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Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4)

by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author)

4.31 of 5 stars 4.31 · rating details · 54,730 ratings · 2,040 reviews

The magnificent saga continues....It began in Scotland, at an ancient stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past--or the grave. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once but twice. Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became legend--a tale of tragic passion tha...more

ebook, 880 pages

Published October 26th 2004 by Dell (first published 1996)

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Jun 03, 2012 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction-romance, kindle, hot-highlanders, time-travel, favorites

First half of this book was fairly slow, but the second half blew me away. I especially loved watching Brianna and Roger's relationship blossom.

Roger Mackenzie

Jamie Fraser

These characters are a pleasure to read, it's like coming home to family. Loved it!

27 likes · like · see review

Sep 19, 2011 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: highlanders, historical-romance, time-travel, colonial-frontier, favorite-couple, 4-star, favorite-hero, diana-gabaldon, continuing-story, historical-fiction

Wow! I loved the ending of this book. I especially loved the birth scene. It was funny, touching, and made me cry. Finally! Jamie has a grandson that's truly his own. Someone to help make up for the loss he's suffered in being denied the opportunity raise his own children. If anyone deserves lots of grand-babies, it's Jamie.

I love Lord John in this book. He kinda became my hero. Shocking, I know, considering how much I disliked him in the last book. He's charming, witty, and very sweet in this...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jan 23, 2008 k8lane rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who wouldn't ever read a romance novel, history buffs

Gabaldon's sex-ridden, hugely researched, academically adventurous, time travel/sci-fi meets historical romance novels qualify as trash novels for lit nerds -- they're absolutely a guilty pleasure. From clan warfare to herbal medicine to genealogy to British history to WWII, the books are packed with information (what little Gaelic I know started with these book). Bonus: the heroine gets to have many, many rolls in the hay with a handsome hard-bodied Highlander. Can't really go wrong.

The books w...more

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Nov 29, 2009 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of historical fiction

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, romance

Fourth in the Outlander series.

Claire, now a doctor, is living with Jamie in pre-revolutionary America. Brianna is back in contemporary Boston, feeling lost and abandoned. When she makes a frightening discovery about her mother, she sets off through the circle of stones to save her parents. Roger, in love with Brianna, follows.

The path of true love continues to be a rocky one, for both sets of lovers...

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 25, 2008 Za rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I too, am one of those folks that was totally in love with Outlander and, despite some rather graphic violence, thought it was a good enough book that I have continued to read the series up to this one. Unforunately, like most series, this one does not get better. By this book DG is reusing plots that we've already seen and the characters are becoming two dimensional caricatures of themselves. Jamie, the tough masculine hero, Claire, the strong and fiesty woman that knows how to handle her man,...more

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Sep 18, 2008 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, I'm giving this a five. Not because it's the best book I've ever read, but because it's my favorite by far of all of the rest in the series.

I smiled the whole way through (well, not really because there were some pretty intense moments in it) and I LOVED reading all of the reunions. I loved reading about Brianna and Roger. I loved that Brianna made me upset with her naive ways. I loved young Ian. I loved John Grey. I loved Roger. It was just good, OK? I laughed, I almost cried ;), I got real...more

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May 01, 2013 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, did-not-finish, 2013

Oh no! Library due date tomorrow and I'm only halfway through listening :( And there is a queue so I can't renew.

My plans to listen to this story seem to be cursed - first time the discs skipped so much with no compassion for my nerves.

Now, because I was listening to another story on CD - which I might add, didn't finish cause I didn't like it - there wasn't enough time to finish it up.

I shall renew my efforts to get this story AGAIN and finally finish it!

* * * * * * * * * *

Finally was able to...more Oh no! Library due date tomorrow and I'm only halfway through listening :( And there is a queue so I can't renew.

My plans to listen to this story seem to be cursed - first time the discs skipped so much with no compassion for my nerves.

Now, because I was listening to another story on CD - which I might add, didn't finish cause I didn't like it - there wasn't enough time to finish it up.

I shall renew my efforts to get this story AGAIN and finally finish it!

* * * * * * * * * *

Finally was able to finish up this massive audio. I enjoyed it for the most part, but did have a few issues with the story.

First, I thought for sure I'd enjoy the story much better while in Scotland as the America part seemed to be a bit slower and more detailed, sometimes interesting, sometimes borderline interesting. However, eventually I got so wrapped up in the story, I found myself relishing every little detail of the daily life and struggle the characters faced. I was even introduced to the organic smells of the woods, a house and even people of that time.

However, the whole Brianna/Bonnet/Jamie thing didn't give me those warm and fuzzy feelings with the story. First - this contains spoilers so you are warned - I found Jamie's actions towards his beloved daughter over the top for such a civilized guy. His physical abuse to get his point across came off as completely unbelievable in that he would abuse his own flesh and blood and not think that she may miscarry. Why couldn't he just TELL her? I didn't think that Brianna was so dim-witted she wouldn't get that she was not responsible for her encounter with Stephen.

Next, when Roger was rescued from the Indians, Jamie said how they all were put to alot of trouble by this. Hello?! Jamie was the one who SOLD him to the Indians. I thought that was a stupid thing to think on his part. Not only was he overreacting, I thought, to Roger, he was stubborn to a fault by not giving the guy a chance to explain or prove what he said was true. He even was showing quite a bit of resentment to Roger after the rescue, even though they supposedly let bygones be bygones.

This is quite a different behavior in view of his treatment of Brianna earlier, from physically bullying to ~~force~~ prove that his opinion was completely right to the over-protection shown to her when Roger appeared on the scene. Had my head spinning, and I'm not even sure that I like Jamie as much as I did before all this happened.

I enjoyed the characters of Brianna and Roger alot. I wished there were more contemporary 1969 parts of the story as I found those pretty interesting, but whatever. I got just enough to know what they were about.

All in all, I mostly liked it with these few exceptions.(less)

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Nov 06, 2011 Tash rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Haaaaaa got done reading it! Every time I complete a DG book I feel like I’ve climbed Mt. Everest lol. Anyways, I have to say I enjoyed this book. Though it didn’t leave me quite breathless and speechless like Outlander or Dragonfly in Amber and was little um..‘bland’ overall but it’s way way way better that Voyager imo. I felt this book was a little different than the previous three because it did not really have an action filled climax/ending. This was more of an emotional kind of book. It’s o...more Haaaaaa got done reading it! Every time I complete a DG book I feel like I’ve climbed Mt. Everest lol. Anyways, I have to say I enjoyed this book. Though it didn’t leave me quite breathless and speechless like Outlander or Dragonfly in Amber and was little um..‘bland’ overall but it’s way way way better that Voyager imo. I felt this book was a little different than the previous three because it did not really have an action filled climax/ending. This was more of an emotional kind of book. It’s one of those books that makes me think ‘I wish there was ½ star’. I would’ve given it 4.5 stars if I could.
I got to see a new side of Jamie’s personality in this book – the obsessively possessive father. I found it very interesting how he used to get jealous everytime Bree spoke about Roger. But I understand why he feels that way – poor boy have been living alone for twenty years and suddenly he got everything back. But I did enjoy reading Jamie’s dislike for Roger – he’s a verra amusing father-in-law. Never in my dreames I thought Jamie would be like THIS with his son-inlaw.
There were so many kinds of different entertaining interactions between the character’s like Bree-Jamie, Roger-Jamie, Brianna-Lord John Grey, I enjoyed them all thoroughly. In the previous books Bree seemed like a spoiled brat to me but I became her fan in this book (I loved how strong she was even after Bonnet raped her). I love love love Roger and felt very bad for the poor boy during all his sufferings. And Lord John Grey… *sigh* I hated him in Voyager but now I think I have a crush on him lol.
My fav scenes were Jamie-Bree’s reunion and the scene between Jamie and Willie beside the fire. I felt soooooooooo bad for wee Ian when he left with the Indians. I was shocked that Jamie, our superman JAMIE didn't try to save his nephew, I felt that was very unlike Jamie and his character. The wee lad sacrificed everything for them and he didn't try to even save him?! I also felt very very mad during the Roger beating part, that was the third time I wanted to kill Jamie (first two was in Voyager - when Leghair's daughter came in the room 'Daddy!' Gawd I wanted to do worse than killing him and second when he hugged LJG and he told Claire about their verra enjoyable lip-lock grrrr). I also found it little strange that there was not much Fergus in this book.
Overall it’s not as good as the first two but better that the third one. Have to start Fiery cross now.
(less)

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Aug 09, 2010 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who like Gabaldon's writing and bodice-rippers

Shelves: 2010, historical

As far as Outlander novels go, Drums of Autumn is the most bodice-ripperish out of the 4 I've read so far. Mainly, because the entire book is plotted around a MISUNDERSTANDING that could have been resolved with one adult conversation. Oh, how I hate those in romance novels!

Here is how it goes. In this installment Claire and Jamie are in America establishing a Scottish colony in North Carolina, of course not without a fair share of difficulties and misfortunes. Two hundred years into future Brian...more As far as Outlander novels go, Drums of Autumn is the most bodice-ripperish out of the 4 I've read so far. Mainly, because the entire book is plotted around a MISUNDERSTANDING that could have been resolved with one adult conversation. Oh, how I hate those in romance novels!

Here is how it goes. In this installment Claire and Jamie are in America establishing a Scottish colony in North Carolina, of course not without a fair share of difficulties and misfortunes. Two hundred years into future Brianna discovers information that forces her to risk her life and travel back in time in secret to visit her parents and possibly change their destiny. Roger, Brianna's fiancee, follows her and the couple immediately consummate their relationship. A mix-up concerning Roger's identity (specifically, his last name) is what drives the main conflict of this novel. This tiny misunderstanding leads to a series of pretty dramatic events.

It's not a secret that while Diana Gabaldon is a great storyteller, she is a weak plotter. She admits so herself, saying that she assembles her book as a puzzle, first writing separate scenes and then piecing them together with a plot. Thus very often her plots are overridden with very unlikely coincidences and sometimes deus ex machina. Drums of Autumn is no exception, but here the entire misunderstanding twist is just way overdone and makes some characters (particularly, to my chagrin, Jamie) act like complete idiots.

Another hot button issue for me is this: does every character in the Outlander series have to get raped at some point? There is a new addition to the list of Lord John, Jamie, Claire, and Fergus. I mean, enough already with the sexual abuse! I am sure even 200 years ago not everyone was assaulted, right?

Brianna and Roger's relationship is given a lot of screen time in this book. Not sure if I care for these two much and believe in their love. Brianna is a pretty unlikable, spoiled, rash person and a source of almost all misfortunes in the story. And poor Roger. He has to go through a lot of pain and suffering for his love.

And the last complaint. For a book of this length (1070 pages!) and with such an extensive use of words like "virgin" and "maidenhead," Drums of Autumn is definitely very light on sex.

You might ask why with all these problems I am giving this novel 4 stars? Well, like I said, Gabaldon is a great storyteller. She is so wordy, so descriptive, so in love with the scenes she writes, so self-indulgent to the point, I think, that she doesn't edit out any of her own writing, and yet I am ready to read anything she writes. There is just an addictive, cracktastick quality to her stories. I love being taken on adventure and Gabaldon does just that. I will undoubtedly read the next book, regardless of rapes, deus ex machinas and contrived plots. But can Jamie be not such a possessive dumb-ass in The Fiery Cross though? Pretty please?(less)

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Apr 18, 2009 CaliGirlRae rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

Probably 2 1/2 because I really like the little moments that Claire and Jamie shared. Almost like the first two books! :-) I really liked the section where Jamie took his son out fishing while Claire cared for Ian and Lord John. Lots of good character development there.

I didn't really like Roger and Brianna's relationship as they both run hot and cold by themselves and especially toward each other. It felt uneven and I couldn't really buy their love when it came to a head. Plus it felt a bit me...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 29, 2008 Mitzi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: writer-diana-gabaldon, audiobook, narrator-davina-porter, heat-4-sizzling, genre-romance-historical, genre-romance-time-travel

Drums if the 4th book in Jamie and Claire series.

They start their new life in the colonies. They have a small fortune in gem stones that they intend to use to get established, but a pirate named Bonnet steals them leaving them with nothing.

Except that Jamie's aunt Jocasta is a very wealthy plantation owner, but Jamie doesn't want to be his aunt's (paw), so he takes up the Governor's offer of a large land grant in the high mountains (Fraser's Ridge).

In the meantime, Breanna is looking for her par...more

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Aug 29, 2007 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So far, my favorite book in the Outlander series. Even though the author skips POV's so often it can get confusing, i found the addition of major characters really exciting and well executed.

I loved the story of Brianna and Roger. So complicated. I found Roger to be incredibly endearing, and his struggles throughout the book were very moving.

Wee Ian is one of my favorite characters, and his plight was one of my favorite storylines. I got very choked up when he was forced to join the Mohawk.

Ja...more

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Jun 29, 2012 ♠ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ♠ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

**4.5 stars**

Jamie and Claire are in America and slowly making their way to Jamie's aunt's house, River Run, in Cross Creek. Of course, there is never a dull moment but once they get use to the way of things, they decide to make their own home in a place called Fraser's Ridge.

Holy Cow...this book took me a week to read and there wasn't really any excuse as to why it took me so long other than the fact that it took me a bit to get into it. Sadly, I can't blame the book...it was all me. I thought...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

"Nothing is lost, Sassenach; only changed."

"Twenty four years ago today, I married ye, Sassenach," he said softly. "I hope ye willna have cause yet to regret it."

Can we all just agree that Jamie gets the absolute best lines in this series?

I cannot properly write a synopsis without giving away spoilers. All I will tell you is that there is a lot of Claire and Jamie in this novel. Yes, they do find a new home in the mountains of North Carolina. (This made me especially happy as I grew up in Sout...more "Nothing is lost, Sassenach; only changed."

"Twenty four years ago today, I married ye, Sassenach," he said softly. "I hope ye willna have cause yet to regret it."

Can we all just agree that Jamie gets the absolute best lines in this series?

I cannot properly write a synopsis without giving away spoilers. All I will tell you is that there is a lot of Claire and Jamie in this novel. Yes, they do find a new home in the mountains of North Carolina. (This made me especially happy as I grew up in South Carolina where the novel begins and we vacationed every year with my grandparents in the mountains of North Carolina.) My favorite scene of the series so far was between Jamie and Claire. They had an open, frank, adult discussion about relationships and death. Claire is such a strong woman but was having a weak moment. Jamie knew exactly what to say because he knows her so well. Part of my appreciation for this series is due to the fact that DG is writing about adults. All of the love stories aren't between teenagers or twenty-somethings. Claire and Jamie are now in their 40s and DG embraces their continuing love story.

There is also a lot more of Brianna and Roger in DoA. I cannot decide if that's a good thing. Roger is okay and Brianna has okay moments. She needs to grow up some more before I can truly get on board the Brianna train. Also, I do feel like there are times that DG is planning for Brianna and Roger to be the next Jamie and Claire. There really is no comparison. (Spoiler alert: the first love scene between B&R is pretty awkward for me. I wasn't a fan and it didn't compare to the worst of the scenes with J&C.)

Brianna does go back in time through the stones (not really a spoiler since it's on the book jacket). How hard would it be to be able research your parents' past and try to decide if you help them based on what you find? It was heartwarming to read about Jamie's first meeting with Brianna and then see them build a father-daughter relationship. Jamie has waited so long for this but what an adjustment for both of them! And, poor Claire in the middle of two-hot headed Scots.

5/5 stars for a really great story, great romance between Jamie and Claire and for including the Carolinas. Thank you, Diana Gabaldon.
(less)

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Apr 28, 2013 Eunice is currently reading it · review of another edition

Please don't judge me but I am only like 10 pages in and have found the perfect song for this novel. And yes I am finding a song for each novel so please don't judge me on that account either. It's not intentional but it happened somehow.
Read this while listening to: "Mo Ghile Mear".

How I live my life / survive uni:

When Tax Law gets me down, I recall Jamie's wine-smuggling business and realise he still has to pay tax if caught (Lindsey v IRC), and that unit doesn't seem so bad any more.

When Corp...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Carolyn F. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, favorites, audiobook-and-owned-book

Reread of audiobook.

Previous review 04/19/10. I started with the library copy of the audiobook which not only was in terrible shape but I couldn't even get close to finishing unless I listened to it all day because there was someone else wanting this before I was halfway through the first half of the first half. Then I kept waiting for a cheap cassette copy from Ebay or Amazon and finally found it. Now I've finished this audiobook. Listening to this will make the 3rd time I've been through the...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: absolutefavs

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My favorite characters Jamie and Claire Fraser are back in book 4 of the Outlander series.

Jamie, Claire, Ian and Fergus have set up their new home in the American colonies. Life is tough but the love between Jamie and Claire grows more each day.

Their daughter Brianna is living in the 20th century in America and visits her boyfriend Roger in UK. Both Bree and Roger have been investigating more about the history surrounding Jamie Fraser. Roger finds a clipping from a newspaper talking about the d...more My favorite characters Jamie and Claire Fraser are back in book 4 of the Outlander series.

Jamie, Claire, Ian and Fergus have set up their new home in the American colonies. Life is tough but the love between Jamie and Claire grows more each day.

Their daughter Brianna is living in the 20th century in America and visits her boyfriend Roger in UK. Both Bree and Roger have been investigating more about the history surrounding Jamie Fraser. Roger finds a clipping from a newspaper talking about the death of Jamie and Claire. He decides to keep the information from Bree but he doesn't know that Bree is also searching her family history and has decided she had to go through the stones and find her mother and father.

Brianna set's out to find her family. She makes her way to Lallybroch and meets her Aunt and Uncle and cousins. They provide information to send Bree on her way to find her parents but what she doesn't know is that Roger has followed her to America and is searching for her. He finally finds her and they finally seal their relation with handbonding and they make love. Roger leaves her to find gems that could provide them with a way home and Bree is raped.

Brianna finally finds her dad and reunites with her mother. During this 1070 page book there are some great side stories about these characters and I love that we get to see some characters from previous stories.

Some of my fav side stories include Lord John bringing Jamie's son William to Fraser Ridge to spend time with Jamie and he William falls into the privy with the help of Ian....accidentally. I was snickering on the bus when reading it. The part where Jamie and Ian meet Roger in the forest on his way to meet Bree. The typical over protective father kicks in. My heart broke when Ian decided to stay with the Mohawks to save the lives of Claire, Jamie and Roger. I must say this part of the story upset me. I love Ian and I'm really hoping we get to see him in future stories.

This is another great addition to the series. (less)

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May 11, 2011 Michelle added it · review of another edition

As this is the fourth novel in the series, there will most likely be spoilers for those who have not yet gotten this far in the story. Consider yourself warned.

I do love Jamie and Claire Fraser. They continue to be the couple that gets the entire idea of marriage - the give and take, the intimate knowledge of each other, the partnership of the entire relationship. Their banter and genuine support of one another is strikingly authentic and realistic. Any time the action revolves around them, the...more As this is the fourth novel in the series, there will most likely be spoilers for those who have not yet gotten this far in the story. Consider yourself warned.

I do love Jamie and Claire Fraser. They continue to be the couple that gets the entire idea of marriage - the give and take, the intimate knowledge of each other, the partnership of the entire relationship. Their banter and genuine support of one another is strikingly authentic and realistic. Any time the action revolves around them, the reader is in for a treat. If Drums of Autumn had been all about Claire and Jamie's struggles to forge a new life in the frontiers of America, I personally would have been okay with that.

Unfortunately, Drums of Autumn also brings Brianna Fraser to the forefront, and this is its biggest, most distracting flaw. While Jamie and Claire are pragmatic, careful, thoughtful, and intelligent, Brianna is the exact opposite. She's rash, impetuous, stubborn and frankly, childish. One could use her age as an excuse, and yet, she is not all that much younger than Jamie was when readers were first introduced to him. Any time the story revolved around Brianna, the story ground to a halt. The reader gets the distinct impression that even Ms. Gabaldon does not enjoy writing Brianna as much as she does Jamie and Claire, or even Roger and Ian, and the novel does suffer as a result.

This inertia in Brianna's story makes for a very long novel. If I had been reading it, I personally would have skipped over or at least skimmed through those pages where she was the main character. In addition, in this novel more so than in the others, the switch in narrators was jarring and obvious. Too often, it was quite a difference between one sentence; the reader would be seeing the story unfold in the first person through Claire's eyes and in the next sentence would switch to either another character's or an omniscient observer in third person. While this technique may have been employed in the previous novels, I do not remember it resulting in quite as jagged a story as it does in Drums of Autumn.

While there has always been a sense of the fantastic in the Outlander series, I feel that in Drums of Autumn, Ms. Gabaldon truly does stretch the reader's ability to accept the action. While it was one thing for Claire to be able to adjust to life 200 years into the past, Ms. Gabaldon does a sufficient job explaining why Claire is able to do so with relative ease. Yet, the reader is now expected to believe that both Brianna and Roger can also transition to life 200 years earlier without any problems, and this time, Ms. Gabaldon offers no explanations as to how this is possible. As a reader, I personally do not buy into this part of the story and find it a bit too far-fetched to stomach with ease. From Brianna's ability to accept service from slaves to Roger's ability to steal from a pirate back to Brianna's ability to cross Scotland, an entire ocean and most of the Carolinas without harm or assault - it was all just a bit too convenient, too pat and too easy. For the first time, the story stopped being possible and moved into the highly improbable.

Davina Porter, as always, is delightful as the narrator. Her ability to encompass the gruff Scottish temper, the coquettish maid, and the pragmatic doctor continues to impress and improve the story. Unfortunately, the story itself was so weak that no amount of oratory skill was enough to overcome its weaknesses. I truly struggled with listening to the entire novel and even found myself forwarding through scenes with Brianna in them, as I personally did not care what happened to her. She is not the force or the magic behind the stories, and I found I did not miss much when I did skip through those scenes.

In expressing my displeasure at this fourth novel, others assured me that it was their least favorite of the entire series. To this I can say I am not surprised. It truly is a weak storyline with very little in the way of danger and forward progress for Claire and Jamie, and ultimately my love for them is the only reason why I continue with the series. My hope is that the fifth novel moves away from Brianna and back to Claire and Jamie, where the main story deservedly belongs. Otherwise, I am not certain I want to invest more time in slogging through these novels. Even on audio, the novels are too long to continue if the main feeling while reading is a desire to skip to the end. Even with Jamie and Claire, Drums of Autumn left me with that particular desire one too many times for me to be able to say that it was a novel I enjoyed, unfortunately. It also left me in no particular hurry to get to the fifth novel as I do not want to continue to be disappointed.(less)

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Nov 01, 2007 Erin added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who likes historical fiction, romance, or scotland

Book 4. Brianna and Roger join Claire and Jamie. Not so much easy going.

Brianna really annoys me. I'm not sure if it's the character, or if it's that I listened to this book on CD and the actress's voicing of her annoyed me (in general, I love Davina Porter's readings of these books, she's spot-on for both Claire and Jamie ... but her Boston-that-isn't-really-Boston accent for Brianna grates on me). Perhaps if I'd read-read it instead of listened to it, Brianna wouldn't irritate me so much. But...more

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Jun 25, 2007 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who love good historical fiction

The Outlander series is definitely one of my most recommencded series of books. I might even love these books more than Harry Potter - and that's saying something.

The Outlander books are set in the 1700s. They start off in Scotland, but later travel to Paris, Jamaica and the American Colonies.

Claire and Jamie, the book's two main characters are fantastic. They're deep, smart and action-oriented, yet very real. As their relationship evolves over the series of books, it evolves realistically. They...more

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Nov 03, 2008 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Books one and two were so very good, the third "Voyager", became quite the travelogue, and dragging in places, but because I loved the first 2 I wanted to keep going with the series.

I decided to try listening to it instead of reading and it's a good thing! This book was much flatter than the third so I am sure listening to it was much funner than reading it.

I'm stopping here with the series.

Though I wanted to see Jamie and Claire's story continue and didn't want to give the characters up, I thi...more

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Mar 31, 2009 Sara floerke rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Number 4 in the Outlander Series and what a ride! Again, I'm putting up flashing signs that say "Lots of descriptive sex in here", don't read these if you're not married. Seriously. You will burn with lust.

These have a great storyline, anxiety inducing adventure, deep character development, wrestling over moral issues (abortion, slavery, honor), and lots of travel to dream over. We will read all of Gabaldon's books.

Now I'm really attracted to plaid.

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Apr 10, 2012 Lea's Audiobooks Hensley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Unabridged audiobook version - written for 2/22/10 Favorites Speaking of Audiobook column. Outlander and the following three books in the series were rated my favorite audiobooks of all time.

Narrated by Davina Porter
Although more than a single book, the Outlander series’ episodic nature qualifies it as my number one choice and is, specifically, the first four in the series: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn. Rarely have I been entertained to this degree for such a susta...more

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Jun 25, 2008 Kristin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: lovers of the Outlander series

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-romance

I was disappointed in this book because I loved the three before it so much. The first 3, it only took me 200 pages at the very most for me to be completely absorbed and unable to put the books down to even sleep. But this one, it took nearly 600 pages for me to feel like it was starting to get interesting. And much to my dismay the feeling did not last. I struggled throught the last 100 pages as the story seemed to drag on unnecessarily. I really want to finish the series but after this book, I...more

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Feb 23, 2009 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Good stuff. I know by now you're all aware how besotted I am by this entire series. In this installation, we get to know Roger and Brianna a bit better. I find Brianna a bit...an teensy bit...tedious. But Roger is a darling. And, of course, we get to meet a new villian who I like only marginally better than Black Jack Randall (which is to say "not at ALL"), may his soul rot.

Gabaldon's book #7 is due out in SEPTEMBER. I can hardly wait!!

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Dec 18, 2008 Stacy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I always say that the Outlander series is a guilty pleasure read. But in truth, I think the first couple of Gabaldon's books prove that she can be an incredibly good storyteller. "Autumn" has elements of what made those books such a success - historical adventure, interesting twists, likable characters - but it just feels way, way too long. I feel like I read multiple scenes over and over. Plus, this has always been Jamie and Claire's story; the increased focus on Brianna and Roger is an unwelco...more

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May 13, 2011 Nancy Schober rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series-outlander

Drums of Autumn-Diana Gabaldon[return][return]Gabaldon states in an interview that she was tired of romances that stopped at the altar. So she wanted to tell a married love story. Marriage is hard. It� s hard to be half a couple� it's hard to support the relationship without forfeiting yourself.[return][return]� & ye canna be my conscious.� [return][return]In spite of everything, I felt a lightening of spirit, as though some indefinable burden had dropped away.[return]& [return]� You� re...more

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Sep 18, 2010 Jeri added it · review of another edition

I have to admit that I was strangely wary when I picked up DRUMS OF AUTUMN. Anticipation warred with a fear of disappointment. High hopes can led to big letdowns. I loved OUTLANDER. I loved DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, with a few reservations. I have very mixed feelings about VOYAGER. The parts I was interested in I loved. The reunion scene alone was worth the price of the book. I felt, however that too much of the book was spent with our favorite couple apart, and their adventures once reunited were a b...more

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Nov 19, 2008 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really good!

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Apr 23, 2012 Sherri Needs A Maid rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: keepers, diana-gabaldon, alpha-male, 2012, american-historical, best-of-2012, ebook, hero-hall-of-fame, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-loved, in-a-class-by-itself, kick-ass-heroine, made-me-cry, time-travel

Re-read April 2012
This is my third read and I find that with my own increasing age and experience, I gain new insight into DG's characters. A new chapter in the story of Jamie & Claire, we also add his daughter Brianna. Her boyfriend Roger follows and eventually we meet Jamie's beloved Jem - son of Brianna and Roger....or is it Stephen Bonnett? I love this story simply because Jamie is getting his hearts desire at last - the very thing he has sacrificed for for the last 20 odd years - his ow...more

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Outlander Series: Drums of Autumn	125	254	3 hours, 34 min ago
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“forgiveness is not a single act, but a matter of constant practice” — 224 people liked it

“You are my courage, as I am your conscience," he whispered. "You are my heart---and I your compassion. We are neither of us whole, alone. Do ye not know that, Sassenach?” — 164 people liked it

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Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4)

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