Dragonfly in Amber: Week of 3/23; Reading Chps 30-35, Discuss Chps 22-29 here

[ConnieK]

Since Alex entered the picture, I also have been of the "Frank is a descendent of Alex" mentality.  I think my dislike of Frank has been based somewhat on the thought that he might have a bit of Jack's personality in him.  I'd much prefer to think he's part Alex.

Did anyone else, when reading this for the first time, mistakenly think that Claire's baby in these chapters was going to be Bree?  I kept thinking as the birth date got closer and closer that Claire would be going back to the future soon and that the book would continue in the 20th century. It really threw me when the baby died.  I probably missed something - not at all unusual

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Since Alex entered the picture, I also have been of the "Frank is a descendent of Alex" mentality.  I think my dislike of Frank has been based somewhat on the thought that he might have a bit of Jack's personality in him.  I'd much prefer to think he's part Alex.

Oh, happy thought!!! 

Did anyone else, when reading this for the first time, mistakenly think that Claire's baby in these chapters was going to be Bree?  I kept thinking as the birth date got closer and closer that Claire would be going back to the future soon and that the book would continue in the 20th century. It really threw me when the baby died.  I probably missed something - not at all unusual

Definitely had the same thought.  DG does like to string us along, doesn't she. 

[PraiseGod13]

Another thought I had about Claire not getting close to Fergus was that maybe she didn't think of him as anything more than Jamie's "employee" because she knew that she and Jamie wouldn't be staying in France for very long.  I don't think she considered the fact that Fergus might be leaving France with them.  He had his pick-pocketing skill which Jamie very much needed to intercept letters, so he was very helpful to their "mission" in France.  But, I don't think that Claire saw Fergus as having much of a personal relationship with them.... it was more of a "business" relationship that benefited Jamie and Fergus both.  I also think that since Claire had believed for so long that she was not able to get pregnant, she was so totally focused on her pregnancy that all of her maternal thoughts/feelings were for her baby.  Had she not been pregnant, then she might have had more maternal feelings for Fergus.

[Anju No. 469]

Only have read this far - will finish questions as I finish chapters 

Ch. 22 "The Royal Stud"

1.  Should they trust Sandringham's offer of a pardon in exchange for Jamie abandoning Charles Stuart?  What decision do you think they should have made?
I'm not sure I trust this guy, and isn't he also behind the scenes helping Stuart? or is he trying to find out exactly where Jamie stands?

2. What did you think of the scene with Monsieur Forez's salve?
Yuck!

Ch. 23 "The Best-laid Plans of Mice and Men..."

1. What was the point of Monsieur Forez's graphic demonstration of a traitor’s death to Jamie?
Again probably reaching to see where Jamie stands, but this guy loves his work so much he probably does it whenever he possibly has a social situation - probably why not many

[Toby]

I too had been thinking Alex is Frank's ancestor & not Black Jack, especially since he also looks just like Frank.

[imallbs]

Another thought I had about Claire not getting close to Fergus was that maybe she didn't think of him as anything more than Jamie's "employee" because she knew that she and Jamie wouldn't be staying in France for very long.  I don't think she considered the fact that Fergus might be leaving France with them.  He had his pick-pocketing skill which Jamie very much needed to intercept letters, so he was very helpful to their "mission" in France.  But, I don't think that Claire saw Fergus as having much of a personal relationship with them.... it was more of a "business" relationship that benefited Jamie and Fergus both.  I also think that since Claire had believed for so long that she was not able to get pregnant, she was so totally focused on her pregnancy that all of her maternal thoughts/feelings were for her baby.  Had she not been pregnant, then she might have had more maternal feelings for Fergus.

I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense.  I saw Fergus as a kid without a family and Jamie and Claire as a family for him.  I still think Jamie treated him differently than Rabbie (more like his nephew) and attributed that to Rabbie still having some family.

I was shocked and heartbroken to read about Fergus's horrible experiences at the brothel.  I was in tears.  To think that happened to him (and happens even today) makes me sick.  The poor child was upset because he thought he hurt is "Lord".

This kid has had such a hard life.  I think that knowing that this happens all over the world today makes it hit home all the more

The reunion at Fountainbleau was so well done!  The author captured all the feelings of regret, sadness, guilt, love.... amazing.

One of the best scenes I have read in any book.

[zeferjen]

Did anyone else, when reading this for the first time, mistakenly think that Claire's baby in these chapters was going to be Bree?  I kept thinking as the birth date got closer and closer that Claire would be going back to the future soon and that the book would continue in the 20th century. It really threw me when the baby died.  I probably missed something - not at all unusual

Connie - I was thinking the same thing! But the timing didn't really line up b/c it was supposed to be two years that they had to stop the slaughter at the final battle and it seems like she leaves right after that. Then again, the timing for her to be 21 was also wrong (someone mentioned on the earlier thread that DG made a math error).

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Connie - I was thinking the same thing! But the timing didn't really line up b/c it was supposed to be two years that they had to stop the slaughter at the final battle and it seems like she leaves right after that. Then again, the timing for her to be 21 was also wrong (someone mentioned on the earlier thread that DG made a math error).

I know it's confusing, but there is a timeline difference between the U.S. version of Outlander and the U.K. version (Cross Stitch).  DiA follows the timeline (mostly) from Cross Stitch.  The best way to avoid a headache over this is just to ignore the timing and accept it as written.