lord John series) return, but several new, very likeable characters are introduced as well. There were enough twists, turns, and mysteries to keep me glued to the pages... and I hope it won't take forever for the next Outlander book to come out because quite a few surprises happen late in this one and don't get resolved before the end.
What else can I say about Echo? Several characters and storylines from the early books (and even the Lord John series) return, but several new, very likeable characters are introduced as well. There were enough twists, turns, and mysteries to keep me glued to the pages... and I hope it won't take forever for the next Outlander book to come out because quite a few surprises happen late in this one and don't get resolved before the end.
June 21, 2021
There's always a sense of accomplishment when finishing one of Gabaldon's epic tomes.
It's fair to say now seven volumes in, it's easy to get use to the story beats to plow through.
Firstly it's nice to get reacquainted with the series characters with much of the opening sections reminding the reader where each are placed - it also firmly cements the four story lines that will take place over the course of this novel.
Much of the middle part follows the historical context with the time peiord firmly in the mist of the American Revolution.
The finale is always fast paced (and a little rushed?) but boy does Gabaldon make you want to read the next one after those final few chapters.
I personally found this to be the weakest in the series with the various changes in POV's. It probably didn't help that I wasn't overly keen on the Lord John Grey and William sections though I can understand why with William being in the army, he would take more of a prominent role in the plot.
Even though this was published before the Starz series, it's impossible not to hear Balfe and Heughan's voices as Claire and Jamie.
An unintentional quirk of Season 6 being reduced due to Covid means Season 7 will get extra episodes - which will probably aid this novels adaption.
When the story moves to an exciting sequence, it's so hard to put down.
But ultimately there's no escaping the high page count that make the more uninteresting parts much more of a slog than what this series needs to be.
It's fair to say now seven volumes in, it's easy to get use to the story beats to plow through.
Firstly it's nice to get reacquainted with the series characters with much of the opening sections reminding the reader where each are placed - it also firmly cements the four story lines that will take place over the course of this novel.
Much of the middle part follows the historical context with the time peiord firmly in the mist of the American Revolution.
The finale is always fast paced (and a little rushed?) but boy does Gabaldon make you want to read the next one after those final few chapters.
I personally found this to be the weakest in the series with the various changes in POV's. It probably didn't help that I wasn't overly keen on the Lord John Grey and William sections though I can understand why with William being in the army, he would take more of a prominent role in the plot.
Even though this was published before the Starz series, it's impossible not to hear Balfe and Heughan's voices as Claire and Jamie.
An unintentional quirk of Season 6 being reduced due to Covid means Season 7 will get extra episodes - which will probably aid this novels adaption.
When the story moves to an exciting sequence, it's so hard to put down.
But ultimately there's no escaping the high page count that make the more uninteresting parts much more of a slog than what this series needs to be.
October 4, 2009
And this is it for me and the Outlander series.
There is a section in the Outlandish Companion where Diana talks about authors who do so much research and then make their readers "pay" for it. Meaning, if the author read about it, she's going to put it in the book, regardless of how much it contributes to the actual story.
I think that Diana is now doing the same. I've been a loyal fan of hers since I first read Outlander, but I'm done. I can't deal with an endless series where just because she's now researching the whole damn War of Independence we need to find out about what a soldier's buttons say or whatever the next cute bit of minutiae she stumbled upon.
I don't feel like "paying" for it anymore. I didn't even buy this book because I was so wary of how it would turn out, and it was pretty much as I'd dreaded. Chapter upon chapter filled with hundreds of characters I don't even care about. I don't think I'll even request the future books from the library. Yes, books, because honestly, this whole scam of "oh, just one more book" has worn me out. First it was a trilogy; then it was six books, three for the Uprising and three for the New World; oh wait, it was eight books - oh, Diana just keeps finding more stuff to string us along.
I've already abandoned one series where I got tired of the author writing for herself - the Anita Blake series - and now I'm sad that I'm done with the Outlander series.
If I'm still alive when the last book in the series comes out, I'll go to Borders and see how it ended, but I won't pay with my money or my time any more.
There is a section in the Outlandish Companion where Diana talks about authors who do so much research and then make their readers "pay" for it. Meaning, if the author read about it, she's going to put it in the book, regardless of how much it contributes to the actual story.
I think that Diana is now doing the same. I've been a loyal fan of hers since I first read Outlander, but I'm done. I can't deal with an endless series where just because she's now researching the whole damn War of Independence we need to find out about what a soldier's buttons say or whatever the next cute bit of minutiae she stumbled upon.
I don't feel like "paying" for it anymore. I didn't even buy this book because I was so wary of how it would turn out, and it was pretty much as I'd dreaded. Chapter upon chapter filled with hundreds of characters I don't even care about. I don't think I'll even request the future books from the library. Yes, books, because honestly, this whole scam of "oh, just one more book" has worn me out. First it was a trilogy; then it was six books, three for the Uprising and three for the New World; oh wait, it was eight books - oh, Diana just keeps finding more stuff to string us along.
I've already abandoned one series where I got tired of the author writing for herself - the Anita Blake series - and now I'm sad that I'm done with the Outlander series.
If I'm still alive when the last book in the series comes out, I'll go to Borders and see how it ended, but I won't pay with my money or my time any more.
March 4, 2018
I'm back on the Outlander train...again. Mostly because I just want to finish this series!
I definitely dived into An Echo in the Bone without expectations. WHY? Well, because I already knew it was probably going to be like 100x longer than it needed to be. It might be poring in a ton of parts. I might not like it?
What do you get from this book? Well lots of POV's to start! We get Claire, Jamie, Brianna, Roger, Ian, John, William, and so much more! This made me so happy because I was kind of getting sick of reading from Claire's POV. Not that I hate the girl or anything.. but it was getting annoying and boring. Unfortunately, I was kind of getting annoyed with Brianna's POV because it was like reading from Claire's...
There is adventure in here too. Plus Claire and Jamie also find trouble.. or does trouble always find them?!? Either way the book makes you think they wont get from point A to point B but in the end they do. They always do.
The one POV I loved was probably from William. I don't really know how to explain it but it was refreshing to read from. I was definitely shipping him with Rachel!! Ugh, they were adorable!
Overall, I liked the book but I still found it boring and super long. Maybe if it was cut in half I would've enjoyed it more?
I definitely dived into An Echo in the Bone without expectations. WHY? Well, because I already knew it was probably going to be like 100x longer than it needed to be. It might be poring in a ton of parts. I might not like it?
What do you get from this book? Well lots of POV's to start! We get Claire, Jamie, Brianna, Roger, Ian, John, William, and so much more! This made me so happy because I was kind of getting sick of reading from Claire's POV. Not that I hate the girl or anything.. but it was getting annoying and boring. Unfortunately, I was kind of getting annoyed with Brianna's POV because it was like reading from Claire's...
There is adventure in here too. Plus Claire and Jamie also find trouble.. or does trouble always find them?!? Either way the book makes you think they wont get from point A to point B but in the end they do. They always do.
The one POV I loved was probably from William. I don't really know how to explain it but it was refreshing to read from. I was definitely shipping him with Rachel!! Ugh, they were adorable!
Overall, I liked the book but I still found it boring and super long. Maybe if it was cut in half I would've enjoyed it more?
September 2, 2024
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
5/5 stars
CAUTION, THISREVIEW WILL CONTAIN A LOT OF SPOILERS. SO BE WARNED!
This is the second time I read An Echo in the Bone and I still absolutelylove it. But I still hate that ** ending! I was hoping knowing what the ending was that I would deal with it better the second time around. But nope. My heart is still in anger mode and I wanna slap my dear Claire right in the face to knock some sense into our leading lady! I hope I am not the only one who struggles with it so much. I haven't read the next one yet. That'll be my first time. So I do hope an explanation will follow. And that it's a damn good one.
But apart from that I absolutely love this book. And because I don't like something Claire does, doesn't mean it's a bad book. I just hope I'll understand it someday.
I know a lot of people have been complaining about how unedited this book feels. But I just love this series. I love how overly detailed it is. How things get mentioned a hundred times. I am just a sucker that needs and devours every single detail. So like the rest of the books, I'm madly in love with this one as well.
And it's the little things that tug at my heart strings. Like Claire asking Jamie where he wants to be buried. And how he cannot ask it in return because he cannot think of her being dead. My heart just yearns for them.
I liked how Jamie's son William Ransom has a bigger part in this book. And how his bond evolves and is with his father John Grey. Especially the latter chapters I liked most. When he discovers who his father is and such.
I also liked reading about Bri, Roger, Jemmy and Mandy being in the present time. And how their lives are there. That plot twist in the end had me gasping! And it's unresolved so I'll dive straight into the next one! I just love how much Jemmy resembles Jamie in character and spirit. And Mandy has the same stubbornness as her mother and her grandmother. I love their family and how they work as a team.
That scene with Claire and Tom Christie really stood out to me. It was beautifully written and it added a really beautiful layer to this complex story that spans so much space and time.
The scene where Ian asks Claire if something is wrong with him after having lost two of his children. It broke my heart. But I also love how Claire can give him hope and perspective as well.
I was laughing out loud when Claire got her spectaclesand Jamie mocks her a little bit haha. It just reminds me so much of my own marriage and the bickering that I have with my own husband.
When Jamie, Claire and Ian arrive in Scotland. I think that might be the best part of the book. I was broken by Ian Murrey's condition. And seeing him slowly die was heartbreaking. I did love the reunion between Young Ian and his family.
And that fight between Jenny and Claire just said it all.
Laoghaire's scenes were very poignant and powerful as well. Especially the one after she gets the letter from Marsali asking her to ask Claire something. Resulting in Claire having to go back to the States alone. I always ache when Jamie and Claire are apart.
The last part of the book is a huge chunk where a lot of things happen. I don't want to spoil too much. Lots of things are unresolved and we need to read the next one to get some answers.
My heart broke several times.
HUMONGOUS SPOILER ALERT FOR AN IMPORTANT EVENT AT THE END OF THE BOOK.
I just need to talk about what I hated so **** much. Claire believing Jamie is dead and sleeping so quickly with John Grey. Yeah yeah I know he had to marry her to protect her. And the first time was that drunken stupor. But that second time. I hated both times. I know she was about to take her own life. But that was quickly resolved and pushed to the background. The way they talked afterwards. She was so at ease. And at certain times her grief is described. But I didn't feel her anguish in my bones. It felt very flat and I hated it. I don't understand how she could do it so quickly. Her pain in Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager is so palpable. But here. Nothing. Just absolutely nothing. I hope it gets talked about in the second book. But my heart is in pieces. I know she is a sexual person. But it felt like it was way too soon. Or even added for a shock value? I just do hope we get more clarification in the next book so that I can process and handle this scene better. Because for right now. It feels so out of character for Claire. She couldn't bear Frank's touch at first. And how it's like, hey come into my bed and that's that. All in the name of grief. But still. It didn't feel like grief. I wish Diana handled this differently. That she added more anguish, more pain. Or added her inner thoughts when it happened. I can handle it if she actually saw Jamie in her mind's eye. But now it just feels ugh.
I kinda try to process it like she dissociates a bit or something. Like the shock has her in this weird zone. And I do hope it'll be explained properly in the next one. So that is why I am not taking stars away from this story.
And maybe it is something I need to deal with on my own. And that my feelings aren't relevant at all. But yeah. I'll just take some time to process it.
So yeah overall another great installment in this wonderful series. And I can't wait to read the next one!
5 humongous stars from me to my favorite book couple ever!
5/5 stars
CAUTION, THISREVIEW WILL CONTAIN A LOT OF SPOILERS. SO BE WARNED!
This is the second time I read An Echo in the Bone and I still absolutelylove it. But I still hate that ** ending! I was hoping knowing what the ending was that I would deal with it better the second time around. But nope. My heart is still in anger mode and I wanna slap my dear Claire right in the face to knock some sense into our leading lady! I hope I am not the only one who struggles with it so much. I haven't read the next one yet. That'll be my first time. So I do hope an explanation will follow. And that it's a damn good one.
But apart from that I absolutely love this book. And because I don't like something Claire does, doesn't mean it's a bad book. I just hope I'll understand it someday.
I know a lot of people have been complaining about how unedited this book feels. But I just love this series. I love how overly detailed it is. How things get mentioned a hundred times. I am just a sucker that needs and devours every single detail. So like the rest of the books, I'm madly in love with this one as well.
And it's the little things that tug at my heart strings. Like Claire asking Jamie where he wants to be buried. And how he cannot ask it in return because he cannot think of her being dead. My heart just yearns for them.
I liked how Jamie's son William Ransom has a bigger part in this book. And how his bond evolves and is with his father John Grey. Especially the latter chapters I liked most. When he discovers who his father is and such.
I also liked reading about Bri, Roger, Jemmy and Mandy being in the present time. And how their lives are there. That plot twist in the end had me gasping! And it's unresolved so I'll dive straight into the next one! I just love how much Jemmy resembles Jamie in character and spirit. And Mandy has the same stubbornness as her mother and her grandmother. I love their family and how they work as a team.
That scene with Claire and Tom Christie really stood out to me. It was beautifully written and it added a really beautiful layer to this complex story that spans so much space and time.
The scene where Ian asks Claire if something is wrong with him after having lost two of his children. It broke my heart. But I also love how Claire can give him hope and perspective as well.
I was laughing out loud when Claire got her spectaclesand Jamie mocks her a little bit haha. It just reminds me so much of my own marriage and the bickering that I have with my own husband.
When Jamie, Claire and Ian arrive in Scotland. I think that might be the best part of the book. I was broken by Ian Murrey's condition. And seeing him slowly die was heartbreaking. I did love the reunion between Young Ian and his family.
And that fight between Jenny and Claire just said it all.
Laoghaire's scenes were very poignant and powerful as well. Especially the one after she gets the letter from Marsali asking her to ask Claire something. Resulting in Claire having to go back to the States alone. I always ache when Jamie and Claire are apart.
The last part of the book is a huge chunk where a lot of things happen. I don't want to spoil too much. Lots of things are unresolved and we need to read the next one to get some answers.
My heart broke several times.
HUMONGOUS SPOILER ALERT FOR AN IMPORTANT EVENT AT THE END OF THE BOOK.
I just need to talk about what I hated so **** much. Claire believing Jamie is dead and sleeping so quickly with John Grey. Yeah yeah I know he had to marry her to protect her. And the first time was that drunken stupor. But that second time. I hated both times. I know she was about to take her own life. But that was quickly resolved and pushed to the background. The way they talked afterwards. She was so at ease. And at certain times her grief is described. But I didn't feel her anguish in my bones. It felt very flat and I hated it. I don't understand how she could do it so quickly. Her pain in Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager is so palpable. But here. Nothing. Just absolutely nothing. I hope it gets talked about in the second book. But my heart is in pieces. I know she is a sexual person. But it felt like it was way too soon. Or even added for a shock value? I just do hope we get more clarification in the next book so that I can process and handle this scene better. Because for right now. It feels so out of character for Claire. She couldn't bear Frank's touch at first. And how it's like, hey come into my bed and that's that. All in the name of grief. But still. It didn't feel like grief. I wish Diana handled this differently. That she added more anguish, more pain. Or added her inner thoughts when it happened. I can handle it if she actually saw Jamie in her mind's eye. But now it just feels ugh.
I kinda try to process it like she dissociates a bit or something. Like the shock has her in this weird zone. And I do hope it'll be explained properly in the next one. So that is why I am not taking stars away from this story.
And maybe it is something I need to deal with on my own. And that my feelings aren't relevant at all. But yeah. I'll just take some time to process it.
So yeah overall another great installment in this wonderful series. And I can't wait to read the next one!
5 humongous stars from me to my favorite book couple ever!
November 9, 2009
I am an Outlander series fan. Yes I am. I love Jamie (to an embarrasing extent), Claire and the whole cast of random modern and 18th C. characters that fill the many, many pages of Gabaldon's books. While not fine literature, I can always count on her great storytelling to completely draw me into her world over and over again (to the detriment of my normal life, and my husband's chagrin).
That said, while I did enjoy this book there were a number of things about the writing that bothered me:
1. The author has another series of books based on a minor character from this series. This is the first time in the Outlander series that I felt lost because I hadn't read the Lord John series. Annoying.
2. Because so much time was spent developing this secondary story line, the main characters get the shaft. More than annoying.
There were a few other things that annoyed me (too much war/battle details - yawn, THE ENDING WAS CRAZY) but that I think will bother me less upon a second reading.
Yes, I read these books multiple times. Did I mention that I love Jamie?
That said, while I did enjoy this book there were a number of things about the writing that bothered me:
1. The author has another series of books based on a minor character from this series. This is the first time in the Outlander series that I felt lost because I hadn't read the Lord John series. Annoying.
2. Because so much time was spent developing this secondary story line, the main characters get the shaft. More than annoying.
There were a few other things that annoyed me (too much war/battle details - yawn, THE ENDING WAS CRAZY) but that I think will bother me less upon a second reading.
Yes, I read these books multiple times. Did I mention that I love Jamie?
September 1, 2017
Le pongo tres a regañadientes... Me ha sobrado mucho rollo bélico y médico que no hacía sino ralentizar la narración. Diana se documenta, vale, pero no veo necesario tanto detalle en cosas que no aportan nada. Luego llega a los últimos capítulos, se fuma un porro y mete el acelerador, además de hacer que algunos personajes actúen de forma más que rara. Si lo leéis y os empieza a parecer un rollo, hacedme caso y pasad páginas cuando le dé por describir cómo operar una almorrana.
December 22, 2016
HOKAY SO. I have now made it through seven books of this series, which is basically like twenty-one normal-sized books, or fourteen above average-sized ones. All this to say I HAVE DONE HARD WORK NOW GIVE ME TACOS. I was going to type "cookies", but dammit I really want some tacos right now. Also, on the last Jane the Virgin episode, I was introduced to the concept of the Venezuelan miracle food, , and I am now obsessed with trying one, except there's only one Venezuelan eatery in my city, and it's a food truck and FOOD TRUCKS MOVE YOU GUYS. This will be my project for 2017. Tracking down an arepa and eating it so hard. Quite possibly trying all the arepas they have. Unless I hate arepas and then I will stop after one. (This is not likely.)
So this book was good! It still took me about two months to read, but that's because I read the first 300-ish pages and then put it down for two months because I got distracted by shiny things like a damn raccoon. I finished the last 800 pages in about three days when I finally picked it back up. We still haven't reached the level of interest and engagement I had when reading books 1-3, but this was at least Drums of Autumn-level engagement. I think I just have to come to terms with the fact that DG will never again write a book with as much narrative tension as she did with Voyager (still my favorite of the series so far).
There's still some bloat here, which accounts for why I was able to put it down for so long without feeling a real need to pick it back up again. I appreciate that she wants Jamie's illegitimate son William to be a more fleshed out character, but what he gets up to in this book isn't really super engaging. His most interesting moments come when he's interacting with characters we already know and love (Bree, Ian, Lord John). The first third of this was somewhat interesting, but really a lot of it could have been cut out, especially since I thought the last hundred pages (full of some really important happenings) was rushed. I would have liked more lingering on some of that stuff, which was really emotional.
The stage is set for an interesting eighth book, though, and my interest in this series has definitely been re-engaged. I'd been told this would happen if I could just get through books five and six, but it's a relief to have it confirmed. I like liking this series. I don't like thinking it's a slog. So yes, people, if you're reading this and wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is Outlander, I will say to you, yes. Keep going!
Not sure when I'll get to the next one. I'm tempted to save it for closer to either the release of season three of the show or closer to the release date of the ninth book. Guess we'll see!
(I realize this review was a third about arepas and tacos, and I don't care. PUT THEM IN MY MOUTH.)
So this book was good! It still took me about two months to read, but that's because I read the first 300-ish pages and then put it down for two months because I got distracted by shiny things like a damn raccoon. I finished the last 800 pages in about three days when I finally picked it back up. We still haven't reached the level of interest and engagement I had when reading books 1-3, but this was at least Drums of Autumn-level engagement. I think I just have to come to terms with the fact that DG will never again write a book with as much narrative tension as she did with Voyager (still my favorite of the series so far).
There's still some bloat here, which accounts for why I was able to put it down for so long without feeling a real need to pick it back up again. I appreciate that she wants Jamie's illegitimate son William to be a more fleshed out character, but what he gets up to in this book isn't really super engaging. His most interesting moments come when he's interacting with characters we already know and love (Bree, Ian, Lord John). The first third of this was somewhat interesting, but really a lot of it could have been cut out, especially since I thought the last hundred pages (full of some really important happenings) was rushed. I would have liked more lingering on some of that stuff, which was really emotional.
The stage is set for an interesting eighth book, though, and my interest in this series has definitely been re-engaged. I'd been told this would happen if I could just get through books five and six, but it's a relief to have it confirmed. I like liking this series. I don't like thinking it's a slog. So yes, people, if you're reading this and wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is Outlander, I will say to you, yes. Keep going!
Not sure when I'll get to the next one. I'm tempted to save it for closer to either the release of season three of the show or closer to the release date of the ninth book. Guess we'll see!
(I realize this review was a third about arepas and tacos, and I don't care. PUT THEM IN MY MOUTH.)
Read
October 5, 2022I'm dnfing this series for probably forever. The ebook is over 2000 pages long and I just don't care enough to read those after those about this people. If it had been 500+ pages long or shorter I'd probably finish the series but this goes on forever. When I'm finally finished with one there is one more that is just as long or longer. I don't want my reading to feel like a chore or take forever to finish.
January 2, 2010
LOVED Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager, but this book was *Simply Horrible*. Plodding, too much description of certain events that are of zero importance to the overall plot (usually medical), the rehash of old themes and introduction of new, just plain ridiculous ones made this almost painful to read. Thank goodness I took it out from the library and didn't waste my money or shelf space on it.
Obviously I am quite disappointed in this latest installment of Jamie and Claire, because there is so little of interest happening between of these two. I agree with another reviewer that I couldn't remember who 80% of the plethora of characters in the book were (and she didn't refresh us), and adding a whole host more made it even muddier.. Add in the back and forth thing... no thanks.
I think that the series started going downhill with the Revolutionary War, and I stand by that. Sadly, I don't think I'll be reading any more of them because it will further taint the magic that Outlander once was.
Obviously I am quite disappointed in this latest installment of Jamie and Claire, because there is so little of interest happening between of these two. I agree with another reviewer that I couldn't remember who 80% of the plethora of characters in the book were (and she didn't refresh us), and adding a whole host more made it even muddier.. Add in the back and forth thing... no thanks.
I think that the series started going downhill with the Revolutionary War, and I stand by that. Sadly, I don't think I'll be reading any more of them because it will further taint the magic that Outlander once was.
December 19, 2012
4.5 �'s
There's really no way to do a review without spoilers so I'm just going to write down some thoughts.
Wow...I really can't believe I'm finally at this point - being all caught up with the Outlander books. I've always heard how everyone loves them but the sheer size of them is just scary! However, they are definitely an adventure not to be missed.
I decided to let myself kick back and enjoy them and enjoy them I did. What a treat! I loved getting to know all these characters...loving some of them, hating the others and some I was seriously surprised at how much I came to like.
Diana Gabaldon doesn't do anything half way and I guess that explains why the books are taking so long to write now. I'm thankful that I don't have to wait four years for the next one but I'll be with you guys for the ones after that.
I think that's the main problem with her books. Everything is in such detail and it makes you feel like you are literally there. Whenever she writes about lice, I swear I'm itchy for days! I'm not a big fan of wars and tales about the Indians and medical procedures but I do have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I've probably learned a few things here and there. The bad part is that there is no way to remember everything that has happened! I feel for the most part that she does a good job catching you back up because I'm not sure I could read these all again...not for a while!
Sooo...some thoughts on the book:
I LOVE Jamie and Claire and I can't imagine that ever changing. Their love story is truly the heart of the book and I don't ever want to think of that ending! Some parts of this book made me hesitate though and one part at the end that was left unresolved has me worried!
Roger, Brianne, Jem and Amanda hold a special place for me as well. I love hearing about the 'connection' between Jem and Mandy but I can't believe what happened!! At that point, I was thankful for William MacKenzie but I'm still worried about Roger.
I really enjoyed getting to know Willie better. All the hits and misses were great but the ending was crazy and my mind is going a million different directions on what DG will come up with.
I loved everything about Ian even though Arch Bug gave it a whole creepy factor. I'm so happy about Rachel...I really hope we get some happiness there. And of course, Rollo helped save the day!
It was great when Jamie and Claire went back to Lallybroch. I was hoping things would settle better between Claire and Jenny and they still might. Things were really sad about Ian (Sr.) but I thought the part with Jamie's finger was really touching. I didn't like anything about Laoghaire but I was glad that things seemed to work out for everyone.
There are sooo many other characters that it would take forever to touch on everyone and every event. There are a lot of touching and sweet moments that I really enjoyed such as Jamie and Claire getting glasses! I thought that was great! And don't even get me started on Tom Christie!
I had read the blurb for the next book so thankfully I wasn't terribly upset when certain events happened. I'm just glad that the things I thought were spoilers were addressed in this book...that would have been terrible to be left hanging from those events! Can Fall 2013 get here any faster?
Favorite quotes:
� "I canna think of yea dead, Claire. Anything else--but not that. I can't."
� “But ye couldna weep for the bairns. Or the house. Or your wee garden. Or the poor dead lass and her bairn. But if ye weep for your cheetie, ye know ye can stop.�
“How do you know that?� My voice was thick, but the band round my chest was not quite so tight. He made a small, rueful sound.
“Because I canna weep for those things, either, Sassenach. And I havena got a cat.�
� “Then I grew older still, and discovered that, after all, it was true. I am the son of a great man.�
The hook touched Jamie’s hand, hard and capable.
“I wish for nothing more.�
There's really no way to do a review without spoilers so I'm just going to write down some thoughts.
Wow...I really can't believe I'm finally at this point - being all caught up with the Outlander books. I've always heard how everyone loves them but the sheer size of them is just scary! However, they are definitely an adventure not to be missed.
I decided to let myself kick back and enjoy them and enjoy them I did. What a treat! I loved getting to know all these characters...loving some of them, hating the others and some I was seriously surprised at how much I came to like.
Diana Gabaldon doesn't do anything half way and I guess that explains why the books are taking so long to write now. I'm thankful that I don't have to wait four years for the next one but I'll be with you guys for the ones after that.
I think that's the main problem with her books. Everything is in such detail and it makes you feel like you are literally there. Whenever she writes about lice, I swear I'm itchy for days! I'm not a big fan of wars and tales about the Indians and medical procedures but I do have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I've probably learned a few things here and there. The bad part is that there is no way to remember everything that has happened! I feel for the most part that she does a good job catching you back up because I'm not sure I could read these all again...not for a while!
Sooo...some thoughts on the book:
I LOVE Jamie and Claire and I can't imagine that ever changing. Their love story is truly the heart of the book and I don't ever want to think of that ending! Some parts of this book made me hesitate though and one part at the end that was left unresolved has me worried!
Roger, Brianne, Jem and Amanda hold a special place for me as well. I love hearing about the 'connection' between Jem and Mandy but I can't believe what happened!! At that point, I was thankful for William MacKenzie but I'm still worried about Roger.
I really enjoyed getting to know Willie better. All the hits and misses were great but the ending was crazy and my mind is going a million different directions on what DG will come up with.
I loved everything about Ian even though Arch Bug gave it a whole creepy factor. I'm so happy about Rachel...I really hope we get some happiness there. And of course, Rollo helped save the day!
It was great when Jamie and Claire went back to Lallybroch. I was hoping things would settle better between Claire and Jenny and they still might. Things were really sad about Ian (Sr.) but I thought the part with Jamie's finger was really touching. I didn't like anything about Laoghaire but I was glad that things seemed to work out for everyone.
There are sooo many other characters that it would take forever to touch on everyone and every event. There are a lot of touching and sweet moments that I really enjoyed such as Jamie and Claire getting glasses! I thought that was great! And don't even get me started on Tom Christie!
I had read the blurb for the next book so thankfully I wasn't terribly upset when certain events happened. I'm just glad that the things I thought were spoilers were addressed in this book...that would have been terrible to be left hanging from those events! Can Fall 2013 get here any faster?
Favorite quotes:
� "I canna think of yea dead, Claire. Anything else--but not that. I can't."
� “But ye couldna weep for the bairns. Or the house. Or your wee garden. Or the poor dead lass and her bairn. But if ye weep for your cheetie, ye know ye can stop.�
“How do you know that?� My voice was thick, but the band round my chest was not quite so tight. He made a small, rueful sound.
“Because I canna weep for those things, either, Sassenach. And I havena got a cat.�
� “Then I grew older still, and discovered that, after all, it was true. I am the son of a great man.�
The hook touched Jamie’s hand, hard and capable.
“I wish for nothing more.�
August 27, 2016
Update January 2014: Finished the audiobook, completing my mammoth challenge of listening to all the Outlander books (which took most of 2013). This has really helped me keep track of the characters and thus enjoy the story more, and I've warmed a bit to Brianna (still wouldn't want to live with her) and definitely to Roger, whom I now rather like and feel sorry for because he's living with Brianna. Davina Porter continues to be an excellent narrator, although why she's given Percy such a stagey French accent beats me. Yes, I know he's pretending to be French but--but--but-- Oh whatever, I will be looking out for the audiobook of Written In My Own Heart's Blood, the next installment.
Original review:
An Echo In The Bone is, I believe, the 7th book in the long-running Outlander series. On the whole, I've enjoyed Gabaldon's mix of historical novel and sci-fi, even if some of the plotlines have appealed far less than others. I suppose that's not surprising, really, given that we must have had at least 4,000 pages of Jamie and Claire so far, and no novelist can be expected to keep you 100% spellbound over such a long stretch. Gabaldon tries, though: larger-than-life characters (who are improbably attracted to one another, even when unwashed and bleeding, as frequently happens, and have impressively good sex amidst the direst of circumstances); oodles of historical detail; plenty of accents, wee bits o'Gaelic (and sometimes Mohawk) to vary the dialog, and a somewhat predictable OH NO SOMETHING TERRIBLE'S HAPPENED TO JAMIE PHEW HE'S OK OH NO SOMETHING TERRIBLE'S HAPPENED TO CLAIRE... structure that reminds me of a Penelope Pitstop cartoon (and I think it's meant to: Gabaldon writes with her tongue firmly in her cheek.)
I enjoyed this book more than some of the others, and relished some of the funnier aspects of the ending. Gabaldon leaves lots of loose ends dangling for the next book to solve, and I am quite looking forward to the next instalment. Where will it all end, I wonder? Claire and Jamie must be in their sixties by now - will they ever slow down? Will they form a ménage à trois with Lord John? Is Rob a time traveler or just a git?
If you haven't read the Outlander series, I'd recommend starting at the beginning rather than here. See you in about 4,000 pages. I usually start going around talking wi' a Scotch accent after about 200, so be warned. I'll give it two sporrans up for entertainment value.
Original review:
An Echo In The Bone is, I believe, the 7th book in the long-running Outlander series. On the whole, I've enjoyed Gabaldon's mix of historical novel and sci-fi, even if some of the plotlines have appealed far less than others. I suppose that's not surprising, really, given that we must have had at least 4,000 pages of Jamie and Claire so far, and no novelist can be expected to keep you 100% spellbound over such a long stretch. Gabaldon tries, though: larger-than-life characters (who are improbably attracted to one another, even when unwashed and bleeding, as frequently happens, and have impressively good sex amidst the direst of circumstances); oodles of historical detail; plenty of accents, wee bits o'Gaelic (and sometimes Mohawk) to vary the dialog, and a somewhat predictable OH NO SOMETHING TERRIBLE'S HAPPENED TO JAMIE PHEW HE'S OK OH NO SOMETHING TERRIBLE'S HAPPENED TO CLAIRE... structure that reminds me of a Penelope Pitstop cartoon (and I think it's meant to: Gabaldon writes with her tongue firmly in her cheek.)
I enjoyed this book more than some of the others, and relished some of the funnier aspects of the ending. Gabaldon leaves lots of loose ends dangling for the next book to solve, and I am quite looking forward to the next instalment. Where will it all end, I wonder? Claire and Jamie must be in their sixties by now - will they ever slow down? Will they form a ménage à trois with Lord John? Is Rob a time traveler or just a git?
If you haven't read the Outlander series, I'd recommend starting at the beginning rather than here. See you in about 4,000 pages. I usually start going around talking wi' a Scotch accent after about 200, so be warned. I'll give it two sporrans up for entertainment value.
October 12, 2019
It kept me interested but was, as ever, SO FRUSTRATING!
One more book to go...
One more book to go...
October 13, 2009
I find myself now thankful that there's only one book left in this series. While I don't regret the time spent on Echo and will certainly read the Outlander conclusion when it's available in 4? years, I'm ready to let this series go.
Historical detail was as always fascinating and the characters are still for the most part engaging and moving, but this volume interweaved way too many story lines and ended up feeling disjointed. Add in a few plot "twists" which are starting to feel cliched and overused (more kidnapping! more time travelers!) and it just feels like it's past time to move on.
Historical detail was as always fascinating and the characters are still for the most part engaging and moving, but this volume interweaved way too many story lines and ended up feeling disjointed. Add in a few plot "twists" which are starting to feel cliched and overused (more kidnapping! more time travelers!) and it just feels like it's past time to move on.
January 14, 2014
5 STARS!!!!! EPIC SERIES!!!! And still more to come!!!!
What a ride this has been!!!! It has taken me half a year, yes 6 months to get through this fabulous series. I embarked on my quest of audio books back in July of 2013, and I have finally reached the end of my journey... so far, as there will be another book out in the series later this year. AND.... a TV mini-series on STARZ© airing in March 2014!!!!!!
Words can not express my love for this series, and my devotion to the author. They will always hold a special place in my heart. I have truly come to fall in love with the characters and their stories. I feel like I have been living their lives right along with them, experiencing the pains and joys of their lives as if they were my own.
I also have to mention that I am in awe of the level of research and preparation that has been put into these books. While I know they are fiction, they are set in within history. Using the real events of the times to play into the drama of the character's daily lives. And quite educational at that. In fact they have sparked my interest in World and American History causing me to seek out other references to the real life accounts of these historical events.
I am not going to go into specifics of the story in this review, as this story is on-going from book to book, and it is difficult to rate one segment of someone's life as better than the rest. Yes, I do have my favorite segments of the story... but they are all part of a bigger picture in my mind, like one giant book. That is why I gave them all the same rating. And the story in not finished. There are still many questions left unanswered, and events in progress. And for an author to capture your interest for this long.. and keep it peaked, is amazing in itself.
Lastly, I just want to mention the narrator of these audio books. I chose to read these via audio because I didn't want to take up all of my reading time with such lengthy tomes. And they are LENGTHY!!!! Even the audio books take a good bit of time. But I can listen while doing other things, which makes it easier for me to get through longer texts without hassle. I also realized that many times a narrator can either make or break an audio book for the reader.
Well, in this case, Devina Porter, the narrator of this series completely MADE the story come to life for me. She has been my constant companion for 6 months now, and I will miss spending time with her each day. Her accents and acting ability baffles the mind. And her ability to create and distinguish characters, both male and female, English, Scottish, Irish, American, and even African slave has completely BLOWN MY MIND!!!!! BRAVO Ms. Porter, and thank you for bringing this story to life in such a memorable way!!!! I highly recommend these audio books to anyone wishing to take on this series, but is wary due to it's mere length. You will not be disappointed.
Well I've said more than I intended. The next book.. will be released on June 10 2014, according to the author's website. And the TV series on STARZ is set to start in March 2014!!!!
These books will be on my all time favorites list for all time!!!!!
5 STARS for the OUTLANDER SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!
What a ride this has been!!!! It has taken me half a year, yes 6 months to get through this fabulous series. I embarked on my quest of audio books back in July of 2013, and I have finally reached the end of my journey... so far, as there will be another book out in the series later this year. AND.... a TV mini-series on STARZ© airing in March 2014!!!!!!
Words can not express my love for this series, and my devotion to the author. They will always hold a special place in my heart. I have truly come to fall in love with the characters and their stories. I feel like I have been living their lives right along with them, experiencing the pains and joys of their lives as if they were my own.
I also have to mention that I am in awe of the level of research and preparation that has been put into these books. While I know they are fiction, they are set in within history. Using the real events of the times to play into the drama of the character's daily lives. And quite educational at that. In fact they have sparked my interest in World and American History causing me to seek out other references to the real life accounts of these historical events.
I am not going to go into specifics of the story in this review, as this story is on-going from book to book, and it is difficult to rate one segment of someone's life as better than the rest. Yes, I do have my favorite segments of the story... but they are all part of a bigger picture in my mind, like one giant book. That is why I gave them all the same rating. And the story in not finished. There are still many questions left unanswered, and events in progress. And for an author to capture your interest for this long.. and keep it peaked, is amazing in itself.
Lastly, I just want to mention the narrator of these audio books. I chose to read these via audio because I didn't want to take up all of my reading time with such lengthy tomes. And they are LENGTHY!!!! Even the audio books take a good bit of time. But I can listen while doing other things, which makes it easier for me to get through longer texts without hassle. I also realized that many times a narrator can either make or break an audio book for the reader.
Well, in this case, Devina Porter, the narrator of this series completely MADE the story come to life for me. She has been my constant companion for 6 months now, and I will miss spending time with her each day. Her accents and acting ability baffles the mind. And her ability to create and distinguish characters, both male and female, English, Scottish, Irish, American, and even African slave has completely BLOWN MY MIND!!!!! BRAVO Ms. Porter, and thank you for bringing this story to life in such a memorable way!!!! I highly recommend these audio books to anyone wishing to take on this series, but is wary due to it's mere length. You will not be disappointed.
Well I've said more than I intended. The next book.. will be released on June 10 2014, according to the author's website. And the TV series on STARZ is set to start in March 2014!!!!
These books will be on my all time favorites list for all time!!!!!
5 STARS for the OUTLANDER SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!
September 1, 2017
This took me forever to read! I almost gave up, the first half of the book is mostly about William and parts were boring. I wanted more Jamie and Claire!
I'm glad I stuck with it, the second half was great! I look forward to the next one.
I'm glad I stuck with it, the second half was great! I look forward to the next one.
February 21, 2011
I should start off with a giant disclaimer that I am blinded by all things Outlander. Even an Outlander book with some problems is a 5 star book for me. The characters that I know and love more than make up for any qualms I have with the storyline. I don't think I have ever read a book with bigger cliffhangers than this one. A lot of criticisms I have read regarding the book center around the fact that so many different plot lines are left completely unresolved. I have to say it doesn't really bother me, because I know Diana is writing an 8th book and all will be well in the world of Jamie and Claire. That's not to say that I am patiently waiting for the next book, far from it! I CAN'T WAIT to find out what happens and I'm going to devour the next book the second it comes out. As for what did bother me...
But, I think though that my absolute favorite part about Echo is seeing the evolution of the characters. I think that it is nothing short of amazing that Diana can write about the same characters over and over again and still make them grow and evolve as people. I loved reading Echo and thinking back to what Jamie and Claire were like in Outlander and even young Ian in earlier books. They really have grown up and grown older. I think that that is the key to what makes Jamie, Claire, and the rest so lovable and so real; Diana writes them as if they are real people who grow, change, and live. I know them and love them and can't wait to see what happens next.
Re-read Update (2/21/2011): I just finished re-reading the entire Outlander series and all of the Lord John books/novellas. I definitely enjoyed Echo much better the second time around. Although DG has written Echo in such a way that you don't necessarily have to have read the Lord John stories to figure out who certain characters are, I don't think that Echo can be fully appreciated unless you've read them. I highly recommend reading them first. The first time I read Echo, I thought there was a little too much of Lord John, but it really didn't bother me on my second read (possibly because I've read the Lord John stories and enjoy him as a character even more now). Rachel Hunter's character also seemed a little weak to me on my initial read, but I liked her more the second time around. However, I would still like to see her character developed more. What did still bother me on my re-read was the whole Lord John-Claire-Jamie development. It just feels overly fabricated to me. Part Six of Echo was probably my favorite section (I can't even count how many times I got teary-eyed during that Part), but it just goes downhill in Part Seven. I wish DG had ended Echo at Part Six (obviously adding a little extra for finesse) and left Part Seven for the beginning of Book Eight. Echo is what it is though and I'm very glad I read it a second time. 5 Stars.
But, I think though that my absolute favorite part about Echo is seeing the evolution of the characters. I think that it is nothing short of amazing that Diana can write about the same characters over and over again and still make them grow and evolve as people. I loved reading Echo and thinking back to what Jamie and Claire were like in Outlander and even young Ian in earlier books. They really have grown up and grown older. I think that that is the key to what makes Jamie, Claire, and the rest so lovable and so real; Diana writes them as if they are real people who grow, change, and live. I know them and love them and can't wait to see what happens next.
Re-read Update (2/21/2011): I just finished re-reading the entire Outlander series and all of the Lord John books/novellas. I definitely enjoyed Echo much better the second time around. Although DG has written Echo in such a way that you don't necessarily have to have read the Lord John stories to figure out who certain characters are, I don't think that Echo can be fully appreciated unless you've read them. I highly recommend reading them first. The first time I read Echo, I thought there was a little too much of Lord John, but it really didn't bother me on my second read (possibly because I've read the Lord John stories and enjoy him as a character even more now). Rachel Hunter's character also seemed a little weak to me on my initial read, but I liked her more the second time around. However, I would still like to see her character developed more. What did still bother me on my re-read was the whole Lord John-Claire-Jamie development. It just feels overly fabricated to me. Part Six of Echo was probably my favorite section (I can't even count how many times I got teary-eyed during that Part), but it just goes downhill in Part Seven. I wish DG had ended Echo at Part Six (obviously adding a little extra for finesse) and left Part Seven for the beginning of Book Eight. Echo is what it is though and I'm very glad I read it a second time. 5 Stars.
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