Outlander Series discussion
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A Breath of Snow and Ashes
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Fawn
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Feb 21, 2011 08:55PM
LOL Crazy I assure you I am not PMSing, more like hot flashing! I cried at all the good-byes too. And I think I was more upset about events in this book than the characters themselves. You made a good point about the Beardsley's We didn't see a lot of their story except when Jamie and Clare first met them. A creepy as this triangle starts out for me I just got to a point where I just think it works for them different stokes for different folks I guess. Part of why I like these books is they make you look outside your own box.
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Lizzie situation was strange... At first i thought she can't mean... no? Not that... Oh, sweet shy Lizzie with both those guys... wow!! Keep the tissue close i cried so much in ABOSAA ~ it's one of my favorite books.
I loved the Beardsley's from the get go. Even though they weren't in it much, something about them touched me. Kezzie's dedication to taking care of his brother, their wildness, and their loyalty to Lizzie was so sweet.It ended up unconventional, for sure, and shocking. But I thought it was perfect.
It's rather amazing that all the characters, quirky or not, in the series somehow manage to make the stories what they are. I think that's why we're all so attached (or addicted!) to the series.
Hmmm am I attached or addicted? I think I am both. I am so bad that when I hear or see something I think Oh, Claire would like that or Ian totally think that is funny or sounds like something Jamie would say. I think I am going to need a serious reality check when I am done with these books, but not until I am done!!
Speaking of tears, you're right, there were so many moments. Remember the whole outing of Ian and Bree. OMG, I was so emotional and dying to hear Ian's story. This might be my favorite if not just a tat behind Voyager, hmmm...To tell you the truth, I think this is my first HR and wow what a ride for me! I've read lots of the classical romance from Shakespeare, E.Bronte, etc for school, but it's the latest PNR genre that pushed me over the edge. So here I thought boring HR, than the time-traveling sort of fall into the paranormal, than the Lizzie's threesome sort of borderline erotica, hmmmm... lol. What's next?
But boy, that shy Lizzie sure spoke her piece and against Jamie "NOT" claiming her as a whore, I'd cried. Then she went over everybody's head to get Roger married her to Kezzie. After the baby, she put her foot down with her Dad. It was sweet and you can tell they loved each other but I do wish there were just a tat more about their life so I can have a more mature persona on the babes...I mean boys...I mean men...
Here's my next delima, should I wait to next year to read Echo? Heard the cliff-hanger is a killer, and after the Fever series, I don't want to be in that situation. I think the ending of ABOSAA was perfect for me to wait.
It's got a CRAZY 4 way cliffhanger. So, be prepared either way. The next one isn't coming out until 2012 or 2013.
Crazy4more -- Savor ABOSAA! I thought it was more exciting than ECHO. But if you like history, and I do, then you'll like ECHO. Lots of history in that one, but the regular characters (as well as new ones) are all there.
I have savored but devoured ABOSAA. It was so good I couldn't put it down. I had stayed up til 5 am back to back and couldn't wait to grab it again first thing in the morning.ABOSAA ended in such a great note that I will wait. Due to the size of these books, I have been falling behind my other great reads.
I am reading EITB now, SLOWLY! For just as many questions get answered there will be many more posed and left hanging. So far i am loving it but I am sure I will be bereft after I read the last page. (half way there now) That is why I understand being "attached and addicted" comment above. I am both so I am listening to Davina Porter work her magic with these books and am currently listening to FC. It'll take a while til I get to listen to EITB. One thing I am doing while reading this time is writing little stickies in the parts where I have a particular prediction or comment. I can go back to those parts later.
Wow, stickies, you are serious! there were moments I wished I had stickies to note my revelations, questions, and memorable scenes. I wish you well when you're on the last page. I'm not even going to go there. I just returned the book and audio so I don't have the urge to read it. It's fun going thru these chats but I'll avoid Echo due to potential spoilers.
I started this book yesterday. I'm enjoying it so far much more than The Fiery Cross.
Wendy F wrote: "In a perfect world, that's true. But you can't help what your emotions react to. Jamie didn't want Loaghaire, he never did. But he was always used to women reacting to him flatteringly, Loaghair..."She was angry because he lied about it....and we know she was feeling insecure about being back, as he was petrified she would leave again. Jenny should have just let them fight it out..it was part of their "thing" after all.
Kassandra wrote: "Wendy F wrote: "In a perfect world, that's true. But you can't help what your emotions react to. Jamie didn't want Loaghaire, he never did. But he was always used to women reacting to him flatte..."I agree. They both have such strong personalities that major arguments (fights, in this case) are bound to happen. My guess is that Jenny broke it up because everyone in the house most likely could hear what was happening. And while I don't think either one of them would have killed each other, they did come awfully close. So she took the initiative to break it up.
In hindsight, I must admit, that I found the fight to rather exciting.
Well, and we as readers know that they would have eventually ended up making love and quietly discussing it, to someone who's never really seen them go at it it was probably scary.I can't say that I wouldn't have tried to intervene if I was Jenny.
I did find that fight exciting... but rather scary, too. Claire & Jamie had never gone at each other quite like that before. All the pent up emotions and anger at one another just came roaring out.I'm with Wendy... I think I would have intervened, too. Even someone who knew them never saw them go at each other that way! They needed water thrown on them!
Besides, I think Jenny still thought Claire would leave permanently. Her breaking up the fight just made Claire leave that much sooner - no chance to kiss and make up then. (At that time.)
Jenny may have won the battle when she broke up the fight between Jamie and Claire, but she didn't win the war. The love between Jamie and Claire was/is just too strong. Later she realized it and accepted it.
The imperfections are what make them "real" to me, which why at times I am crazy enough think I could go to the ridge(or where every they are) knock on their door and they would welcome me in for a wee dram. This is also why my 18 year old son and husband hang and shake their heads woefully at me. Jamie and Claire are not "real" mom.... but he hasn't read Outlander!
I am about half way through for the first time. I just can't put it down, but I don't want to finish it. I don't want to come to the end of it. I think I will actually do some real grieving when I finish the series.I was reading some other comments but I had to stop. But I am sure I will have tons of questions and thoughts when I get to the end. Thanks.
Wendy F wrote: "I loved the Beardsley's from the get go. Even though they weren't in it much, something about them touched me. Kezzie's dedication to taking care of his brother, their wildness, and their loyalty..."I couldn't agree more. that is exactly how I feel. thank you so much for putting it in to words for me!
I agree. When the wedding takes place, with both, I just laughed and thought "how else could it possibly be?" Weird; but so 'them'!
started this one last night. It's like picking up a old friend.
I'm 12% in, so I haven't really looked through this thread for fear of spoilers. I have a question though...not sure if this is appropriate thread. I was just thinking being 12% into this book, I don't think Fergus has had any dialogue at all. I really love Fergus and it frustrates me that DG doesn't seem to enjoy writing for him. Why do you think that is? I really see him as Jamie's son. I love Ian and all, but I've always had a soft spot for Fergus. Should I just pack it in as his fan, or is there anything good left for him in this story? I even went to the "characters" section in this group and the poor guy doesn't even have a thread :(
Awww, Lori, feel free to make him a thread! We've just been creating them as the need for them arises. I personally love Fergus too. He's up there as one of my favorites, for sure. I definitely think he's Jamie's son, his eldest.
As far as the Fergus story... just wait, she's got a lot of writing you still need to read. I personally think he's going to have quite a bit in the 8th book.
Wendy F wrote: "Awww, Lori, feel free to make him a thread! We've just been creating them as the need for them arises. I personally love Fergus too. He's up there as one of my favorites, for sure. I definitel..."
Thanks Wendy! Obviously I read these books for Jamie and Claire, but I love all the characters (with obvious exceptions....LEGHAIR, Bonnet, etc.) I'm also starting to have warm and fuzzies for Bobby Higgins, hookworms and all! :) I hope he continues to be a good guy.
There were even times where I didn't mind Loaghaire or Bonnet, lmao. I think the only one I hated at all moments was Boble, if you've gotten that far.I like Bobby Higgins too, lmao.
Wendy F wrote: "There were even times where I didn't mind Loaghaire or Bonnet, lmao. I think the only one I hated at all moments was Boble, if you've gotten that far.I like Bobby Higgins too, lmao."
Haven't gotten that far yet. I'm currently trying not to get my hopes up for Lizzie and Bobbie, but oh I'm a sucker for a lovesick boy.
I agree with Wendy - I think Fergus will get a lot more time in Book 8 (MOBY), especially based on her daily snippets. Fergus did sort of seem relegated to the background in the latter books; but he was always part of the most crucial scenes, like rescuing Claire.
Lori McD wrote: "I agree with Wendy - I think Fergus will get a lot more time in Book 8 (MOBY), especially based on her daily snippets. Fergus did sort of seem relegated to the background in the latter books; but h..."Thanks girls. I'll keep flying my Fergus flag :)
Unfortunately you guys are getting the play by play of me with this book, because none of my friends have read it, lol. I love DG, love these books, think she's one of the best authors I've ever read *but* I'm growing a little weary of all the rape. I kept thinking there's no way this is going to happen again...and then it did. :(
Yeah.... that was the hardest part of that book for me.And don't feel bad, I know lots of other readers who had the same thought. Unfortunately though, I do feel like it was more common back then, and without much of a penalty like it has today. That's why there were so big on 'protecting their women'. But, it was hard to read.
Yeah, it's similar to the beating Claire got in the first one from Jamie. I think he may have gone a little easy on her compared to what other husbands might have done, but it still happened. That was a deal breaker for one of my GR friends (among other things), but my thought when it happened was that it was likely normal. Sad that it was normal, but normal. Also sad to think that in some parts of the world, rape and beatings are still commonplace for women. But that's a little OT. :-)
Rape is rape, in any country and any time. What we have to remember while reading these books is that woman were the property of their husbands, basically "chattle". Therefore accusing your husband of rape, was taken with a grain of salt with the powers that be. Many women (and men) chose to not say anything about the event. That happens even in today's society.Regarding Jamie's rape, while it was very brutal, he did agree to BJR's demands in order to save Claire.
gertt wrote: "Rape in any story is always uncomfortable. Seven books spanning 30 years, 6500+ pages, and three rapes, is not really excessive. Unfortunately, rape and beatings are commonplace in 'all' parts of..."I don't know..I think I have to disagree. Three rapes in one family, no matter the time period is a little much for me. I'm trudging on though!
Rape was treated only as theft of property, basically. It would be the same thing as stealing a man's horse.
Oh dear....oh dear....I just got to the part with Lizzie and the Beardsleys. Ugh...I don't even know what to say. I'm really disappointed right now. This is not what I wanted for Lizzie. Nothing against Josiah and Kezzie...I love their characters. I just hate the way this happening. :(
LOL!!! Yeah, it was shocking. I liked it though, families are sometimes unconventional.
I don't like it. You're sleeping with two brothers and you're not even sure which one you just had sex with? I'm actually skeeved out.....I feel like there is always a huge "WTF?!" moment in each book and this may be it for ABOSAA.
I can see why it would bother some people.Perhaps if Lizzie was upset about it, but since she seems to have feelings for them both, and they have feelings for her, and they're all happy... I guess I just was glad that they were all happy, lol.
I really wanted her with Bobby or Ian. Maybe this is adding to my trauma....Did they just scar their thumbs so that no one can tell them apart? I thought that's what they were doing, but earlier in the book, Bree said you can tell them apart from their speech, and of course Kezzie's hearing loss, so that really didn't make sense????
I think that the people who know them the most can tell them apart by their speech, an Kezzie's hearing loss. They're not worried about the main families, there worried about the other families on the ridge. If they scar both thumbs and refrain from speaking they can hide it easier.
They did, and I thought whichever one of them who could talk/hear pretended he couldn't so the average person wouldn't be able to tell them apart.
Ok, I'll keep reading, but she owes me a good love story for Ian or Bobby!!!!!! So since everyone is ok with this Beardsley situation, I propose Roger shares Brianna with Ian. :)
(and yes, I am harboring those feelings)
LMAO! Except that they're cousins... which weirds me out.Ian's got a good story coming, just you wait. :)
The cousin thing doesn't weird me out strangely enough. I think I've read too much Austen. Ha.
I've read a lot of historical books that had it too, especially Regency.I think, for me, it was different with Bree and Ian because Bree is a modern age woman. I couldn't see her being okay with it.
Rapes... yes, a lot seem to happen in this book. And I count 4, because I count Ian by Geillis Duncan or Abernathy. They are always difficult to get through. I'm hoping that we don't have any such thing in book 8, but I won't hold my breath.Lizzie and the Beardsleys... Lori, you and I think along the same lines. I was totally unprepared and very shocked! I really don't like this part of the story AT ALL. It seemed very unnecessary; but I suppose that we got the idea that the Beardsley twins were very into Lizzie. And I don't think that one could have stood for the other to marry her. But it's just plain weird!!!
The cousin thing does weird me out, regardless of how many period romances I read. And I can't see Ian and Bree - mostly because she is a "modern" woman. Besides, Ian is better off now... but I won't spoil anything. Just keep reading, Lori!
The Wendigo thing is another weird-out for me in ABOSAA. Another quite unexpected thing! The tease about Master Raymond (or Raymond as Wendigo calls him) was almost too much for me. I hope we'll get to find out for certain if it was him whenever DG writes the Master Raymond story. THAT one ought to be something!
So much seems to happen in this book... it's tough to keep it all straight sometimes.
Gertt - definitely a love story for Ian and Rachel!
Please be careful of spoilers ladies! She's only just now reading Breat of Snow and Ashes!
Outlander Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook (other topics)The Outlandish Companion (other topics)
The Outlandish Companion Volume Two: The Companion to The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone, and Written in My Own Heart's Blood (other topics)
