Monday, September 14, 2009

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (audio)

Only a slightly over a week left until the publication of An Echo in the Bone, and I am getting more than a little excited.

I had a six hour round trip voyage to make last Friday for a work related conference. I finished listening to the audiobook of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon as I drove and it made my trip go by much faster.

I once again listened to the abridged version of the book as read by Geraldine James. James does an excellent job reading the novel. The music has also been vastly improved as compared to the earlier audiobooks. The abridged version leaves out considerable detail that is contained in the actual novel, but it is a good refresher for someone who needs one before reading An Echo in the Bone.

The Fiery Cross is the fifth novel in the Outlander series. This novel moves more slowly than previous novels and encompasses only about two years from 1770 to 1772. Claire, Jamie, Brianna, Roger, and Jemmy are all together at Fraser’s Ridge in North Carolina. The novel starts at a gathering of the highlanders, and Brianna and Roger prepare to get married. Further plot points include a squirmish with the militia, a near hanging of a major character, the Tory gold mystery, and more information about another time traveler, Otter Tooth. The best part of the novel however is the rich detail of life in the eighteenth century and the love between Jamie and Claire, and Brianna and Roger. It is so hard to describe these novels. They contain so much – a passionate love story, historical fiction, adventure, time travel, etc. I love them!

I had two favorite passages in this novel:

The first is when Jamie fears he is dying and he tells Roger:

“Tell Brianna I’m glad of her, “ Fraser whispered. “Give my sword to the bairn.”

. . .

“Claire?” he asked quietly. “Is there anything ye’d have me tell her?”

. . .

“Tell her . . . I meant it”

My other favorite quote is the last passage in the novel that Jamie says to Claire:

“When the day shall come, that we do part,” he said softly, and turned to look at me, “if my last words are not ‘I love you’ – ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time.”

6 comments:

  1. Hello, Laura - I enjoy listening to Outlander books in the car, as well. I also listen to them while I scrapbook. Only a few days left until Echo in the Bone!

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  2. What a great way to pass the time on a long drive!

    I started reading Outlander a while back but let too many other books get in the way. I'm sure I'll read it, though it may take some time before I get back to it.

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  3. I've seen DG books everywhere, but I haven't picked one up yet. I do love reading books in a series though. What's the name of the first book? It's probably something easy, like The Outlander, isn't it?

    And I had no idea New Moon was so close until I saw your sidebar count down. Only 65 days left. WOW!

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  4. Linda - Yes the first book is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It is excellent - I highly recommend it.

    After seeing the latest New Moon trailer, it can't come soon enough for me! :-)

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  5. it's quotes like that one last one you wrote that makes me really love the love between claire and jamie. they are my all-time favorite couple in fiction.

    i really need to pick up fiery cross again. i started it a couple years ago and haven't been able to get into it.

    BTW: you've just been awarded...
    http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2009/09/who-loves-you-baby-award.html

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  6. Gosh...I love the quotes you have chosen.
    Have you started reading Echo? I am going to start Echo tonight.

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