I very eagerly awaited the release of An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. I bought it as soon as it came out, in hardcover, which I NEVER do. I obsessed over it while waiting for it to arrive in the mail. It sits on my shelf, where I lovingly caress it's spine every now and again, as I choose something else to read.
Why haven't I read it yet?
I read the first two books of the Outlander series years and years ago, and then when I finally got around to book three, I decided too much time had passed and I might not remember the earlier books and might be a little lost and I should start from the beginning. So I reread the first book. And I LOVED LOVED LOVED it. This is the Journal Entry I made on Book Crossing at that time (August 2007):
Oh my gosh, what an incredible book! I didn't want to put it down and was so sad when I reached the last page. I know a lot of people love these books, but I've also seen a lot of negative reactions to them as well, so I went into it not sure how I'd enjoy it. It's been so long since I read it the first time (pre-BookCrossing!) that I didn't really remember much, though I must have liked it since I began collecting all the sequels. But this time around I think I really did appreciate it more than the first time.
Then I reread Dragonfly in Amber. My first Journal Entry (June 2003):
I think I actually enjoyed Outlander better. This one was too full of the politics of the day, which I'm not really into and so it at times lost my interest a little. Just the same, I'm eager to continue the series - however, since these books are so long I'll probably read some others in between.
And after my reread (September 2007):
I think I'm glad now that I waited so long to continue the series that I felt it necessary to reread Outlander and Dragonfly, because this time around this book never, not once, lost my interest even the tiniest little bit. I was enthralled from beginning to end and can't wait to dive into Voyager tonight. I've heard lots of good things about Gabaldon's books, and I've also heard lots of negative things about them. To my mind, she is a genius. Romance, history, mystery, adventure, intrigue, time travel, humor - what more could you want? Oh, to have a Jamie...
I then read the rest of the series in quick succession, practically back to back: Voyager (September 2007), which I did not write a Journal Entry about, other than “I loved it”; then Drums of Autumn (October 2007), about which I wrote:
At first, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I had the previous books in the Outlander series, simply because the action was now taking place in America and I thought I would miss the Scotland setting and Lallybroch. But soon I found myself not caring after all, and just as caught up in this one as in the others. I enjoyed Brianna's story being added, and was shocked at what Jamie did to Roger, but of course was happy with the ending of the book. I can't wait to dive into the next volume.
Next The Fiery Cross (October 2007), which of course I loved. And finally, after a little lapse in time, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (February 2008), of which I wrote:
What can I say that I haven't already said after reading each and every book in this series? Awesome. Fantastic. Splendid. Why is my life so boring and where is my Jamie? It was with much regret that I read the last page. I'm so looking forward to the next book, An Echo in the Bone, which isn't expected to be published until 2009! And I'm happy to know that Diana Gabaldon says on her web site it will NOT be the last book either!
So that brings us to An Echo in the Bone. Which I know, without a doubt, I will love. And yet, I haven't been able to bring myself to actually read it. Because once I do, it will be over and I'll have nothing to look forward to. Yes, Ms. Gabaldon does say on her website that there will be an eighth book, which she hopes to finish for publication in 2012. So, it's possible that when that eighth book is released I will snatch up my copy of An Echo in the Bone and eagerly devour it, in anticipation of the next book.
And then I'll buy the eighth book as soon as it is released. And it will then sit on my shelf until I can bring myself to read it.
I fell in love with the first three books in this series. I spent a year of my life in Aberdeen, Scotland and fell in love with the land and its people. Only recently have I learned that I may have some very distant Scottish blood.
ReplyDeleteBut, the last two books have made me simply crazy. Too much detail devoted to incidents that are ultimately not material to the plot. Too little detail devoted to significant matters. Also..the author has stated she writes these books as she is writing others. I cannot handle plot inconsistencies. Claire loses her skirt, her pocket etc. full of gold when she jumps from the Teal to the English Cutter ship. Not to mention her medicinal supplies. including the gold acumpuncture needles she uses to keep Jamie from being seasick. She is at Ticonderoga and scavenging for medical euipment and herbs. Ian and Rollo make it by foot from Ticonderogo to the swamps of Virginia in 10 days time or so to rescue Willie. Jamie and Claire flee Ticonderoga and live in the woods for days or weeks. But...when she gets to the Continental Camp she miraculously has her complete medical kit including the scarce herbs she bought in Wilmington and the gold acumpunture needles) before she abandoned the Teal. Despite the fact that Claire has lost her petticoats, skirts, shirt, drawers and everything else that oontained the gold...and Jamie being near death at least 3 times, by the time they get to Scotland...they still have the gold.