Drums of Autumn (1997)

I really enjoyed this book! As always Jamie and Claire were great. There were a lot of things I liked about this book. We got to know a little more about Brianna and Roger. I really enjoyed the history aspect of the story. The only thing I had against the book was the length of it but in my opinion it was worth the read. ( )

If Gabaldon could have concentrated on the story at hand, I'd have enjoyed this so much more. I'm not sure why she thinks she can tell the story of black slavery and native Americans better than other story tellers but there you go. Take out some of the superfluous story and it would have flowed much better.

The daughter/rape story line needed editing down, with the case of the 'mistaken identity of the attacker' by Jamie coming off as ridiculous. Lord Grey provided much needed light relief albeit with lots of knowing winks.

Starting to think that the tv series will start to do the books more justice than a reading will. And if it strips some of the superfluousness out, then I'll be switching over! ( )

My reread finishes. Now onto books I never read... (Also, damn, but Gabaldon is verbose.) ( )

It took me a long time to finish this book but that was only because I had a lot of other stuff going on and had to read for book battle too. In typical Diana Gabaldon fashion there is plenty of action and fun in this one. I love the way the series is moving forward especially with the addition of Brianna and Roger. I love Diana Gabaldon's writing style as it makes for easy reading and it definitely doesn't make the book seem so long. Stephen Bonnet is a ruthless "bad" guy and even though I feel no one can live up to the ultimate bad guy who is Jack Randall he definitely comes close! I can't wait to start watching this season's episodes on Starz! ( )

There are those books that you read once, enjoy, are glad for the distraction provided from one’s everyday life, and then put on your shelf to gather dust, or donate to the “give one take one” shelf at work. Then there are those books that you read, sneak moments to read whenever you can, put on your shelf, take off your shelf to read again, and again. These are the books that you guiltily refuse to loan to friends for fear of not having access to them when you want to crack the cover next. Yet, you emphatically encourage anyone you meet to quickly read this marvelous, epic tale. The books from Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series fall into this latter category.

Drums of Autumn finally brings the Fraser’s into the American Colonies. As someone who lives in North Carolina, and is married to a red-haired descendant of those European Immigrants to the North Carolina “highlands,” I love how these novels, from “Drums of Autumn” on, provide a glimpse of what life was like for my husband’s ancestors. At the same time, I find the characters to be intensely relatable with their motivations, fears, hopes, frustrations, and moments of pure joy. Gabaldon has a gift for imparting true family dynamics into her story, and making the reader feel as though she or he is member of that family, or at least a fly on the wall.

This installment has the same level of adventure and angst as its predecessors with less of the supernatural found in “Voyager.” However, adding two additional “travelers” from the 20th century allows the reader to more deeply explore the differences and similarities between the two times. Also, in the relationship between Bree and Roger Gabaldon explores some of the layers of love and brokenness that can enter into a relationship in a way that allows the reader to connect deeply to the characters.

You will not regret joining the Fraser family on their journey into the new world. ( )