Outlander Series discussion
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Drums of Autumn
For me probably book 3,1,4,6,2,7,5...
I liked Outlander best though it was hard for the first 100 pages (UNTIL SHE WENT THROUGH THE STONES) Voyager is a very close second. DOA, ABOSA, Echo and MOBY are about the same maybe MOBY a little less but that is because I read some and listened to most and listening is not as good for me unless it is a second time around. Many people like The Fiery Cross least because of the long mundane beginning but I enjoyed reading about everyday life. I also binge read the first 7 books so they all run together as one story and it was almost a relaxing break from the intensity of the story line. It show how life can be normal. DIA was my least favorite because I really didn't get into the whole Paris political scene. That being said I still liked DIA and think it was a very important book for the story line. The whole series is awesome.
1 Outlander. 2 Voyager.
3 DIA.
4 MOBY.
5 ABOSA & Echo
6 Fiery Cross & Drums
Although I did enjoy The Fiery Cross a lot more when I re-read before MOBY came out, so maybe that is just in front of Drums.
Brizo wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I'm in Part 7 of Drums of Autumn and I shaking my head at the total selfishness of Jamie to force Claire and Ian to stay on the mountain with no provisio..."Audiobook is a lovely suggestion, but I tend to tune that kind of stuff out when engaged in other activities. I fear I'd miss half the action.
I've been trudging through DoA but not as fast as the other books. I completely understand Jamie's reasons for making the decisions he did. The timing lacks common sense. That's what I took issue with.
Living in the new world of America - as we all know - didn't provide a life free from English interference. They were colonies of the crown. And the rules imposed on the people who wanted to be free led to the American Revolution. But I get what you're saying. In Europe, all the land was spoken for by birthright. People came to America because there was land and opportunity.
Jennifer wrote: "Can anyone who has read A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows comment on this?So I am rereading Drums of Autumn right now and recently read Leaf on the Wind.
NOTE: MAY HAVE SPOILERS BELOW:
In the sc..."
Do we know if Roger's parents knew each other as children? That could explain Jerry visiting the Reverend when he was small, coming to visit his friend, later marrying her.
Sounds like the error 2 years old vs 5 years old is a genuine "oops" to me.
I don't know if Roger's parents knew each other as children. I suppose that could explain it but the way Roger tells the stories he heard it sounds as if Jerry was a relative of Reverend Wakefield's. And, I really do think the 2 yrs. vs. 5 yrs. being a mistake clears up the confusion at least. I'm curious if anyone else might chime in at some point with other insights.
Jennifer wrote: "Can anyone who has read A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows comment on this?So I am rereading Drums of Autumn right now and recently read Leaf on the Wind.
NOTE: MAY HAVE SPOILERS BELOW:
In the sc..."
I haven't read A Leaf on the Wind.. but in DG companion she talks a lot about the inconsistencies in the some books some because of the publisher typos; some because of the way she pieced them together; some because publishers in different in different countries want her to take stuff out in that countries edition. Perhaps that explains the anomalies.
Mary wrote: "I was just wondering what order other people liked these books the best. I liked Outlander best..."I loved the 1st 4 books, DoA and Outlander were particular favorites I didn't enjoy Fiery Cross either. For me the daily life was a bit boring, and I didn't like the whole thing with the Browns. I liked most of the rest, but the revolutionary war details were a bit much in some of the rest of the books I think she could of edited out some of the details of that. I personally like it better when she's dealing with characters feelings, relationships etc. rather than war battles and medical details. I thought some of the last books were getting a bit repetitive, but I did enjoy the parts that went into Jamie and Claire. I hated that she left you hanging at the end of Echo as I had to wait a few years before I got to read/listen to MOBY and figure out what happened. All the other audio books I got out of the library but I wound up buying a copy and giving it to the library after I was through for MOBY because it takes them a while to get it. Now were waiting again. I don't know if I'll like the books once Jamie and Claire are gone. They keep me going.
Lauren wrote: "Brizo wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I'm in Part 7 of Drums of Autumn and I shaking my head at the total selfishness of Jamie to force Claire and Ian to stay on the mountain wi..."I listen to the audiobooks when going back and forth to work and when winding down before bed. I've even listened when grocery shopping (LOL!) I ripped them into my mp3 player so I can basically listen to them anywhere. If I miss something I can always go back. I keep of basic list of what's on each Cd so I can find things again. Putting that together was a bitch though. I did it on the second listen when I realized it would be hard to ship over parts I didn't like as much without that. Now I have playlists of just best parts of the books I love to listen to and playlists of segmented by Jamie and Claire story line and Bree and Roger's story line, as I basically know the stories. I'm a bit obsessive for sure. :))
Jennifer wrote: "but the way Roger tells the stories he heard it sounds as if Jerry was a relative of Reverend Wakefield..."I think it's Roger's mother Marjorie (Dolly) who is related to Rev. Wakefield. Her mother's brother.
That's what I thought too. I'm fairly sure that's correct so it's unclear how Roger would have heard stories from Rev. Wakefield about what his father, Jerry, was like when he was younger.
Brizo, that's some serious dedication to fandom. I like the books but you have way more passion than me.And I can't do the audio book thing. It ends up becoming background noise while I think of other stuff...lol.
@BrizoI don't think the books will continue once Jamie and Claire are gone. DG says she knows how the series will end. I'd like to think we will see them grow old together and the last book will end like that, not with either of them dying. The explanation of Jamie's ghost from the first book, though, not sure if that would happen after he or she dies or if it's a dream/waking visitation. and perhaps an epilogue with what happened to Bree and Roger and the children.
Diane wrote: "@BrizoI don't think the books will continue once Jamie and Claire are gone. DG says she knows how the series will end. I'd like to think we will see them grow old together and the last book will e..."
I don't know I think DG likes to shock us a bit, so the ending might be something we'd never expect. Although I personally would like to see Jamie and Claire go out together perhaps like that couple in the Cave found years later in an eternal hug, him protecting her with his body.
I had almost forgotten about the cave in France (from DIA ). Interesting thought. That scene reminded me of the Lascaux and Chauvet Caves in France. Caves seem to be a theme with DG throughout the series so far. I'm only throygh Drums, but I imagine caves will come up again in the other books.
Just a venting moment. I am so aggravated by the initial meeting between Jamie and Roger. Then I have to wait 5 chapters to find out (view spoiler) Madness. And the entire chapter on Bree's (view spoiler)I know a lot of you like this book, but it's been my least favorite so far. Much of the plot has been just so-so and some of the actions by the characters have made me feel like I'm reading the script for a mediocre soap opera. There's some good stuff in here but there's some not good stuff.
Lauren wrote: "Brizo, that's some serious dedication to fandom. I like the books but you have way more passion than me.And I can't do the audio book thing. It ends up becoming background noise while I think of ..."
It's funny how these books can bring characters to life. I'm not usually obsessive about things, but this caught me unaware. I know what you mean about background noise sometime that's just what it is, especially on the metro. I like that though. Different strokes of different folks I guess.
Diane wrote: "@BrizoI don't think the books will continue once Jamie and Claire are gone. DG says she knows how the series will end. I'd like to think we will see them grow old together and the last book will e..."
I think she will have to have them die somehow. She sort of has lead us up to that already. Does anyone remember what the old Indian woman Niawhene (can't spell that?) told Claire (view spoiler) Then their is the resolution of the ghost which DG said she'd do in the last book. In her latest posting of the new book she has posted something about(view spoiler)
Lauren wrote: "Just a venting moment. I am so aggravated by the initial meeting between Jamie and Roger. Then I have to wait 5 chapters to find out [spoilers removed] Madness. And the entire chapter on Bree's [sp..."I liked it because Jamie got to see (view spoiler)
Brizo wrote: "Diane wrote: "@BrizoI don't think the books will continue once Jamie and Claire are gone. DG says she knows how the series will end. I'd like to think we will see them grow old together and the la..."
Nayanawe says Claire's real powers will come when she has white hair. But remember that was also foreshadowing from Voyager. Remember the scene with the crocodile head and Claire. Ishmael says something similar to Claire regarding her making medicines.
Brizo wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Just a venting moment. I am so aggravated by the initial meeting between Jamie and Roger. Then I have to wait 5 chapters to find out [spoilers removed] Madness. And the entire chapte..."The Indians are interesting. Some of the conflict while understandable is aggravating. Knowing DG, it's always a set up for another plot line, but nonetheless maddening. Just not enjoying this one which is all the more reason for me to take a break from the series for a bit.
I'm with you Lauren, Drums was my least favourite of the series & I really hated the whole Roger mistaken identity storyline. On re-reads I usually skip that bit. I just wanted to shake Jamie, Bree & Lizzie :)But we are all different, thats why you can have such great discussions with others about the books (&the TV series as well). Everyone has different opinions & perspectives :)
Zoey wrote: "I'm with you Lauren, Drums was my least favourite of the series & I really hated the whole Roger mistaken identity storyline. On re-reads I usually skip that bit. I just wanted to shake Jamie, Bree..."Absolutely. I've really enjoyed the TV show. I know a lot of die hard fans in the discussion groups are angry about the changes. Being a somewhat avid reader, I understand how disappointing deviations from the source material can be. But it's important to see the show and almost a separate entity from the books. I really love "The Walking Dead" on AMC and have also read the graphic novel series too. The show uses some of the source material but not all and the deviations have all worked out well. I hope more Outlander fans come to enjoy the deviations on the show too.
Qick question:soo I have started Drums of Autumn and am at the part right at the beginning where we are back in 1968 with Brianna and Roger... I am guessing that those two will end up together...buuuuut aren't they cousins or something? I mean Dougal was Jamies uncle and Dougal is Rogers father and Jamie is Briannas Fahter..so they are related to each other...am I right? Isn't that weird? xD
Dougal isn't Roger's father, he was the father of Geillis' baby who was an ancestor of Roger. Roger and Brianna would be cousins but very, very distant
Diane wrote: "Dougal isn't Roger's father, he was the father of Geillis' baby who was an ancestor of Roger. Roger and Brianna would be cousins but very, very distant"I have thought about this too. They are very distantly related but it's also a little confusing because Dougal is Brianna's direct great uncle so Brianna is immediately related to some of Roger's very distant ancestors! So it can seem like Bree and Roger are more closely related but they aren't they just have family trees that overlap in places.
Diane wrote: "Dougal isn't Roger's father, he was the father of Geillis' baby who was an ancestor of Roger. Roger and Brianna would be cousins but very, very distant"Dougal would be Roger's 6x great grandfather I think.
Mary wrote: "Diane wrote: "Dougal isn't Roger's father, he was the father of Geillis' baby who was an ancestor of Roger. Roger and Brianna would be cousins but very, very distant"Dougal would be Roger's 6x gr..."
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Roger said in DoA. Dougal is Bree's great uncle. She'd be Roger's second cousin five times removed (or something crazy like that). So very distantly related.
What difference does any of this make? Cousins married cousins back in the 1800s without a second thought. It was no big deal. It looks like most of us got here with a normal intelligence so I don't think it hurt us any.
Cindi wrote: "What difference does any of this make? Cousins married cousins back in the 1800s without a second thought. It was no big deal. It looks like most of us got here with a normal intelligence so I don'..."I think people were trying to figure out the decedents and relationships of the characters to speculate on why and who has special powers, like time traveling, being able to see and go spiritually into the future. There is a hidden under current in the books that DG hasn't fully explained yet.
I just read something Mary recently posted about DG new book in another tread here. She mentioned something about a Tannasq https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The Tannasq is in that scary story told about why Gavin was afraid of the dark too here in DoA. Interesting part is what abilities this Tannasq has with relationship to special paranormal activities that the characters have, even Jamie's spirit ghost and his ability to go into the future spiritually at least but also Claire/Gellis/Roger/Bree & their kids ability. Make for more questions rather than answers.
I feel no one gets the directions- I'm a quarter into the book and wanted to post something but i'm having to completely ignore the thread because no one marks the spoilers."If you are posting in one of the book topics, please spoiler tag anything that happens during or after that book"
T.T!!!
Crystal wrote: "I feel no one gets the directions- I'm a quarter into the book and wanted to post something but i'm having to completely ignore the thread because no one marks the spoilers."If you are posting in..."
I would stay off the message board until you're done reading. Sometimes we just get so excited we forget to use the tags.
There was a point when they didn't exist on Goodreads - you'll notice that in some of the really old posts.
Sydney wrote: "Chapter 40. Feel. My. Pain. [spoilers removed]"If you are ok with spoilers I can clear that one up for you. Just know that the truth is revealed in a later book so You can read the explanation or wait. (view spoiler)
So, does anyone else feel like Jamie and Claire are sort of a dying story?Like the sudden intense romance betwixt Roger and Brianna is to make up for the dying love story of J n' C. Like Gabaldon is bored with her them - they HAVE changed into rather bland characters, I feel -- and so she's pouring a new focus on Bree n' Roger.
Not that I mind her doing it - authors do what they will. But I find it...lacking. Claire doesn't have the same Clairitude and and Jamie seems a bit more...I'm not sure how to put it. Bland.
They both are becoming dull to me.
This is a "Drums of Autumn" page. There are so many books to go! If you have kept reading, you will know that Jamie and Claire are anything but bland, even though other characters continue to grow.
Aяуα wrote: "So, does anyone else feel like Jamie and Claire are sort of a dying story?Like the sudden intense romance betwixt Roger and Brianna is to make up for the dying love story of J n' C. Like Gabaldon..."
They're getting to have a bit more of a "normal" life together, which they never had. They were always travelling and fighting and fighting to get back together. This is the first chance they've really had in twenty-four years of on and off marriage to live in their own house, have a farm, and settle down without interruption. Bree and Roger's relationship is new and exciting, but true love is more than just the initial sparks, it's growing old together.
The normalcy of Jamie and Claire's love story in some sections of the books is the part I love best. It's real. When it's new, there's excitement, anticipation and fun; once you settle in, there's adjustment to that and how you make things new within he confines of that environment. I think Diana Gabaldon does an excellent job of not only writing about how a couple gets together, but also, how one stays together.
I agree I think that is particularly important in the way I read the first seven books. I read back to back one right after another, I simply devoured them! Those moments of normalcy, for me, was like a break and added to the ebb and flow of the story as a whole. You kind of feel, after a while, so much happens to these characters that you just need a break. It is like nobody's life can be that intense. I also cannot help making comparisons to my relationship with my husband. He is my Jamie! We have been together since we were 17 and now are 49. There are so many differences in people and relationships in that time difference. Our love is deep and comforting, it is natural and relaxing. In the beginning though there was a different kind of intensity and excitement of discovering each other, taking risks and helping each other learn the world. I glean this kind of sentiment out of the story also as Jamie and Claire have aged. For me that makes it more realistic, for others it may seem mundane or boring in the story. Life is not all excitement and I personally would not like it if it were. I want a bit of normalcy. I like to "believe" Jamie and Claire are real and their story is being told to me page by page.
When you all put it that way.... I see it now. :)
I feel the same way as Diane. I read all eight books in 8 months. And I feel the same way about my husband as Diane. He is my Jamie. We have been married for 23 years and we have similar relationship, comforting, relaxing, caring one to each other. He has been my warrior, my friend, my lover. We have passed through storms, battles, and peaceful times. Now the kids are almost grown we are discovering ourselves again. It is great to find this kind of relationship in fiction. It is like the books are telling our history.
I just started Drums of Autumn! Is a home else just starting it?
I just started Drums of Autumn! Is a home else just starting it?
Danu autocorrect! Is anyone else just starting it?
Actually, I had not heard of the book series or the Outlander TV series until last summer. I have read the first and second book twice and now I am on the Fiery Cross. Honestly I did not like the Claire character in the first three books. I found her to be too impulsive, childish and immature. Had I not already seen the series, I would not have finished the first book. But.... Caitroina Balfe has elevated this character to one I can respect and care about. I owe this to Ron Moore and his beautiful rendition of the Outlander series. As to Sam Heughen as Jamie Fraser, let's just say my libido is on superdrive and my husband is loving it!
Ha, right?! He's my phone background. And my lock screen. And my computer....
Just finished Voyager in less than a week and picked up Kindle version of 'Drums of Autumn".Wondering if I jump right into it I'll get any sleep tonite lol.
Outlander Series
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So I am rereading Drums of Autumn right now and recently read Leaf on the Wind.
NOTE: MAY HAVE SPOILERS BELOW:
In the scene where Roger tells Bree about his past he talks about two things that simply don't match up with what happens in Leaf on the Wind and I'm puzzled.
1. Roger describes to Bree how Reverend Wakefield used to tell him stories about his (Roger's) dad ( Jerry). Reverend told Roger funny stories about when Jerry was little and used to visit the Reverend on holidays. Roger says he felt closer to his dad because of those stories. How would Reverend Wakefield have known Jerry as a child if Roger's mom was the direct relative of Rev. Wakefield? It was my understanding that Roger's mom was Reverend's niece. So Jerry wouldn't have knows Rev. Wakefield when he was little.
2. Roger says he has memories of his mother because she died when he was five. In Leaf on the Wind she dies when he is two. I know part of the point of Leaf on the Wind was to give the real story of what happened to his parents but that is a big discrepancy.
Anyone have any ideas about this?