Drums of Autumn

I'm truly upset, you guys.

I feel like I have to give up on this book. Everyone in it is acting like complete morons, and the plot is going nowhere fast. It's so incredibly boring. Gabaldon should have just ended the series at Voyager.

She could have had both Brianna and Claire come back to find Jamie, stop the fire that would have killed them, and then they could have lived out the rest of their lives together.

But now, everything just seems like filler. Gabaldon is stretching it out just to make another book and earn more money.

Update 10/6/17: DNF 65%.

Ugh, I really had to stop reading. I tried for longer than I should have. But after Brianna finally meets her father and gets to know him, I got really bored.

That's what I was really waiting for, and after that, I was like, "Now what?" The story just kept getting more and more boring with the mundane things Claire, Brianna, and Jamie were doing in the middle of nowhere.

I even dozed off during the audio. Maybe I'll come back to this book someday, but I highly doubt it. There are so many other books to read and so little time.

Reread for Outlander Readalong 2024

"Go down and tell them that the Mackenzies are here." This simple yet powerful line sets the stage for a complex and engaging story. A significant number of readers and now fans of the show give Brianna and Roger a hard time. Some came to the series for Claire and Jamie, while others find themselves irritated by Brianna's whining or Roger's seeming obtuseness. They believe he isn't half the man Jamie is and wish he hadn't been able to follow her.

I'm not suggesting that everyone feels this way, but I can understand their reluctance to share page time with this new young couple. And Brianna's intense love for Frank can cause one to roll their eyes or simply skip when she goes on and on about loving and missing him. Believe me, I can relate. I used to feel that way about Bree. But now, I can hardly remember those initial feelings. Only when I watch the TV show do I recall the slight annoyance I had for this strong woman. Because Sophie Skelton is great, and she is evolving into the character I want to see. However, she just doesn't compare to the girl I love and identify with so deeply: Brianna Randall.

It really had to happen. If Diana was going to continue writing and prevent Jamie and Claire from becoming boring to us (I know, it seems impossible, but it could have happened), she needed to expand the story to include more surrounding characters and make us care about them deeply. And boy, do I ever. There is so much about Brianna that I can relate to, and I hold her close to my heart. Claire is almost superhuman to me. Although Diana makes her love with Jamie somewhat grounded, it is still more than I can imagine for myself in a practical sense. Not that it has to be, I just mean in terms of believability. Roger and Bree just speak to me on a different level.

I can relate to Roger's faith. He adheres to it so strongly that it almost pushes his love away. But she loves that about him at the same time and wouldn't want him any other way. He keeps secrets that make her angry, and it's a big secret, but his protective nature is just too strong. It's wrong. I don't condone his actions in any way, but it all seems so inevitable. Brianna is the daughter of a historian too, just like Roger, so of course she looks and finds what there is to find. And it all had to unfold this way.

Except for Stephen Bonnet. That slimy character. Ugh. He crosses paths with all four of our main POV characters, and they all see different sides of him, none of which are good. However, I find him much more compelling than Black Jack Randall. I don't mean that Bonnet is more evil. I just think he has more layers. I hate what Bonnet does to Bree. It's just disgusting. And there is something to be said about how most of Diana's most compelling plot lines in this entire series stem from horrible sexual assault. I always think it will feel repetitive, but somehow, Diana makes it as real, raw, and different as human beings are.

I experience so many emotions when Jamie meets Brianna. The child of his heart, the child he had no hope of ever meeting. He longs for her, dreams of her. But would never have expected to see her face in this lifetime. He knows the danger, knows she is safe in the future. And all his hopes and fears come true when he meets his child in Wilmington. She embodies all his best qualities and some of his worst. The passions, the tempers, and the joy. It's all I wanted, but only for a few brief months. Their conversations about rape, forgiveness, vengeance, and justice are truly heart-wrenching.

Anyway, this wasn't so much a review as a ramble. Diana Gabaldon is always 5/5 for me. I have no critiques and only admiration.

Ach, wo soll ich nur Anfangen?

It's just another amazing part that completely thrilled me. The book was filled with many exciting and unexpected moments.

I could hardly put the book down.

It was like I was addicted to Outlander.

Every page turned was a new adventure, a new discovery.

The story had me on the edge of my seat, eager to know what would happen next.

The characters were so vividly portrayed that I felt as if I knew them personally.

The author's writing style was captivating, drawing me in and making me feel a part of the story.

I can't wait to read more of this series and see where the journey takes me.

Outlander has truly become one of my favorite books, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging read.

In Outlander's previous installment, Claire and Jamie are reunited and have left Scotland behind, embarking on a new adventure in the brave New World.

Brianna and Roger take on more prominent roles in this book. However, to be honest, I wasn't entirely satisfied with how the author developed Brianna's character and her handling of the future. I felt it was a bit unnecessary and that the situation could have been approached differently. On the other hand, I really liked what happened with Roger. His deep love for Brianna is palpable as he ventures through the stones at Craigh na Dun and pursues her all the way to the USA. I understand that some might consider this a spoiler, but for me, it's not. What truly matters is not just that he goes after her, but the reason behind it, which I won't disclose here.

Claire and Jamie's story takes a bit of a backseat with Brianna's arrival. While I enjoyed seeing her interact with Jamie, I believe there should have been more such moments and less conflict between them. I wished they could have made more of an effort to get to know each other better.

Overall, it's still a good book, and I'm already delving into the next one. However, compared to the previous installments, this one does fall a bit short.

3.5*
Full review: https://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016...
Portuguese review: https://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016...

As far as Outlander novels go, Drums of Autumn stands out as the most bodice-ripperish among the four I've read so far.

The main reason for this is that the entire book is centered around a MISUNDERSTANDING that could have been easily resolved with just one adult conversation. Oh, how I loathe such devices in romance novels!

Here's how the story unfolds. In this installment, Claire and Jamie are in America, attempting to establish a Scottish colony in North Carolina. Naturally, they face numerous difficulties and misfortunes along the way. Meanwhile, two hundred years in the future, Brianna discovers information that compels her to risk her life and travel back in time secretly to visit her parents and perhaps change their destiny. Roger, Brianna's fiancee, follows her, and the couple promptly consummates their relationship. However, a mix-up regarding Roger's identity, specifically his last name, becomes the driving force behind the main conflict of this novel. This seemingly minor misunderstanding leads to a series of highly dramatic events.

It's no secret that while Diana Gabaldon is a talented storyteller, she is somewhat lacking in the area of plot construction. She even admits this herself, stating that she assembles her books like a puzzle, first writing individual scenes and then piecing them together with a plot. As a result, her plots are often overshadowed by highly unlikely coincidences and, at times, deus ex machina. Drums of Autumn is no exception, and in this case, the entire misunderstanding twist feels overly contrived and makes some characters, particularly Jamie to my disappointment, act like complete fools.

Another issue that really bothers me is this: does every character in the Outlander series have to experience rape at some point? There is a new addition to the list that already includes Lord John, Jamie, Claire, and Fergus. I mean, enough is enough with the sexual abuse! I'm sure that even 200 years ago, not everyone was assaulted, right?

Brianna and Roger's relationship receives a significant amount of attention in this book. I'm not entirely sure if I care much for these two or truly believe in their love. Brianna comes across as a rather unlikable, spoiled, and rash individual, and she is the source of almost all the misfortunes in the story. Poor Roger, on the other hand, has to endure a great deal of pain and suffering for the sake of his love.

And finally, my last complaint. For a book of this length (a whopping 1070 pages!) and with such frequent use of words like \"virgin\" and \"maidenhead,\" Drums of Autumn is surprisingly light on sex.

You might wonder why, despite all these problems, I'm still giving this novel 4 stars. Well, as I mentioned earlier, Gabaldon is a truly great storyteller. She is so verbose, so descriptive, so passionate about the scenes she writes, and so self-indulgent that I think she doesn't edit out any of her own writing. And yet, I'm eager to read anything she produces. There's just something addictive and captivating about her stories. I love being taken on an adventure, and Gabaldon does exactly that. Without a doubt, I will read the next book in the series, regardless of the rapes, deus ex machinas, and contrived plots. But please, can Jamie not be such a possessive and idiotic character in The Fiery Cross? Pretty please?

I too, am one of those individuals who was completely enamored with Outlander. Despite the presence of rather graphic violence, I considered it to be a good enough book that I have persisted in reading the series up to this particular installment.

Unfortunately, similar to most series, this one fails to improve. By this book, DG is recycling plots that we have already witnessed, and the characters are devolving into two-dimensional parodies of themselves. There's Jamie, the tough and masculine hero, Claire, the strong and feisty woman who knows how to manage her man, the passionate Scots, and the stereotypical early Americans.

I awarded it two stars because I did manage to finish the book and found it entertaining at certain moments. However, I also felt that it was a bit overbearing and offensive at times. The overall impression I had at the conclusion was, "I wish someone else I know had read this book so they could simply inform me of what occurs, because I cannot endure another 1800 pages of these characters!"

**Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4), Diana Gabaldon**

It all started in Scotland, at an ancient stone circle. There, a mysterious doorway, accessible only to a chosen few, leads either into the past or to the grave. Claire Randall defied the odds and survived this extraordinary passage not just once, but twice. Her first journey led her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot. Their love story became a legend, filled with tragic passion, until Claire had to return to the present to bear his child.

Two decades later, her second journey brought them together again in frontier America. However, Claire had left someone precious behind in the twentieth century - their daughter, Brianna.

**Drums of Autumn** commences with a hanging. One of Jamie's old comrades from his Ardsmuir prison days is being hanged for theft, and Jamie has come to offer what support he can. Suddenly, the proceedings are thrown into chaos as another prisoner attempts to break free. Moved by the death of his friend, Jamie impulsively helps the man, a pirate named Stephen Bonnet, to escape. This decision will have far-reaching and unforeseen consequences that will shape the lives of all those involved.

Published on February 15, 2018.
Title: Drums of Autumn: The Third Book in the Outlander Series; Author: Diana Gabaldon.
The book Drums of Autumn begins with a hanging. One of Jamie's former companions is being hanged for theft, and...
Translated on June 27, 2020; A. Sharbiani.

Drums of Autumn is yet another remarkable masterpiece within the captivating Outlander series. I cannot emphasize enough the profound love I hold for these books and each and every character that inhabits their pages.

Yes, I am well aware that these are lengthy tomes, and they may not be to everyone's taste. However, having read this book before, I found myself once again completely engrossed, unable to soak up the details fast enough. As I delved into its pages, I took the time to truly feel and experience all the emotions it evoked.

In this novel, we accompany Jamie and Claire as they carve out a new life for themselves in the Americas. They are offered land in North Carolina, but only if they swear their loyalty to the crown. They ultimately settle on a beautiful parcel of land they name Fraser's Ridge.

They also reunite with aunt Jocasta. I am truly charmed by how feisty and spirited that woman is. Her cleverness and the way she manages to be controlling in a rather endearing way never fail to amuse me. And I have an even deeper appreciation for Jamie and Claire for not being swayed by her antics.

This book is so vast and rich that it's a challenge to pen a concise review. But I don't wish to bore you by droning on and on about it.

We also follow the separate paths of Roger and Brianna. We witness their attempts to build a relationship. Roger discovers that Jamie and Claire will meet their fates at Fraser's Ridge in just a few short years. And Brianna, without hesitation and without informing Roger, ventures through the stones. Naturally, Roger follows her without a second thought. Their relationship is truly one that I adore.

My heart breaks for what befalls them and the circumstances that lead to their separation.

Reading the chapter where Brianna meets her father fills my heart with an overwhelming sense of joy. I can feel Claire's emotions as if they were my own.

And I completely understand Jamie's actions once he learns what has happened to Brianna. Although I do wish they could have had an earlier conversation about it, I also see the reasons why he may not have.

BIG SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH:

The love and desire shared by Jamie and Claire is simply brilliant and heartwarming. In the final chapter, when Roger reveals to Jamie the contents of Frank's letter, about how he kept Claire for himself while knowing James Fraser was still alive, Jamie's words are truly moving. It showcases just how much he will always prioritize Claire's needs above his own.

Seeing William and John Grey make their appearances is a delight to read. John Grey's role throughout this entire book is so selfless. William is indeed fortunate to have him in his life.

And dear Lord, Young Ian. What a brave lad he is, a courageous young man. I have the utmost admiration for his strength and resilience. He always manages to bring a smile to my face.

Also, the small but significant actions of Claire. Giving mercy to the slave at Jocasta's plantation. How she handles her pregnancy and gives Brianna a choice. The snippets of Frank Randall. And that可恶的Stephen Bonnet.

Gah, Diana Gabaldon, you are incredibly talented. Thank you so very much for penning these books, these masterpieces for us to cherish. Jamie and Claire will forever reside in my heart!

I did miss Fergus a little. I wish his part had been a bit more prominent. But I still take great pleasure in seeing him settle into his role as a family man.

And reading about Jamie and Claire as grandparents is an absolute joy!

A million, billion, humongous stars from me! For Diana and the epic story that we have journeyed through in these 4 amazing books.

I'll most definitely be starting The Fiery Cross soon! I can't wait to embark on this adventure once again and enjoy it always and forever.