Drums of Autumn (Outlander)
by Diana Gabaldon
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Book Reviews of Drums of Autumn (Outlander)
Book Review: Still a fantastic, evolving, story!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading Drums of Autumn and reading several reviews I do not understand why some reviews have been so critical. I don't think that there were as many issues with the book as some have pointed out. In my opinion the story and characters have just evolved, which makes the
book(s) so enjoyable. In fact I nearly got to the end of Drums of Autumn before I even saw an issue, hence why I gave this book 4 and not 5 stars.
Basically the only problem I had about the book was the chapters dealing with Roger and that towards the end the book drifted away from "Jamie and Claries" story. I could have lived without learning of Roger, especially his trip to America. I just don't find Roger an interesting character and he seems like a wimp. I thought we could have stayed away from him except when Brianan mentioned him and still knew enough information.
I wish too we could have focused on Jamie and Claire more towards the end but once Roger and Brianna came through we saw less of them together.
As for Brianna I would have liked to have kept her too to a minimum but, I think she is significant to the story and its evolvement and I did get excited as she was about to meet her father Jamie. I agree she was whiny, but then again she came from a time were women were gaining their independence and rights that were not available to them before. Her era compared to her moms was significantly different.
Despite the small issues I saw I figured that Gabaldon has her reason for everything she writes and I have ordered the next two books and can't wait till book 7. So far nothing has compared to Outlander or Dragon Fly in Amber but I understand that the story, as life, evolves and I can't wait to see where Gabadon takes us next. Love, Love, Love this series!!!!!!!
Book Review: This book confused me!
Summary: 4 Stars
I really love this series of books. This one was a bit harder for me to get into for some reason. Yet, once certain plot twists started happening I couldnt put it down. The only thing is there were certain plot lines that seemed to just drop. So much so I had to go back and re read certain chapters to make sure I wasnt missing anything. If you have not read the book yet, please stop here.. I dont want to ruin anything for you.. so this is kind of a REALLY happened to Lord John Grey and Willie? You will notice that Gabaldon leaves us with Jaime leaving Willie in the cave waiting for him to come back from being with the Indians, and leaves Lord John Grey with Claire recovering from the Pox. She aggravates me, because she jumped from these stories right into Roger and Brianna and left us wondering what the heck happened to them??? Yes, they come back later in the book, but we know nothing of how they got back home or what prompted them to go back or anything like that. I seriously thought I missed something and had to go back and re read some of the chapters because it bugged me so much that I didnt know what happened to these characters. And what about ( I cant remember his name now) the guy that had gotten angry and scalped the Indians. He went to Claire's and talked with her, but that was it.... where did he go? What happened to him? Maybe I am just missing something? Was it not that big of a deal to everyone else? Just curious. So if I have missed something can someone who has read these books help me out?
Thanks!
Book Review: A worthy fourth installment in the series!
Summary: 4 Stars
In this fourth installment of the Outlander time-travel historical-romance series, our hero Claire Fraser is now a settler in pre-revolutionary Colonial America. Her story alternates with that of her daugher, Brianna in the 1960's. Brianna is seeking to re-unite with her mother as well as pursue a romance with Roger MacKenzie.
Claire is caught up in the day-to-day struggles of pioneer living, and has the dual perspective of 18th century and 20th century technology in her healing practice, though of course not the tools of 20th century technology. Exposure to the medicinal practices of Native Americans helps supplement her knowledge and pharmacopeia. Claire settles in to a new stage in her marriage and develops a deeper more stable relationship. Her daughter's decision to travel in time to see her mother causes Claire and Jamie to relate to one another as parents for the first time.
Book four has a more settled feel to it as Claire and Jamie put down roots. Gabaldon does an excellent job of evoking the beauty, sorrow and fragility of life in the 18th century. The colorful adventures of the Caribbean are behind us though the exigencies of Brianna's relationship with Roger and her father seem a little contrived and overdramatic at times--they seem calculated to cause a more passionate re-union. While this overwrought element of drama was unnecessary, the book on whole works and is a worthy continuation of the Outlander series. At this point, I still want more!
Book Review: Just as good as the first 3...if not better!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Drums of Autumn after reading the reviews here, but I loved it. I thought it was just as good as the 1st and 3rd book and way better than Dragonfly in Amber. I found myself reading about Claire and Jamie and enjoying it, but wanting to skim through to get to Brianna. I really enjoyed reading about Brianna and fell in love with her character! I also enjoyed Brianna and Roger when together, but I did not enjoy just reading about Roger. I love to read about Jamie and can't seem to get enough of him, but Roger bores me and those 10 or so chapters telling his story were so boring to me! I actually skipped the part where he was on the ship and read a few chapters ahead and then went back and read it....although I should have just skipped it because I missed nothing at all. I was also a little bored with all the indian stuff. I wished Ian would not have stayed with them and became one of them. I really wanted to see Ian and Lizzy fall in love...oh well. Besides those few boring parts though I loved everything else. I loved Brianna getting to meet Jamie! I can't wait for book five!
Spoiler: I also really loved that she surprised us with the baby...and the rape. I had forgotten all about Brianna even running into Bonnett and seeing the ring until she said the baby isn't Roger's...and then preceeded to tell Claire what happened to her. What a surprise! Even though I was not happy about it...it was definately a shocker!
Book Review: Did they read the book?
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes I wonder what book the "reviewers" here actually read. Complaints of changing diapers (one line at the end of the book) or that the series takes a turn and deals mostly with Brianna and Roger (First 500 pages is 90% in the past). What you`ve read 400 pages of this novel and feel you need to share? Save it. If you pick up the book open to the last page and see the number up top is 1070 and complain that it`s "wordy", you`re an idiot. While the first three books had a new peril every 25 pages, this tome includes the same great writing and is at a slower pace, but the banter between Jamie and Clarie is still satisfying. Claire and Jamie have this wonderful insite and a sense of mirth about their daily lives now in the New World. Brianna finally meeting James? I read that page three times. Lord John Grey is a fantastic character and comes alive on two special occasions (...to all that put major spoilers in your reviews without warning may you die twice). If your a fan of the series the Fiery Cross awaits and I for one can`t wait to start it. There is no silly Mr.Willouby or Rev. Jack the Ripper revelations only and great style of writing with deep characters and engrossing dialoge that will have you fall in love with the entire family.