An Echo in the Bone discussion

I have since finished reading book 7 ("An Echo in the Bone") in the "Outlander" series. It seems to me that I'm on a bit of a downer. I think it's because I read all 7 books for the first time in record time, and did not read anything else in between each book. I got right into the story and all the characters..to the point of writing what I thought would happen next in my mind...then was surprised that the author decided to take another route. The Characters are all too fresh for me, and I'm having a hard time starting another book...and believe me I have a whole stack of books I want to read. Maybe it is a good thing it takes the author about 4 years to finish writing her books. This gives her fans a break, and a chance "get over" her characters and stories.

Agreed! I am always saddened when I finish reading one if this series.

I totally agree! It was by chance that I found Outlander randomly six months ago, and flew through it, then had to race out to get the others (thankfully, all were published in paperback at that time) and now, I'm just waiting for the next to come out. Additionally, because enjoyed her writing style so much, I read the two Lord John novels and his three novellas, which I recommend if you like his character. I am waiting with bated breath for her next book! It is so hard!!!!!!!!!

Diana has a lot of history she can still work with. The only problem is that Claire and Jamie are getting on in age and the question is can she keep them fit enough to explore that vast historical era? I think it is great that they both have a love and passion for each other after so many years.

Echo in the Bone left so many questions unanswered. Yet no sign of a resolution. However many dangling questions got wrapped up. It appears it is time for the next two generations to take over from Claire and Jamie. Poor Jamie has been so injured over the course of the series I am worried that he has no unmarked skin or unbroken bones left.

Life in the eighteenth century was hard. Jamie has an advantage most over other men of his time; Claire. I really doubt if the reader will ever be completely satisfied and without questions and loose ends. I predict that Diana will write at least two more books and get them through the Revolutionary War.

This is the greatest love story EVER written! We've got over 6600 pages invested in Jamie and Claire at this point. I think Diana has 2 books left. Then comes the biggest, ultimate question in the back of my mind: who will die first? I don't think she can cop out on this one. We are all going to have to suffer through it together.

The only way for great loves and lovers to die is together

Thom wrote: "The only way for great loves and lovers to die is together"

Agree!

Why kill them off? Make it true to life and let them get old and quietly pass away, Shift the focus of attention to the next generations as is true to life. Their death could be recounted in third person.

The eventual death of Claire and Jaime puts me in a gloomy state of mind.

I think she will take it till they die. I think she almost has to in order for the story to really be fullfilled. Considering their lives and their personalities, I think them dying together is a good possibility. However, should Clarie die first, and considering that she is older than Jamie is also believable, I think he will find a way to die soon after if not immediately after.

It is gloomy to think about, but it is the only ending to this series that fits. I don't think she will continue it after Jamie and Clarie are gone. Afterall, Outlander is THEIR story.

Having them die together feels hokey. Since Claire is our main narrator I think she should outlive Jamie. We can travel through the grief with her, but then will she survive for a time with strength and dignity, serving her community, perhaps as a healer, or will she succumb to her anguish, and follow her beloved quickly? That happens a lot in real life. I trust that Diana will serve us well, whatever the ending!

For that very reason most writers avoid writing in the first person. The fact that this series of books is has limited them in many respects. True thoughts and feelings of others are missing and replaced by an abundence of tastes and smells. I don't think I've ever read a series before with so many descriptive smells.

I don't think them dying together would be hokey if it's done right. These two have seen many battles together and it wouldn't be out of the question for them to put their lives in danger for the other, but their age will hurt them in this respect. But honestly, there are so many different possiblities with these two characters.

LOVED this series!! Enjoyed reading your comments even!! I agree about the smells.....

Lady Heather wrote: "I have since finished reading book 7 ("An Echo in the Bone") in the "Outlander" series. It seems to me that I'm on a bit of a downer. I think it's because I read all 7 books for the first time in ..."

Lady Heather wrote: "I have since finished reading book 7 ("An Echo in the Bone") in the "Outlander" series. It seems to me that I'm on a bit of a downer. I think it's because I read all 7 books for the first time in ..."

I agree with you. As a person who also read all of her books in sequential order, I feel connected to her characters. I am hoping there will be an additional book. Possibly a book that includes Roger's father.

there is a short story about roger's father in Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love

I thought that A Breat of Snow and Ashes was the end of the series and was satified with it. Brianna and Roger go back to their time, fix Gabby's heart and buy Lallybroch. Then they get the box of letters and learn that Jamie and Claire survived the fire. I loved that ending. You didn't have to read about either Claire or Jamie dying, you could just imagine them living out their lives and getting through the Revolution (you know they will) and living the rest of the their lives in peace.

I think the series is far too complex to simply end with "happily ever after".

It doesn't have to be perfectly "happily ever after." But what is going to kill Jamie? And you know Claire's not going to let him go w/o her. She's already lived w/o him once and is not going to do it again. And vice-versa if she dies first. Jamie's survived so much I can't imagine what will finally kill him other than old age and I don't think the series will last that long. I really don't want to see him and Claire get old and feeble.

I envision that Jamie and Claire will die as they live; together. Maybe in some Revolutionary War battle (as where he goes, she is sure to follow) or defending a town or settlement from Jamie’s archenemies the British. I’m sure Diana will think of something both dynamic and unique to send her creations to the hereafter.
As I’ve stated earlier, one of the pitfalls of writing in first person is that that person’s death effectively ends the narrative. So, regardless of Jamie’s demise, the words will end with Claire’s last breath. I will mourn the end of a truly great love (rivaled only by a few like that of Tatiana and Alexander {The Bronze Horseman series}).

Why do they have to die? It doesn't have to end in happy lala sugar coated crap with William welcoming Jamie as his real father, Brianna and Roger finding Jem and them all rejoining Claire and Jamie in a post Revolution utopia. But cummon! Maybe Lord John has a stroke. Maybe William dies in battle (right after he and Jamie start to get to know one another). Young Ian (now the only Ian) deserves some happiness. Let Jenny die sacrificing herself for some noble cause as she tried to do for Jamie way back when. There are still many ways to add some tragedy and sorrow witout killing off Jamie and Claire. They have never lived together without a threat looming over their heads. I say give them that chance.

You have to agree that with Claire's death the story has to end; as it is her story.

Yes, with her death that would be the end of the story. I'm just saying that I don't think the end has to come because of her death. Killing the main character isn't the only way to effectively end a story.

This series has so many directions that Gabaldon can take it. Though the majority of the stories are from Clair she has given us enough of other characters perspectives to move on. Let's not forget "the big house" Jamie has yet to build. Gabaldon always carries through with pointed information. Jamie was born to lead and care for his people he will not abandon Frasier Ridge. I believe Gabaldon will stay true to her characters and they will live out their lives with their family together and in tact.

I feel the same way, I am at a lost as to what to read next ? I have tons of books to read and I don't feel like reading any of them. I just discovered this series and read all the books back to back too.

Claire could hold jamie as he dies, return to the present, then have jamie's ghost stay with her until the end. The ghost was in the first book after she returned to give birth to their daughter.

I really hope the book does not end with Claire and Jamie's deaths. I too, want them to enjoy their older years with just happiness and no major conflict hanging over their heads. I am dying for the next book. I am in love with these characters and don't want the stories to end.

The author Diana better stay in a plastic bubble - I don't know what I do if something happened to her and we didn't have an ending to these characters' lives.

I totally agree. As much as I hate the idea of Jamie and/or Claire dying, DG said that she'd end the book in 1800. Obviously, they'll both be pretty old...Jamie will be 81 and Claire 86. Maybe they will die in bed, holding each other just like the characters did in the movie, "The Notebook" (although that's not how the book really ends). I don't think Herself will kill off only one of them and go on; I certainly would not buy another book with only one of them still left alive!

Quinna wrote: "The author Diana better stay in a plastic bubble - I don't know what I do if something happened to her and we didn't have an ending to these characters' lives."

totaly agree!

I too found Outlander about a year ago and have read all the books. for me it was the other way. I had to stop and digest each one a bit read and read something else especially in the ones before Echo in the Bones.

I was so enthralled with Claire and Jamie I have just returned to a trip to Scotland and Culloden. We spent time on the battlefield and found the Fraser stone. When our group was asked why we came to visit Scotland I was the only one who said it was to see the Scotland of Outlander, but after i said that a few others also chimed in that they were there as well for this reason.

I read Echo in the Bones as we traveled Scotland and visited Pitlochry and the fish runs just where Briana worked. It was fun!

I have been reading sneak peeks in her next book and looking forward to it. As far as Clair and Jamies death I will not think of it. @ Thom yes this is basically Claires story but she wasnt present at present time Lallybrock with Bree Roger and kids with their problems so if DG wishes to continue she will.

Don't be sad if they die in the 1800s, because Claire will still have to be born in the 1900s, and it will all just happen over and over again.. right? :)

Melissa wrote: "Don't be sad if they die in the 1800s, because Claire will still have to be born in the 1900s, and it will all just happen over and over again.. right? :)"

I hadn't thought of it that way before but love the idea of their adventures happening over and over again. Would it happen the same ways or would there e subtle differences...the idea of time travel always makes my head spin with the endless possibilities.

When anyone asks me for a book recommendation I always suggest the Outlander Series. It has everything a great book should have, a love story that should go down in history as one of the best love stories ever written, tragedy, adventure, history, and because of the time travel element, endless possibilities.

Can any of you help me figure out why Jamie cannot come to the future? I always wondered why this was never suggested byt the characters! In one of the last books, Claire makes a comment like: "and, of course, Jamie could never come forward to the 20th century...." Something like that. But I don't remember if it has ever been explained why!

jamie cannot travel to the future because he does not have the "time-travel gene." he does not hear the stones, not does he hear or feel the heat from a gem stone. diana has mentioned several times that jamie will never travel to the future, but he get glimpses of it in his dreams. Herself has also stated that the end of the books will be in the year 1800, although that may have changed by now. but i don't think that she will continue the story without jamie and claire--they are the story, afterall. how will the end come? will claire return to the future after jamie's death? my money is on jamie and claire dying together--200 years couldn't keep them apart, why should death?

I think Jamie will go first, but then I fancy her returning to the stones and going back in time when Jamie is young and alive and watching him from afar until she dies of old age in her sleep.

Or, acceptably, going back to the future to live out the rest of her life with Bree, Roger and the kids.

If neither of those are in the offing, then I want them to die like Jamie says "with you by my side, at a verra advanced age."

Sandil wrote: "Claire could hold jamie as he dies, return to the present, then have jamie's ghost stay with her until the end. The ghost was in the first book after she returned to give birth to their daughter."

Wait! I thought Frank saw the "ghost" when Claire and Frank were on their honeymoon? And it was never made clear that it was in fact a ghost, was it? Help me out here. . .

DG has said that the ghost is Jamie. I wonder if that happens during one of his dreams of the future, perhaps he'll tell Claire and she'll remember that Frank saw him. Or... I wonder if it happens just after claire dies or just before or as Jamie does. If the story ends in 1800, that's a bit over 20 years from where the story is now, surely Claire will be in her late 70s then. I've just re-read FC and Jamie had turned 50 during it. She's what? 6 or 8 years older?

I can't remember for sure but I think closer to 5 or 6 years. Anyhow, Frank seeing Jamie in the future means something -- I kind of hope :). We can only wait patiently.

Have you guys read the Jamie / Lord John spinoff called The Scottish Prisoner: A Novel (Lord John)? I didn't like the Lord John books but am half tempted to get this one for the Jamie parts..... Any comments appreciated!

the scottish prisoner is good, but there was a scene that bothered me. other than those two pages, though, the book was really good. the jamie parts are especially fun, and we see how jamie and john begin to trust and even like each other. it is worth the read.

I felt the same as you, Jennifer about wanting to read those books just to get a glimps of Jamie! However, I was a bit uncomfortable in the Outlandr series with Lord John being so in love with him even though Jamie is not gay.

Debbie wrote: "I felt the same as you, Jennifer about wanting to read those books just to get a glimps of Jamie! However, I was a bit uncomfortable in the Outlandr series with Lord John being so in love with him..."

hence, my discomfort during those two pages in "scottish prsoner" although they do not involve jamie. i read the lord john books so fast that i can barely remember the plot lines, but i always read through the parts with jamie more carefully. "the scottish prisoner" held my interest better because there is more jamie.

Apple wrote: "I feel the same way, I am at a lost as to what to read next ? I have tons of books to read and I don't feel like reading any of them. I just discovered this series and read all the books back to ba..."

I totally agree. It is nearly year when I finished this series and I can not fined book which satisfied me in so many ways. Also I don't want them dying. I think that also was good idea that not everyone can travel thru the stones.

Yes I taotally agree with all the above, I loved every word of every book and it is so hard when I finished one and knew I would have to wait a year or two for the next! I don't think I could read them one after the other without a break though.
I have just started The Scottish Prisoner and it is great because it is a cross between The Outlander series and The Lord John books!!
I just cannot wait for Written in my Hearts Blood to come out next year!!

im going to read some of my favorite parts again