Chapter 10 - The Oath-Taking

In her introductory remarks for this chapter, I thought the escape plan from the castle that Claire had devised wasn't too bad: she had a distraction so her presence wouldn't be missed (the Gathering), she had squirreled away some food for the journey, she had picked out a horse. But how in the heck would she know where she was going to get back to Craigh na Dun? She had been unconscious for part of the journey after she got knocked out by one of her "rescuers" from Captain Randall. But, in fairness, I suppose it would be an acceptable risk, facing the potential of continued oversight by the MacKenzie clan.

My beloved USAF unit badge.
A bright red horse.
On a flying bulldozer.
With an M-16 rifle.
Yup, it doesn't get any better than that.

After Jamie and Claire are found out and brought back in to the castle for the Gathering, I was surprised to see how early on in the story we also learn Jamie's clan motto "Je Suis Prest." Actually, while I Am Ready is a great motto, I kind of liked the MacKenzie motto of I Shine, Not Burn. Obviously I could have no knowledge of how these may continue to come into play in further chapters, but I thought of the irony of how these types of fraternal traditions have come down to us in our day and age with military units all the way through to bikers clubs. The Air Force units I belonged to, the 819th and 820th Red Horse combat engineers squadrons, had the mottos of: Can Do, Will Do, Have Done, and Lead, Follow, or Get the Hell Out of the Way. Kinda hard to fit that on a badge.


I have to say, the way the oath-taking scene is presented, the tension had me squirming just a bit to see just how Jamie was going to try to get out of taking the MacKenzie oath without violating his own clan's honor. At least through his pledge to Colum, he demonstrated his faithfulness and loyalty. And in the process, I learned a new term: "quaich", the cup from which they were drinking. I love learning new things, and as much as I enjoy a good hard-backed paper-paged book, I do like reading a digital version that allows me to do some quick research now and then on unfamiliar terms.

Another new term that I learned was the tynchal or hunt. This whole scene for me evoked an ethereal feeling, as I had been in deeply fog-shrouded forests like these in England. I never encountered a boar, though, thankfully enough. The most I ever had to do was "play" mock war games encamped in the depth of the woods during military exercises. We called them "Agressor" games, when "the enemy" would attempt to breach our camp security while we were entrenched in various defensive positions. I have never been so cold in all my life. Not from the physical temperature, mind you, but because everything was damp, wet, and just plain miserable. If these Scots were also coming off their hangovers from the evenings festivities before, I can't imagine they were feeling any better, even as tough as they appear to be. And with an enraged boar running around, it's not far-fetched to see how badly they could be wounded.

The death of Geordie is extremely moving, as they had to face a choice (albeit limited) of trying to patch him up so he could suffer for days from the effects of deadly infection, or allow him to bleed out and die. The poignancy of the moment for me is captured in picturing the silent march back to the castle:

The trip up the hill to the castle was silent. I walked beside the dead man, borne on a makeshift litter of pine boughs. Behind us, borne in precisely similar fashion, came the body of his foe. Dougal walked ahead, alone.

The paralleling of the two "victims" repose is irony of the highest crafted order. What a futile and reckless pride that fuels bravado.

I'm glad the chapter didn't end there, but continued on with a glimpse of some real Highland games, and how they appear to be a bit more, um, dangerous than any contemporary reenactments. Claire relates her busyness in the surgery that day:

All I could say for sure of authentic Highland games is that they were played for keeps.

I'm sure there were many severe injuries that would require constant attendance by medical personnel. Even in our own military training, extraordinary measures are taken to avoid injuries as much as possible. Moving a lot of men and equipment around, even for training, is bound to cause some mishaps. Makes me wonder how many clansmen might have missed real battles due to negligence during the games.

Interesting conclusion to the chapter, as Dougal offers to take Jamie and Claire to Fort William:

"...The commander there might be able to…assist ye in finding your family in France.” Or to assist you, I thought, in determining who I really am. And how much else are you not telling me? Dougal stared down at me, obviously wondering how I would take this news.

Nicely timed lead-in to further mysterious doings of the MacKenzie clan. Just what do they expect to find out about Claire? And, by all rights, what difference would it make to such a high-functioning clan heirarchy to find out some history on this meager outlander?

(Wow. I'm starting to sound like a trailer lead-in for the TV show...)

Chapter 9 - The Gathering

As Claire is settling in to her new routine in the 18th century (as much as can be expected, anyway), she recounts some of the daily activities that are becoming common pleasantries: helping in the kitchen, visiting the stables, working in the castle garden.

I would join the gathering in the Great Hall to listen to the evening’s entertainment of stories, song, or the music of harp or pipes. I could listen to Gwyllyn the Welsh bard for hours, enthralled in spite of my total ignorance of what he was saying, most times.

Sometimes I like to just listen to international music when I just want to listen to some contemporary beats without being assaulted by lyrics. What I call "international music" is essentially any kind of world music which is either instrumental or where I don't understand the language. Since I only speak and understand English, the field is pretty wide open! Maybe Brazilian or European folk music, doesn't matter; as long as I can't understand what they're saying so I don't have to think about it, just enjoy it for what it is. That's how I picture Claire's enjoyment of the bard.

When she gets invited to go berry picking, she relates a bit of the routine:

We plucked only the best, dropping them into our baskets in juicy heaps, eating as much as we could hold, and carrying back the remainder to be made into tarts and pies.

This brought to mind a memory of me of "helping" my mother to pick strawberries when I was just a "wee bairn". I'm surprised when it came time to weigh how many pounds we had picked, that the farm hands didn't want to weigh me on the way out of the berry patch! One in the bucket, two in my mouth, sit in the shade, eat some more, put one or two in the basket, eat another handful -- I'm pretty sure I wan't really much help at all!

Even among the preparations for the Gathering, Claire is still thinking of ways to escape. I like how there is really no plan except just to get back to the rocks at Craigh na Dun...but then what? I'm sure I would be thinking the same thing. Although I've noticed she hasn't mentioned Frank in quite a while...

After Claire befriends Geilie Duncan on the berry picking expedition, she also has an opportunity to meet with her in the nearby town of Cranesmuire to receive some herbs needed for the castle population. Geilie is depicted as a very likeable character, although each time she is described, she is related as having a sharp wit and "a wry-tongued, cynical viewpoint". I had to stifle a laugh, as I couldn't help but think of my oldest daughter; it was practically describing her to a "T", and then I just kept picturing her in the action in the place of Geilie. Can't imagine where she gets that wry wit and cynicism...

While Claire is at the Duncan's home, a commotion begins outside near the town square:

For some time, I had been conscious of noises coming from the street outside, but had attributed them to the traffic of villagers coming from Sunday Mass; the kirk was located at the end of the street by the well, and the High Street ran from kirk to square, spreading from there into a fan of tiny lanes and walks.

The fact that the population is Catholic shows how far removed the village is within the Highlands. Since Catholicism had essentially been outlawed in Scotland after the Reformation, it was only in the remote areas of the Highlands where Catholicism was still practiced, though usually not openly. Recusants as they were called, would be persecuted for not attending Anglican services, and even included some Reformed Protestant Christians (or any dissenters from the Church of England). So to have an open mob of villagers coming from Mass, it would definitely be a localized enclave. Of course, with my very limited understanding of the Jacobite rising, this seems to fit neatly with the socio-politics of the day.

I'm also quite amazed at how deftly the time-oriented perspective is maintained. When Claire equivocates the mob in Cranesmuire to the similar dissociation of the German people in Nazi Germany, she writes:

Looking down on the assembly, standing patiently in the drizzle awaiting a verdict, I suddenly had a vivid understanding of something. Like so many, I had heard, appalled, the reports that trickled out of postwar Germany; the stories of deportations and mass murder, of concentration camps and burnings. And like so many others had done, and would do, for years to come, I had asked myself, “How could the people have let it happen?"

I know at the outset of this blog I stated I was not going to comment on Diana's writing, but I was struck with a thought when I read this passage. As Diana is relating this story, she has to be extremely mindful of writing not from our current perspective, but from Claire's WWII perspective. I noticed in the foregoing passage how she emphasized, "like so many others had done, and would do, for years to come..." Claire could not have known that except in understanding the depth of the German indifference would have historical ramifications, which of course it did. I don't know, a minor point perhaps, but it did make me think how many phrases and references we take for granted that cannot be used by the author because they would not have been in existence in Claire's time in the 1940's. Challenging, indeed.

The tension of the mob scene continues:

...I thought of myself stepping out, alone and powerless, to confront that mob of solid and virtuous citizens, avid for the excitement of punishment and blood to alleviate the tedium of existence.

Some things never change. Similar things excite today: the daredevil stunts, the Indy car crashes, the boxing injuries; people still clamor for these things to "alleviate the tedium of existence".

To me, the most poignant statement comes as Claire struggles with her own inability for action to somehow help this poor tanner's boy:

To stand against a crowd would take something more than ordinary courage; something that went beyond human instinct. And I feared I did not have it, and fearing, was ashamed.

Wow. Just...wow. A courage that goes beyond human instinct; that, to me, is unbelievably profound. Claire's recognition of her lack of this type of courage goes beyond her own shame to us; to me. Can we not identify with some illustration from our own life when we refused to be the one who "stood in the gap" for another? And then felt ashamed for not having done what was right? Wow.

The scene with the tanner's boy at the pillory is central to Claire's adventure in the village that day, and as such we see many insights into the justice of the day: its barbarity and striking cruelty, but also its effectiveness as the young tanner lad, ear pinned to the pillory, was reproved for stealing by the citizens of the community:

...now and then a more sober citizen was to be seen, seizing a moment from the round of daily duties to attend to the moral improvement of the delinquent by means of a few well-chosen words of reproval and advice.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who can think of a few young people who would have benefited greatly from a similar public display and embarrassment. If only our community provided opportunities for more elder involvement with our young people, our streets might become safer environments for all.

While the ear-nailing was extreme, it makes for a great dramatic scene with Jamie and Claire, as Claire convinces Jamie to help her release the lad so he does not have to rip his head free of the nail. I thoroughly enjoyed Claire's mock faint in the orchestration of the distraction so Jamie could pull the nail and help the young lad. Perhaps we meet up with the lad later in the story...?

At first, my initial thought was, again, why would Jamie, who is already shown to be in hiding of sorts, risk exposing himself over such a comparative trivial manner? But then, in the closing narration, the question is answered for me, almost word-for-word as the question had formed in my head:

“But it was a risk to you,” I said, persisting. “I didn’t realize you’d be in danger when I asked you.”

"Ah,” he said, noncommittally. And a moment later, with a hint of amusement, “Ye wouldna expect me to be less bold than a wee Sassenach lassie, now would ye?”

I can hear the collective swooning from here. But it does indeed fit the moment, and of course, Jamie's character nicely.

All in all, this chapter is a clever and briskly moving narrative of village life in those times.

Chapter 8 - An Evening's Entertainment

This chapter opens a bit unexpectedly for me, as I was not sure how well Claire was going to take to the role of "healer" at the castle. But one of the early phrases, I think, captures it beautifully:

To take responsibility for the welfare of others made me feel less victimized by the whims of whatever impossible fate had brought me here...

Helping others is always the best way to get our eyes off of our own cares and worries. I thought this was just a great way of highlighting the resilient and pragmatic core of Claire's character.

Then we move to the hall for the entertainment gathering that evening, and I was introduced to a new wine term with which I, like Claire, was also not familiar:

...Rhenish, ye know. You’re not familiar with it?” I shook my head as he tipped the decanter over my goblet, filling the bowl with a pool of glowing rose. He held his own goblet by the stem, turning it before his face so that the firelight lit the contents with dashes of vermilion. 

According to the website Pull the Cork, "Rhenish wines are dry white wines from the Rhine river valley in Germany". Jamie explains the uniqueness of this specific wine to Claire:

“Aye, it’s good,” he said, handing the goblet back. “It’s also double strength. Colum takes it at night because his legs pain him."

Yes, please, I'll have another. Actually, for me, I'm more of a deep red Merlot or Cabernet fancier, and I certainly don't mind a hearty ale now and again. But I'm always open to try something new, especially if it's double strength. I always knew I could claim it for its "medicinal value". :)

The entertainment scene was also very interesting. The way the music is depicted, some in Gaelic and some in English, I could almost hear the strains of music over the words on the page. I also liked how Gwyllyn conveyed the legends and myths in the stories he told. It was great seeing the story of the Wee Folk came to life for Claire with unusual clarity and significance:

...women trapped in the rocks of fairy duns, traveling far and arriving exhausted, who knew not where they had been, nor how they had come there.

To me, that is just great storytelling, introducing us to the myths-that-could-be-true through the pairing of the previous story of Reverend Wakefield's with this legend of the Wee Folk. Many a good yarn have been spun from the legends of yore.

As they head back to Claire's room to change the dressing on Jamie's shoulder, I was unexpectedly struck with the unique perspective Jamie had about not wanting to Alec to see the scars on his back:

“But when you see it yourself, it’s like”—he hesitated, looking for words—“it’s a bit…personal, maybe, is what I mean. I think…if he were to see the scars, he couldna see me anymore without thinking of my back. And I’d be able to see him thinking of it, and that would make me remember it, and—” He broke off, shrugging.

I understand how this helps illustrate the uncaring attitude that people have historically held towards those who were physically handicapped in some way (still evident today, in many ways). However, while a very tender and emotional moment for Jamie and Claire (as she understood the depth of what he had been through), I couldn't help think that this was a bit out of character from a male perspective.

Most guys are usually pretty quick to share stories of their scars, and demonstrate a bit of bravado (even if false bravado). I would think it would make more sense if Alec had seen his back, and then made light of it along the lines of "Och, laddie, reminds me of the floggin' that auld MacGregor received back in '38. Redcoats havena bit o' mercy in them" (or something like that), that would deepen the antagonism toward the English. Then he would have secretly had a higher opinion of Jamie, knowing what he had been through, because he had never seen anything that bad, even with old MacGregor. The emotion conveyed would be the same, but in a slightly different vein.

I guess it all depends on which way the story needs highlighting, whether the distrust towards the English or the trust between Jamie and Claire (which is obviously what is conveyed here). But as Jamie even admits: "I daresay I’m too tender-minded about it, in any case." Obviously it was deeply personal for him, and it is a very touching scene allowing Claire into that personal sphere.

Then the mood is lightened as Claire explores the castle:

There was no one about for the moment, and I took the opportunity to explore the upper floors of the castle, poking into empty chambers and winding staircases, mapping the castle in my mind.

I was glad for this insight, as I would have been doing the same at my first opportunity. It shows my history-buff side, but what grander thrill than to explore an 18th-century castle at the height of its use and habitation! Of course, this is a device to have Claire find Jamie, um, detained in a prior engagement. This all makes for a bit of fun at the dinner table that evening:

“Your mouth looks a bit swollen, Jamie. Get thumped by a horse, did you?” I asked wickedly.
“Aye,” he answered, narrowing his eyes. “Swung its head when I wasna looking.” He spoke placidly, but I felt a large foot come down on top of mine under the table. It rested lightly at the moment, but the threat was explicit.
“Too bad; those fillies can be dangerous,” I said innocently.

This good-natured sparring is depicted masterfully, and just feels good after the depth of the preceding pages. It is also a little deeper insight into the perceptiveness of Old Alec, as he relates that what Jamie needs is a woman and not a girl.

Hmm...I wonder which woman he could possibly be talking about? :)

Chapter 7 - Davie Beaton's Closet

Since this whole adventure is just one big science experiment, I decided on this chapter to experiment with not only reading the chapter, but listening to it while reading it. I must say, Davina Porter's performance on the audio version is really stunning to me. Hearing the accents and pronunciation of obscure (to me) Scottish names, places and things increased not only my comprehension of the story (since I wasn't trying to figure out how things should be pronounced), but I'm finding my appreciation of the story increased as well.

One of the things I am really enjoying about the story is how Diana doesn't always explain what a term is, and leaves us to find out from context clues what it is. Things like "breeks" for britches; "kiss the iron" for (what I think relates to) honoring the pope (or converting to Catholicism); "theriac" for poison antidote. These little "treasure hunts" are the types of things that appeal to me, where the meaning is not right out there, but becomes evident if you apply yourself a bit.

I also appreciated the opportunity to take a break from everything new that Claire was experiencing and to get a glimpse into what she could remember about her time travel experience.

"I had tried repeatedly to think about everything that had happened to me since I stepped through the standing stone. But things moved so rapidly around this place that I had hardly had a moment to myself when I wasn't asleep. Apparently I had one now, though..."

I'm not sure why, but this little respite in the action was refreshing to me. The description of her recalled experience is very "Dr. Who"-ish, but we do glean a couple of other glimpses or snapshots of things that may or may not come to pass in the story: what were the terrifying images she "had fought away from" during the maelstrom of the time-passage; had she really "fought toward others?"

When she brings Jamie his lunch out at the horse fields again, he recounts the story of why he was a wanted man, and how it is all a case of mistaken identity for the murder of the sergeant-major who had flogged him. But he adds enticingly:

"Though had it been Captain Randall, I expect I'd ha' made the effort."

The way Black Jack keeps coming up in the story, the scene is definitely being set for what I can only assume will be the ongoing antagonism between the characters as the story unfolds. His physical likeness to Frank; the fact that he is the moral antithesis of her husband; he's the bane of our hero Jamie, and a well-reputed enemy of the Castle Leoch; yes, it is a masterfully applied interweaving of delicious villainy.

Obviously, since my wife has read all of the books, and I have been exposed to everything Outlander since Seattle, I knew Jamie's last name was not MacTavish. While it wasn't the whole explanation, it was nice to have that back-story explained a bit in this chapter, as well.

As Claire drifts off to sleep in the afternoon sun while Jamie and Old Alec talk horses, Claire recounts:

"Oddly contented and drowsy, I pushed away all thoughts of Colum's suspicions, my own predicament, and other disturbing ideas. 'Sufficient unto the day,' I thought sleepily, picking up the biblical quotation from some recess of memory."

Interesting usage of this biblical quotation from Matthew 6:34, the full text of which reads: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." The context of this saying comes on the heels of God's provision for those who "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things [food, drink, clothing] shall be added unto you."

The psychology of picking and choosing bible verses for our own edification (and not entirely in its full context) is a natural human tendency that fascinates me. I have been guilty of that very thing myself from time to time. It seems that in a time of crisis, the mind seeks to make sense of unusual things and events, to find solace with the known in the midst of upheaval; so it is here with Claire pulling a comforting slice of scripture from "some recess of memory".

As she makes her way back to the castle, Claire considers the shape of the scar on Jamie's head that he had showed her while recounting his tale of woe:

"It wasn't a straight line, as might be made by an English broadsword. The wound was curved, as though made by a blade with a definite bend. A blade like a Lochaber ax? But so far as I knew, the murderous axes...were...carried only by clansmen..."

Hmm. Not sure exactly how Claire would have known a detail like that, unless I missed it earlier in the story. But it is an interesting twist to the shroud of mystery surrounding Jamie's past.

The detailed descriptions of all of the late-medieval medical tools and potions made for some interesting reading at the last part of the chapter. All I have to say after reading that is, "Thank God for modern medicine and indoor plumbing." :)

Chapter 6 - Colum's Hall

The scenes in this chapter just drip with richness and character. The lavish setting of Colum's hall and banquet; the brutal "justice" that is meted out in this chamber; the meticulous description of 18th-century medicine; the castle gardens and stables; all of these relate distinct and varied aspects of 18th-century life. It's this richness and variety that, for me, makes the story come to life.

After the dinner in the banquet hall, Claire heads off to bed. To avoid the feeling of "entombment" within the stone walls, she pulls back the embroidered hanging from the window to let in the cool breeze.

"I slid under the quilts, blew out the candle, and fell asleep watching the slow rise of the moon."

That is vivid. In our home, we don't have the ability to see the moon from our bedroom window (too many trees), yet whenever we can see the moon in its phases, it is comforting to me. There's a regularity to its continuing cycle, it's never-ending multi-faceted shadowing as it circles our globe, pulling the tides and then relaxing it's grip again.

Many cultures look to a lunar-based calendar from time immemorial. I feel it's a shame that in our Western culture we look only to the sun as the basis of our annual timekeeping. Yes, it does make scientific sense since the sun is the most notable check-point of our ever-circling and spinning motions through space. While the ancients worshiped the sun as a god, it is interesting to me how in our day and age the moon is more of the religious icon, an emotional and spiritual partner, if you will, to the overpowering scientific constancy of the sun that adds the drama and depth to this continual celestial cycle.

Once Claire witnesses and begins to understand the meaning of Hall, "...it quickly became apparent that this was the regular occasion on which the laird of Castle Leoch dispensed justice...hearing cases and settling disputes." I enjoyed very much her description of the Gaelic proceedings:

"I had already noticed that the language involved considerable eye-rolling and foot-stamping for emphasis, making it difficult to judge the seriousness of a case by the demeanor of the participants."

And I thought that only happened at my management meetings at work. :) I actually chuckled at this description, as it is with me, being of Italian heritage, I tend to speak a lot with my hands. My wife has only narrowly escaped injury on occasion at dinner if she happens to sit on my knife-holding side!

The description of Mistress FitzGibbons "doctoring" Jamie after he received punishment for the girl Laoghaire was fascinating. I was reminded of the scene from the boxing movie "Rocky" (the original) when Stallone tells Mickey to cut him (on his eyebrow) after his eye swells shut. I suppose leeches would have served the same purpose to literally "bleed off" the pressure to keep the swelling down.

I also enjoyed the description of the castle's herb garden, and that Claire was put to work by Mrs. Fitz as she instructs Claire (and us) in the purpose of various plantings:

"Garlic keeps the wee bugs awa' from the other plants. Onions and yarrow will do the same. And pinch the dead marigold heads, but keep them, they're useful."

I am not much of a gardener, and am usually a very excellent plant executioner. But this scene reminded me of a large home garden we had when I was a wee lad m'self, and how we had marigolds planted around the perimeter, supposedly to help keep the rabbits away. The rabbits still found our carrots and cabbage, though, but it was fun to have those auld memories dusted off once more as I read that passage.

Just this week I had planted a small garden box for my daughter's seedlings she had started in school, but it was mercilessly pounded by storms that rolled through our area yesterday. I think it will be okay, but those little seedlings definitely got a rude awakening after being moved to their new outside home.

Our wee garden with its solitary cucumber and flattened pepper plants didna fare so weel
after the fair poundin' it sustained through the recent torrents o' rain and hail.

Questions from the storyline (again, these are rhetorical just to let you know what I'm thinking, not looking for spoilers):

• Who was this Laoghaire whom Jamie defended so nobly, and is there really more to that story? He says, "I ken who she is, but I havena spoken to her", but he really took a beating...
• What of the suspicions that Colum has regarding Jamie, since he is obviously of a different clan? Are those justified, and what is the history between the clans to cause that suspicion?

Chapter 5 - The MacKenzie

This chapter is a great insight into some of the customs of the clan leader.  To be sure, life in a castle had to be a hard life, compared to today's standards. Claire finds this out in the opening scene.

"I was warm, and the surrounding room was piercingly cold. I tried to burrow back into my cocoon of quilts, but the voice that had wakened me was still nagging."

I once read that four-poster beds originated with the goal of keeping the occupants warm inside the curtains, since the rooms were not heated. Kind of like camping in a tent, and then you find out it's 30 degrees colder outside once you unzip the flap. The four-poster also kept illness inside the curtains (it was thought), not spread around.

While this chapter is brief, obviously introducing us to Colum MacKenzie has great foreshadowing. What is the leather pouch that is seen in his attendant's hand before Colum excuses himself and leaves the room? Interesting...

Actually, as appears to be the case with my brief experience in this novel, I am greatly drawn to the scenes surrounding the action and the characters. My favorite excerpt from this short chapter is actually picturing Claire as she is inspecting the volumes on the shelves:

"There were perhaps two dozen books on this shelf; more on the opposite wall. Hurriedly I flipped the opening pages of each volume. Several had no publication dates; those that did were all dated from 1720-1742. Colum MacKenzie obviously liked luxury, but the rest of his room gave no particular indication that he was an antiquarian. The bindings were new, with no sign of cracking or foxed pages within."

*Gasp* Okay, for all of you who say you like reading the sex scenes in the series, all I have to say is that for me, as an avid researcher of old texts, this is better than any sex scene. This is...like...like porn for history buffs.

"No sooner had the door swung shut behind him than I was at the bookshelf, running my hand along the leather bindings."

Yeah, Claire, that's it, baby. Run your hand along those leather bindings...

Seriously, can you imagine looking through these old 18th-century texts in mint freakin' condition, and recognize them for the luxuries that they would have been in that day and age? I would have loved to inspect every one. Rudely, then, the narration pulls Claire away from the books over to the desk; obviously she is wanting to find out what date/period she is experiencing in this castle since falling through the stones...but who cares about that; I want her to go back to reopen those volumes so I can find out what is in those books! Aaaaaaghh! Go back to the books, Claire, go back to the books! 

Dangit.

After re-reading this post so far, I'm pretty sure for all of you Gabaldonian purists out there that I have just blown your mind.

As I pictured those volumes, though, I was reminded of a recent old text that I stumbled across online that anyone interested could review for themselves at Internet Archive, if they were so inclined by clicking here. It was actually a primer from a similar time period (originally mid-1600's) that just fascinates me to no end. It was designed as a grade-school primer in scientific theory with illustrations, English descriptions on the left and Latin equivalents on the right. Here is a page below of Johannes Comenius' Orbis Pictus (The World in Pictures).

Johannes Comenis Orbis Pictus, ca. 1727, scant years from Claire's adventure at the castle.

Interesting how it says "A wind underground causeth an earthquake." Now we know. (I know, I know, it's geeky and eclectic, but this is the kind of stuff that I love to peruse).

Dangit, Claire, go back to those books...

Chapter 4 - I Come to the Castle

Clearly, everything I've heard about the descriptive narration is true: it's so vivid and lucid that the imagery of 18th century Scotland simply comes to life around the characters.

Favorite quotes:
I have several from this chapter that seemed to strike a chord with me in some fashion, beginning with the opening of the chapter:

"The rest of the journey passed uneventfully...at least we were not set upon by highwaymen, we encountered no wild beasts, and it didn't rain."

Yeah, you know you're having an uneventful day when none of those things happen.

Kinda reminds me of a quote from the animated movie "Chicken Run" (believe it or not). The chickens are penned up in a chicken pen that resembles a WWII prisoner of war camp, and are destined to be made into chicken pies. The ringleader chicken named Ginger is always trying to encourage them to escape and at one point tries to motivate them by shouting, "Listen, we either die free chickens, or we die trying to escape!" To this rallying cry, one of the the other chickens pipes up with the very reasonable request: "Are those the only choices?"

I guess for Jamie and Claire, not being attacked by highwaymen or wild beasts and not getting rained on really is reasonably uneventful, certainly compared to what they've been through already. If those are the only choices, then they are indeed having an uneventful journey the rest of the way.

Then Claire describes Jamie's appearance, as she tends to his wounds while he shares the story about his sister Jenny and Randall:

"...shirtless, scarred and blood-smeared, with stubbled cheeks and reddened eyelids from the long night ride, he looked thoroughly disreputable. And tired or not, he looked entirely capable of further mayhem, should the need arise."

To me, this is the timeless description of every woman's "bad boy." Whether he's a biker, or an ex-con, pirate, or some other ne'er-do-well, the gallant scrapper who is noble yet "capable of further mayhem, should the need arise" shouts to me of the protector that every woman dreams of. No wonder Jamie's so popular! I'll let your comments determine otherwise... ;)

"In older, more primitive times...it was an act of trust to sleep in the presence of another person. If the trust was mutual, simple sleep could bring you closer together than the joining of bodies."

I thought this was a great perspective on demonstrating how they are growing closer. And it makes sense, too, knowing that any number of (hazardous) things can happen while you are asleep. That very descriptive previous phrase: "to actually sleep with someone did give you this sense of intimacy, as though your dreams had flowed out of you to mingle with his and fold you both in a blanket of unconscious knowing." Wow. But I can tell you my wife has some crazy dreams, and I'm not sure I want those to mingle with mine!

This is my favorite description so far, as Claire is trying to describe what the castle looks like:

"It looked, in fact, like an eighteenth-century castle."

Ha! Every one of our mind's eyes filled in all the details; beautiful!

As Claire and Jamie are beginning to grow closer together, some questions are being posed in the narration almost as quickly as they come to my mind:

• If this is really happening, what is her relationship with Frank? If he's not alive yet (in time), isn't that the same as being dead, leaving her a widow, as Jamie suggests? That's just a weird thought to me.
• From Claire's perspective, what would Frank be doing when she turns up missing in 1945? What could he do?

I know these are the questions that have answers later on, and it must be hard for you to restrain the spoilers in the comments, but I'm trying to give you my perspective as it happens. I must say, I feel a bit transparent and exposed, but I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and support! Thanks!

Chapter 3 - The Man in the Wood

Okay, now we're cookin' with gas. Once this chapter is off and running, it just keeps going. From meeting new 18th century characters, to field dressing war wounds, to skirmishes, this chapter never slows pace.

Favorite quote:

"'I can handle a single redcoat wi' one hand -- maybe even two of them,' he said, a bit boastfully, 'but not three.'" - Jamie

I like how this shows that even Jamie understands his own limits. While he may not be humble, he is at least a realist.

Favorite scene:
As much as you might think my favorite scene might be Claire popping Jamie's shoulder back into place, or the skirmish with the English at Cocknammon Rock, I am actually amazed at how strikingly descriptive the portrayal is of the night scenery. The way the starlight (with no city lights to drown it out) colors and highlights all of the characters; how the half moon causes shadows to appear deceptively 3D as Claire tries to walk the road towards what she thinks is Inverness. I know I've experienced that same sensation myself walking down our long gravel driveway toward home at night where I grew up. In my opinion, this is the type of imagery that provides the liquid backdrop for the characters to perform in.

A sideways reference to St. Paul's stance on the silence of women demonstrates how Claire is a modern woman, not limited by the constraints of old dogmatism. When the men are shocked at her profanity, one of the men states how her husband should "tan her" for her swearing. Not only does she tell him "You can mind your own business," but she adds, "and so can St. Paul." This passage from 1 Cor. 14:34 is almost always quoted out of context, and this unnamed ruffian, as would be expected, follows suit. However, the point is well made, that Claire knows her mind and is not afraid to speak it. I know it's still early, but if I'm reading Claire right, in general I think I would tend to agree with her that pragmatism far outweighs a rigid and sterile orthodoxy based only on customs and traditions.

I'm still amazed at how quickly characters are being introduced, establishing the storyline early on. With this basic outline, it appears that Claire and Jamie are off on their first adventure. (Oh, wait...I guess it would be their second adventure, since they just had one...)

Chapter 2 - Standing Stones

Well, if nothing else, I must say the pace of the story is moving right along. I would have thought we would have had more back story to wade through before getting to Claire's experience at the stones.

Favorite quote:

"Life among academics had taught me that a well-expressed opinion is usually better than a badly expressed fact, as far as professional advancement goes." - Claire

No doubt Diana is writing this from her long association with academia. I would definitely agree (not that I have had a long association with academia), but I have also found that simply stating something with confidence goes a lot farther to convince others than those who can quote fact after fact yet with an unconvincing lack of passion.

Favorite scene:
I was mildly amused at Claire's lack of interest in the discussion between Frank and Reverend Wakefield discovering all of the history surrounding Black Jack Randall. I certainly would have been eager to join in their discussion. I was a little sad when Claire left the room to have tea with Mrs. Graham...

Additional comments:
While obviously the Druidic elements are critical to the story, I'm finding it difficult to connect there. Before you start throwing stones, I get it; it's cultural and very historically accurate, yes. I'm just not sure if it's a guy thing or if it's just me, but the tea leaves and palm reading stuff (yes, I understand it's important foreshadowing in the story), just makes me kind of, well, roll my eyes. Let me hasten to add: I AM NOT DISLIKING THE STORY, I am merely trying to be honest in my perspective on the book. If my wife knows anything about me, it's that if you ask my opinion you're usually going to get it. :)

Ok, from what my wife told me about the series, Frank and Claire's "roll in the hay" (or in this case, "cow parsley") leaves me wondering how many episodes of this I will have to endure in the rest of the book. Yes, I'm sure most guys would be, like, "My wife knows that I'm reading this book, and they have excerpts from Penthouse letters in here? Dude, I am stoked!" But, seriously, is it really necessary to have the lovemaking scenes described in such detail? For me, and this is obviously just me, it totally distracts me from the story itself. Yes, I know Frank and Claire are married, but that doesn't mean I want to peek in on their bedroom while they're, y'know...right? Let's let them have their moment, and understand they've had their moment, while not experiencing their moment with them. Kinda creeps me out. K?

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

I had this idea that in order to maintain some consistency and provide some basic insights regarding my male perspective during this "journey into the world of Outlander",  I would post my favorite quote, scene, and most surprising aspect for each chapter with a brief explanation and some additional comments.

Perhaps you would like to help create this blog's community and share your favorites in the comment section at the end of each post?

Favorite quote:

"You are not to play dolls with my Persian grave figurines. Anything else, but not that. Got it?" - Uncle Lamb

This is hilarious to me and just sounds like something that I would say to my inherited niece if I was unattached and focused on my work. To me it shows a professionally focused but tender way of "bonding" with his niece. I'll probably end up a grumpy old man (but hopefully with a good heart). It was cool to see him involve her in his work, and that she would become a well-traveled and knowledgeable woman.

Favorite scene:
When Frank related how he encountered the "ghost" outside Claire's window.

When I lived for a couple of years in England, I thought it would be cool to do some ghost hunting in some of the most historical places in the world. I had visited Borley Rectory in Essex, and when I was there, I coincidentally encountered some actual paranormal investigators who had permission to run tests on the nearby church building after hours. They shared stories of recorded voices and sounds of individuals walking about the church when it was locked at night, and alleged poltergeist vandalism of tossed Bibles and knocked over icons found the following morning.

There was also a local story of a murdered nun whose apparition on certain nights could supposedly could be seen on her routine vigil walking through the church yard. The strange thing is that she would appear to be walking about six inches off of the ground. It was explained that the level of the grade used to be at that height at the time she was alive. 

Those who had seen her said that it would appear that she was simply replaying the same events the same way, like a recording in time. She would have no influence from any observers or weather conditions, much like the Scotsman whom Frank sees outside Claire's window. Reading that just reminded me of the similarity of those descriptions. (And, no, I never personally witnessed any apparitions or ghostly events at Borley).

Most surprising elements:
1) I was amazed that the terms "outlander" and "sassenach" were introduced right here in the first chapter. No big deal, just surprising that these now-iconic terms show up so early in the story.

2) Frank describes the Druidic calendar, or "holy" days, which is essentially the Wiccan calendar still in use. (I just saw advertisements for a Beltane festival in recent weeks in my hometown).

3) Frank describes the practice of a sacrifice being killed when a home's foundation is laid, based on a local tradition "as old as the hills." This brought immediately to mind the quote, "He shall lay the foundations thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it," which is actually not from Gaelic tradition, but the Bible and while not as old as the hills, it does date back a very long way to about 3500 years ago and a specific event regarding the ancient Hebrews. It appears word-for-word in the King James Bible at Joshua 6:26 as a curse that Joshua pronounces on anyone who would take it upon themselves to rebuild the city of Jericho once God had destroyed it. This prophetic curse literally came to pass when Hiel the Bethelite did indeed rebuild Jericho, but it was at the expense of his firstborn son Abiram and his youngest son Segub in 1 Kings 16:34. It would not surprise me if, through the intervening ages, this truth morphed into the superstition described by Frank. Just goes to show how superstitions that run amok can affect whole cultures.

(Disclaimer: Double-check my "About" page for my background in Biblical studies; don't mean to come across too strong or freak anybody out...)

Do you have a favorite quote from the first chapter, or a favorite scene? Have any questions or comments based on my perspective above? Why not relate it and share in the comments below?