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theeclecticreview's review against another edition
4.0
Drums of AutumnThis is the fourth book in the Outlander series and Claire and Jamie's new adventures are in the Americas. They travel with Ian Murray (Jamie's nephew) to North Carolina where they meet Jamie's Aunt Jocasta at River Run. Even though Aunt Jocasta wants to leave Jamie her estate, he prefers to settle at Fraser's Ridge which it is more secluded and something he can call his own . Of course, Claire and Jamie run into Indians and bears on the way and meet interesting characters as well.
In addition to Claire and Jamie's story, Brianna (Claire and Jamie's daughter) and Roger Wakefield MacKenzie's (distant ancestor of Dougal MacKenzie and Gille Duncan) join the adventures by doing some time travel themselves. Brianna goes back on her own from the 1970's to the 1770's to warn Claire and Jamie about a historical fact that she finds out and Roger discovers where Brianna has gone and and follows her.
Of course I love this series, but I thought the whole Jamie/Roger misunderstanding and the search for him took too long. However, that won't stop me from continuing on to the next in the series, The Fiery Cross. As always, Davina Porter is a fantastic narrator and I recommend trying out the books on CD. They are excellent!
In addition to Claire and Jamie's story, Brianna (Claire and Jamie's daughter) and Roger Wakefield MacKenzie's (distant ancestor of Dougal MacKenzie and Gille Duncan) join the adventures by doing some time travel themselves. Brianna goes back on her own from the 1970's to the 1770's to warn Claire and Jamie about a historical fact that she finds out and Roger discovers where Brianna has gone and and follows her.
Of course I love this series, but I thought the whole Jamie/Roger misunderstanding and the search for him took too long. However, that won't stop me from continuing on to the next in the series, The Fiery Cross. As always, Davina Porter is a fantastic narrator and I recommend trying out the books on CD. They are excellent!
shaila_m's review against another edition
3.0
I expected a lot more, but so far my least favourite book in the series.
hgrauhein's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
anyas_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
litilldreki's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
birdinflight1's review against another edition
4.0
Two things are getting me through this pandemic: long walks and Outlander. I watched all the seasons, and now I'm working my way through the books.
I enjoyed this book more than all the others thus far, in part because it is a perfect combination of Little House on the Prairie and the sweet love story between Claire and Jamie. I loved Little House on the Prairie as a young girl, and I love reading about how Jamie and Claire spend their days on the edge of the frontier, building shelter, gathering food and herbs, and generally surviving and spending time without any modern conveniences. This is the kind of history I love--not tedious wars and battles and political maneuverings of white men. I love learning the history of what it was like to be a woman long ago. Additionally, I don't think I'd be quite so enamored with this series if Claire wasn't a healer. I love reading about the medicinal uses of plants, her friendship with the Native American medicine woman, and how she treats infection with maggots (even though that is so disgusting, it is also fascinating)!
I also appreciate how the author paints a very nuanced picture of the Native Americans and makes many comparisons to the Scottish Highlanders and the natives on North America. She describes the native people as complex humans, with all the feelings, knowledge, traditions, and history of any group of people, as opposed to simply referring to them as inconvenient savages to be dealt with as in the Little House books. As an adult, I now see that the Little House books promote a very singular American story, and in doing so, do a lot of damage to the image of Native Americans. I appreciate that Gabaldon tries to address the richness of the Native American culture and the complexity of the white-native conflict. Claire's point of view as a person from the future helps inform this viewpoint, as it does in regards to Aunt Jocasta's ownership of slaves.
I very much enjoyed the part about Lord John and Willie visit Fraser's Ridge. The relationships are so touching, and in the midst of a global pandemic, it was fascinating to read about a measles epidemic. The Outlander TV series, along with Call the Midwife, has done a lot of to dispel any latent vaccine hesitancy in me leftover from my early days as a holistic mom. Seeing these horrible diseases depicted has really solidified my thoughts on the importance of vaccination.
I loved all the reunion scenes in this novel as well: between Roger and Brianna, Brianna and Jamie, Brianna and Claire, Jamie and Willie, and the ensuing nascent relationships. Verra heartwarming indeed.
I could do without the evil Stephen Bonnet part of the story, and the part about Roger being sold to the Mohawk was a little far-fetched, but I did enjoy the developing relationship between John Grey and Brianna that these plot lines allowed. For a couple that values honesty, the whole trauma to Roger and Bree could have been avoided with one conversation about Stephen Bonnet.
At the end of the story, the letter where Frank reveals that he had Jamie's gravestone placed in St. Kilda's kirkyard opens a whole new avenue of speculation. Claire has seen that gravestone, and believes Jamie will die in Scotland, but now we know that is not Jamie's real grave. The plot thickens...
Overall, I'm in awe--awe that someone can imagine and write a story such as this that has kept my attention, educated, and entertained me for almost an entire year!
I enjoyed this book more than all the others thus far, in part because it is a perfect combination of Little House on the Prairie and the sweet love story between Claire and Jamie. I loved Little House on the Prairie as a young girl, and I love reading about how Jamie and Claire spend their days on the edge of the frontier, building shelter, gathering food and herbs, and generally surviving and spending time without any modern conveniences. This is the kind of history I love--not tedious wars and battles and political maneuverings of white men. I love learning the history of what it was like to be a woman long ago. Additionally, I don't think I'd be quite so enamored with this series if Claire wasn't a healer. I love reading about the medicinal uses of plants, her friendship with the Native American medicine woman, and how she treats infection with maggots (even though that is so disgusting, it is also fascinating)!
I also appreciate how the author paints a very nuanced picture of the Native Americans and makes many comparisons to the Scottish Highlanders and the natives on North America. She describes the native people as complex humans, with all the feelings, knowledge, traditions, and history of any group of people, as opposed to simply referring to them as inconvenient savages to be dealt with as in the Little House books. As an adult, I now see that the Little House books promote a very singular American story, and in doing so, do a lot of damage to the image of Native Americans. I appreciate that Gabaldon tries to address the richness of the Native American culture and the complexity of the white-native conflict. Claire's point of view as a person from the future helps inform this viewpoint, as it does in regards to Aunt Jocasta's ownership of slaves.
I very much enjoyed the part about Lord John and Willie visit Fraser's Ridge. The relationships are so touching, and in the midst of a global pandemic, it was fascinating to read about a measles epidemic. The Outlander TV series, along with Call the Midwife, has done a lot of to dispel any latent vaccine hesitancy in me leftover from my early days as a holistic mom. Seeing these horrible diseases depicted has really solidified my thoughts on the importance of vaccination.
I loved all the reunion scenes in this novel as well: between Roger and Brianna, Brianna and Jamie, Brianna and Claire, Jamie and Willie, and the ensuing nascent relationships. Verra heartwarming indeed.
I could do without the evil Stephen Bonnet part of the story, and the part about Roger being sold to the Mohawk was a little far-fetched, but I did enjoy the developing relationship between John Grey and Brianna that these plot lines allowed. For a couple that values honesty, the whole trauma to Roger and Bree could have been avoided with one conversation about Stephen Bonnet.
At the end of the story, the letter where Frank reveals that he had Jamie's gravestone placed in St. Kilda's kirkyard opens a whole new avenue of speculation. Claire has seen that gravestone, and believes Jamie will die in Scotland, but now we know that is not Jamie's real grave. The plot thickens...
Overall, I'm in awe--awe that someone can imagine and write a story such as this that has kept my attention, educated, and entertained me for almost an entire year!
cheiseireads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
rbouwmeester's review against another edition
2.0
I FINALLY FINISHED IT! And what a struggle it has been.
jamieclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“so long as my body lives, and yours—we are one flesh,” he whispered. “and when my body shall cease, my soul will still be yours. claire—i swear by my hope of heaven, i will not be parted from you.”
enjoyed this original version of how everything played out sm more than the show's reimagined season 4 i could cry. jamieclaire being an old married couple on top of jamie & brianna getting to know each other mean so much to me i would have given this five stars if not for roger's pov. did not think he'd be even more irritating in book form my god