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Dragonfly in Amber
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Group Re-Read of Dragonfly in Amber! Topic Question found in post 183 on page 4
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Lori
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Apr 10, 2012 11:37AM
Well, since DG couldn't change history and prevent Culloden... I wish that Dougal hadn't overheard that last conversation between Jamie & Claire. Jamie would have made Claire go back through the stones anyway. I'd rather have seen Dougal go down at Culloden, fighting side-by-side with Jamie. But that's just me.
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Lori wrote: "Well, since DG couldn't change history and prevent Culloden... I wish that Dougal hadn't overheard that last conversation between Jamie & Claire. Jamie would have made Claire go back through the st..."Yes, Lori. I am with you! But I do think in light of what learn in the FC it all evens out for me.
Lori, that's a very good one. I agree with that completely. I always kind of liked Dougal, even when he was an ass.
That would have been nice Lori.
Wendy -I have to admit that I "pondered" your question for a couple of days and have decided, that while I agree with some of the comments written, I don't think I would have changed anything in the story.
Carren, I think I agree with you. While parts were hard for me or I struggled with them, there wasn't anything I was disappointed in. At least as far as THIS book. There are a couple things later, so we may have to revisit this topic.
Wendy, what you responded to Sara is so true, and sometimes it breaks my heart. But then, (view spoiler)
I wish that Murtagh survived the war.
That's true Lori, I do agree with that. He was blessed there.That was another sad moment for me too Dawn.
I wish that Diana could get the publisher to put a page in before the first chapter to reassure new readers that this is the sequal to Outlander.
I am about 130 pages from the end of the book, but I cannot think of anything I would change at this point. However, I must admit that the war details are dragging me down a bit.... :)
In Outlander Jamie was on the run, a wanted man. He took orders from Collum and Dougal, and while he was a natural leader, that wasn't the position that he was in. However, at the end of DIA we get to see Jamie during the war. How did you think this showed another side of his personality? Did you prefer it?
I think Jamie was born a leader. He learned from Collum and Dougal how to lead and get respect from his men. I love Jamie any way he is. But I do think I perfer him as a leader and... a lover...I don't think that changed in any way during the book!!
I am a little behind on this group read as I am just now finishing up Outlander. It was so sweet and oh how I love Jamie Frazer. I am just beginning Dragonfly in Amber and find myself wanting to skip straight to the parts where we are back in the 18th century. So far I am on Chapter 3 and Wakefield is trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together however I wonder if his story is interesting and should I just follow it on through or by skipping ahead I really won't miss much.? Thoughts?
I wouldn't skip a thing Jamie! There are so many things in these books that seem like "not much" that turn out to be verra important later on. That is mho. I just finished listening to it on audio. Now off to start listening to Voyager!
Fawn wrote: "I wouldn't skip a thing Jamie! There are so many things in these books that seem like "not much" that turn out to be verra important later on. That is mho. I just finished listening to it on audio...."Thanks I finally made it to chapter 6 and now Jamie and Claire have just met Jared who seems interesting enough. I will continue to tread forward. Thanks.
I think you say it perfectly there. He was a naturally born leader, like they said in Outlander. He had a flare for show and a charisma that made people want to follow him. It was sound that Collum and Dougal would feel real worry that some of the clan would choose to follow Jamie rather than Dougal. However, it wasn't until after returning from France and preparing for the war that you really saw Jamie get to stretch that and grow into his status... at least in my opinion.
I agree with Wendy and Sara - other than with the "broken men" and the men who followed him, Jamie didn't have much of a chance to truly show his leadership until the heat got turned up. Leading up to Culloden (even at his grandather's house), Jamie got to flex his true leadership muscles.
I thought the plan was for Jamie to grow and become laird of his clan, wasn't he? Or that was his father, Brian's hope, maybe not Dougal or Collum's. Jamie had inherited that strong leadership quality and needed to mature and learn, which he did very well by living with Dougal and Collum and fighting in France. Like Sara and Wendy said so well.It's Jamie's Alpha with heart personality that I love best. That he has both qualities, to be tough and tender when needed *sigh*.
Agreed, Lisa - and very well said!
It's our last full week of Dragonfly in Amber reread! Hit me with those Dragonfly in Amber quotes that made your knees weak, your pulse pound, or you burst into laughter!
"Claire" he said quietly. "Tomorrow I will die. This child... is all that will be left of me - ever. I ask you, Claire - I beg you, see it safe"I stood still, vision blurring, and in that moment, I heard my heart break. It was a small, clean sound, like the snapping of a flower's stem.
This part gets me EVERY time I read it. And I've read it a number of times.
Oh I love that one too!! This is my favorite!“I will find you," he whispered in my ear. "I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you - then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is the one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest." His voice dropped, nearly to a whisper, and his arms tightened around me. "Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.”
Just pick one?One of my favorite's is when Claire asked Jamie if he is happy about the baby. (Part 2', Chapter 6).
"I'm happy. And proud as a stallion. But I am most awfully afraid, too."
"I want to protect ye, Sassenach-spread myself over ye like a cloak and shield you and the child wi' my body.". His voice was soft and husky, with a slight catch in it. "I would do anything for ye . . .and yet. . .there's nothing I can do. It doesn't matter how strong I am, or how willing; I canna go with you where ye must go...nor even help ye at all. And to think of the things that might happen, and me helpless to stop them . . .aye, I'm afraid, Sassenach.
"And yet"-he turned me toward him, hand closing gently over one breast-"Yet when I think of you wi' my child at your breast . . .then I feel as though I've gone hollow as a soap bubble, and perhaps a I shall burst with joy."
"Oh, Claire, ye do break my heart wi loving you."
I feel much differently reading this book in my 40's than in my 20's. I appreciate the fragile relationships between husband/wife mother/child, etc.
I also see the foreshadowing the DG has placed in this line along with the beauty of a man loving his wife and expectant child. That he wishes he could go where she must go. Also that he is helpless to stop what must happen.
Yes, I also found this scene to be very touching. Jamie is knowing that although childbirth is an unfamiliar journey for him he recognizes that it is a journey and one she has to undergone alone. The idea that he realizes this is showing just how much Jamie is growing.
Post as many as you want, Dawn! I had some more to post but I was at work so I only grabbed that one because I think it's one of my favorites in the whole series.I'll post more in a moment.
Oh yeah - those are all GREAT quotes! I'll have to dig, but you've already got my favs. Although I know there's more.Funny how they're all Jamie quotes, too, isn't it? ;-)
I won't copy word for word this scene, but one that really stays with me is when Jamie came home from a night of "whoring" (but not doing anything) with the men and Claire foung the hickey on his neck and the argument that followed. It really showed true emotions on both sides (Jamie and Claire) and just how fragile relationships can be.
There are a lot in Dragonfly. A couple that I recall right off the tip of my head are :“Between hell now, and hell later, Sassenach," he said, his speech measured and precise, "I will take later, every time.”
“Sassenach." He had called me that from the first; the Gaelic word for outlander, a stranger. An Englishman. First in jest, then in affection.”
Lori so true! lol The other one I like is Jamie too when he tells Claire that when he thinks of her graceful may not be the first things that pops in head but that her face is his heart. It is actually a long quote (I like the whole thing) I have to look it up. I will posted a little later.
If anyone is interested in the Outlander audiobooks narrated by Davina Porter...... audible.com (US) is running a sale on all seven books... $7.95 each.That's a great deal!!!!
I'm going to close this group reread and direct any further conversation into our regular Dragonfly in Amber thread you can find here. Thanks for taking part! Come chat with us in the thread for our reread of Voyager!
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