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Outlander #8.5

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows

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Available for the first time as an exclusive eBook in this original Outlander novella, Diana Gabaldon reveals what really happened to Roger MacKenzie Wakefield’s parents. Orphaned during World War II, Roger believed that his mother died during the London Blitz, and that his father, an RAF pilot, was killed in combat. But in An Echo in the Bone, Roger discovers that this may not be the whole story. Now, in “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows,” readers finally learn the truth.

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2012

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About the author

Diana Gabaldon

240 books174k followers
Diana 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 .

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,054 reviews
Profile Image for Ahmad Sharabiani.
9,566 reviews55.9k followers
June 3, 2021
A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (Outlander, #8.5), Diana Gabaldon

In this original Outlander novella, Diana Gabaldon reveals what really happened to Roger MacKenzie Wakefield’s parents.

Orphaned during World War II, Roger believed that his mother died during the London Blitz, and that his father, an RAF pilot, was killed in combat.

But in An Echo in the Bone, Roger discovers that this may not be the whole story. Now, in “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows,” readers learn the truth.

تاریخ نخستین خوانش

عنوان: یک برگ روی باد همه یادگارها کتاب 8.5از سری بیگانه؛ نویسنده: دایانا گبلدون؛ موضوع داستانکهای نویسندگان مکزیکی تبار آمریکایی - سده 21م

جلد هشت و نیم از سری داستانهای «بیگانه»، داستانی کوتاه و رمانکی از زندگی پدر و مادر «راجر»: «جری و مارجری مک کنزی» است؛ اگر کتابهای این سری را خوانده باشید، میدانید که «جری» خلبان بوده، و در این داستان کوتاه، او برای یک مأموریت ویژه آموزش میبیند؛ ... بیش از این نمیگویم؛ تا خود این داستانک را هم بخوانید

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 12/03/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Profile Image for Jill.
600 reviews1,375 followers
July 16, 2014

What really happened to Jerry MacKenzie, Roger's father?

description

Roger had always believed his father, an RAF pilot died after being shot down while flying a mission over the English Channel during World War 2.

This novella will be appreciated by fans of the Outlander series and isn't a standalone. Best read before or after book #8 Written in My Own Heart's Blood, it tells what really became of Roger's father.

Well put together and great short piece to add to the whole Outlander world and experience.
April 19, 2020
Q:
“‘INITIATIVE, AGGRESSION, AIR DISCIPLINE, and TEAM WORK are words that MEAN something in Air Fighting.’” Yeah, they did. What meant something in reconnaissance? Stealth, Speed, and Bloody Good Luck, more like. (c)
Profile Image for Virginia.
107 reviews35 followers
December 5, 2012
A short little novella....but an important one! A slice of backstory regarding Roger's parents and how they died which filled in an area never gotten to in the 'big' books. I really enjoy these little 'fill in' books that branch out into the less 'major' characters and answer the niggling little questions. However...she has yet to address my main question....was the 'highlander' outside Claire's window at the start of the first book actually Jamie?? And HOW did he end up across Randall's body at Culloden! Answer these for me Diana and I can die a satisfied woman! LOL
Profile Image for Robin.
223 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2013
It seems like we've been waiting so long for Diana Gabaldon's next book, so I was very excited to download this novella! While there's no mention of Claire or Jaime, we get to meet a very wee Roger and learn more about his parents. I have always thought that there was more to Jerry MacKenzie's story, especially, and it seems I was right! I don't want to give anything away, but I was very excited when I figured out who two strangers - one dark and one fair - were. There's also an interesting cameo from another Outlander character.
Profile Image for Lauren.
295 reviews
December 8, 2012
I was entirely too excited about this. I started it and was unable to finish for about 24 hours and during that time I think I built my expectation of this novella up to epic proportions.

Was this epic? Most certainly not. Was it an interesting little side read for someone who really enjoyed Outlander? Without a doubt.
Profile Image for Lisa Wolf.
1,606 reviews173 followers
December 6, 2019
This is probably my 3rd time reading this story (previous reads were via anthologies rather than as a stand-alone), and I love it so much. Outlander fans must read this story about Roger's parents during World War II, as it answers some questions about Roger's childhood and provides a glimpse at a scene from Written in My Own Heart's Blood from a different perspective.

What really happened to Jerry Mackenzie, Roger's father, an RAF pilot who was reported dead after his plane was shot down? Read this story and find out!

It's beautiful and tragic, and adds a touching dimension to Roger's backstory.
Profile Image for Lori.
1,212 reviews63 followers
January 21, 2013
This little gem of a story ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes! It's such a lovely, bittersweet, unexpected story! Diana G fills it with characters we know or have only heard about - both past and present in the Outlander series.

This is the story of Roger's parents, Jerry (Jeremy) and Dolly (Marjorie) Mackenzie and WWII... Jerry is a Spitfire pilot, approached by none other than Frank Randall (yes, Claire's 1st husband) to fly on a photo mission in Poland. But while practicing with the new cameras, Jerry's plan goes down in Northumberland, in a circle of standing stones. Suddenly, Jerry finds himself in what seems like another place and time - which he is.

Struggling to survive, he meets 2 rough-looking fellows, one of whom seems to know him well. They help him find his way back to the standing stone and back to his own time. Jerry somehow manages to find his way to London, only to discover that he's "returned" 2 years after he left and has been declared missing in action and presumed dead. Jerry has to find Dolly and their small son, Roger.

But a bomb attack begins, and Jerry takes shelter in the nearby bomb shelter - the tube. In a heart-wrenching scene, Jerry and Dolly lock eyes minutes before the stairs that Dolly is on crumble to dust. Dolly launches wee Roger into the air towards his father...

If you're an Outlander fan, you must read this story!
Profile Image for Dana Ilie.
404 reviews344 followers
November 15, 2016
Volumul 8.5 aici de fata este o scurta povestioara din viata parintilor lui Roger, Jerry si Marjorie MacKenzie. Stiti deja ca Jerry era pilot si in aceasta nuvela se antreneaza pentru o misiune speciala. Ceva nu merge bine si ajunge langa o formatiune de pietre unde intalneste doi straini..... Nu am de gand sa va stric distractia asa ca nu zic mai mult.
Profile Image for Sonja Arlow.
1,069 reviews7 followers
March 3, 2016
3 1/2 stars

I like to think that the author wrote this book on a dare to see if she was able to write something of substance under 60 pages. I say this because anyone who has read books in the Outlander series knows how much she loves rambled storylines. Don’t get me wrong, I really adore the series but have promised myself I would never read another of her books after book 1. The audio versions are just so much better. But trust me, you can read this in under an hour and be totally satisfied when done.

This is the novella of what really happened to Rodger’s parents and I have to say out of the two novellas I have read in the Outlander series this is definitely the more worthwhile one to read.

I won’t say more but if you like the series then you HAVE to read this too but only after book 8.

Profile Image for Marianne.
3,320 reviews127 followers
July 26, 2018
A Leaf On The Wind Of All Hallows is a short story in the popular Outlander series by American author, Diana Gabaldon. In the first full-length novel of the series, the reader learns that little Roger MacKenzie is an orphan being raised by his great uncle, Reverend Reginald Wakefield. Jeremiah MacKenzie is an RAF pilot who is recruited by MI6 for a covert mission over Poland. Before training in Northumbria, he visits his wife Marjorie (Dolly) and his infant son, Roger. Up in Northumbria, with engine failure, he is thrown from his Spitfire before it comes down near a circle of standing stones. A charming little story with some twists to delight Outlander fans.
Profile Image for Matt.
3,667 reviews12.8k followers
July 30, 2015
What ever happened to Jerry MacKenzie, father of Roger, whose plane went down during the War effort? As Gabaldon mentions in the story's preface, discussion of Jerry opened in An Echo in the Bone, where Claire admitted that the story Roger knew was not entirely true. With Roger finally encountering Jerry in 1739, something must have happened related to the Stones, but the story is again not flushed out. Gabaldon chooses this point to offer a real account of events, just in time as Outlander fans are surely tearing their hair out with wonder, as the cliffhanger found no resolution within Written in My Own Heart's Blood. Spitfire pilot Jerry MacKenzie is approached by MI6 (and Frank Randall no less) to help in the execution of a covert mission behind the Iron Curtain. While out on reconnaissance, Jerry develops engine trouble and crash lands somewhere in Northumbria. As Jerry seeks to get his bearings, he discovers that he's been propelled into the past, but has no explanation for events. When he comes across a mysterious character, a little is revealed, including how to get back, but no clear understanding of the Stones is made known. Returning to modern times, Jerry comes across his wife, Marjorie, but is not in a position to reach her to discuss his revelations. Filling a few cracks in the Outlander storylines, this short story fits nicely, yet leaves much to the imagination.

This is the final instalment in the Outlander collection to date. I have endured much of Gabaldon's long-winded and detailed writing. This story is a definite treat to flesh out some of the minor vignettes which received little printed space in the epic Outlander series. However, with the publication of Written in My Own Heart's Blood, Jerry MacKenzie's disappearance becomes much more important and knowing the backstory becomes of great interest to the reader and series follower. That a Randall had something to do with it, loosely, is of no major shock, nor is it that the Stones played a role. That said, Gabaldon never ceases to amaze with all her dangling threads and how she chooses to tie them together or add additional literary fraying.

I would like to take some time to write my thoughts on the entire OUTLANDER series and will do so, but feel adding it to the review of a short story is not the place. Readers are welcome to check it out, or peruse the other book reviews I have penned this year, through my blog: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

Kudos, Madam Gabaldon for a sensational series to date. I am totally enthralled and completely gobsmacked by all the hard work and literary effort you've put into this collection and hope you have a little more left to offer. I know BOOK NINE is in the works, and even a prequel, both of which I will devour.
Profile Image for Mary.
50 reviews
December 26, 2012
I had forgotten how much I loved the Outlander books, but this one made it all come back. Just wish it had been longer!
Profile Image for Alaina.
6,084 reviews215 followers
March 24, 2018
What a cute little novella. I breezed through this and totally forgot to mention that on GR.. and then I also totally forgot to write the review. OOPS!

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows is about what really happened to Roger's father, Jerry MacKenzie. I rather enjoyed this book because it was a realistic novella .. less than 100 pages! I don't know how Diana did it but I'm so proud of her. It must've been hard to write a tiny book but I thank my lucky stars that she did. I also really enjoyed this book because we don't know a lot about Jerry, which is why this novella is so important! The back story was amazing! I had so many questions diving into this book and I was so happy that I FINALLY got answers!

No I wont spoil anything from this book because it's like 50+ pages.. you can surely read this if you really want to know what happened. Overall, I highly enjoyed it and now I'm super pumped to dive into the next book. I seriously can't wait to finish this series!
Profile Image for Goodlittlewitch.
24 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2012
I loved it. It adds a number of details to the Outlander stories that I hadn't even realized I was missing, and wanted to know! And they is one really special element that I won't discuss because it is too delicious to experience it while reading the story. Thank you, Diana! Keep filling in the niches of the story as the opportunities arise!
Profile Image for Melodie.
589 reviews64 followers
August 14, 2015
This is one of the novellas that answers question,raises others and explores some character back stories in the Outlander series. This one answers the question of what really happened to Roger's parents, Jerry and Dolly MacKenzie.
On a training mission in Northumberland, Jerry finds himself having to make a ditch landing. When he comes to,he finds himself in another time.Meanwhile his wife Dolly grieves the loss of her husband, raising little Roger in her mother's house during the London Blitz.
The only complaint I have is that it was too short. I "read" it as an audio book. The narrator was first rate, and I was immediately immersed in story.I think I may listen to the audio version of all her novellas.
207 reviews4 followers
November 1, 2018
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** Once again, as with every book in the Outlander series, there is a gaping error in the timeline.

In the excerpt from
An Echo in the Bone
that reappears in the introduction to this novella, Claire says Frank told her about this just before being recruited to MI6. But in the novella, he's already in MI6! As I've said in every review I've written of the Outlander series: huh????

Come on, Diana, you just said it!

Other than that, it was good. It made me cry when Jerry comes back to 1943 and looks for his family, because I predicted what was about to happen, and before I started re-reading this series, I hadn't cried at books in a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Toni FGMAMTC.
1,668 reviews19 followers
January 7, 2016
3.5 stars

This is another great building block to the plot of the series. It shows more of how all the characters are connected. This time it's information about Roger and his family. Each time I learn a little tidbit of info, I get excited about where the author is leading us.
Profile Image for Shron.
2 reviews
September 10, 2013
Holy $&*# Mother of mercy... I almost ripped my loved one's larynx out to keep him from obliterating the emotion I was realizing as I finished the last few pages of this novella.
I somehow decided to read it before Echo and I am so glad I did! I have been waiting for MOBY and been reading my beloved Lord John's adventures (which if you have not you effing Must!!) and decided why not indulge in the shorts to keep myself patient...
All I can say is wow... I don't read these books as a romance fan-cuz l am not one ;)-I read for the character development and for the genius of DB's depiction of the human condition (using all the characters we all love). I literally put down my phone and cried not only because of the heartache, but because of the wonderful bliss of trying to work out the paradox just brought before me, though for not the first time.. Wow wow wow bravo!!!! I don't think even Roger will enjoy his story as much as a reader of this novella would :)
poor chap...lucky bugger, but damn!!
Profile Image for Maryse.
82 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2013
If you've read anything about the author you know that she writes as an exercise. And this is what this felt like to me. It was an interesting turn and I enjoyed finding out more about roger's parents but it felt thrown together and unfinished and i found myself not caring at all about the characters.
102 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2012
It just wasn't long enough to get all the information I think it should have had. While you assume Dolly also passed there could have been much more detail.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,369 reviews107 followers
January 23, 2016
This is a short story about what really happened with Roger' s parents. His father's death was even more sad than I originally thought. Gabaldon excels at keeping her details and timelines straight. It was interesting finding out Frank Randall' s role as well. Great story!
Profile Image for Beth.
3,126 reviews261 followers
July 12, 2016
Love this series. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows was a great "hold me over" until the next book in this series comes out. Gave you lots of great background on sub-characters that we absolutely wanted to know more about.
Profile Image for Teresa.
636 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2012
I wanted it to be longer. It was an interesting peek into Roger's family, but his father's reactions to everything that happened were unusually absent for a DG book.
Profile Image for Jill.
201 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2014
I wish it was longer!!!!!! I was so happy when the "dark haired & light haired" men appeared! I won't give away who it was but it brought tears to my eyes! Loved this novella!
Profile Image for Tracy.
537 reviews44 followers
October 18, 2018
This is a shorter novella (compared to the others) but it was very good in my opinion! It's quite sad but has a sort of happy ending. Not exactly what I wanted but due to the circumstances it's a decent outcome. I was always curious what exactly happened to Roger's parents and this novella answers that question thoroughly. Highly recommended for any Outlander fan!
Profile Image for Rachel Mantas.
246 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2021
Wow, so this one made me cry, but not for the story itself. It was the author's note at the end that spoke about the labour camps in Poland that no one else in Europe knew about, until after this mission was completed. They went on for years prior to action or knowledge of them did anything to right the situation. It makes me cry for my grandparents and our family. And what they had to endure.
The story itself was good. Though not in an over-done WW2 era way, like many novels right now. Maybe it helped that it was a novella.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,054 reviews

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