Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in An Echo in the Bone, the enormously anticipated seventh volume, Gabaldon continues the extraordinary story of the eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall.
Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he’d rather die than have to face his illegitimate son–a young lieutenant in the British army–across the barrel of a gun.
Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won’t include Jamie’s life or his happiness, though–not if she has anything to say about it.
Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna’s parents’ story comes to life through Claire’s letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire’s love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles–as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire’s fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.
With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure–a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned. |
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 Masterfully done. |
| Review Date: September 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: realifefairytale, FL |
Having re-read the series before beginning this new novel, it was a smooth transition into An Echo in the Bone. However, I have not read the Lord John books. Because of that, I saw that it would be easy to see how one could feel lost if they haven't read the previous entries in the Outlander series, or in the Lord John series, in some time. I felt somewhat lost with some of the references I assumed could be filled in by reading the Lord John series.
In AEitB, we are introduced to new characters and new viewpoints, as well as the now-familiar viewpoints we've been become accustomed to. Diana's writing style is absorbing, entertaining, and humorous, and more than once I found myself laughing out loud. The rich historical detail that her novels are known for was definitely not lacking in AEitB!
And the ending? Well, get ready to have more questions than answers at the end of this novel than you had going in.
I'm extremely satisfied with AEitB, which was definitely worth the wait - and find myself eagerly awaiting the next installment of this series! |
Magnets in the spine....
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| Review Date: October 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sheryl McCallister, SLC, UT United States |
This book must have some kind of magnets in the spine, because it's been three weeks, and I keep wandering back to it, re-reading and re-reading. Every time I go to pick up a book for just 5 minutes, AEITB somehow finds it's way into my hands. And that's not good--I have to finish re-reading The Wheel of Time before A Memory of Light's released in 12 days. Diana keeps distracting me from Randland!
I'm utterly shocked at all these negative reviews. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough!!!
OF COURSE IT JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE--THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR ZONE.
The narrative structure is clearly meant to reflect the state of affairs in the world that Jamie and Claire are moving through. Notice, if you would, that Brianna/Roger/the kidlets don't jump anywhere--BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT IN A WAR ZONE. I think the fragmentation of the story lines was a brilliant editorial choice. I did what I always do with a new Diana Gabaldon book--I took the day off, picked up the book the minute the bookstore opened, and spent the entire day reading. Having just re-read the series over the week before the release, I can say that AEITB is, in fact, a very different read from ABOSAA or TFC--but I found the shifting of POV and story an extremely effective tactic to always keep the tension of living through these extremely difficult times at the forefront of my attention as a reader.
And since when are "new main characters" a surprise???
There's not a book in this series that DOESN'T explore other 'main' characters whose stories are intertwined and that impact Jaime and Claire: in Outlander alone, there's Black Jack Randall (evil b**tard) Colum and Dougal, Geillie, Laoghire (OK, I can't spell in Gaelic), Jenny and Ian. How can you possibly pick up and Outlander book and expect anything ELSE???
Frankly, I love experiencing Jamie and Claire from other characters' POVs, particularly Lord John's. I found John's internal dialog in the scene when he's expecting Jamie to kill him particularly sweet, and very telling. Because as much as John Grey loves Jamie Fraser, how well does John really know him? And Jamie's reaction left me ROTFLMAO. I think it's a beautiful piece of characterization of BOTH those men, and one that would never be possible to write from any POV but John's.
Killing one of my favorite characters might have been necessary from a narrative perspective--clearly, Diana needs another character to be in America and that's the only way to get the second character out of Scotland--but consumption was a much harder death than the dying character really deserved. Claire should have had a least a CHANCE try to and save that person--even if she failed.
Top Ten things I Love the Most:
#1-William Ransom, aka James, the stinking Papist (still with Jamie's rosary around his neck!!!) I think that Diana has done a remarkable job of writing William as 'younger Jamie' on some levels (e.g., seasickness and pickles) and yet on other levels, he's nothing like Jamie at all. 'Like father, like son...God help us all...' I don't think that's as true as the character who says it thinks on first impression. Diana has done a beautiful job of letting William come into his own. "Is there something about you that attracts men with axes?" That's not Jamie a bit--that's all William, and I love him.
#2-"I'll keep it safe, till you catch me up." I read a lot of books; and I don't think I've ever read a more real, honest, perfect description of childhood best friends. My best friend and I have been friends since we were three--and she agrees with me that THAT scene--that's us, only we're girls.
#3-"I AM the son of a great man." I just sat in the chair and bawled. Fergus grew up on me!
#4-I KNEW THAT OLD FART WASN'T AS 'GOOD' AS HE WAS MAKING OUT TO BE!!!! I have always been suspicious of him, ever since he told the story about losing his archery finger to the Frasers. Nobody believed me--BUT I WAS RIGHT.
#5-Mandy and Jem--especially Jem's Gaelic!
#6-Swiftest of Lizards!!
#7-The whole William/Dottie/Denny 'harlequin romance' was wonderful comic relief. As a long ago reader of Barbara Cartland, I found myself giggling constantly. "Are you a virgin," indeed! And I like Dottie--any woman who reminds John Grey of Claire and Bree is someone I want to get to know better.
#8-The constant crossing of William and Ian's paths, especially when Ian knows and William doesn't. You'd think William would ask him why he keeps calling him cousin!
#9-John and Claire finally, FINALLY being forced to come to terms with one another. I don't think I've ever been more surprised by a turn of events in any book, ever--but it was completely and totally in character. It was just a brilliant choice.
#10-"The is MY wolf, and best thee knows it."
THAT'S A GREAT ENDING.
As frustrated as I was that it was the last page of the book, and as badly as I want to know WHAT HAPPENS TO JEM?!?! AND WHERE IS ROGER?!?!?!?!?! (I'm also slightly curious as to where, exactly, Bree's going to hide the body; she's clearly about to cut that jerk's throat...)
THAT IS A TRULY GREAT ENDING. |
OVERALL 5 stars because I am enamored of the entire saga ...
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| Review Date: July 27, 2010 |
| Reviewer: DDavis, NE OH USA |
My review is a bit unorthodox in that I have had the advantage, just this month, of reading all 7 books back to back, with no prior knowledge about the storyline.
I am loving this romance saga with all its intricate turnings -- clan and family survival in 18th century Scotland and eventually to America, violence and unrest, horrible illness and suffering, filth, superstition, clumsy garb, etc. The overall story unfolds remarkably well for me with few frustrations because Gabaldon skillfully and gradually fleshes out those questions raised by prior reviewers of earlier books in the series.
Here are just a few observations, putting aside preconceived notions as much as possible and totally immersing my consciousness in the author's storyline:
*As to the great initial love between Jamie and Claire -- I have personally experienced great love, so I totally "get it" about Jamie and Claire & their continued satisfying physical relationship and deep personal bond that spans the years. As a long-time survivor of physical abuse, I too, would never condone Claire's beating in modern day. But if one paid close attention, it worked in the context of the timeline.
*It was clear to me the reader from the outset that Frank, approximately 10 years Claire's senior, was a less than stalwart husband who was dishonorable and unfaithful and who put his wife second. Claire undoubtedly had subtle intuitions about this, as any woman might. It just took her a while to figure it out. Frank was a smooth, experienced womanizer who viewed Claire's faithfulness as trifling rather than honorable, and gave greater weight to one's available choices for sexual comfort during wartime. Yes, Claire nudged Frank's existence to the back of her mind when she married Jamie and eventually gave him her heart, but she did so with much greater angst that Frank would have, given his hinted-at extracurricular activities while serving his country (and his fellow women, snerk).
*Side note on the first book: For Pete's sake people, give it a break about the great sex between Jamie and Claire! They were a newly married couple in the midst of turmoil and unrest in the land with Jamie a virgin, no matter other extenuating circumstances. Even into the early 20th century, some couples traveled abroad for months on their honeymoon trip (gee, I wonder what they were doing) before settling down to everyday life. What red-blooded 23 year old male wouldn't be raring to go at a given moment once he discovered the delight of physical union with his wife, who happened to have a healthy sexual appetite herself? That part of the story is a refreshing change from how sexual activity with dozens of partners is viewed so casually today. Jamie and Claire considered their physical union to be something precious, private and cherished between them. Bravo.
I could say lots more here and obviously can't discuss all the separate issues pointed out by reviewers over the years. The violence is disturbing, to say the least. But I am surprised at the uproar about it. Why come down on this author so hard? Horrible violence takes place in films shown in area theatres all the time. And actors are receiving Academy Awards for portraying it! "Somebody" is paying to watch those films and make them successful. Where is the outrage about that?
Enough said. I came late to the game and love the books and am on my second read right now. Can't wait to see what happens with all the cliffhangers in Echo. I am now grinding my teeth at having to wait a year or two for the next installment.
Oh! One more thing. There is something to be said for the Outlander series to be so wonderful that it has dislodged from a first place run of MORE THAN 48 years, another historic romance series that had held my heart steadfast, til now. |
jhicks
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| Review Date: May 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Hicks, Florida, USA |
Another great book in this incredibly good series. I cannot wait for the next one. I had to read the Lord John series to fill in the empty places that could not be filled with the Frasers. This was a great help to me as I was a little confused about where Percy fit into the story. Now everything fits.
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This author never coasts...
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| Review Date: October 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Grace Opal, |
not like some others! She still gives us the depth and detail we crave, even if we have a few quibbles about the story. In fact, let me air some of my quibbles:(SPOILERS)
~~leeches: there's a scene in this book with William and leeches; I immediately expected him to remember his leech experience on the Ridge when he was a boy and Claire kindly removed them all--I was quite surprised when that didn't happen--an experience like that would definitely not have been forgotten.
~~I was also disappointed that there was no big time travel revelation with any of the characters. Why leave such a scene out? Did I miss it? There was some murky allusion to telling Jenny (and Ian?) "what they were"...huh? Really disappointed we were shut out from that whole development.
~~And what about Lord John--does he know???--totally confused on that score. In ...Snow and Ashes, I so wanted Lord John to be told about the whole time travel thing--preferably by Bree--what a great scene that would've been. I'm a big fan of Lord John--he's got it all, and I would've loved to experience his reaction. (Frankly, I also think Colum should've been told back in Outlander, but that's in the past!!)
~~I too, missed more time with Claire and Jamie; particularly Claire--I find it fascinating when she's doing her doctor thing and not backing down from anyone.
~~When Claire and Lord John get intimate, Diana should've explored that more--these are 2 fascinating characters, often at odds: what were they thinking/feeling? How did their relationship change afterwards? Seemed like she dropped that bombshell of a situation and then walked away from it.
~~And finally, who told Diana that she had to end the book right there? Is there some rule about how long a book can be? I would have had no problem with a longer one with more closure. We are not afraid of long books!!
Well, quibbles or no, it was a pleasure to continue the story of Claire and Jamie, et al. I enjoyed some of the new characters, particularly Rachel and her brother plus am looking forward to Ian and Rachel together. I also have this longing for Jem and his Granda to see each other again.
Still feel sorry for Frank, though. Once I began re-reading the series, I realized how sad his life was--especially if he still loved Claire...sigh.
Thanks Diana, for some of the best reading experiences I've ever had--I love all the books in the series and have re-read them all often. I expect I'll re-read this one, too. In the meantime, please write faster!!!
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