An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon | Book Chat 

We may be old ladies, but our memories are long, and inside, we are still young, still passionate. It can be a cruel time, when the outside is crumbled, but in our minds, and hearts, and desires, we have not changed. It is true of men as well. (This was well said in another book turned into a Mini series, the Thornbirds.). But, there is nothing in the series book, or TV, that we do not know, or understand, because we also lived. Dianna certainly knows this at her age, and writes it well. This book in the series is also one favorite, but I love the whole story, and all its parts.

This is my favorite book in the series (and given how the last few seasons of the show went, it is also the season I am most nervous about). There are a couple of reasons I love it. One reason I love it, is getting to fully appreciate how well researched Diana's books are. Before reading the books I vaguely knew about the regulation in N.C. and knew there were some uprising protesting the Hanoverians in the first half of the 18th century but didn't know enough to appreciate the research that went into them. As someone who grew up right where about 1/3 of Echo takes place and therefore familiar with the setting and history (I grew up bike riding through Saratoga battlefield, attending different reenactment events at Ticonderoga, etc.) I was able to see that Diana definitely visited the locations and learned about the setting she was putting her characters in. Another thing that is cool about this book, is I found myself being a little bit like Frank in the first book thinking about ancestors I knew were in this battles and locations may have interacted with these fictional characters (since my ancestors were at the Battle of Long Island, Bennington, and Saratoga). Beyond my personal connections, like you, I enjoyed young Ian's character arch (so I don't blame you taking almost half an hour there), going back to Lallybroch, and the introduction of the Hunters (who are probably my favorite characters in the series outside the immediate Fraser/MacKenzie/ Murray family and John Grey). One thing I also like in this book and the next one is Jem. In the books before this we never really get to know what he's thinking or how he feels about situations, but especially with everything that's going with Buck and Rob Cameron we start to see how Jem thinks and feels, and I'm excited to see how he develops and grows in Bees and potentially other books after that.

The last part of the book, where Rachel likens Ian to Rollo, reassuring him that she loves Ian for who he is, and says “but thee is my wolf, and best thee know that…and if thee hunts at night, thee will come home.” And Ian says, “And sleep at thy feet.” ❤️ * melts *

I'm def one of the older crowd...but I totally get what you're saying about the relationships...Jamie & Claire are the beaitiful tree and we can appreciate each branch as it grows, blooms and branches again.

This was definitely one of my favourite books in the series so far. They just keep getting better! I loved the chapters from Williams POV and I can't wait to see more of his interactions with Jamie, now that it is possible for them to have a deeper relationship. I really hope they get the chance to reunite and talk things through, it would break my heart a little if that never happens. I also loved the marriage of necessity between LJG and Claire. I yelped out loud when that happened, so unexpected but a union of 2 of my favourite characters. I find the future storyline a little confusing with all the elements (the gold, the time-warp questions, the Cameron storyline...) and I am looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. I also like that we got back to some more Scotland in these books, it feels like real Outlander when they are there. Thanks so much for continuing to share these videos! None of my friends read the series so it's nice to have a community to discuss the story that I love so much.

I love the few interactions between Jamie and Willie in this book. I feel that they complete that part of Jamie's soul that for 20 years and even beyond was broken and that although he cannot recognize his son, somehow every little interaction fills him. I was super excited when they are at Jamie's cousin's funeral and he must "hide" but Willie is somehow drawn to him. Also I love that you love the Hunters, for me they are also incredible and that dynamic of coming to age and romantic love (with Ian and Dorothy respectively) to me seems fabulous, I could not agree more with the points you commented on in the video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings regarding Outlander and these characters. Cheers!

Oh, 🤣I love the part where LJG tells Jamie about him and Claire...Jamie does punch him tho

Also, I know Diana won’t leave a small child alone in a dark tunnel for long…but I was incredible unsettled by the fact that she didn’t let us know he got out all right! Brianna felt a “jolt” going through the tunnel, but Jem and Mandy seem more, should we say “sensitive” compared to Claire, Brianna, and Roger. So…maybe when he rides through the tunnel he’ll connect with the vibration and be able to do something like teleport himself out? Gah, I’m so excited for MOHB!

LJG and Claire married freaked me out! I had to start book 8 at 2 in the morning and couldn’t go to sleep until page 275 and a rewatch of the wedding episode! Just a little obsessed!

I enjoy your methodology, it's interesting that instead of chronological order you approach it by discussing each main character also I like that you give us the "feeling of the book" in the beginning

I just wanna say that you are the cutest, actually. I'd listen to your videos for days. Thank you

I've read all 9 and of course the most recent book is the closest to my heart. But after Outlander, this is my favorite book. I feel like it's setting up the rest of the series. 💙 Ian Og.

I think that what brings me back to watch you review the books both of us love, is your enthusiasm. It is much like mine for the books i really love.

I'm reading the first book at the moment, and I'm loving it so much! I've just gotten to the part where Claire and Jamie go to Lallybroch and we meet Ian and Jenny for the first time, and I love them both so much already! I agree fully with you that old Ian is such a wonderful man, who always keeps a calm head, and is a rock for the people who need it. I have only read such a short part with him, but even so, you talking about him dying brings me to tears.

I love how you mentioned Turn, i watched and enjoyed that show a while before i read outlander...and it added a bit while reading Echo as well. i personally love Williams arc in the book, i was worried because i wanted PoV from him for a while and people seem to really dislike his parts in this book, but i loved his chapters in this and the next book. the parts with big Ian were very heart wrenching for me too, and that scene with jenny showing wee Ian the stone for isobel was so touching, idk how anyone could not get serious feels from that and still be human. I just loved seeing Jenny again, because she has always been one of my favorite characters. I was sooo happy when i read that part where she says she wants to go america. knowing she had never left the area near her home, made me so excited for her to be going on an adventure. and her reaction when William storms past her after his tirade was one of my favorite scenes because i so greatly broke that emotion and tension of all that had just happened previously. i love the hunters too, the more i think on it, i love so much about this book and dont understand why people rant it so low compared to others, i definitely like it more than 4, and 5... hard to choose between 7 and 6 tho. i may not be watching the show anymore after the bonnett episode, but at least i have the beautiful story dianna wrote in these books, the journey they brought me on and all the things they made me feel so much. ill just be gnawing at the bit for Bees lol

Damn 😭 I should've searched it up on the internet whether it was a part of a series or not...

Just finished the book today. Now I can finally start season 7 of the show. Whew, this book was definitely different for me. I feel heavily that I need to re-read this book ( audio book) later.

How old was Jemmy when he gets kidnapped!? Boy. this time traveling is crazy!-

Two videos in one day! You’re killing it!

when i realized this book wasn't going to take place at the ridge, i was disappointed. i was wrong! i love that jamie sees the family in his dreams. he may not be a time traveler, but he is definitely something. at the beginning when his ghost, I guess, appears. everyone's ghost doesn't appear, but his does.

I think when I re read these books 📚, I'm going to do some notes because I have had to go back and re read something because I got lost for some reason. Rollo is one of my favorites in the books / series broke my heart when he died 💔 😢 😔 😪

WOW !!

I so appreciate theses reviews! I have been reading this series for the first time over the last two months & watch your reviews after I finish each book. Not sure what I will do once I finish the last book 💔 It has truly consumed my life! Haha. This series just keeping getting better, Echo in the Bone was my favorite yet. You sum up its beauty wonderfully!

A few questions just to get your take. How did Denzell and Dorothea meet in the first place when he was in America and she was in England? Did Denzell visit England at some point and I just missed this? Also why does Claire start distributing seditious material, what is her motive for doing this as it seemed to be glossed over in the novel apart from being the justification for Lord John to marry her in order to protect her from arrest. It just seemed a bit contrived to me. Also I felt that Claire's response to the report of Jamie's death was glossed over, apart from one chapter when she contemplates suicide. It's almost like a few critical chapters are missing. The depth of feeling just isn't there to my way of thinking. What do you think? On a positive note though I did love the time they spend in Scotland and their farewell to Ian was really done well and oh boy Jamie & Claire's reunion in the potting shed!! oh la la.

The thing that bothered me about this book, in particular, is the timeline jumps around almost erratically. The story overall was interesting, but switching from character to character and place to place so abruptly just kept taking my mind away from it. (My mind was sent adrift, if you will.)

I just finished this one. Thanks for a great video to wrap it up! I think you briefly mentioned a short story that takes place within this book. What was it called? Thanks. :)

Good job…..thank you.

I think season six of tv series Ian is getting cuter

Hi, love your videos but I have to tell you, the sound goes out of sinch around 31:28 and keeps like that to the end. I've noticed this in other videos (for this one I went hunting for the exact time it happens. It's not a big deal, but I thought I should say something.

Murdina Bug shot at and wounded Jamie ad was about to shoot again.

Ian is so HOT!!!!!!!

Ya. You really need to reed that novelette! St Germain shows up, and it isn’t a good thing!