SassAndSnacks

We are well! Still working from home, but our daycare reopened in May, so they kiddos are back in that and doing well. Yes! Reading on my patio is my utopia.

Why is no one talking about the Emmy snubs today? Did the committee not see the season finale because there is clearly an egregious error. Yes! More action coming up. We've got the Revolution in full swing!

Yaaaaaaay!!!!!! I'm so happy to hear from you and hope you are well! I'm sorry you didn't love the book. It's a tough one, to be sure. These last several books are bogged down with so much minutiae that I can completely understand why people don't proceed with them. Admittedly, I get frustrated with them, too and end up facepalming an awful lot. Laird Jamie keeps me going. And I admire Claire's tenacity and compassion so much. I think the show does a really good job of streamlining the secondary and tertiary characters, condensing storylines, and streamlining the books in general. We miss a bit of the brilliant dialogue, particularly between Jamie and Claire, but the show weeds out a lot of the inane. I also agree with it being hard to concentrate on reading. I find it hard to concentrate on just about anything, which is actually why I started going back through all of these books. Escapism. Instead of worrying about if and how schools will reopen, I analyze the validity of how Claire (re?)creates penicillin, or if meat and dairy products would really keep THAT long in a spring house, or how quickly some packages were delivered to the Ridge from other locations. Why don't people post more during Droughtlander?! Seriously, I could talk about any number of other Outlander-related topics to fill the void. Do they have lives?! Hobbies? OTHER interests?!

Ok! 1. I just really miss posting on this forum, and I'm bored, and I can't concentrate on my actual work today, and we're back to near lock-down restrictions in my part of the U.S. Sigh... 2. I just finished this book last night, finally. I read it word-for-word, as in every word. I diligently followed my No Skipping, No Skimming rule for this one (unlike Book 4), and PHEW! There were a lot of words, like 980 pages of them, according to my Kindle. 3. I love this book. I know some people can't get past the 100+ pages of the Gathering (and I can completely empathize with that. I mean, do we need the discussion on tomatoes in BBQ sauce? I'm from the North, so I think not, but maybe Southerners and Mid-Westerners feel differently?) 4. I love this book! Roger completely wins me over in this one (aside from kissing Morag). His hanging, gah, so well written, so harrowing. Even though I've read it before and I clearly know what happens, I devoured those chapters, heart-racing and frantic reading. 5. I love this book! IAN!!!!!!! I could probably just stop there, but IAN!!!!! Admittedly, John Bell is not who I pictured to play Ian, but now, any time I read about Ian, I see John Bell. Interestingly (well, I think so anyway), he's the only character that I picture as the actor portraying him. When I read about Claire, Jamie, Bree, etc., I still see them as I originally saw them and not as who plays them. Also, I'd like to restart my #IanDeservesBetter campaign, uniting us in dismay over who he eventually marries. But, maybe we'll save that until after I re-read Book 8 again. Maybe she'll grow on me...unlikely. 6. I love this book!! The introduction of the Jacobite gold is so good. Those MacKenzies, sly as foxes. 7. I love this book!!! So much Jamie and Claire. (Cue Hallelujah chorus.) Where to even begin on how wonderful their moments are in this book? Stream of consciousness: Jamie calling Claire "Sorcha." The discussion in Brownsville over whether or not they should keep the Beardsley baby, with Jamie telling Claire that he has "bairns a'plenty but I only have one you." The show did such an amazing adaptation of that scene. Jocasta's wedding. Seriously, I need to go to a wedding like that (you know, minus the murder and intrigue). The barn sex, my goodness. If I praised the show above, I need to criticize it here. Blah. No good. Not a good job at adapting that one for the show. Jamie's snakebite. I need to sit and process the words. I had mentioned in this episode thread that I have a completely irrational and mortal fear of snakes. I read this chapter the same night that my parents sent me a picture of a rattlesnake they found in their yard, so yes, I had nightmares about snakes in my bed. Thanks Mom, Dad, and DG! Anyway, I love this section of the series so much because it reiterates how remarkable JAMMF is. From him choosing to die and then Claire bringing him back, to him weeping after she injects him using the snake fang, it really runs the gamut of Jamie's character traits. 8. Things I didn't love in this book - Stephen Bonnet again and again and again. The introduction of the Christies, bah. Freaking, bah! Hosebeast shagging someone back in Scotland and Jamie's reaction to it. Very human, I'll grant that, but I didn't like hearing about it. Now that I'm over halfway through in my re-read, here's my definitive ranking of the books in the series (I know, I know, cutting edge material here that everyone cares about...) 1. Outlander (Book 1) 2. Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Book 8 ) 3. Fiery Cross (Book 5) 4. A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Book 6) 5. Voyager (Book 3) 6. Drums of Autumn (Book 4) 7. Dragonfly in Amber (Book 2) 8. An Echo in the Bone (Book 7)

I second that! The resulting episode sans Jenny is absolutely one of my least favorite of the whole series.

I concur. I’ve loved all of the seasons, though I did facepalm several things in Season 4, and I’d actually place Season 5 as my second favorite. I’m re-reading through all of the books again, and there’s just something special about Book 1. I think that translates to the first season of the show. I’ve found that my favorite episodes, the ones I watch repeatedly, are from the first season. I really enjoy Books 6 & 8, but I think it’s for a different reason than Book 1. The first book was really about Jamie and Claire, but as the story progressed and time (and books) passed, more people came into their world that just weren’t as likable or compelling as those in Scotland.

Hmm, clearly I need to grab the book and do some research.

So, I started my third pass on this one (see previous book threads for background) on Sunday. I've never paid much attention to the Prologues before, but I saw an interview with Ron Moore awhile ago where he mentioned really enjoying the prologues and using them as narrative in the shows, therefore, on this series read through, I reading them closely. And wow, the prologue for this book means so much more now, having seen the Season 5 Finale. I love that I could hear the Jamie voice with it as I read it. Chills. Also, the Longest Day Ever is truly the longest freaking day ever. I'm enjoying it immensely, but I've been reading for 5 days, twice a day, and Claire still hasn't gotten her period, Roger hasn't yet told off Jocasta, Jamie still needs to confess to his carnal visions of Claire bent over the butter churner to the priest, Jocasta hasn't been spooked by the mysterious person, Jamie hasn't called anyone to stand by his side, and no one has been baptized and/or married yet. And I'm 10% of the way through the book. Longest Day Ever.

A third party who just so happened to also be a historian well-versed in Jacobite history with access to multiple resources for uncovering information. I mean, this was 1968, they weren’t pulling up articles on their phones. He was mailing things to people and receiving mail back. It took time. AND it was all basically a duplication of the work that Frank had already done. So much wasted time. He’s a complete and total ass. One of my favorite veins running through this book is the slow unveiling to Jamie that Claire also struggled when they were apart. Yes, she was fed, had a roof over her head, was able to pursue a fulfilling career, and wasn’t constantly trying to be killed, but she was lonely, lost, guilt-stricken, and stuck in a loveless marriage with someone who repeatedly lied to her on multiple fronts. She was living half a life just as he was. Jamie, emotionally intelligent guy that he is, grasps that, and I think that has a lot to do with his reaction to the letter. I also think it allays some fears that he still harbored from The Great Misunderstanding that Frank was a better father and husband than he was.

I wish there was an icon higher than “love” because that’s how strongly adore your comment. And yes, they were doomed. You can clearly see it at the beginning of Book 1 when he accuses her of cheating on him even though she repeatedly denies it. Projecting much there Frank? I’ve already gone through “The Longest Day Ever” twice, and yesterday, I started it for a third. I can do this, I can do this... Misguided. They’re definitely misguided. Probably by Ron Moore’s interpretation. Pfft.

Ok, so I finished this one yesterday, and ugh, the end was such a frenzy. Why are the ends of these books always such a frenzy? I broke my "No Skipping, No Skimming" rule AGAIN and totally skimmed the whole section where Bree blackmails LJG into an engagement and then the entire section of her with Bonnet in the warehouse. I want to like her. I want to like her SO badly. I just can't like her. I also mistakenly thought the book ended with Roger coming back to her at River Run (thanks for toying with my memory, Show), but no...there's a whole lot more to the book after Roger returns. I like Claire's very blunt conversation with Roger regarding the reproductive experiences that Bree has had - losing her virginity, rape, and then birth. So no, Rog, I don't think she wants to hop right into bed with you, no matter how badly your balls are aching. Plus, your foot is infected and apparently stinks to high Heaven and so does the rest of you. So there... And still the book doesn't end. Then we actually head to the Gathering at Mount Helicon, which again, I mistakenly thought it all happened in Book 5, but no. Roger recites the letter that he found, which was from Frank to the Reverend, where Frank confesses to keeping the knowledge about Jamie surviving Culloden from Claire. "But hey, it's all ok Rev., right? Because I had you put up that fake gravestone that Claire will surely find SOME DAY...maybe...hopefully....if she just happens to go to Scotland and then somehow stumbles into that particular Kirkyard, and then she'll know for herself that Jamie didn't die at Culloden like I've let her believe for decades. And she won't feel at all bad about having missed out on having a life with him. Not at all, because we have such a great thing going on here." I fucking loathe Frank. LOATHE him. I don't care how great a father he was to Bree, he's an ass. Whenever I start to have soft feelings for him (ha!), I'm going to go back and re-read this chapter just to remember clearly what an asshole he truly was. What a jealous prick. Gah! As if it wasn't clear before, TEAM JAMIE. (Do people still say that or am I dating myself?)

Oh, I'll talk about it, but my language will be filthy, and I'll probably get red in the face and gesture a lot. I appreciate the show's telling of it, I just don't care for the plotline. Agree with your point above completely. I have so much respect for her creativity and talent in conveying the story. I don't always care for where she is headed sometimes (or even where she ends up), but I really appreciate the amount of effort and care she puts into it. And of course, I love the story as a whole and some parts a lot more than others.

I read (or maybe I saw it) an interview about the cast's "glow-up" into the 70's, and the costume folks said that Jamie's look actually was from that era. Ok, so I had to hit pause on this comment and find the interview to make sure I wasn't imagining it. Here is the link - https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g32410782/outlander-trisha-biggar-claire-season-5-finale-interview/ I think Jamie was intended to be how Claire views him, as he is her anchor. Agreed!

This is really the most astute description to ever describe that situation.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be spoilery for you. You might really enjoy it!! I just hate the whole Geneva plotline, so I refuse to read it. Helwater is my... ...I just absolutely loathe and hate it. I actually have a physical reaction to even discussing/thinking about. This probably means I'm far too invested in this story, but it is what it is. Oh my goodness, YES! I just read this two weeks ago and complained about on this very forum! Clearly, I repressed those painful memories. Yes, Outlanders of the Caribbean, not my fave.

Three bits I always skip in the whole series - Helwater, Roger on a Boat, Dismal Swamp.

Ok, I'm 70% of the way through. The "Great Misunderstanding" is about to happen. Blergh... Some thoughts on the middle portion of this book - - So much Brianna and Roger. SO MUCH. SO. MUCH. Too much. - Thoroughly enjoyed Bree's time at Lallybroch during this read-through. THIS is the Bree I want to see. This is the Bree that is the daughter of JAMMF. And, if she was like this all the time, I'd like her much more. But, she isn't, so I don't. - I broke my "No Skimming, No Skipping" rule and completely paged through Roger's time on the Gloriana on the way to America. He does some really eyebrow raising things here - lying to Stephen Bonnet, provoking him, kissing his umpteen-times great-grandmother. Plus, the whole section is upsetting, throwing babies overboard. And yeah, I'd kind of had enough of Roger and Bree at that point, so I skipped it. - This time through, I felt like Jamie meeting Brianna was rushed. They meet and have some wonderful dialogue, but then DG has then rush through the immediate follow-up in a haze. I wanted more. And now, for the "Great Misunderstanding." This plot line always loses and frustrates me. For a couple that is so candid and honest and trusting of each other, I hate the lack of communication. I'm hoping I can blow right through this and move on to Book 5.

I wish I could like this comment 50 times. I've realized during this last read-through of mine (currently on Book 4) that B&R just don't have that chemistry. They aren't Jamie and Claire, which is fine, but I can't get into them being together.

If you've been following along on other threads, you may know that I'm re-reading the whole book series for the third time while in Covid lockdown (which will actually be lifted for us on Friday), so I'll forego the lengthy prologue. I started Book 4 last week and I'm currently 30% through, according to my Kindle. This one has always been a "bridge book" for me. I love Fiery Cross, ABOSAA, and MOBY. I'm a Fraser's Ridge aficionado, so I appreciate the steps this book must take to get me there. I've typically rushed through it to get to the other books, though. I'm trying to be more deliberate with my pacing during this foray. There are so many wonderful, complex Jamie moments in this book. We see him doubt himself, feel inadequate, be merciful, be overly trusting, vengeful, awed, vulnerable. I love it. In particular, when he and Claire are taking their midnight boat ride after Jocasta's foiled dinner party and JQM's impromptu hernia surgery, we see the full range of emotions while he decides if he should manage River Run or strike out on his own. I love the line from Claire - "Here was a man who had always known his worth." I also really empathize with and enjoy seeing Claire's vulnerability with the uncertainty of their future. Her panic at losing Jamie again is so real and relatable, and it leads to their beautiful conversation about faith and thermodynamics. Finally, I read the chapters on the altercation between the slave and the overseer over the weekend, while protests here were turning from peace to literal fire. It made me think of a sign I had seen raised during the coverage of one protest which said "I can't believe we are still doing this." I had to stop reading for a bit, not able to focus on the pages in the book because I can't believe we are still doing this to our own people. We're back in 1969 Scotland right now, Rog is about to offer a failed proposal to Bree. Wah, waahhhhh. Emotional whiplash, both in the book, and apparently in this post. For that, I apologize.

Just read this article this morning! I was so pleased to see an article written by someone who has clearly read the books AND watched the shows. So often, these "Best of" articles are just grasping recaps that seem to be written by people trying to fulfill a word count without having any idea about which they are writing. Her choices were excellent, though she did miss The Reckoning. Minor quibble.

I actually really like Fiery Cross. It's up next on my re-read list, and I'm excited to see what renewed impressions I have of it. This particular part still confuses me, and I read through it several times (for research purposes, you know.) WAS it Jamie? That part was never clarified. I mean, it still grosses me out even if it was JAMMF, but...yeah...that pause was me gagging. Oh, goodness YES. I like the dynamic between Denzel and Claire, and I think it's wonderful how much he respects her skill and knowledge. But Rachel...so dull. Why is everyone in love with her? Ian is such an exciting character - brave, wild, ruthless, haunted. He gets Rachel? For real, William can have her. #IanDeservesBetter And Dottie...I can't even start with the total snooze-fest that is Dottie. Yes to this, too! I was never a big Marsali fan until Lauren Lyle came along. Maybe they will cast someone dynamic to add depth to Rachel that we don't have in the book, and I'll like her more.

I would love for the Christie's to be left out completely. They will need someone to post the obituary in the paper for Brianna and Roger to find in the future, but it wouldn't need to be Tom Christie. I'm guessing Bree will have Mandy, and they will need to make decisions about her medical condition. We'll also need to hear about what happened with Ian and Works With Her Hands. Richard Brown will need to exact revenge on the Frasers, and I'm guessing he'll be there with Wendigo Donner looking for gems when the house catches fire. That's really only a few episodes worth of material, so they'll probably jump into Book 7. They could create a season arc for Ian, where we learn about what happened with him early on and then by the end of the season he could meet Rachel. Gah, if Book 9 takes much longer for release, the show will outpace the source material.

Ugh, ok... This one is over, and I'm glad for it. Pirates, shipwrecks, voodoo witchcraft, not my scene. The back third of this book is just bananas. Nothing happens, nothing happens, nothing happens, and then EVERYTHING happens. Meh. Not my fave. In a trend that I find to be very typical of DG (and I say this with love because I do think she's brilliant and inspiring) the things that annoy me about this story really freaking annoy me, but the moments she gets right are so beautiful, funny, amazing, and make it so worthwhile. This part of the book also reminded me why LJG completely annoys me until Book 8. I hate the Willie reveal as it's done here. I could actually feel Claire's panic and insecurity, and I didn't like it. Claire and Jamie are better than that. Their trust and security in each other are better than that, and I hate how revealing Willie to Claire in this way tries to compromise that. It took me three times through to realize they weren't on the Artemis when they hit the hurricane. I actually found that part to be really exciting this time. I read on the Kindle app on my phone, and I never caught it before, but there is an Outlander timeline at the very end of this book, detailing in chronological order all of the major events of the whole story through Book 8. That was fascinating, putting events into context with each other, with several events happening prior to Claire going through the stones and meeting Jamie. And because I wanted to end on a high note, I went back through and read A. Malcolm up through the print shop fire again. So good, and the high point of this book for me. On to Book 4, bring on the colonies!!!

Not my favorite either, so maybe a pass on this one unless there is noting else to see?

Oh, no! That bad?