Ask the Outlanders: Questions for the Bookreaders

[Athena]

Since the show is reaching some critical events, I've noticed a lot of curiosity from casual viewers about the books. The idea of reading these books can be daunting for many people. So this is a thread for unsullied/non-book readers or people who may have read the book(s) but forgotten, to ask specific questions from book readers. You can spoil yourself to your heart's content in this topic, but please put everything under spoiler tags based on the questions.

For example, if someone asks, "What is Jamie's last name?"

Book readers can quote the post and reply "

 

Fraser

."

 

If your question is about future books and contains information not in the show, it also must be spoiler tagged.

Only reply to what is asked and elaborate what is necessary to answer the questions. If anyone wants more details, there is also a PM feature. I am the only mod who has read all eight books (and a couple more extras) so I can reply to these comments as well. Yes, this topic will be mostly spoiler tags, but this was the best way I can think of for people who want to be spoiled on some information and not all.

Book readers who have read all the books can also use this topic to refresh their memories, but don't forget the other book topics. 

Obviously what appears in the books may not appear on the show, but it's better than wading through all the book topics. We may start a readalong/re-read during the hiatuses.

 

Let me know if you any questions or comments. Cheers!

[angelwoody]

Thank you, Athena!

 

Ahem, my question is what is the big event(s) that is coming up or will be revealed after the wedding?  I've seen references to something and I'm game for being spoiled!

[bluebonnet]

How far do you want to be spoiled?  It might be something to take to PM because several major events happen before the end of the book.  

[angelwoody]

I'm game with being completely spoiled, it won't effect my enjoyment of the show or the books should I decide to read them.  It's the not knowing... it's killing me, lol. :-)

[mary2013]

angelwoody

If you specifically wanted to know why Dougal wants Jamie to marry Claire, in addition to Dougal wanting to remove Jamie as his rival for laird, he also

wants Jaimie's home Lallybroch. If Jamie dies before he's wed, the land reverts to the Fraser clan (his father's). If Jamie dies afterwards, the land goes to Claire.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Athena, thank you so much for setting up this thread! I know that l had some questions while watching the show but I didn't want to wander into the book thread and be completely spoiled so the format here is perfect! Of course, now I can't remember any of the questions that popped into my head. I will be sure to come back here once I have time to rewatch and hopefully remember what I wanted to ask.

[bluebonnet]

I'm game with being completely spoiled, it won't effect my enjoyment of the show or the books should I decide to read them.  It's the not knowing... it's killing me, lol. :-)

I'm sending you a PM just in case someone else who is interested might not want to know so much.  Give me a few.  :)

[Tif]

 

If you specifically wanted to know why Dougal wants Jamie to marry Claire, in addition to Dougal wanting to remove Jamie as his rival for laird, he also  

wants Jaimie's home Lallybroch. If Jamie dies before he's wed, the land reverts to the Fraser clan (his father's). If Jamie dies afterwards, the land goes to Claire.

 

 

And to elaborate why this is important, 

Lallybroch is situated in a very strategic area with not a lot of options to pass, which means Colum and Dougal want Jamie in the MacKenzie camp as opposed to the land reverting back to the Frasers.

[angelwoody]

I'm sending you a PM just in case someone else who is interested might not want to know so much.  Give me a few.  :)

Thank you! And thank you, Tif and Mary2013!

[BizBuzz]

Thanks Athena for creating this thread.  I was scared to come in at first, but I am loving that us non book readers can ask questions and not be spoiled if we don't want to.

 

The scene in which Dougal comes in as a knight in shining armor (will someone please tell me what the Scottish equivalent is?) to rescue Claire, was this part fleshed out in the book?  How did he know at what point to come in?  Was there an interchange just like in the show between him and BJR? 

[CatMack]

This whole encounter is actually set up differently in the book.

 

In the book Dougal takes Claire to Black Jack at Column's request, supposedly so he can assist her in finding her family, though Claire privately believes Dougal thinks he'll help him find out who she really is.  That's the whole reason she's taken on the trip in the book, not her skills as a healer.  It's kind of a contentious point among book readers, that it doesn't necessarily make much sense for him to go through with taking Claire to BJR after she's witnessed his money raising efforts, gaelic or no.  But it was Diana's first novel, so *shrugs*.

 

Anyway, in the book the conversation with BJR takes up a lot less time and at least for me didn't have much tension.  There are no other British officers, Claire makes no passionate pleas for Scottish rights, she's just brought before him, left alone, and he questions her.  She gets punched once, still refuses to answer his questions.  The chapter ends.  At the beginning of the next chapter she's wondered down into the taproom.  She never really goes into why he let her go at all, other than I guess it made Dougal easier to deal with to make a formal request.  Anyway, Dougal takes one look at her and goes and yells at BJR, because apparently it never occurred to him that turning her over to a man who was assaulting her when Murtaugh found them would lead to violence.  It's during this confrontation, which Claire is not present for, that BJR formally demands her presence at Fort William for the purpose of interrogation. 

Edited September 17, 2014 by CatMack

[WatchrTina]

 

my question is what is the big event(s) that is coming up or will be revealed after the wedding?  I've seen references to something and I'm game for being spoiled!

I'm going to try answering this in a very limited manner.

 

Jamie falls into the clutches of Black Jack Randall. Again. VERY BAD THINGS happen.

[aemom]

As someone who has also read all 8 books and a few others, I often find myself struggling to remember certain details since I read the first 5 books while on mat leave 12 years ago so I had other things on my mind as well as sleep deprivation, especially for the earlier books.

 

It's great to come here and refresh my memory about certain details.  Thanks so much for this thread.

[BizBuzz]

This whole encounter is actually set up differently in the book.

 

Thanks for that, wow, very interesting indeed.

[BizBuzz]

This really isn't a question, it's more of an admission...

 

Hi, my name is Biz, and I am a Spoiler Addict.

 

::giggle::

 

I really thought this would be one show that I could watch without being spoiled.  But alas, I actually had a client write me something about this fantastic book she was reading and proceeded to start me on a road I couldn't stop.  Ugh.

 

So, even though I am not a book reader, I have now read all the book threads and the spoiler threads, and I want you to be prepared for more questions from me.  HA!

[jah1986]

This really isn't a question, it's more of an admission...

 

Hi, my name is Biz, and I am a Spoiler Addict.

 

::giggle::

 

May I join you in Spoiler Addict anonymous?  I read the last page of every book.  Hasn't diminished my enjoyment of the show so far.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Last weekend when I was reading articles about the wedding episode, someone posted a comment that was (allegedly) a spoiler. When I read the comment, my reactions ranged from "Fuuuuuuuck, why do people put book spoilers in the comments?" to "OMG please tell me this is totally fake!" I think my soul may have shriveled up a little too. I have been trying to put it out of my mind since the weekend by teling myself that it was someone who was just trolling, but it has been eating away at me for days (DAYS, I tell you!). Will one of you kind book readers tell me if this is something that really happens further down the road in one of the books?

 

Dougal lets Jamie go to prison (to DIE) and then marries Claire

Edited September 24, 2014 by ElectricBoogaloo

[Nidratime]

No, not totally correct.  Jamie does go to prison, but Claire does not marry Dougal. I believe Dougal tries to convince her to marry him by saying that Jamie is a condemned man. But Claire will hear nothing of it and works to rescue Jamie from prison.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Nidratine, thank you so much for putting my mind at ease. I was seriously freaking out.

I can handle Jamie being in prison, but it was the thought of his death that had me shrieking, "Nooooooooo!"

[mybabyaidan]

Yeah,

Dougal is an ass at the end of the book, but he also doesn't LET Jamie go to prison either (he-Jamie- is already there when we see Dougal again), he just refuses to help Claire go break him out.

[lianau]

Dougal

And the way he tries to get Claire to marry him is pretty blunt . To be honest I'm scared of the stuff that happens in prison. I'm not sure how much of it I need/want to see.

Edited September 24, 2014 by lianau

[ElectricBoogaloo]

You guys are the best. I feel so much better now.

The thought of Jamie dying and Claire marrying Dougal made me want to cry. I'm so relieved that isn't going to happen!

[ohhellsyeah]

I can completely understand that. I would want to cry too.

[Friendly Lurker]

I'm just wondering how the Stones work, and if we ever find out in the books I've read the first one so 

I vaguely recall Jamie and Claire trying to get through but not being able to. But then Claire is back for book two so obviously she gets back. So I was thinking it was an "only females can get through" thing. 

 

Then I find out Cheeky McCherub cheeks Roger grows up to marry Briana and he gets through, so that nixed that idea.THEN I find out he's a descendant of Gellis D. so I'm thinking maybe it's a bloodline thing. But maybe not?

 

So is it ever explained how they work? 

 

Eta like 5 times to get the spoiler tag to work only way I could figure out how was to have 2.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Friendly Lurker

[aemom]

I'm just wondering how the Stones work, and if we ever find out in the books

Yes, there is something passed through the bloodline. Probably some sort of gene, though nobody knows for sure. They do figure out over time who can pass through relatively safely and who can't.

Edited October 16, 2014 by AEMom

[ScotchnSoda]

In Voyager,

Jamie wakes up after the battle at Culloden injured but not dead.  Jack Randall's head is lying on Jamie's thigh  and Jack Randall is decidedly dead.  In which book is the final meeting of Jamie and Black Jack related.  Is the entire hand-to-hand struggle between these two explained all at once or is it told off and on during the course of one? book or several books?  Go ahead, spoil me rotten, . . . please.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Athena
Spoiler tags

[auntlada]

I'm inclined to say it isn't explained because I don't remember it at all, but it's possible I just don't remember it because I wasn't that interested in that aspect.

[peacefrog]

Through the end of book 8

We still do not know what happened exactly.  Jamie gets flashes in nightmares and remembers little bits.

 

I can't wait to find out. I think this reveal will be one of the biggest in the series.

[ScotchnSoda]

Thank you, peacefrog!

 

Another question for folks who have read all the books:  In Outlander (Book One) Jamie 

received a small bible from the chaplain where he was imprisoned awaiting his second flogging. It had been left by a young man, Alex MacGregor, who had hung himself after being violated by Black Jack.  Jamie told Claire that after he killed BJR, he intended to return the bible to Alex's mother, informing her that her son had been avenged.  Did Jamie follow through with this touching intention?

[peacefrog]

I can't remember which book, 5,6 or 7.  He does bring it up again for some reason, I want to say Jenny sends it to him.  I forget what happens.  Sorry, hopefully someone with a better memory will fill in.

[Hybiscus]

Thank you for this thread! It's exactly what I need! I began reading book 1 after episode 8 (mostly because I couldn't wait). My question is, does the key Jamie had the wedding ring made from have any significance? I have my theories (can't get spoiler tags to work), but I really want to know!

[Petunia846]

That is a change from the book, so none of us really have any idea. I assume that it is the key to

his childhood home Lallybroch. He's still the laird, but he can't go home due to the price on his head and also hurt feelings with his sister Jenny who lives there

. I can't think of anything else it could be unless it's the key to something that's not in the book either.

Edited January 4, 2015 by Petunia846

[Hybiscus]

Thanks, Petunia846.  That's what I thought.  Interesting that it's not in the book.  I guess we'll all find out together. 

[Kiwi]

I am about half way through book 7 and have a question regarding

Jamie and BJRs "graves" that Claire, Roger and Brianna found at the church, which I can't remember the name of, in Scotland. I know it is revealed that Jamie's headstone was put there by Frank supposedly so Claire and Brianna would find it one day and do some digging. But do we ever find out why BJR is there? Did Frank put his headstone there too or is he actually buried there? I seem to remember a line about the English who died at Culloden being taken back to England and buried there.

 

 

[Liser78]

I vaguely remember something about this.  

I want to say that something had happened where his body couldn't be shipped for reasons I can't remember and it was the closest actual churchyard where he could be properly buried.

 But I could have heard that in a forum lol.

 

That would be a great question to post on Diana's Facebook page.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Liser78

[Future Cat Lady]

I have read the 8 books and I'm almost finish with The Scottish Prisoner. I have a question about Lord John

Does Hal know he's gay? I got a feeling Minnie might know but I'm not sure.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Future Cat Lady

[WatchrTina]

Future Cat Lady I've read all the books and all the novellas and I don't recall your question ever being specifically answered.  Since we haven't been shown the answer by Diana, we can only speculate.  My own opinion 

is that Hal suspects the truth but will never ever discuss the matter with John because it is such a taboo. In a way (an 18th century way) he demonstrates his love and respect for his brother by respecting his privacy and avoiding a topic that, if brought into the light, might adversely impact their relationship. Basically I think the policy of "Don't ask, don't tell" has existed in the military (and probably among the upper classes) for a very long time.

Edited February 16, 2015 by WatchrTina

[Tif]

I have to agree with WatcherTina above.

Book 8, gives the strongest evidence that Hal does suspect during the conversation in which Hal asks about William and says "He is your son, is he not?" or something close to that effect. I don't have it right in front of me at the moment.

[lianau]

I think so too .

 

Also he insisted that John needed to see Hector's body to believe he was dead . And there is the part in book 8 were Hal is talking about how John somehow  married Fraser's wife and raised his illegitimate son for the last 15 years and John is all "please don't go there".

[Kiwi]

In An Echo in the Bone Claire says to Lord John Grey

that she knows Brianna told him what they were (i.e. time travellers). When did this happen? Was it an actual scene or was it mentioned offhandedly? I can't remember it at all.

[WatchrTina]

Kiwi I'm almost certain that that is another of those conversations that we only hear about second-hand.  I recall it being discussed here on the boards before and I don't recall anyone being able to point to the page on which the actual conversation takes place.

Edited February 17, 2015 by WatchrTina

[Kiwi]

Thanks WatchrTina... that's a shame, it's a conversation I would have liked to have read.

[methodwriter85]

There are going totally going to be a

few rape attempts on Brianna where she and Roger go back in time, aren't there?

Edited March 30, 2015 by Athena
Added Spoiler tags

[WatchrTina]

Methodwriter85 are you SURE you want to know?  If so, meet me behind the spoiler bar.  

The answer to your question is yes and not just "attempts". One of them succeeds. It's a pretty major plot point.

[methodwriter85]

Methodwriter85 are you SURE you want to know?  If so, meet me behind the spoiler bar.  

The answer to your question is yes and not just "attempts". One of them succeeds. It's a pretty major plot point.

 

I

fucking knew it. There's something gross about the fact that Claire, Jamie, and their daughter have all been sexually assaulted. I guess if the books go up to when Little Amanda is a 20-year old, she'll be next.

 

The other thing I'm wondering about is

Jamie's illegitimate son, who's raised as an proper English lord and doesn't find out who his father is until he's like 20. That should be interesting- according to the summaries, he's horrified when his beard grows in as red...is that because he sees that as an Irish/Scottish thing or something? I really hope the series lasts long enough for us to get there, but given that it's Starz series, I think 6 or so series is probably as far as this is going to go.

[WatchrTina]

Methodwriter85 the thing you are wondering about does surface in the first 6 books so if the series lasts 6 seasons you should at least see the following:

We see Jamie bonding with his wee son in Book 3 (though of course William doesn't know that "MacKenzie the groom is his father.) But Jamie elects to leave when the resemblance between them begins to show.  Later in Book 3 Jamie runs into Lord John, who brings him word of his son, and a miniature portrait. This is when Claire learns of William's existence. Then in book 4 or 5 John brings a 13- or 14-year-old William on a visit to Fraser's Ridge and, due to a measles outbreak, Jamie is forced to take William off into the woods to keep him safe until Lord John recovers. So they get some bonding then as well, though William doesn't recognized James Fraser as the groom MacKenzie from this childhood. William and Ian are introduced at this point as well. Book 6 is when we meet William as an adult and William meets Brianna and finds himself strangely drawn to her, though he can't figure out why (he doesn't recognize that they look alike.) He does NOT see Jamie in this book though there is a heart-breaking scene of Jamie and John Grey watching William and Brianna chat in the street below.  Jamie and William have some near run-ins on battlefields in Book 7 but it isn't until the end of Book 7 where the adult William finally sees Jamie and is shocked to see his own features staring back at him. So, if the series ends after book 5 (which is possible) we may never have the satisfaction of seeing William realize that Jamie is his father.

Edited March 30, 2015 by WatchrTina

[lianau]

Book 4

is also where  Young Ian finds out . He isn't told anything about Williams parentage but figures it out due to watching him after Willie is dragged out of the uhm toilette looking really really pissed off.

[placate]

Can anyone give me a better descriptions of the genre of this series?  I've been considering picking it up but it's listed as both historical fiction and romance.  I hate romance novels. I love historical fiction.  I guess I'm just wondering if the books are full or purple prose and long winded sex scenes where no one can talk about their genitalia without strange euphemisms?

[Kiwi]

It is defiantly a good mixture. The first novel to me is more romance with a bit of sci-fi and historical fiction thrown in, but the second one is more historical fiction as are the later novels. They are very hard to classify.

 

If it helps I don't like romance either, I much prefer biographies, but these didn't feel solely romance, its there for sure (but easy to skip over) but there is a good deal of historical fiction and sci-fi in there to keep everyone happy, in fact those are the moments I enjoy most in the series as opposed to the romance.

 

Sorry not sure I actually helped!

[loki310]

Hi Book readers! I'm up to date on the show and want to read the books now, but I'm not so sure I want to get ahead of the show. Which book(s) correspond(s) to what we've seen so far? Thanks!