VOYAGER: Week of 5/4; Reading Chps 24-31, Discuss Chps 14-23 here

[Toby]

***I have not read the series, so you are not alone. 
***I have to say that in this book, Diana has me laughing so much. She does have a terrific sense of humor.

***I wanted to strangle Frank literally when he wanted to take Bree away from Claire. He knew what he was getting in to, but because he was hurt by Claire not being in love with him anymore, he was going to punish Claire. He didn't even care about what Bree wanted. Also, now I think that he was having affairs in the Outlander book whie he was separated from Claire during the war. That's becuae he was having affairs, & then turn around & accuses Claire of having an affair. Also, Bree is not his biological child. What gives him the right to do what he wants. Over my dead body, I'd say.  LOL!! Makes it easier for all of us not to feel sorry for him when Claire moves on to Jamie.

***I like Roger & Bree as a couple. I wonder if Bree & Roger will ever meet Jamie. I also wonder if Jamie will ever meet his son again. I wonder if Claire will ever tell people about Bree & why isn't Bree with her.

[Toby]

*** Gertie, I hadn't thought of that. I didn't know cloaks had pockets, but Claire may have had 1 sewn in it. Its funny how small details in a book can bother us, but it's the only pictures that Claire has of their daughter & if she lost those, it would be heartbreaking. I'm so glad that they show up. 

[millie34]

Did anyone think it strange that Jamie asked Claire why she came back?

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

Did anyone think it strange that Jamie asked Claire why she came back?

I just posted this weeks questions and asked that very thing. 

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,7851.msg161136.html#msg161136

[danfan]

1.  What did you think when the prisoners in Ardsmuir were sent to the colonies and Jamie was taken to Helwater by John?
I think Grey came to deeply respect Jamie, not just love him. I think he'd completely changed his views about what happened so many years ago when Jamie captured him, and instead of the bitterness & humiliation, he saw honor in Jamie's actions instead. He understood Jamie's true qualities & didn't want to be responsible for Jamie basically becoming a slave. He gave him the closest to freedom that he could.

2.  Considering Jamie thought he was facing a lifetime of servitude at Helwater, do you think he adjusted to his new circumstances well?
Very well. He accepted them for what they were, and knew very well his life at that point could have been much worse.

3.  What was your impression of the Dunsanays, especially Geneva?
I wanted to slap Geneva a few times.

4.  What do you think of Geneva’s blackmailing Jamie?
Twisted evil child!

5.  Discuss Jamie’s feelings about Geneva during the night they spent together.
I'm not sure how he felt. Scared of the consequences, resentful of her blackmail, lustful also. But very respectful too, more so than most would have been in his situation.

6.  Do you think the steamy book Jamie was reading was Fanny Hill (1749)?  How do you think Jamie came to be in possession of this book?
Don't know, never read it. I assumed he borrowed from another servant or the house library?

7.  How did you feel about Lord Ellesmere’s treatment of Geneva after he found out she was pregnant?  Did you feel she got what she deserved for blackmailing Jamie?
I'm sure he felt very betrayed, justifiably. How wants to find out their new bride is pregnant by someone else?  What she ultimately got was death, which I doubt she deserved, but I was relieved that she was out of the picture.

8.  Do you think Geneva knew she was likely to get pregnant by Jamie when she set the date for their  night together?
Quite possibly. She was either very stupid or pretty twisted.

9.  Were you surprised that Geneva died?
Yes. But relieved too.

10.  Were you surprised that Jamie grabbed the gun and shot Ellesmere?
Very! I thought, OMG What are you doing?? Risking hanging for that family? But ultimately I know it was more for his son.

11.  Do you think Lord or Lady Dunsany know Jamie is Willie’s father?
I didn't think so, perhaps they suspected later, or perhaps that's why they protected him.  That would make some sense - but then, maybe if they knew they would have let him hang?

12.  Did you want Jamie to go back to Scotland when Lady Dunsany offered him the chance?  What would you have done.
I did want him to go back, but I probably would have done the same.

13.  How did you feel about Jamie offering John Grey his friendship?
I felt he needed a friend and Grey was someone who knew the truth about him. He knew by then that Grey was nothing like Randall, despite the similarities.

14.  What do you think of Willie?
I liked Willie (probably because he loved Jamie). Yes he was spoiled and rude, and quite possibly would grow up like his mother, but he also wanted to prove himself to Jamie & I was sad they he couldn't know Jamie as his father.

15.  Why do you think no one noticed the resemblance between Jamie and Willie?
They started too, but if someone doesn't want to see something then they won't. If they did, it could very well have been repressed and denied to themselves.

16.  How did you feel when Jamie spanked Willie and then hugged him?
That Jamie's predictions years ago of disciplining is own son had come true, and he knew it. I was glad he and Willie had that one hug to bond them.

17.  What did you think about Willie’s desire to become a “stinking papist” and Jamie performing the baptism, giving him the name of William James.?
I thought it was hilarious and sad at the same time. Another example of Willie's hero-worship.


Part 5--Voyager
"You Can't Go Home Again"
Chapters 18-23

1.  What was your impression of Joe Abernathy and his relationship with Claire?
Good friend, not much else.

2.  Discuss the last scene between Claire and Frank.
That was pretty rough. How dare he take Bree?  I had always felt a bit sorry for Frank but that showed a nasty mean side that was unforgiveable, and I felt it was as much to punish Claire as to keep his daughter. She'd lose Brianna and her daily reminders of Jamie.

3.  Do you think Joe Abernathy was the only one who guessed that Frank wasn’t Bree’s father?  It’s possible Bree might have been adopted.  Why do you think Joe believed that Claire was unfaithful to Frank?
Possibly he wasn't the only one, but I'm not sure it matters. It mattered to Joe only in that he knew her marriage was difficult and that he could support her as a friend.

4.  How did you feel when Roger and Bree showed Claire the Deed of Sassine?
Same as when they found all the evidence of him - sad and elated at the same time, but a sense of loss that you always feel seeing the handwriting and personal papers of someone lost.

5.  Q.E.D. stand s for “quod erat demonstrandum,” Latin for “which was to be demonstrated.”  Why do you think Jamie chose that signature for his seditious writings?
A taunting to the King that they'd have to hunt him down to know who he was?  I've no


6. What were your first impressions of the significance of the skeleton when it was brought into Joe Abernathy's office?
I didn't really understand the point of that scene. Maybe I'll find out?

7.  How do you feel about Roger and Bree’s conversation on All Hallow’s Eve?  Do you understand Bree’s feelings of being all alone with no one to remember her as she was?
I wondered why she didn't just up sticks and go back in time with her mother, perhaps take Roger along. I thought it would be wonderful for Jamie to meet his grown daughter. But then, maybe I've read too much sci-fi and see nothing wrong with nipping back and forth between centuries?

8.  How has Roger changed since we first met him?
I don't know if he's changed or we've just got to know him better. Although he wasn't much interested in his own family tree before but now he's dedicated to Claire's past, and Brianna's future.

9.  Were you surprised that Bree was determined to go back if Claire didn’t?
I'm not sure if it wasn't just a bluff to make Claire go - she knew her mother had to do it. But at first I was hoping she'd taken my advice and decided to go back with Claire.

10.  When you got to the point where Claire went back, did you stop reading or did you go on?  Be honest, now. 
Stop reading??  I couldn't do that!

[danfan]

I did have a question that confused me (the answer could be in this thread but I read a bit and saw some spoilers of stuff I haven't read yet  so don't want to read more of it...)

but... if anyone knows...  Claire & the others presume that time works in parallel so as 20 years pass in Jamie's time then they also pass in her time. But what about Geilie? She leaves in 1968 but arrives back prior to the 1740's? How??

[tlshaw *Padded Cell 511*]

I did have a question that confused me (the answer could be in this thread but I read a bit and saw some spoilers of stuff I haven't read yet  so don't want to read more of it...)

but... if anyone knows...  Claire & the others presume that time works in parallel so as 20 years pass in Jamie's time then they also pass in her time. But what about Geilie? She leaves in 1968 but arrives back prior to the 1740's? How??

You pose a very good question. But, all I can say is - keep reading

[NessaBug]

I did have a question that confused me (the answer could be in this thread but I read a bit and saw some spoilers of stuff I haven't read yet  so don't want to read more of it...)

but... if anyone knows...  Claire & the others presume that time works in parallel so as 20 years pass in Jamie's time then they also pass in her time. But what about Geilie? She leaves in 1968 but arrives back prior to the 1740's? How??

I thought about that the very first time she mentioned the parallel time travel. Because obviously that's not the case for Mrs. Duncan. Even after reading more, as Tlshaw says, I'm not sure I understand it really. I guess I will reread that part when we get to it.

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

I thought about that the very first time she mentioned the parallel time travel. Because obviously that's not the case for Mrs. Duncan. Even after reading more, as Tlshaw says, I'm not sure I understand it really. I guess I will reread that part when we get to it.

Gellie had studied the whole time travel thing and researched the stones pretty thoroughly.  She knew exactly where she wanted to end up and used fire, blood and black magic to get herself there. 

[danfan]

Ok, gotcha.  I assume that might be relevant later??  Don't tell me... LOL... I'll wait and find out!

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

Ok, gotcha.  I assume that might be relevant later??  Don't tell me... LOL... I'll wait and find out!

Sometimes I might slip, but I'll never intentionally spoil.  It looks like you're getting through the book pretty quickly.   

[danfan]

Yeah I am flying through it, around chapter 46 now I think. I'm a very fast reader, plus I was cooking and doing laundry yesterday with the text to speech on so I don't miss any reading time! LOL

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

Yeah I am flying through it, around chapter 46 now I think. I'm a very fast reader, plus I was cooking and doing laundry yesterday with the text to speech on so I don't miss any reading time! LOL

I don't even like audio books, so the text to speech didn't even tempt me.  Good for you, though.  Laundry must be much pleasanter with Jamie for company.   

[danfan]

I don't even like audio books, so the text to speech didn't even tempt me.  Good for you, though.  Laundry must be much pleasanter with Jamie for company.   

I don't like them either, and TTS isn't ideal, but it was the only way I could drag myself off the sofa and do something productive!

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

I don't like them either, and TTS isn't ideal, but it was the only way I could drag myself off the sofa and do something productive!

Reading about Jamie and Claire isn't productive?  .

Please don't disillusion me.