This book. *sigh* Maybe Diana should have sat on it another year and tweaked it some more??? or sent the chapters in earlier for vigorous editing?? I mean, we waited 6 or 7 years, what's one more, especially if the end result would have been a better book... It was probably the least exciting, plot lacking book she's put out in this incredible, gargantuan series. The whole book, except for the ending, was pretty much filler material. tsk, tsk, tsk...
That said, was I completely unhappy reading it? Ummm, that would be a resounding "NO!" I would say (especially at the beginning) I felt a huge sense of comfort & familiarity at being back with all these beloved characters. The world Ms Gabaldon created when she wrote the very first book, 'Outlander," was complex and detailed, fraught with danger, violence and passion and evolved beyond many of our imaginations. The chemistry between the two main characters (that sucked us in from the get go) was still there and heartening to read about, mellowed as it naturally would be from age. I found Brianna and Roger still had the ability to make me crazy, some things never change! and Ian continued to be one of my favorite auxiliary characters.
There's no doubt the author is a very intelligent, gifted writer. She has introduced her readers to all manner of scientific, medical and engineering concepts plus an asundry of other necessary components needed to live life on the frontier in the late 1700's ~ the list is as extensive as it is comprehensive. This reading alone I learned to make gun powder, prepare a body for burial, build a log cabin, a functioning spring house, explored Einstein's Unified field theory plus a plethora of other odds & ends that spin my head. I've told my friends if the world suddenly reverted to pioneering days and I survived, her books could be used as "how to" manuals on hardship living. They're also filled with historical facts, people and events. Really I know of no other author who is so thorough and all encompassing about her material and subject matter. The books are educational on every level.
HOWEVER; no matter how much (or little) I enjoyed being immersed in the details of daily life on Fraser's Ridge, I did want something to happen!
Alas the book passes without much excitement until the last 10%?? It's a good thing her fans are already in the bag because this tome wouldn't garner more. There are also a lot of topics/events brought up then completely dropped. I didn't understand that. On one of my Outlander groups those things were said to be discussed "off page??" What??? When does that happen? Gabaldon is good at diving deep and picking up dropped threads but this was a bit crazy even for her.
I did take my time reading, cognizant that it would be quite awhile (judging past publication history) before the long awaited final book is out. I can't help but feel as if the author has lost her zeal or focus about wrapping it tho. I've seen where she's currently working on a prequel to Outlander (about Jamie's parents) and that distressed me to no end. I'm sure I would read it AFTER book 10 ~ and all the infamous questions were answered. We've been tantalized with hints for so many years, it's frustrating to be put off for more. Maybe writing a prequel stirs a writer to life tho??? Could that explain the detour?? I can only imagine the pressure to provide the readers with a satisfactory ending after four decades of involvement. Perhaps, even if it's out of character for her, she could jot out a 500 page finale which wraps all the storylines??? Then we don't all have to hope we live long enough to finish the series...
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