▲ 16 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread- Drums of Autumn: chapters 10- 13, Part four - River Run
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Frasers arrived at River Run and there we met Jocasta - a blind queen in Sophocle's play. River Run and Jocasta have a crucial role for the next, at least, 3 books. Grek symbolism is very strong here, I believe we once had a post entirely about it. Hector - Illiad - represents might and power.
Jocasta ( Sophocles) - woman who made costly error and was driven by guilt.
What was your first impression of Jocasta?
But, all the peace is disrupted when the accident at the mill happen and we learn about The Law of bloodshed.
I love all the Gaelic and Scottish at this remote place. I love Jamie referring to Claire as ban lighiche - healer, female physician.
Aconite - more Greek mythology.
What do you think about Claire's decision regarding Rufus?
I think it wasn't moral decision, but compassionate and right one. They are both( Jamie and Claire) navigating around the fact of slave owning. I believe claire showed him mercy.
I find dynamic between Claire and Jocasta quite interesting. Jocasta has good reason to be wary of Claire because Claire is the person who could interfere in her plans. Jocasta's biggest mistake was making plans without Claire in mind. And I believe Claire always has some kind of distrust toward Jocasta.
The chapter where Jamie is having his doubts and shows his vulnerability is one of my favorite ones. It is such a raw way of showing his insecurities as a man in his prime and family provider.
''Frog'' - allusion to a plague? First it was a skunk, now it is frog - symbolic plague which is brought on when a man s given licence to own another man .
Another Greek allusion to Persephone - Will Claire's decision take her to an underworld, to a wicked place, a death? Her decision is easy, she will follow him, it is Jamie who needs truly to decide. I love her line about folowing him everywhere and giving him space to decide. It shows that her home is with him but on the other hand Jamie knows that owning slaves would eat Claire alive, little by little. It is dangerous if it is noticed by others. And, he couldn't live as a slave owner either. I really see his struggles - he wants to give her the world but at what cost? I am so sorry that non of these conversations were in the show!
Why do you think Jamie and Claie decided to help Pollyane? Why is Jocasta supporting it?
u/Nanchika — 5 days ago
▲ 14 r/Outlander
Excerpt from A Blessing - William and Frances
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EXCERPT from A BLESSING FOR A WARRIOR GOING OUT, Copyright 2026 Diana Gabaldon
[In which William goes to the stable (on Fraser’s Ridge) to check on his horse, before leaving with Jamie on their quest to rescue Lord John,
and finds Fanny, who has been readying his horse for the journey. (The horse’s original name is Dandelion, though William’s renamed him Trajan.)]
“There.” She arranged a strand of straggling mane, and stepped back, curry-comb in hand. “He’s ready.” She was keeping a calm expression, but her
fingers were squeezing the handle of the comb as though it was a snake.
“He looks splendid, Frances—a regular dandy.”
She ignored the feeble jest and gave William a side-long look.
“You’re not going to kiss me goodbye?”
Mildly surprised, William nevertheless bent courteously toward her, only to have her step back.
“Not on the cheek,” she said. She sounded slightly breathless, but determined. “I’m not a little girl.”
He realized, with an odd feeling that ran down his backbone like quicksilver, that she wasn’t. He took her hand, and bowed over it.
“My apologies, Miss Pocock.” Her hand was quite warm in his, and surprisingly larger than he’d expected. Her fingers were long, supple
and well-shaped—and they turned, moving between his own and grasping his hand.
“And not that, either.”
He’d straightened up in surprise, but didn’t—not yet—pull his hand away.
“I’ve kissed men before, you know,” she said.
“Who?” he asked, not at all sure he wanted to know, but unable not to ask.
“I’ve been kissing men since I was five years old,” she said boldly, and he realized suddenly that while Jane had saved her sister from violation
and defilement, there were other services a very young girl might be required to perform in a brothel.
He concealed his shock, though, asking lightly instead, “Oh? What about the tall Scottish chap that’s been skulking about looking daggers at me?
Hasn’t he tried to kiss you?”
“Cyrus can’t skulk,” she said, without offense. “He’s much too tall. He didn’t have to ask. And you should be pleased it’s only looks. He’s a Highlander
and a fisherman and he hasn’t punched you yet because I told him not to.”
“I appreciate your forbearance, Frances,” he said gravely. And not so gravely, took his hand from hers, and lifting her chin with a forefinger,
bent again and kissed her lightly on the lips.
It lasted no more than a second or two, but long enough to leave a sense of softness and warmth.
“Goodbye, Frances,” he said, meeting her eyes, the soft yellow-brown of uncured tobacco. “I’ll see you again.” And picking up his saddlebags,
took Trajan’s rein and led him toward the daylight.
At the open door, though, he turned for a moment.
“Why did you do that?” he asked.
She was standing quite still in the shadows, the curry-comb hanging from her hand, and her eyes still on him.
“In case you don’t come back,” she said. “Often people don’t.”
u/Nanchika — 10 days ago
▲ 11 r/Outlander
Outlander Book Series Extra Long Reread- Drums of Autumn: chapters 6-9
Only 3 chapters this week, all three belonging to the part 3, named - Pirates
In Chapter 6 I Encounter a Hernia we encounter John Quincy Myers, one of the foundational characters for Frasers' life in the new world.
They mentioned peaches and peach imagery reminded me of Lord John . John smelled peaches when he found his father dead. Also, when he saw Percy's betrayal, sky was the colour of the peach.
In chapter 7, after the dinner, Claire felt the ruby getting hot. She says it was warmer than her skin and that she could feel the heartbeat. That is the earliest we got to see Claire's reaction to any gemstone.
The dinner served as an introduction to the political atmosphere in North Carolina. Philip Wylie, another portant characterlater, is introduced. I didn't find him so tedious as he later become, and you?
Chapter 8, Man of Worth is one of my favourite chapters in this book. The humor while Jamie is teaching Ian Greek and Latin is just over the top. I laugh aloud , I can see them in my head.
Do you think Jamie feels guilty for sending Laoghaire the money? I don't think Claire would reproach him for it. I am glad he bought her the medicine box. It will be another character of its own through the books.
Jamie reciting ''Amo, Amas'' by John O'Keefe was funny but nice too. He is romatic in this chapter. Romance in the wilderness can be another title for this chapter since we had - anniversary gift, amorous advances, promises of properly done husbandry duties, dazzling smile, poem and a courting leg for a lady.
Names theme is another one that popped up here. Fergus was wondering about the name for the baby, Ian and Jamie talked about Fergus's own name and at the end of the book another character owill be chosing the name for her child, honouring all the important family members.
And then, it is all destroyed. Two - Thirds of a ghost. Bonnet is back.
Gemstones : 1. Topaz -given to Olivers in Georgia
Ruby - sold to Pentzler
Saphire, 4. Emerald . 5.Black Diamond - stolen by Bonnet
The first time we meet Bonnet in chapter 2 , he is 1/3 of a ghost. Now, he is 2/3 and in chapter 62 he is 3/3 - Is he closer to becoming a full ghost = dead?
I really loved these chapters ( excluding the Bonnet's comeback). I felt such a betrayal here and I can only imagine Jamie's amount of guilt. I found it funny that Claire and Ian conlcuded Jamie was so angry at Claire but he didn't even mention her refusal to give the rings away. Do you think Claire did well?
Tell me anything you want about these chapters and themes. Welcome!
u/Nanchika — 13 days ago
▲ 9 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Rered, Drums of Autumn: chapters 1- 5 (Parts 1 and 2)
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Shape: curving rose stem, with a budding offshoot (Roger and Brianna’s story) and a lot of thorns, ending in a big showy whorl of flower, where all the petals of the plot come together.
Theme : Family (fatherhood)
Drums: - Native Americans, Redcoats, they all have drums.
Autumn: - Claire and Jamie are entering the autumn phase of their lives .
- autumn of British rule in the colonies
Prologue:
Ghosts - haunt the story in this book.
- past, present, future ( Time Travel)
- ghosts who live
- ghosts of our ancestors in our features
- the writing of ghosts that affects our lives
- ghosts of our former selves
- my mother's eyes, my great grandfather - ancestors (ghosts)
Choosing which ghosts to bring is paralleled to choosing which tools to bring. Claire can't forget her past - Frank and Brianna. Her guilt over them wil always haunt her. It is our memories and experiences , our dwelling on them ( conscious or not) that haunt us.
Claire is comforted that her mother is with her and in that sense she will be with Brianna. Is it enough for Bree, do you believe?
Theme of the book is about fatherhood but prologue talks about mothers.
''Drums of Eden'' - was possible book title
''Wilow Tree'' tavern - willow is symbol of mourning, tears, death and deep emotions. They are mournign for Gavin Hayes.
When Frasers and co meet Bonnet, he mentions '' asgina ageli'' which matches theme of ghosts from the prologue. It gives Bonnet, Jamie and Claire something in common.
Did you get the feeling Bonnet will be trouble? Do you think Bonnet storyline is product of Jamie's weakness or his emphaty and compassion?
In PART 2, we follow Bree and Roger. As it is mentioned in the book itself, they wish to leave their supporting roles behind. We get Bree's POV and there is an insight into her trauma and confussion, but also her ability to adapt, her independence, uncertainty and a lot of caution.
Roger is determined, intuitive, sensitive towards her, he knows what he wants. But does she?
I find Bree's emotional response to the festival very interesting. She is not ready for the sheer pulling power of her ancestors. She keeps being a hard nut to crack.
Claire and Frank's photos - Bree knew about Jamie and how Claire felt about him. She had seen Claire and Frank's marriage and understood it but photos are proof that Claire once felt for Frank what Bree identified feeling for Roger and knowing it didn't work out, she is unable to commit. Did Bree recognize Claire's young age and a mistake about believing she will love Frank forever?
I really like the insight we got into Brianna's character. I think it is important to follow her development and how difficult for her is to open to everything. And that is something that will follow her throughout more than one book.
How did you like the start of this story?
We got one of the steamiest scenes between Jamie and Claire and I loved their talk about getting tired of each other and their mutual insecurities concearning that.
There was introduction to Rollo as well. Who knew how important his character would become?!
Marsali is missing, we know Diana forgot to include her here and then later she remembered about her but I find it so funny that she is not mentioned at all.
u/Nanchika — 20 days ago
▲ 37 r/Outlander
Blood of my Blood season 2 first look photos
cosmopolitan.comu/Nanchika — 21 days ago
▲ 9 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread- Voyager : chapter 60- end
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In chapter 60 'The Scent of Gemstones' we hear about gemstones and their use for time travelling! Even Geilis, in her notebook, hadn't mentioned them before she went throught the stnes.
I tried to work out Geilis's 5 husbands. Does she mean since she came to the West Indies or coming in the 18th century? If I remember correctly, there was a 1. man in the cabin, 2.Arthur Duncan, 3? somebody from Paris who took her across the ocean 4? , 5. Abernathy. Does anyone know for sure?
These chapters are so action packed! Geilis seeing Bree's photos, search for Ian, Reverend's death, slave rebellion, vodoo rituals...
It is not coincidence that Ishmael asks Claire whether she still bleeds cause only old women can work real magic. That is why Nayawenne told Claire she will recieve her full power with her white hair.
I was trying to understand Reverend's hate toward (wanton) women. Is it because he believed that Margaret's wanton behaviour caused her illness and misfortune?
We got conclusion about Mr Willoughby - Jamie treated him better than any other man but even Jamie without full awareness treated him as lesser by changing his name and trying to change him into an acceptible member of society. Yi Tien Cho aknowledges Jamie's friendship and patronage but he resents the dependence imposed on him. He is deprived of his rightful social position and his name and it makes him betray Jamie. He is an outsider by strange culture and customs, but he is not the only one. There is also Jamie ( Jacobite), LJ ( gay), Claire (TT). Do you understand Yi Tien Cho's reasoning? Do you symphatize with him?
I had to make notes about some words:
loa - spirit of dead person, voodo deity speaking through oracle
buckra - white person
Bouassa - famous Maroon
Geilis and virgin boys - she believed there are special gemstones growing inside virgin boys. It was also believed to be a cure for syphilis. Do you think that is why she raped them?
De Profundis, Psalm 29 ( Out of the Depths) - ''Out of the depths, I have cried for thee'' - forgiveness, redemption, hope for a future together. How fitting for our characters!
Parallels between the start and end of the book :
''I was dead'' - parallel to Jamie's - ''He was dead''.
They both have leg injuries
They are both displaced from home country and continent, friends.
They can have a fresh start together.
Claire was taken out of her safe little hospital stuff room and taken into the middle of sappy romance novel sitting on the table. She is no longer trying to fit into Jamie's life - they are moving forward together.
Voyager was a wild ride! When I turn to chpater 1 and see where we started and how many things happened, I am in awe! Great book, my second favourite for sure!
What was your favourite part of Voyager? What stood out?
u/Nanchika — 27 days ago
▲ 25 r/Outlander
Snips from Blessing
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Excerpt from A BLESSING FOR A WARRIOR GOING OUT, Copyright 2026 Diana Gabaldon
Hal gave up the notion of neatly folding his uniform coat—it looked simple enough when his valet did it, but as with many things, practice evidently mattered—and rolled it into a sort of thick sausage, which he folded in half and crammed into his saddlebag, moleskin breeches, clean neckcloth and gold-laced epaulets stuffed in on top. Anything else?
“Shirt, God damn it,” he said aloud, clutching the front of the one he was wearing. Cursing under his breath, he pawed through the armoire in search of a clean frilled shirt. The search not only resulted in a shirt—already folded, too!--but focused his mind to a sufficient extent as to remind him of stockings, dress boots and…what? Something else was missing…
“Oh, gorget, yes. Can’t forget that.” ‘That’ was on his dressing table, as usual. He picked it up, weighing it in his hand as he usually did before putting it on, for the tactile pleasure of it. Solid, smooth silver-gilt, gracefully made, with his regimental insignia embossed upon it. He reached to drop it into the saddlebag, then impulsively put it on instead, tucking it down inside the rough shirt he’d put on for the journey. Strange, that it should have the same effect upon his spirit as putting on armor might have had to an earlier warrior—though that’s what it was, in all fairness—armor, the remnant symbol of a breastplate.
He took a deep breath, and with it, found the last scrap of courage that he needed.
He closed the flap of the saddlebag, set it with its fellow by the door, and sat down at his desk to write to his wife.
_I had hoped to surprise you with an early return to England, but Things have fallen out otherwise. Ben is alive—but I forget, you likely don’t know he was supposed to be dead. He’s not. He has turned his Coat, though, and I must go and—_
He broke off and eyed the paper, twiddling the quill between his fingers.
“And what?” he said aloud. Reproach Ben? Kidnap him? Kill him?
“God knows,” he muttered, and wrote, “_mend Matters. I love you_.” He hesitated for a moment, considering whether to add “_trust me_”, but didn’t, instead folding, sealing and stamping the note. He wrote “Her Grace the Duchess of Pardloe” by way of direction, then laid it atop the pile of mail for one of his aides to take away.
His stomach growled; he hadn’t eaten anything yet today, he hadn’t been hungry before. He glanced at the leather case that lay on the desk, and the hunger pangs disappeared.
He knew everything was in order, but flipped the case open anyway, unable not to check once more.
The brace of duelling pistols lay gleaming somberly in their lambswool beds, facing each other like the men who would hold them.
[end section]
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I love military objects, for assorted reasons, but one thing that I do several times over the course of these books (which have a lot to do with war, fighting, men, etc.) is to show a man getting ready for a coming battle, especially dressing in his uniform or prepping his weapons. There's a sense of ceremony in such objects, and the shape of that ceremony--as well as the weapons themselves--tells you a lot about the man involved, and also in his circumstances and frame of mind.
For instance, contrast Hal's and Jamie's attitude toward potential combat (and the circumstances of that combat). Note also that their wives are among the most important objects in their preparations....]
Excerpt from A BLESSING FOR A WARRIOR GOING OUT, Copyright 2026 Diana Gabaldon
“So,” I said, sitting up. “You’re proposing to go off for some unknown period of time, to unknown places, to do unknown things that are likely bloody dangerous, fortified only by your memories of my hands and my bottom?”
“They’ll be my shield and buckler,”Jamie assured me, straight-faced.
“What _is_ a buckler? I’ve always wondered.”
“It’s something like a targe,” he said, reaching for his shirt. “A bittie round shield. About the size of your arse,” he added helpfully.
“I’ve _seen_ targes, you know,” I said, somewhat coldly.
“Have ye ever sat on one?”
“No. Have you?”
“Aye, many times. Comes in handy, if you’re tired to death and out in the wet or havin’ to eat your supper in the snow. Mind,” he added fairly, bending to pick up his kilt off the floor, “ye canna do that if ye’ve got one o’ the fancy ones wi’ a spike in the middle. I couldna afford one o’ those, though—not at the time.”
_Not at the time_. I rather thought the last time he’d held a targe would have been at Culloden. I felt the expected pang at the thought of that—but for once, the memory was tempered by another. He’d come back from that battle. _And a good many others_. And at least this search would keep him off battlefields. I hoped.
I slid off the table as he turned round, and put my arms around him, comforted by his solid warmth and the taste of salt on his skin.
“I’ll remember your hands, too,” I said. “If I recall what Roger was saying in church last month, though, that psalm says, “His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” If a buckler _is_ a shield, why do you need another?”
“To guard against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Sassenach,” he said, and kissed my brow. “A targe is for swords and knives. The close work, aye?”
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Basically, objects are like any other story element: any object you use should have a purpose (in the story, as well as just in action), and YOU need to know what that purpose is, even if you plan to conceal it from the reader.
In both these snips, though, the purpose of the objects is clear: both men are preparing themselves--both emotionally and physically--to go out and do something that's likely to be dangerous. We can see from the clumsiness of Hal's packing that a) he's upset, and b) he doesn't normally pack his own clothes (because he's a Duke and a senior officer) , and c) the fact that he _is_ doing it himself is a strong indication of his state of mind and the urgency of his circumstances.
Jamie, on the other hand, is pretty cavalier at the moment (he's just had sex with his wife--which is a definite part of _his_ prep for war), but you can tell from the way he describes targes to Claire that he's _very_ familiar with his weapons.
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LINK TO VIDEO ON USE OF OBJECTS IN WRITING:
u/Nanchika — 1 month ago
▲ 28 r/Outlander
Outlander Extra Long Reread- Voyager : chapters 55-59
Claire was reading '' The Impetuous Pirate'' before meeting Joe Abernathy. Claire was attacked by the pirate (Impetuous Pirate) before meeting Ishmael. Gabaldon admitted that Ishmael passed the ability to read people on to Joe Abernathy.
Do you think that, at this point of the story, there are simply too many coincidences?
Jamie experiences survivor's guilt. He is carrying his inner scars from the past together with ghosts. He feels responsible for all the deaths because he survived. He is worried Claire will die because she is with him. He is tired of all the battles and what effects they have people around him.
Slave burning and Culloden have some parallels as well. Smells and sights automatically transport Jamie to Culloden since English were burning bodies while Jamie was tucked on the wagon. He feels soiled from actual burning bodies but because he survived he is filled with self disgust. Again that survivor's guilt is everpresent.
What did you think about Ishmael's character? Do we have some facts about him at this point of the story?
Turtle Soup, one of readers' favourite chapters. But before the actual soup tasting, there are couple of scenes I wuld like to address.
Both Jamie and Claire used penicillin for arm wounds.
Claire didn't mean to demean Jamie but it seemed to strike is conscience and his thoughts about bravery in killing vs bravery in hurting to help. He feels Claire's job takes more courage than his acts. He doesn't consider himself brave. Do you agree with him?
What about Claire's actions towards Graham Menzies?
Claire wanted to anesthezie Jamie, as she did for Graham Menzies. Her experiences in the 18th century influenced her decision.
Chapter, ''Promised Land'' starts with picturesque description of Jamaica and many gemstones are mentioned.
saphires - John
jungle green - Geilis's eyes
ivory - boar tusks bracelet, Claire's skin, bones, teeth
rose - quartz - unconditional love
emerald - symbol for hope, future, renewal, growth, revealer of truth search of meaning, justice and harmony
malachite - bringing things from the past, removing them. A stone of transformation drawing out impurities.
This chapter is also full of watery prose and reflection.
Is it setting up the stage for Geilis's talk about gemstones and time travelling?
Chapter 59, ''In Which much Is Revealed''is one of my favourite chapters ever!
There was:
John telling Claire about Willie - John is claiming territory- Willie is Jamie's news but John has a chance to let Claire know that John and Jamie have a history she doesn't share.
Jamie kissing John - it is a gift, a conclusion, there is nothing attached to it. Jamie aknowledges John as a man and a friend. He doesn't hold John's nature against him.
Jamie's offer to John : Jamie was conflicted . He had to leave Helwater, but Willie needs a functioning male to show him ays of the world and John had been formally asked to be Willie's guardian ( Jamie heard about it from servants). Although John is gay, he is a good and honourable man (it was common belief that gay people were pedophiles).
Jamie is leaving Willi and he can't prevent John from being part of his life, except, by kiling him. Jamie needs to judge if John will approach him sexually. As a parent he has little power to avert them. He asks John to take care of his son and makes an offer ( it looks like he doesn't know about legal guardianship which was already offered to John by Lord Dunsany) and he is wondering what would happen. If John takes an offer, that means that he would take an advantage of a weaker person for sexual gratification and Jamie was ready to kill him.
How do you see relationship between John and Claire here? Was Jamie right not to tell Claire about Willie? Was JOhn right to tell her?
And we get the most perfect lines ever:
''Only you. To worship ye with my body give ye all the service of my hands. To give ye my name and all my heart and soul with it. Only you.''
Jamie is confessing that he has lied to her,but she compells the truth from him - he can't keep those secrets from her. He is admitting that he is a liar and he knows it, but she loves him still and he is grateful.
Did Claire forgive him easiily?
u/Nanchika — 1 month ago
▲ 29 r/Outlander
Outlander Extra Long Reread- Voyager : chapters 49-54
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After the unsuccessful landing, Claire managed to escape and find land and mangroves. And birds and fish. And Lawrence Stern. What did you think about her landing?
Later, she meets Father Fogden and Mamacita. Were you curious about them? Did they seem trustworthy?
In chapter 51 we are back on the board of Porpoise but this time we are with Jamie. How did he manage to get from one ship to another? He is devastated because he heard Claire had died. He knows she is not reckless, but fear is too strong.
Annekje was an angel for both Jamie and Claire. Her character is very loved, despite not having too many scenes.
Okay, Capitain Alessandro? I understand how he got the uniform, but how did those soldiers believe he was a capitain?! He just dressed uniform and said - Hey,I am the captain! And they all followed him?!
Fergus and Marsali are finally married. Beside wife, Fergus got his last name. It was such a funny scene and emotionall, as well. Claire's thoughts about her choices and feelings are indicator of how loved Jamie is.
Bat Guano represents fitting image of filth at the slave market the moral filth of slavery and burning grounds.
Claire interrupting the scene on the slave market is contrast to book 1, pillory scene where she didn't stand against punishment for a tanner's lad. Was Claire impulsive to react? Or was it the only choice she had?
u/Nanchika — 1 month ago
▲ 21 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread- Voyager chapters 42- 48
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This week we started with The Man in the Moon
The man in the moon can mean more than one thing:
-men going to the moon
- Jamie, his head it is dark against the moon - he is a man in the moon
- the face that can be seen n the dark and light areas of the moon.
One controversial line is Stay fit at the end of Claire's letter to Brianna. tThe purpose of this line was to break the tension, restoring the relationship between Claire and Bree with famous ''Claire humor''. She is reasserting her role as Bree's other. There is bitter sweetness and it gave a comic relief. Jamie is laughing at Claire's coment as well. Claire was trying to give Bree a mother to remember, although she is absent.
Are you annoyed by it?
''Ghost afraid of spittle''- similar to pissing on the door posts.
While examining IInnes, Claire ,once again, shows wisdom and ift for healing and diagnosis.
Forces of nature are many in chapter 44. Our Frasers are definitely one of those!!
I could literaly feel the smells of rotten meat, that was the level of being in the scene. And it was horrible!
Mr. Willoughby's Tale is very interesting!
Parallels : Mr Willoughby and Claire :
- both outlanders ( culturally with no way back)
- forced to live among people who consider them ''others'' and mistrust them
- have specialized skills / knowledge and both use their hands
- both are tolerated by the rest because of Jamie
- both are skilled in healing arts which are alien to the others
Mr Willoughby and Jamie :
- both lost their birth rights
- they can't practice their true trade/ skills
- had to make hard decisions in their youths
- both are enduring consequences of those decisions as wiser / older people
- both exiled
Vow to heal VS mariage vow - There are times when Claire puts her healing vows in front of everything - her safety included. Jamie, unlike Frank, understands that , it doesn't mean she loves him less.
What did you think about this exchange between Jamie and Claire? Can he understand her devotion to healing? Can he accept it ?
Talking about vows, Claire ( when threatening Mr Tompkins) is bending her medical vow for the sake of her marriage vows . She is putting Jamie's well being ahead of her medical ethics
Moment of grace - grace of forgiveness
Claire crossed herself - Jamie's religious beliefs beginning to influence Claire. She was asking God to watch over her and give her strength.
Claire leaned her head against the gun - just like an officer after the battle.
John recognized the sense of failure, he experienced the same and he relieved her sense of isolation. He is like an angel -she is forgiven for not being able to save all her patients.
I really like how this encounter went by. And you? Do you think this conversation will have an impact in the further story?
u/Nanchika — 2 months ago
▲ 19 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread- Voyager: chapters 38- 41
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One of the funniest scenes were in the chapter 38 when Jamie and Jenny are waiting for Hobart MacKenzie to come and take revenge. But, Ned Gowan is back!
What do you think about Jamie agreeing on leaving Laoghaire with nice amount of money?
Mary MacNab brought the food and put it in front of Jamie, as if he were the laird. She is the piece of Jamie's past still unshared with Claire.
Do you think he should have told her then and there?
Ian's initiation ceremony into manhood went wrong. I can feel Jamie's desperation so well. Do you think Jamie did well not informing Jenny and Ian what happened?
'I Shall Go Down to the Sea', we are going to set sails on Artemis - goddes of chastity ( Marsali) , hunting ( hunt for Ian ) , moon ( talk about moon in the chapter 42).
Old coins - When Claire was preparing to leave, Roger was commenting on the value of the old coins as well. Good parallel there!
Claire visiting Faith's grave and meeting Mother Hildegarde. I love that she went there and left pink tulip.
Willoughby's words about Reverend rang an alarm in my head. I knew we will see him again eventually.
Traitor among smugglers - decoy on the real traitor - casting suspicion on everyone kept Jamie on guard.
What do you think about Fergus and Marsali's pairing at this point? Does she have any idea what she put herself into?
Acupuncture scene was hilarious. The way Claire and Willoughby handled it was perfect! Twisted testicles, pah! 🤣
u/Nanchika — 2 months ago
▲ 34 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread-Voyager : chapters 32- 37
We are in part seven, named Home Again.
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The Prodigal's Return can definitely refer to more than one person returningto Lallybroch.
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My heart breaks when I see how Claire is longing for home. Especially when she asked Jamie if they would live at Lallybroch in one of the previous chapters. Do you think they could have lived there happily? Or the pull to make their own place elsewhere was too strong?
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Why did Jamie want to be punished by wee Ian as well?
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Was it to motivate him to behave and to demonstrate that he was sorry that Ian was bearing such a load of anger from his parents? Jamie was guilty for keeping Ian in Edinburgh.
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I saw it as that and also as a way for Ian to be cautious about his actions in the future as they can lead to this same situation and punishing his uncle as well.
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Jamie and Claire's time in their chamber at Lallybroch is definitely ''calm before the storm''. I wonder if the title of the chapter means that there are more things burried in Jamie's past , and not only the treasure on the island.
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And then we hear that famous word - ''Daddy''
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In Jamie's eyes , Laoghaire had a teenage crush on him, was mildly upset because of his marriage to Claire , but that doesn't make her a bad person. He doesn't see why Claire considers it betrayal.
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During the fight, it is interesting that it seems that in Jamie's mind, Claire went back to her normal life, he didn't consider its happines.
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Why didn't Jamie tell Claire about the marriage? He was afraid that Claire will leave him.
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What always grates my ears is scene where Jamie is calling Claire a bitch. I believe it shows the level of his emotions. He called her that before (during their fight in book 1) and asked for forgiveness. Twenty years of harshness and trials later, he calls her that and worse.
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Many people ask - Why did Jamie bring Claire to Lallybroch?
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Gabaldon gave an answer to this question:
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-He wanted to be away from Edinburgh where she can vanish in crowd and leave for Craigh na Dun.
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- Lallybroch contains their shared memories
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- He trusts in her but not in his own abilities
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- Showing Claire that she is his only wife, his priority.
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Claire has an instant urge to bolt and run and then to think it over. That is why she flies from Eden. Eden = Lallybroch = Jamie and Claire's eden.
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What was Jenny's motivation to tell Claire to go?
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Claire was expecting Jamie to come and bring her back. She begins losing her heart in flight to the stones. She gave him chance to prove he is choosing her and fighting for her.
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On the other hand, Jamie was expecting Claire to return. Were they testing each other's commitment?
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Ian going after Claire and retelling what happened is hilarious!!! Highly needed dose of humor!! That and Jamie talking to Claire thinking she is a part of fever dream. Precious!!!
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What's In a Name - is powerful chapter. It reveals so many crucial things about Jamie's past and present.
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Laoghaire and Jamie's marriage :
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They had already had a story, she knew his story. They both had bad experiences in the past. Jamie was her fantasy but he didn't live up to expectations. Laoghaire wished he was like he used to be with Claire, but her dreams were shattered. Jamie called for Claire in his sleep. So, she was practically married to a half- man.
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''Here in the dark, with you, I have no name'' is one of my favourite lines ever! It means so much. It means that he gives her himself , and gives her opportunity to do the same. He offers her not only physical protection , but the protection of his heart and soul, giving her opportunity to protect him s well. He is not limited by labels and titles. He opened his secret self to her.
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If you want to add anything, be my guest!!
u/Nanchika — 2 months ago
▲ 31 r/Outlander
A Blessing For a Warrior Going Out Excerpt 16/06
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Excerpt from A BLESSING FOR A WARRIOR GOING OUT, Copyright 2026 Diana Gabaldon
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John Grey sat up abruptly, hearing the grate of the key in the lock. The door swung open and the big Polish seaman sidled in, bearing a tray.
“Has no one ever told you that you should knock before entering someone’s room?” John asked. “What if I had been engaged in something requiring privacy?”
He didn’t expect an answer, which was a good thing, as he didn’t get one. He had inveigled the Pole into telling him at least his first name, by dint of deliberately meeting the man’s eye every time the Pole appeared, touching his own chest and saying, “John,” very distinctly.
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It had taken more than a week, but one day, the Pole set down his tray, tapped his own chest delicately, and gruffly said, “Mikolaj.” Then hurried out, not looking at John, but leaving him with a fleeting sense of exhilaration.
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This had not led to any further exchange of confidences, though, and Mikolaj had reverted to his original face of stone when bringing in trays, removing chamber pots and escorting John on occasional strolls around the deck, the Pole carrying the iron ball attached to Grey’s ankle chain. While he appreciated the courtesy—if that’s what it was—it made him somewhat nervous, as he realized that should Mikolaj, whether by Richardson’s order or from simple pique, choose to toss the heavy ball overboard, Grey himself would inevitably follow it to the bottom of the sea.
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For the moment, though, their interaction was limited to the placement of the tray on Grey’s small desk, and his customary thanks to the seaman. As he opened his mouth to utter this, though, he had a thought, and seizing the Pole’s sleeve to prevent his immediate departure, pointed to himself, saying, “John,” and at once at the Pole, saying, “Mikolaj.” Then to himself, “Thank you” and once more pointed at Mikolaj, eyebrows raised in question.
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The Pole’s face went blank—well, slightly blanker than usual—for a moment. Then his lips pursed in thought, but after a moment, he nodded and said something that sounded like, “Jenkooyeh.”
“Jenkooyeh,” John said and bowed. The Pole gave him a short nod, turned and left.
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Well, he supposed he could learn to speak Polish one word at a time. He wasn’t bloody doing anything else…
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He glanced at the small stack of hand-written pages, placed criss-cross fashion to separate the documents:
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A letter to William. Well, another letter to William. This was what, the fifth? Sixth?
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Two sheets of fragmentary poetry—well, doggerel, at least, and he did wonder why it should be called that. He was fond of dogs, but had never detected any sense of whimsy, let alone any talent for rhyme in one.
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A draft--another one—of his will. He was slightly hampered in the disposition of his property by not knowing exactly what it consisted of. He owned a small property in Philadelphia; he’d bought the house on Chestnut Street outright—but given the vagaries of war and government, had no idea whether he still owned it, or whether it had been appropriated by the Crown for the billeting of soldiers, or confiscated by the Continental Congress as the property of an enemy alien.
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His house in Savannah was presumably still in British hands, but that was only rented.
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He thought he had some share in a Cornish tin mine, but where it was, or of what his share consisted, he had no idea.
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_Why don’t I even know anything about my own affairs?_ He thought crossly.
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_You don’t know, because you don’t care_.
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“Well, not about houses,” he said aloud. “Nor yet bloody tin mines.” He pushed the paper away and sat back in his chair. At his request, Miklolaj had had the port opened for light and air, and a brisk sea-breeze ruffled his hair and fluttered the papers on his table.
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_What_ do _you care about_?
“William,” he said, touching the small stack of pages. “Mother. Hal. Minnie and the boys.”
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The thought of Hal’s sons conjured thoughts of Benjamin, and he felt a cramp in his gut. There was nothing whatever that he could do about it, though, and he forced his thoughts in a different direction.
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_That bloody Scot_,” he thought, and smiled, despite himself. _And Claire_, he added, to be fair.
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“Oh, and Brianna, of course.” Thought of that redoubtable young woman made him smile again, and he picked up his quill and took a fresh sheet of paper.
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“_My Dear_,” he wrote, “_you will never suppose where I am—I would tell you, but I have no Idea, the Atlantic Ocean being a rather large Place. Finding myself with Time and to spare, I think I will amuse myself—and, perhaps, you—with the Tale of my recent Travails…_.”
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His attempt to do this, though, met with difficulties. Being hit on the head and dragooned had the benefit of action, but the state of being kidnapped, considered solely for its dramatic effect, was rather…well, not boring, exactly, but far from entertaining.
He was further constrained by the knowledge that Richardson might read any of his papers whenever he chose, and it might therefore be less than prudent to tell Brianna Fraser MacKenzie what Richardson’s professed motives were, let alone his own opinion of the man.
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_Demented, and doesn’t wash often enough_. That made him smile, though the description—had he written it—would have continued with _Bloody dangerous, though_.”
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Sighing, he put that letter aside for the moment and returned to the one to William.
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“My dearest son…” _To hell with Jamie Fraser, you’re my son as much—if not more—than his_… “With luck, you will never receive this…” _Idiot. If he doesn’t ever receive it, why should I apologise for sending it? But that’s not the point—if he does receive it, that should signal a sense of apology, shouldn’t it?
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_Oh, fncking hell…_
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NB: The painting is "Baby's Birthday" by Frederick Daniel Hardy, 1867, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
u/Nanchika — 2 months ago
▲ 24 r/Outlander
Outlander Series Extra Long Reread - Voyager: chapters 27- 32
This week, only 4 chapters!
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In chapter 27, everything went Up in Flames- everyone's illusions about one another, their preconcieved notions and , of course, the printshop.
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''His eyes ... like a warm tropic sea'' - foreshadowing of tropic seas
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I adore Jamie and Claire's time at the tavern. From Devil take the barmaid to Let them watch. Later, in the room, Jamie's words about brute, blind with need show his self loathing. Does he refer to Laoghaire or Geneva?
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Why do you think Jamie chose to print seditious pamphlets? I see it as self sacrifiing gesture for benefit of people in general. It doesn't involve the safety of his family other than Fergus's. Do you think that is hy Jamie decided to include Fergus in it since he is an adult, with no wife and no family? Or it was a way to give Fergus job that he is able to do?
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Malcolm X part was hilarious, followed by Young Ian's conclusion about his father rutting with whores , or to be exact - Claire. I laugh every time! Claire and Young Ian have that instant bond which is great to read! Do you have a feeling that Claire is taken to Ian faster than to Fergus?
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Chapter 28 was ironically titled, Virtue's Guardian since Jamie is not exactly ''the guardian o' virtue'', not with his secret.
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A lot of mentioning of spiders which brings 'What a tangled web we weave...''quote in mind. I feel Jamie is doing just that. Weaves a web just like spiders weave two kinds of silk. Is it a metaphor for Jamie's various identities and making sure he leaves a safe way out ? ( door at the printshop, for example) . Jamie has many sticky stands.
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Is Jamie's penance for omitting truth as well?
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Smugglers rendezvous- So, there were two excisemen - one hanged the other to take money for himself OR somebody else did it? There are some thing that are always a bit unclear to me and I never have time to investigate them deeply. This scene is one of those.
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And finally, they all decide to go back to Lallybroch.
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Do you think it was fine to let Ian sleep with second Mary? Do you think that is what Young Ian truly needed?
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Margaret Campbell was one more victim of Culloden**. Does it represent what could have happened to Claire if she had stayed?**
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Share your thoughts!
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u/Nanchika — 2 months ago
▲ 141 r/Outlander
Gabaldon about Frank burning Claire's Clothes (lit forum)
This has been talked about here so many times. I appreciate her reasoning here, so I thought it interesting to share.
Well, you know....the show is the show. Meaning that they will/did go for the most in-your-face blatant exposition of every dramatic moment. Claire comes back in bad shape, confesses that she's been committing adultery in the 18th century, is pregnant by her lover (and Frank knows that he's sterile), and then declares that she's still in love with the Other Man and doesn't mean to even pretend she isn't.
O. K. So, what's Frank going to do about this? Well...his own principles won't let him abandon a pregnant woman with no resources (he says as much). She's pregnant--which has got to drive him nuts--but he can't beat her up, or insist she give the kid up for adoption (he's a Catholic and wouldn't even consider abortion, even if he thought he could make her do it, which he almost certainly knows he can't...).
The worst thing he can think of to do to her (by way of retribution or revenge) is to deprive her of all remnants of her past life that might remind her of Jamie. She really doesn't have anything (bar her wedding ring), save the clothes she was wearing. Is he going to a) let her keep them in a chest, to be secretly taken out and smelled every now and then, seeking the trace of a scent of the Other Man? Or b) donate them to a museum (having carefully had the blood and semen cleaned off them) where Claire could go and languish over them privately, _and_ hordes of admiring visitors would be gushing over these traces of the Other Man, not knowing how Frank feels about them.
So, no. He's going to solve the problem by burning them--and doing so in front of Claire, who's in no position to protest this destruction of her precious relics. Thus neatly causing her pain, and eliminating both the problem of his own feelings about them and the possibility of ongoing speculation--because museum historians don't just display the items they keep; they investigate and analyze and do research. If he gave them to a reputable museum, they wouldn't just put them on dress-dummies behind glass--they'd be taking tiny snips from the seams and analyzing the fiber and the dye, comparing the patterns and the stitching to known specimens, trying to track them to a specific place, time, clan/family tartan, class association (i.e., she isn't wearing a peasant's clothes), etc. If there are bloodstains (or semen stains), they'd be typing the blood, etc. (I have, from time to time, been invited into the back rooms of a museum that has such materials, and the handling, processing and documentation go _way_ beyond "thorough", believe me.) And, of course, they'd want to interview the person from whom Frank got these garments, in hopes of getting more information.
I don't know that whoever wrote the script for that episode thought it out in as much detail as this <g>, but they'd definitely go for the revenge angle; i.e., the only thing he can do that will truly hurt Claire (since she's already obviously written _him_ off) is take away as much as can of her precious memories--so he does.
u/Nanchika — 3 months ago
▲ 30 r/Outlander
Outlander Book Series Extra Long Reread - Voyager:chapters 21 - 27
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Claire is preparing to leave thrugh the stones. I love this part. It is full of anticipation and planning and contrasting emotions.
Do you think that Bree needed to see the deed of Lallroch to completely believe Claire?
I love the detail of a name of a dressmaker - Jessica Gutenburg - I see it as a nod to the way they found Jamie - in a printing shop
Quod Erat Demonstrandum - Thus it has been shown.
Due to Jamie's difficulty with pen he thought it impossible to write but he had been setting the lead type with great facility. Thus it has been shown that there was another way. There was another way to fight - not with the sword but with words.
Do you think Bree would have gone through if Claire hesitated?
A. Malcolm, Printer
Does the plastic film thrown equate future thrown in the wind? From Bees, we know the symbolism of this scene and I love that they added that conversation in that book.
I noticed ( as I am sure everybody else did) that Claire compares herself to other women - she has so many insecurities. It is such a human flaw and so understandable in that certain moment that I really love to see her vulnerabilities that make her more realistic character.
The reunion itself is beutiful, iconic moment for the entire book series and I love how their firstreal topic of conversation is Brianna and I love the scene where Jamie breaks down and cries in Claire's arms after seeing photos. The thought in my mind is always - It was worth it!
Did you like how they reunited? Or you needed it to be more fairy tale like? Was their reunion in the middle of chaos fine with you?
My nose is broken - echo of the beginning of the story where Jamie is on the Culloden field thinking about purgatory and broken nose.
There are so many echoes of the wedding night - can you find them?
Claire has so much guilt accumulated. My heart breaks when she sees the scar and says - I will never leave you again.
Old Ian alludes that he doesn't know Jamie any more, how could Claire? Do you think he exaggerated or he was simply under huge stress because of Young Ian?
One more face from the past is Fergus who dropped on his knees , just like Caire did to Jamie's scar.
Here we drop in the middle of Jamie's chaotic life with excisemens, fiends, smugglers and other dangerous people around. We are like Claire - totally oblivious what constitutes Jamie's life those days and I found it interesting how Jamie appears as a cornered rat( guilty conscience?) in that cellar.
Do you think Jamie was right to hide the fact that Young Ianis in Edinburgh from Old Ian?
How did you percieve Jamie based on Madame Jean's lines when talking to Claire during the breakfast? She was very distressed.
Share your thoughts about all of it, freely!
u/Nanchika — 3 months ago
▲ 38 r/Outlander
World Outlander Day Excerpt
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And we'll end with Thanks and Good Wishes to all of you (!), and a snippet from A BLESSING FOR A WARRIOR GOING OUT:
He walked through the town, downhill, up and then down again, to come out near the bay. That would do. Little as he liked being _on_ water, being next to it was often soothing. Confirmed landsman that he was, he could still find a quiet sense of himself in the regular sound of water coming and going about its business.
“So long as I needn’t be on a [Gaelic equivalent of “f*cking”] boat,” he muttered, and made his way halfway down the slope to find a patch of grass and weeds that didn’t look like poison ivy in which he could lie down and have a wee chat with God.
Love,
--Diana
u/Nanchika — 3 months ago
▲ 230 r/Outlander
The Beginning of the Prologue
Diana posted this on lit forum today! Beginning of the prologue.
She also said that: In BLESSING, though, the Epilogue (yes, there is one, and a Prologue to match <g>) is there for Closure.
PROLOGUE
I, Claire… I hesitated. Who, exactly, was I? In terms of a legal name, at least; anything more metaphysical would have to wait. I sighed, dipped the quill again and wrote, “Beauchamp Fraser”.
I thought best to include Beauchamp; as Jamie had said on more than one occasion, there were a lot of men named James Fraser, and even more plain Frasers. I didn’t want to be confused with any of them.
“Luckily we can skip all the Randalls and Greys,” I murmured to myself. “Claire Elizabeth—damn, forgot the Elizabeth!” I reached for a fresh sheet of paper, muttering “Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser Randall Fraser Grey Fraser…bloody hell, that’s a lot of husbands…”
Five minutes to accomplish the task of writing my own name. I thought this might be a sign that perhaps I wasn’t ready to write my will.
“Well, who is?” I muttered, and glanced at the clock, then back at the paper before me. “Right,” I said, addressing it. “You get ten minutes of my life and then we stop for today. That’s all I can stand.”
I, Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Fraser, being of sound mind, do declare that this is my Last Will and Testament.
“Your testament is you sayin’ who ye are and what ye own,” Jamie had told me, when I’d wondered aloud about the phrase. “The Will part is what ye mean to do with what ye own.”
What did I own? What did I have to leave?
u/Nanchika — 3 months ago