Scan barcode
A review by illyanadallas222
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
5.0
Man, I plowed through this 1k in a little over a week. Am I an overachiever? Or perhaps was the book THAT good? I'll let God decide.
Having the benefit of hindsight and having already read the series and ability to cross-compare with other novels in the universe, Book 4 is not one that comes to mind as "the favourite" throughout the fandom. Nothing CLIMATIC stands out, and a lot of miscommunications throughout the families are riddled throughout the book, for better or for worse.
The context that colours this book throughout reminds me that of 'fall colours' and autumnal backdrops. Moving to the colonies and starting from the ground up (quite literally, camping in the North Carolina wilderness) created a idyllic environmental context that quite different from the backdrop we were formerly in, in Voyager, where the environment was... pirates... ships... sea... Jamaica... high key Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, only obviously better... we learn and bond with Tuscarora and Mohawk people, mainly with small allusions to the Cherokee. Diana's detailed odes and representation of Native Americans kindling with outlander communities was not only educational but also a deepened understand of the vibe they lived in.
In terms of our characters, Jaime really was full frontal and center in this novel, as a reader completely felt FRUSTERATED at our hero Jaime for meddling so much into affairs he only knew half-truths of, causing consequential damages that I don't think are easily remedied in the foreseeable future. Alas, this book really exposed his character flaws. With no closing redemption arc, aside from his admissions of his wrongdoings. His arc stood out the most, making him almost mortal in the reader's eyes. Aside from him, experiencing Claire and Jaime again as a unit, and now an extended unit as added family members join them in the home-building in the Colonies, was as well a delight. Drums of Autumn was a very 'domestic' book, where we got to see our family members bubble about their days, tune into their rants and antics as well as the sweet nothings that characterise their days. Only Diana's god-given gift in writing could make me interested in Claire's process of yeasting Penicillin from bread.
And most importantly (excuse the sequious thought), this book gave me Roger. And let me tell you, ROGER, is a true hero in this book. Despite being 'only' a historian he has survived SLAVERY like no other. and Bri! God Bri is so strong.
Diana famously indulged the notion that she doesn't like characters that she likes characters that have 'innate grit and have a strong sense of self-sufficiency', ending it with, 'dysfunctional characters do not interest me' and BOY, was that tested and trailed true in Drums of Autumn.
Alright, Onwards Outlanders heres to Book 5, the Fiery Cross!
Having the benefit of hindsight and having already read the series and ability to cross-compare with other novels in the universe, Book 4 is not one that comes to mind as "the favourite" throughout the fandom. Nothing CLIMATIC stands out, and a lot of miscommunications throughout the families are riddled throughout the book, for better or for worse.
The context that colours this book throughout reminds me that of 'fall colours' and autumnal backdrops. Moving to the colonies and starting from the ground up (quite literally, camping in the North Carolina wilderness) created a idyllic environmental context that quite different from the backdrop we were formerly in, in Voyager, where the environment was... pirates... ships... sea... Jamaica... high key Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, only obviously better... we learn and bond with Tuscarora and Mohawk people, mainly with small allusions to the Cherokee. Diana's detailed odes and representation of Native Americans kindling with outlander communities was not only educational but also a deepened understand of the vibe they lived in.
In terms of our characters, Jaime really was full frontal and center in this novel, as a reader completely felt FRUSTERATED at our hero Jaime for meddling so much into affairs he only knew half-truths of, causing consequential damages that I don't think are easily remedied in the foreseeable future. Alas, this book really exposed his character flaws. With no closing redemption arc, aside from his admissions of his wrongdoings. His arc stood out the most, making him almost mortal in the reader's eyes. Aside from him, experiencing Claire and Jaime again as a unit, and now an extended unit as added family members join them in the home-building in the Colonies, was as well a delight. Drums of Autumn was a very 'domestic' book, where we got to see our family members bubble about their days, tune into their rants and antics as well as the sweet nothings that characterise their days. Only Diana's god-given gift in writing could make me interested in Claire's process of yeasting Penicillin from bread.
And most importantly (excuse the sequious thought), this book gave me Roger. And let me tell you, ROGER, is a true hero in this book. Despite being 'only' a historian he has survived SLAVERY like no other. and Bri! God Bri is so strong.
Diana famously indulged the notion that she doesn't like characters that she likes characters that have 'innate grit and have a strong sense of self-sufficiency', ending it with, 'dysfunctional characters do not interest me' and BOY, was that tested and trailed true in Drums of Autumn.
Alright, Onwards Outlanders heres to Book 5, the Fiery Cross!