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Written in My Own Hearts Blood by Diana Gabaldon Extract
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Uploaded byOrion Publishing Group
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The latest epic volume in the multimillion-copy bestselling Outlander series. Goodreads Choice Romance Novel of 2014. It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside down. The B…Full description
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Written in My Own Heart's Blood
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Diana Gabaldon |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Outlander series |
| Genre | Historical fiction Romance Science fantasy |
| Published | June 10, 2014 |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 825 |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-34443-2 |
| Preceded by | An Echo in the Bone |
| Followed by | Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone |
Written in My Own Heart's Blood is the eighth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.[1]
Published on June 10, 2014,[2] Written in My Own Heart's Blood continues the love story of Claire and Jamie as well as the story arcs of multiple characters from the previous novel, An Echo in the Bone.
Gabaldon announced the novel's title in September 2011.[3]
Plot summary[edit]
The British evacuation of Philadelphia and the ensuing Battle of Monmouth are the major events from the book based on real history.
Claire marries John Grey for protection after Jamie is presumed lost at sea. John and Jamie fight when the details are revealed. John's stepson William is angry at finding out he's Jamie's biological son. Jamie's nephew Ian marries Rachel Hunter, and Rachel's brother Denzell weds John's niece Dorothea in the same ceremony. The Hunters are Quakers; their service with the Continental Army even as noncombatants gets them ostracized by other Quakers.
Claire is wounded at Monmouth, and Jamie resigns from the Continental Army to remain by her side. After spending time in Savannah, they return to Fraser's Ridge, their farm settlement in North Carolina.
The printshop and home of Jamie's adopted son Fergus burns down. Fergus's son Henri-Christian dies trying to escape the flames.
In the 20th century, Jamie and Claire's grandson Jeremiah is kidnapped. Their son-in-law Roger meets Jamie's father and his own when time traveling to search. After the boy is recovered, his family joins the Frasers in the 18th century.
Characters[edit]
Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser - Main character around whom the series revolves. Nurse/Physician. Born in 1918 and married in the 20th century to professor/historian Frank Randall, Claire falls through the standing stones at Craigh na Dun in Scotland at Beltane (1 May) while on a second honeymoon with Frank in 1946, and finds herself in the 18th century Scotland Highlands in 1743. She is forced to marry James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Jamie), with whom she eventually falls in love. Mother of Faith (stillborn, 18th century) and Brianna, adoptive mother of Fergus, and mother-in-law to Marsali. Returned through the stones to 20th century in 1746 to protect her and Jamie's unborn child (who is then born in Boston in the 20th century). Twenty years later, after Frank Randall has died, Claire discovers (through Roger's research) that Jamie probably didn't die at Culloden, and she returns through the standing stones to 1766 to search for him.
James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser - Laird of Lallybroch (Scotland) and Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina. Former inmate of Ardsmuir Prison. Eighteenth century husband of Claire, whom he affectionately calls "Sassenach". Father of Faith (stillborn - mother: Claire), Brianna (mother: Claire), adoptive father to Fergus (with Claire), biological father of William Ransom (mother: Geneva Dunsany), ex-stepfather to Marsali and Joan (mother: ex-wife Laoghaire), .
Lord John William Grey - Retired veteran of the Rising of 1745 and Seven Years' War. The former governor of Ardsmuir Prison. Jamie and Claire's long time friend. Stepfather of William Ransom, brother to Harold Grey, Duke of Pardloe, and uncle to Benjamin, Henry, Adam, and Dorothea Grey.
Lt. Lord William Ransom - The 9th Earl of Ellsmere, stepson of Lord John Grey, and the illegitimate son of James Fraser and Geneva Dunsany. Cousin to the children of Hal Grey, Duke of Pardloe, as well as the children of Jenny and Ian Murray.
Ian Murray ("Young" or equivalent like the Gaelic "Og" used to distinguish from his father of the same name) - Jenny and Ian Murray's son, Jamie and Claire's nephew, and Fergus', Brianna's and William's cousin. Adopted into the Mohawk, but returned to the Ridge with Rollo, his half-wolf dog.
Brianna Ellen MacKenzie - Jamie and Claire's daughter born in 20th century Boston and raised by Claire and Frank Randall. Arrives in the 18th century in 1769. She marries Roger and they have two children: a son, Jeremiah, known as "Jemmy" and a daughter, Amanda Claire Hope MacKenzie (Mandy).
Roger MacKenzie - One-time Oxford professor and historian, folksinger, minister and Gaelic teacher. Twentieth century descendant of Geillis Duncan and Dougal MacKenzie, great-nephew and adopted son of Rev. Reginald Wakefield (Outlander), and Jamie and Claire's son-in-law. Arrives in the 18th century in 1769. Married to Brianna and father of Jemmy and Mandy. The family lives at present-day Lallybroch, the Fraser family home.
Jeremiah Alexander Ian Fraser MacKenzie - Roger and Brianna's son, born in 18th century colonial North Carolina, who like his parents, granny Claire and sister Amanda, can time travel.
Fergus Claudel Fraser - Printer, one-time French pickpocket and spy. Jamie and Claire's adopted son. First appears in Dragonfly in Amber. Married to Marsali and father to Germaine, Joan, Félicite, and Henri-Christian.
Marsali Fraser - Laoghaire's daughter, Jamie's stepdaughter and daughter-in-law, and Claire's daughter-in-law. First appears in Voyager. Married to Fergus and mother to Germaine, Joan, Félicite, and Henri-Christian.
Henri-Christian Fraser - Fergus and Marsali's youngest son, a little person.
Janet "Jenny" Fraser Murray - The one time Lady of Lallybroch, 18th century, married to Ian Murray Sr. Older sister of James Fraser and mother of Jamie, Maggie, Katherine, Michael, Janet, and Ian.
Denys Randall-Isaacs - The son of Alex Randall, putative son of Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and ancestor of Frank Randall, Claire Fraser's 20th century husband.
Perseverance "Percy" Wainwright Beauchamp - English spy married into a French noble family. One-time lover (and later, stepbrother) of Lord John Grey.
Dr. Denzell Hunter - Quaker physician serving in the Revolutionary American Army.
Rachel Hunter - Quaker nurse assisting her brother serving in the Revolutionary American Army. Love interest of Young Ian Murray.
Rob Cameron - Colleague of Brianna's at the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board
References[edit]
- ^ Reese, Jennifer (November 27, 2007). "Book Review: Lord John and the Hand of Devils (2007)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ^ "Official site: Written in My Own Heart's Blood". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
- ^ "Book Eight Has a Title!". DianaGabaldon.com. September 5, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
External links[edit]
===
Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, #8)
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Written in My Own Heart's Blood
(Outlander #8)
by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author)
4.53 · Rating details · 104,287 ratings · 7,374 reviews
It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside-down. The British Army is withdrawing from Philadelphia, with George Washington in pursuit, and for the first time, it looks as if the rebels might actually win. But for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more tumultuous revolutions that have to be accommodated.Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead, demanding to know why in his absence she married his best friend, Lord John Grey. Lord John's son, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, is no less shocked to discover that his real father is actually the newly resurrected Jamie Fraser, and Jamie's nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for the woman who has just agreed to marry him.
And while Claire is terrified that one of her husbands may be about to murder the other, in the 20th century her descendants face even more desperate turns of events. Her daughter Brianna is trying to protect her son from a vicious criminal with murder on his mind, while her husband Roger has disappeared into the past . . . (less)
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Hardcover, First Edition, 825 pages
Published June 10th 2014 by Delacorte Press
Original TitleWritten in My Own Heart's Blood
ISBN0385344430 (ISBN13: 9780385344432)
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttp://www.dianagabaldon.com/
SeriesOutlander #8
CharactersJamie Fraser, Brianna Randall, Roger MacKenzie, Jeremiah MacKenzie, Fergus Fraser...moreSettingPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 1778 (United States)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1980 (United Kingdom)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1739 (United Kingdom)
…more
Literary AwardsRomantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award) for Historical Fiction (2014), Goodreads Choice Award for Romance (2014)
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I haven't read any of books from this series. Would this book still be enjoyable to a first time reader?
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Darlene Nicholson This is definitely a series which needs to be read in order. I would also recommend reading it before watching the new STARZ series to get the most en…more
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Kara Yes, there was a part where Brianna and the kids found Roger but I think she's saving the story of their journey from that point to meeting Jaime and …more
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Denise
Jun 16, 2014Denise rated it liked it
Hmmmm. All over the map. Plot twists long and meandering, even unnecessary. Character development - and there are so many characters - slow. Unbalanced scenes with some being entirely too drawn out and tedious, and others too quick, too short, too unprecedented and not firmly enough tethered to the main plot (if there even was a main plot).
The last couple of books in the Outlander series have seemed more unfocused to me, and this one is no exception. Fun to read, but certainly not as gripping or as rewarding a read as the earlier books. Lots happens, but I keep waiting for the real arc of the book to reveal itself. There are plenty of little moments in the last four books that I would hate to have missed, but I am kind of left thinking I'd really have preferred the series to have ended on a strong note instead of this rambling progression that doesn't seem to have an end in sight.
I can't quite leave it there because I like Diana Gabaldon, and think she brilliantly wove together the ultimate historic-fantasy-romantic-adventure story when she created this series. I will even venture to say that perhaps, for me, setting these last few books primarily in America was detrimental to my enjoyment as it's not a period that truly engages me. I am sure there will be at least one more book, and am equally sure I will buy it, and I'm also very much looking forward to seeing Outlander brought to life by Starz later this summer. But when it comes to re-reading about Jamie and Claire, I am pretty content to stick to the original trilogy that I love well.
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Jill
Feb 06, 2014Jill rated it it was amazing
Shelves: romantic-historical-fiction, 2014-4-5-5-stars
***5 stars***
After FOUR years EIGHT months and NINETEEN days....The Adventure continues
Please Note: This review contains NO SPOILERS for Written in My Own Heart's Blood but may for previous books in the series
description
The Standing Stones at Craigh na Dun
It's 1778, Philadelphia and Jamie Fraser has just returned from the dead. Only to find his beloved wife, Claire remarried to his friend, Lord John Grey. In another time - Scotland, 1980 - Roger MacKenzie is desperate to find his son, Jem and is preparing to go back through the standing stones.
“I didna mean to lose my own heart’s blood as well. For you are dearer to me even than home and family, love.”
Jenny to Ian, Outlander
“I do not know if the wound is mortal, but Claire – I do feel my heart’s blood leave me, when I look at you.”
Jamie to Claire, Dragonfly in Amber
…seeking to know me again past skin and breath, to know me to the blood and bone, to the heart that beat beneath.
Claire, Written in My Own Heart's Blood
Written in My Own Heart's Blood takes up almost exactly where the story left off in book #7 An Echo in the Bone. According to Diana Gabaldon's website, the octothorpe on the front cover symbolizes the eight major characters whose stories are told in WiMOHB – Jamie, Claire, Roger, Bree (and Jem and Mandy), Ian, William, John. But there is a huge cast of secondary characters that all get some page time. I can't recall any important character from the previous book who wasn't mentioned, albeit briefly. There is joy, sadness and some major surprises and twists-and-turns.
And importantly, The King of Men still reigns.
"I have loved others, and I do love many, Sassenach — but you alone hold all my heart, whole in your hands,” he said softly. “And you know that.”
description
James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser
As usual, some answers are given, some threads tied off. But - as usual - more questions and plotlines are left dangling tantalisingly for the next instalment. We meet a lot of historical figures, including George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
description
The Battle of Monmouth
Usually, most readers (including me) enjoy the Jamie and Claire parts the best. But one of the big surprises here is that I found the Roger (and William Buccleigh) parts the most riveting, as well as the Bree parts.
description
Lallybroch
With action, adventure, battles, romance, and wounds and injuries aplenty - enough to fill a small medical journal - this is yet another absolutely captivating read from a master story-teller. This book ends on such a beautiful note.
description
Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina
Also included in this book is a very interesting An Outlander Family Tree. And Ms Gabaldon has also cleverly inserted the names (mentioned once or twice) of the actors playing Jamie and Claire into the text.
When Diana Gabaldon has been asked if she can recommend any series similar to her Outlander books, with barely concealed smugness and pride (and who can blame her?) has replied there are no books/series out there like Outlander. And she’s right. For me this series comes as close to perfect as possible, with a blend of history, romance, action, adventure and family saga, a near-perfect weave of fact and fiction. With mature, intelligent prose, historical facts and details, believable characterisations and dialogue, gripping story-telling and touches of humour, the Outlander series makes compulsive reading.
For fans and longtime readers of the series, Written in My Own Heart's Blood is not to be missed. For readers who were disappointed in An Echo in the Bone and who may be hesitant to read this one after some of the events in the previous book, I think this one is really worth reading. Absolutely, without a doubt for me the best of the series since Outlander!
Steam: 2.5
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Joanne
Aug 10, 2012Joanne rated it liked it
Shelves: highlander-romance, historical-fiction, time-travel
Spoiler-free review:
I first want to say that the Outlander series has been in my heart and soul since around 1999. When I began the series, my children were toddlers (I have crayon marks in my original Outlander paperback). One is now in college and my younger is going to be a senior in high school. They have watched me live and breathe these books, as well as celebrated with me when I actually met the author in person a few years ago. I am beyond ecstatic over the STARZ television series beginning this August, and will likely arrange my life around those showtimes.
Having said all that, (and I know I am in the very, very small minority here), I'm ready to wrap up this series. For me, it's losing it's magic grip on me, and that makes me very sad. No question, Diana continues to enthrall me with her amazing time travel twists and turns, and when one or more of the beloved characters are in peril, I'm truly on the edge of my seat. But, like Echo, so much of the story just seemed like "filler." Diana is bound and determined to have her readers experience the Revolution, so unless you enjoy military camp life and all the mind-numbing details of the Continental army moving from point A to point B, this very large portion of the book dragged on forever. So much of Book 8 didn't really move the plot FORWARD, which is frustrating. I felt inundated with medical and military details, and not nearly enough of the heart and soul of her books. Roger and Bree carried the weight of the story and had the most compelling plot lines. Of course, there were brief moments of Gabaldon magic, (such as a breathtaking and wonderful ending--for a change), but not nearly enough to make me want to read this book again.
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Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
Jun 06, 2017Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: own, historical, favorites, audio
I finally finished them all until she puts out the next book, which I need right now.
There were a couple deaths that meant something to me. One it was a normal mourning but the other was so horrible it broke my heart. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone.
It took so long for Claire and Jamie to get back to each other I was going to scream. And then Claire has to explain everything that happened with Lord Grey and it was so sad. I felt sorry for them both.
Jamie ends up in another battle but luckily he doesn't have to fight William for reasons.
There are more babies born =) The kids are growing up and it's been a joy to read about it through out this journey. Although, some of them growing up and having sex were to be skipped over. Just no!
There are some things happening with Bree, Roger and the kids in the real world time. Little Mandy is so much bigger and talking =) But something happens with the kids that ends up taking Roger away and leaving Bree to fend for herself and the kids.
I loved that pretty much the whole group were together. Ian has someone and Rollo likes them =)
And I have to give some space for ole Clarence the mule. He was a mule to be reckoned with! He would bite you if he didn't like you. He bit one man clear to the bone, but that man was not a good man and he had stolen Clarence from the gang. I loved how Germain, Fergus and Claire took up for Clarence and got him back. Clarence was happy too =)
Smile!:
As you know with these books, there are a lot of things going on because the books are so big. There is too much information to give in a review and most of it was just normal stuff.
Then they finally get back to where they belong and something happens that makes me cry with happiness because I do believe it's what I think it is ♥ =)
I can't wait for that next book =)
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List (less)
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Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
Oct 01, 2012Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it it was amazing
Shelves: historical, favorites-2014, hype-hype-hype, m-f, romance, police-or-military, loved-it, time-travel, dental-content, paperback-or-hardcover
*Part of Audible's $5.95 sale until 3/6/16!! Don't miss getting the audiobook for a steal! http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Wri...*
Of course I loved it! Did you have any doubt? I mean, it's Diana "mad skillz" Gabaldon and it's an OUTLANDER book! Could it be anything less than magical?
If you are on the 8th book in the series, it is already assumed that you are a rabid Outlander fan. There is no other explanation as to why one would read over 8,000 pages. So if you are a fan of the first 7 books, you will love this one. It is classic Outlander. Romance! Adventure! Action! History! *dreamy sigh*
When I finished my re-read of An Echo in the Bone, I was all like:
And I didn't. For 24 hours.
And it was WORTH IT.
There are a ton of twists and turns in this one. I think it has the most POV shifts and is the most segmented of the previous books. It follows Jamie, Claire, Lord John, Ian, Briana, Rodger, and William individually, giving each of their POVs. However, Gabaldon's impeccable writing skills and awesome editing made it feel effortless and not at all confusing. It was a breathtaking book, to be honest.
I also got quite a lesson in American history. The book was extremely rich in facts and felt extremely well researched.
And, from a dentist's perspective, I thought the dental parts were pretty spot on. I adored all of the medical scenes. I swear, I read these books as much from a doctor's perspective as from an average reader's, and I'm never disappointed.
My only complaint is that we have to wait another 3-4 years for the next in the series. Diana, I'll be first in line for a copy.
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Ferdy
Jun 10, 2014Ferdy rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: blah-romance, boring-main-characters, die-book-die, rape-handled-badly, mary-sue-heroine, much-hate, ugh, kill-me, wtfery, boring
Spoilers
The worst Outlander book so far, which is saying a lot since the last few have been less than impressive. If all the Claire/Jamie/William/Ian/Rachel/John parts had been cut out and just Roger/Bree/Jem's chapters remained then I would have rated this four stars. I never would have thought I'd like Roger/Bree over Jamie/Claire, but they were my favourite characters in this one, probably because they had such an engaging plot especially when compared to the rest of the characters. For most of the book I was hoping Claire, Jamie and co would just drop dead because they were that snooze-worthy. Alas, they didn't.
Random thoughts:
-The two things I liked: The Roger/Bree/Jem story was engrossing and Henri-Christian's death was done quite well (although I would have preferred one of the core characters dying instead of a minor one).
-Random thing I hated: The coincidences, all the bloody coincidences. Characters just so happened to bump into each other whenever they were in danger or in need. I could excuse it the first couple of times it happened but when it kept occurring over and over it got ridiculous and made me want to punch things.
-The plot? What plot? There was only one proper arc and that was Jem going missing/kidnapped and his parents trying to find him. The rest of the 'story' consisted of silly romances (Ian/Rachel, Dottie/Denzel, William/Jane) and Claire/the gang being thrown into the American Revolutionary war in various contrived and far-fetched ways. You'd think war would be exciting and make for thrilling reading but it was the exact opposite — the war parts were made up of a lot of walking, lots of waiting around, and random soldiers/generals popping in and out to make things confusing, it was the same repetitive cycle over and over… And the things that should have been interesting (near death, fighting) were written in a dragged out, muddled, dry way. I just didn't care. What would have been more engrossing to me was if Jamie/Claire just sat around drinking cups of tea and sharing thoughts/stories with each other… It would have made for far more fun reading than the dull, slow paced, pointless back and forth with the war.
-I HATED Jamie. He was a huge hypocrite, after all the shit he put Claire through with his secret wife, step kids, bastard son, and his constant lying/hiding things he had no right to get angry with her or think about beating her because of what happened with John.
Ugh, he's always managed to wriggle his way out of the many crappy things he's done, everyone just forgives him, and he ends up practically being worshipped by most of the people he comes in to contact with. Whereas Claire has to beg Jamie for forgiveness and spend time winning back his trust and whatnot. The double standards was so irritating. For once I'd like Jamie to be held accountable for something without him 'charming' his way out of it with pretty speeches.
-William was a brat and a self-pitying, whiny manslut. He had a life filled with nothing but happiness and comfort, and he had loving parents/grandparents. Lord John loved him like his own and gave him so much yet William still managed to act hard done by and tortured — he'd never experienced any true hardships, anytime he did go through something 'difficult' it was only because he bought it on himself. So his whole 'ooh-I'm-so-tortured-and-have-been-through-so-much-pain' just made me roll my eyes. If I could go into any book and viciously kill a character, it would definitely be him.
What was the point of his character? All he's ever done in the series is sulk and whine.
I couldn't stand him or Ian when they'd both happily slept with prostitutes, they knew those girls were only prostitutes because they had no other choice… So for them to happily sex them up made me sick. It pissed me off even more when all the other main characters acted like Ian and William were oh so honourable and good. No, they were both sick irredeemable fucks.
-William judging Jane for killing Harkness was laughable. It was okay for him to kill and defend for his life and country but it wasn't okay for Jane to kill a pervert who was going to have sex with her eleven year old sister. In my eyes Jane had more reason to kill than William, she did it out of love and protection for her sister whereas William just did it for glory, self-preservation and ego. He had no fucking right to look down on Jane.
His general superiority when it came to her more than grated on me. She was a prostitute but only because she was forced into it as she had no protection or money, it was the only way she and her sister could survive… Yet William thought very little of her, the only reason he helped her was because he fancied her. Him and Ian were both scum who greedily paid for sex with teen girls who had no other choice, there was nothing decent or redeemable about them.
And how many times did loser William fall for someone? His feelings were so fickle, he'd have feelings for any attractive girl he came in contact with. I feel sorry for his future wife knowing she's just another in a long line of girls he's fallen for.
It seemed like the only point of Jane's character was to make William seem oh so tragic and tortured — yea, it didn't work on me, he'll always be a pointless sick fuck of a brat.
-I knew Jane would end up dead, any female character that's not whiter than white always does. I would have liked for once to have a female character with a messed up past to actually get some happiness instead of being killed off. Of course, do goody Mary Sues like Rachel and Claire always survive. But female characters like Jane who have suffered and been forced to do questionable things always end up dead or evil. Ugh, I would have much rather read about Jane than Rachel/Claire.
-One thing rubbish about the series were the main characters always finding themselves in danger and bother but none of it was tense or exciting as it was obvious the MCs would be safe no matter what situation they were put in… Claire, Jamie, John Ian, William, Rachel, Bree, John, Roger, Jem will never be killed off so putting them in life threatening situations seemed pointless… It just made me sigh in boredom since I already knew they were going to be a-okay.
-Bree and Roger not locking their doors was beyond daft. Why would they be so trustworthy after everything they'd been through? It was a thick thing to do, especially when they had letters/diaries which contained sensitive information. That was the only really frustrating thing about them.
-I wasn't a fan of Bree and Roger initially but they really grew on me in this one. Compared to Jamie and Claire they seemed normal and flawed in a real way. Whereas Jamie and Claire separately and together seemed false, thus I no longer believed in their characters.
-It was weird how Bree hardly ever thought of Frank when he was the one who raised her, spent the most time with her, and loved her as his own — he was a great dad to her but she'd all but forgotten him. Of course, she didn't stop banging on about saint bloody Jamie and his never ending awesomeness. Ugh.
I found it weird how Bree took after Jamie in mannerisms, thinking, and temperament yet she had nothing of Frank even though he was her beloved dad for the first two decades of her life and was more of a parent to her than Claire was… Apparently nurture doesn't matter, in Frank's case anyhow. Whereas Jamie's non-biological children somehow adopted all his traits. Basically, Jamie's nurture and nature win out over anyone else's nature and nurture. Ridiculous.
I found it unbelievable that both Jamie's children took after him in mannerisms/personality even though he hadn't raised either and both had other loving parents/guardians. His kids mothers seemed to contribute nothing either, William/Bree's looks and personality were all Jamie's, they had very, very little of their mothers.
It was daft how EVERYONE took after him in some way regardless of whether he was blood related to them or if he'd raised them… Whilst the other biological/foster/adopted parents managed to pass on NOTHING to their children. Superhero Jamie was the only one allowed to pass on traits/genetics to anyone.
-One thing I found irritating was in the last book when Claire thought Jamie was dead she was seriously thinking about killing herself because she couldn't live without him… Yet in this one when Claire was at death's door, Jamie said he wouldn't kill himself if she died because he had other things to live for. So yea, another case of a heroine not being able to live without her man and having nothing without him, whilst the hero can live without his woman and has plenty going for him outside of her. Ugh, the double standards and sexism were killing me.
-Was Ian wearing his first wife's armlet to his wedding to Rachel meant to be some weird gesture to show he was over her? It was obvious that he still loved Emily and would always love her, the only reason they split was because they couldn't have children, if they'd been able to he wouldn't have looked twice at Rachel. Rachel was just second choice. So yea, I didn't believe in their supposed meant-to-be love when it was clear that Ian still loved Emily and would always love her and was only with Rachel because he couldn't have his first wife.
-It was annoying how Ian kept calling himself a mohawk, he was Scottish born and raised, he wasn't a mohawk. Sure, he was married to one and was in her tribe for a while but that ended years ago. He shouldn't be calling himself a mohawk or an Indian and claiming their heritage as his own.
-Ian and Rachel's marriage/relationship was an unrealistic Mills & Boons-esque fantasy. Their basic principles and beliefs differed vastly, Rachel didn't believe in violence and killing even in self defence yet Ian killed loads and was very violent. It was implausible and nonsensical that Rachel could magically overlook Ian's murdering/violent ways just because she loved him. A couple like that wouldn't last when they had such different morals, I didn't appreciate the ridiculousness of them being able to have a successful marriage.
-Ian and Rachel's sexy times and just any time they spent together was cringey… Like Rachel wanting to watch Ian piss, it was revolting. I actually found Buck kissing his mum/almost shagging her less distasteful than Ian/Rachel's sex life. Also, Rachel finding Ian pissing and farting oh so fascinating and adorable was ludicrous. She really was the worst kind of unrealistic Mary Sue.
-How did Roger/Bree and the kids manage to travel a few decades ahead at the end? I thought they could only travel approximately two centuries back and forth, not decades. That was the established rule, I hope that rule hasn't suddenly changed to fit the story line. I guess, Roger/Bree could have gone back to their own time, flown to America, and then used the stones there to jump back to Claire/Jamie's current timeline/location… But it's always been said that much time jumping would cause serious health problems. Also, where the hell was Buck? He never went back to his wife and kid, so what happened to him?
-Claire and her many medical miracles made me scoff. She always managed to save everyone when she didn't have the proper equipment/medicine/lighting/knowledge or good enough eyesight. I could understand her managing to solve simple cases or getting lucky but no way would she be able to solve/save all those complex cases and near death patients.
-I'm so sick of every character being in awe of Jamie. Their reverence of him made him come across as an unlikeable speshul little snowflake Gary Stu.
-How did Frank's letter to Bree end up in Lollybroch? He couldn't possibly have known she'd end up living there. I hope it's explained at some point.
-It was the same repetitive rubbish when it came to the main story… the insipid war, the non-stop walking, the manufactured separation between characters, the cheesy romances, and the contrived and far fetched situations. Where were the twists and turns? Where was the intrigue and suspense? Where was the organic/genuine drama?
-Jamie and Claire's sex life hadn't changed since their twenties even though they were in their sixties and/or were seriously injured. Yea, right.
-What was with all the forgiveness and pathetic excuses for various rapists. There was this underlying tone that rape survivors should pity their rapists and forgive them everything. Ugh, it was fucked up.
-Just how many times is Claire going to lose her medical equipment and worldly possessions? It happens in every bloody book.
-What the hell was a 'Scottish noise'? There's no such thing, noise is noise.
On the whole I didn't enjoy Written in My Own Heart's Blood. Most of the POV characters had dragged out, pointless story lines which only made them more insufferable then they already were. The only reason I got through all of it was because of Roger, Bree and their absorbing story. Unfortunately, since they were reunited with Jamie/Claire at the end, they'll probably be swept away in their dull story lines in the next book. I'm hoping that won't be the case though.
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Lacy
Jun 01, 2013Lacy rated it it was amazing
Shelves: audiobook
Please do not expect any work from me until I have finished this book. I will be taking a break from all forms of human interaction from the time I get it until it is finished. We have got to get little Timmy out of the well...uh, I mean little Jemmy out of the tunnel.
Update: *sigh* I finished it! This was a good one.
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Mashara
Jun 11, 2012Mashara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: mad-max-battle-warriors-of-the-book, historic
I've finished the book. I must say, after almost 15 years of reading this books, Diana was just about to lose me. I don't know exactly what it was that I started finding so annoying in book 4 to 7. Probably the amount of characters and their incredibly boring adventures (Come on, Willie's in the Great Dismal's threatens Frodo and Sam's journey through Mordor, as the Boriest Shit Ever, rivalled only maybe by Roger search for life's meaning, which I can only understand as Diana Gabaldon's critique at the modern man in it's incapacity to Make Their Fucking Minds Up). Maybe I just didn't find Geillis as interesting in Jamaica, maybe there was something still not enterilly clicking between Jamie and Claire, and the tension between them caused by Brianna and Roger was exhausting, As it should be, Diana Gabaldon has never been know to pull punches.
What ever it was, it was with a sort of dread I opened this book to wonder what will be the focus, since I surely couldn't take a single page more of Willie being a twat.
Alas, it paid off.
There's authors out there that are plot driven, this usually means they use the characters to tell the argumental arch they want to communicate, despite their own characterizations many times. I don't much believe anybody has ever explained the concept of a plot to Diana Gabaldon, and I do not mean this as a bad thing. She follows the characters where ever they take her (and us) and makes no apology for it. I used to think she had a mean streak and liked to finish books on a cliffhanger, now I mostly think she just cuts them off at the 800 page mark and starts another book.
But this time, I feel waiting another four years, is going to be much harder than it has been the last decade.
OLDER NOTES:
I really really like Claire and is the only reason I will be trying this one after the last one made me want to throw the book out the window in frustration and scream "No nononononnono Nooooo" when I realised that was the last page and there was nothing more.
02/01/2013 I think is high time for an update. Apparently the book should be coming out Fall (Spring for me, so that must be September, right? RIGHT?!
the description is out and it's sounding good already. If somebody would have asked me back when I was 18 years old that I'd be so excited 14 years later (it's not THAT long ago, move on, nothing to see here) to see the daughter of the two characters that kept me awake one night I would have laughed for an hour. But here I am, and I want to see Brianna again so bad.
So, here are some excerpts, because man do I love to spoil me something fierce:
http://www.sinijari.fi/linkit/outland...
At least, we are in the same publication year, it cannot be more than 11 months.
Edit 10/06/2013. Sooooo we have a release date March 25, 2014.
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Kate
Jun 23, 2014Kate rated it it was ok · review of another edition
An extra star out of loyalty....but this was a sprawling historical novel that sprawled too far -- a kitchen-sink book, and not in a good way. A huge number of plotlines that didn't seem to serve any narrative purpose, too much time spent with annoying characters, WAY too much surgical detail, and timelines that even for THIS series are totally confusing. Clearly Diana Gabaldon loves her work and the research it entails (which is part of the reason I find her books so enjoyable), but her editor should have taken a firmer hand here. In a recent blog post she mentioned being at work on Book 9, so maybe that accounts for some of the irresolution. But if this was meant to be a placeholder, it should easily have been 200 pages shorter. The interesting Big Questions the characters raise about time travel get lost in the shuffle. Sorry to say, it was a disappointment. (less)
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Misfit
Jun 28, 2014Misfit rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: plenty-of-potty-mouth, scotland, american-revolution, get-thee-to-an-editor, club-me-over-the-head, back-to-the-library-for-you
Here we go with the review, as I prepare to commit Outlander heresy - as much as I loved this series (well, Echo not so much), and as happy as I was to read more about Jamie and Claire, et al - the negatives far outweigh the pluses.
Written in my Own Heart's Blood picks up right where Echo in the Bone left off. Those who have read that book know what events those are don't need a rehash, and those who haven't read it don't need to know what those events are. There are two main storylines in this book, 1) Jamie/Claire/Lord John/William and all their friends and family traipsing around New England with the Continental Army and 2) Roger and Bree and their efforts to find young Jemmie.
The parts I loved? Roger and Bree. Almost unputdownable and I loved the twists and turns on the bad boys chasing the family and the twists on the time travel (loved where Roger ended up - can't wait to hear how that all ended).
The parts I didn't love? Jamie and Claire going at it like a pair of rabbits at their age was just too much (didn't advance the storylines at all). In camp, out of camp, on the ground - heck, Jamie threw his back out big time and he still could rise to the task. Such stamina. Then there's the traipsing around the countryside with the army camps. Move here. Move there. Move to another camp and...
**yawn**
Not much happened until someone got shot or something and we needed more details of Claire's skill at doctoring. Which is all well and good and has been interesting over the length of the series, but I don't know what happened this time, perhaps the editor got lost looking for the restroom? Two of these in particular were way TMI in detail and really embarrassing conditions that I didn't care to read about, especially at an early hour of the morning. Nor did these two medical incidents advance the story in any way. It's almost like Ms. Gabaldon wants to test how much her fans will tolerate before they step back out of the poo. Perhaps I've changed and grown since the time I read (and loved!) the first six books. Dunno.
/rant
Complaints aside, I did like the finish (thank goodness not a huge cliffhanger!) and I am looking forward to getting the rest of the story in another four or five years.
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HJ
Mar 25, 2012HJ rated it really liked it
Shelves: time-travel
Okay, I'll be honest. It really is more of a 5 star read, but I am getting a bit disappointed with the abrupt and incomplete endings (most notably, the last book and this one). Especially when I KNOW it will be freaking 5 more years before the next one comes out. What if I die before then? Or Dianna Gabaldon dies before then? I need to have a real ending!
Only semi-gripe I have is that the time travel element in this one is very prevalent, and a little on the far-fetched side.
Otherwise, I loved being immersed back in the Outlander world. (less)
==
Amazon Reviews
===
Written in My Own Heart's Blood: 8 Mass Market Paperback – 1 January 1900
by Diana Gabaldon (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 20,250 ratings
See all formats and editions
Kindle
$12.99
1152 pages
====
Review
"[Written in My Own Heart's Blood] features all the passion and swashbuckling that fans of this historical fantasy series have come to expect."--People
"Another breakneck, rip-roaring, oh-so-addictive page-turner from Gabaldon . . . Take a deep breath, jump aboard, and enjoy the ride."--Library Journal
"With her Outlander series, [Diana] Gabaldon . . . successfully [juggles] a sizable and captivating cast of characters; developing thrilling plotlines that borrow equally from adventure, history, and romance; and meticulously integrating a wealth of fascinating period details into the story without slowing down the pace. The result is a sprawling and enthralling saga that is guaranteed to keep readers up long past their bedtimes."--Booklist (starred review)
About the Author
Diana Gabaldon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Outlander novels--Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (for which she won a Quill Award and the Corine International Book Prize), An Echo in the Bone, Written in My Own Heart's Blood, and Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone--as well as the related Lord John Grey books, Lord John and the Private Matter, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Lord John and the Hand of Devils, and The Scottish Prisoner; a collection of novellas, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall; three works of nonfiction, "I Give You My Body . . ." and The Outlandish Companion, Volumes 1 and 2; the Outlander graphic novel The Exile; and The Official Outlander Coloring Book. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband.
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Product details
Publisher : Dell (1 January 1900)
Language : English
Mass Market Paperback : 1152 pages
ISBN-10 : 110188424X
ISBN-13 : 978-1101884249
Dimensions : 10.67 x 5.08 x 17.53 cm
Best Sellers Rank: 284,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
2,358 in Time Travel Romance (Books)
4,915 in Historical Fantasy (Books)
5,709 in European Literature (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 20,250 ratings
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
20,250 global ratings
Top reviews from Australia
Rowena J-P
5.0 out of 5 stars The commitment pays off!
Reviewed in Australia on 26 June 2021
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Like all of the previous books in the series, this is a massive read, and requires time and concentration. But the characters are those drawn in such fine and realistic detail that we can't help but be drawn in, carried along with them on their myriad adventures, our hearts lifted by their joys, while I literally wept in places for their losses and sorrows.
Whilst I'm looking forward to the 9th installment, I also dread its publication in a the sense that it will be our farewell to this family. The only consolation- books can be read over again. And this one already has been!
Thank uou for another triumph, Diana G!
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Katherine Avery
5.0 out of 5 stars She can't write them quick enough for my liking
Reviewed in Australia on 20 April 2015
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Diana is one of the few author where I re-read the books a second time.
She is a brilliant researcher and her stories are filled with interesting facts. Her characters are exciting. The plots pacey, and I love her writing style.
Unfortunately for her, Jamie and Claire are getting old and I'm not anywhere near as in love with Brianna and Roger. Hopefully she can make me fall in love with them before Jamie and Claire die.
My main criticism of her books is she has Claire use words peculiar to America, where Claire would use an English word, such as 'diaper' instead of 'nappy', "fall' instead of 'autumn'. I don't care how long Claire has lived in America, her character is stubborn enough to use the English word for the rest of her life, I know my very stubborn English mother insists on using the English. She should have them Englished, Scottished up by English/Scottish people.
One other minor criticisms of her books are the stupid names she gives to some of her incidental characters - there are way too many of them, names like Mr Horsely who has a long face like a horse, Mrs Lugbutt who has a big bottom. Petty I know, but I find it a bit juvenile.
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Jodie Beckley
5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive
Reviewed in Australia on 4 September 2018
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I want more! I love reading the Outlander series. They are seriously addictive, I can't put them down. This book is just jam packed with action, drama, romance, thrills, twists and turns, cliff hangers. There is just the right amount of non-answered questions to keep you interested, but not enough that you get frustrated. Love these books!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic as all or es virus works
Reviewed in Australia on 31 December 2020
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Brilliant writing Diana, so very hard to put down but so disappointing having got to the end! Will there be further adventures of the Fraser family? I do hope so, an absolutely fascinating read from start to finish.
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Colleen M
5.0 out of 5 stars I witnessed the Fraser’s latest journey
Reviewed in Australia on 15 October 2020
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It’s been a long time between walking the Fraser Story but once again the narrative painted a vivid movie for the reader to travel. Haven’t finished a story in quite sometime but found myself swept up until it closed leaving that warm fuzzy feeling of joy in its ending
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Julie Browne
5.0 out of 5 stars Chooke's review of In My Hearts own blood.
Reviewed in Australia on 17 February 2020
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I love the Outlander series! I love the Jamie/Claire love story, and the reality of feeling part of the Fraser clan, their daily life and that of those with them. Diana Garabaldon brings the past to the present in a most entertaining read from beginning to end. I have read the last few pages again and again, reliving the excitement of Jamie and Claire, and can't wait for book nine.
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Dee Hosking
5.0 out of 5 stars MOBY - my favourite Outlander book
Reviewed in Australia on 13 October 2018
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It combines all of the characters together so far. Devoured and Read all 8 of this series in 6 weeks.
They have humour, tragedy, love, lust, historical fiction and beautiful intricate descriptions and imagery.
Much to love ...it's a big book and she releases only 1 every 4 years......
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Maria H Fergus
2.0 out of 5 stars While I still enjoyed it, it didn't have the holding power that ...
Reviewed in Australia on 24 March 2015
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After reading the whole series, I was so looking forward to this book. Unfortunately I have to say it wasn't worth the wait. While I still enjoyed it, it didn't have the holding power that the previous books had, especially in the second half.
When I finally finished reading it, my main thought was that Diana Gabaldon got bored writing it and decided to finish it up as soon as possible. I believe this is supposed to be the last book in the Outlander series, and I felt there wasn't the "closure" to so many subplots in the story. For example - AND THESE MAY BE SPOILERS - why introduce the character of Jane, only to kill her off so quickly? What happens to William? Lord John? Is their relationship repaired? Does William spend the rest of his life in limbo and denounce his title? Where how and why between Bree and Roger about going back to Fraser's Ridge. Exactly what was Rob Cameron after?
When I finished reading the "Harry Potter" series (although not the same type of book), my main feeling was disappointment that there would be no more about some of my favorite literary characters. My main thought when finishing MOBY was "oh well - it's finished". Not what I expected.
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Top reviews from other countries
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than last two books.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2019
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I wasn't going to read this book, I didn't enjoy the last two, I felt as if the author got to bogged down in the history of the American Revolution and the characters came second, their story was slow paced and hardly moved. I actually found myself flicking through pages. However I decided to give this one a go and I did enjoy it more, it was more in keeping with the first books and centred more on the characters. I'd still like to see their story being moved along a bit more. I feel as if the author is drawing the story out to get as much books as possible from it. Will be interesting to see what happens in book nine. Must admit I'm enjoying the TV series more!
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K. Langtree
5.0 out of 5 stars Feeling sad
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2018
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I have adored all the Outlander books and I'm just sad that Jamie and Claire are coming to the end of their life adventure. I hope there will be more. I just love these two and their offspring. Sadly, I don't find myself drawn to reading about Lord John Grey in the spin-off series. What is the point without the focus on Jamie and Claire? I have been reading nothing else for the past year and not sure what life will be like without them. Write more Diana. I could read a spin-off about Bree and Roger.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good one
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2019
Verified Purchase
I had been disappointed by the previous one but this tome was way better in my opinion. I was a little bit annoyed at first to have so many chapters about characters I didn't care about (William and John Grey for instance) but things do mix together quite smoothly. This opus was moving in many ways and I think, had the energy of the first books back.
6 people found this helpful
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Lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars The love story continues
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2020
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The story of Claire and Jamie continues to enthralled and expands to include the wider family of characters.
So hard to put down, the reader just needs more and can't wait to find out what is happening in all the arenas the characters find themselves in.
Excellent drawing of all the characters leads to high emotions and an investing in their lives by the reader.
So many emotions; excitement, sorrow, joy and amusement to name a few.
Can't beat the wait for the next book and dreading the end of the story that must come eventually.
2 people found this helpful
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Sarah Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars I cant believe that Diana Gabaldon can keep on doing ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2018
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I cant believe that Diana Gabaldon can keep on doing this. Her story keeps going and stays just as exciting - dare I say even more exciting - as the first book Outlander. I do not want to finish this book as this story should not end. She is authentic in her character descriptions and true to history and medicine as far as I can tell. Enthralling reading, capturing the heart and the mind.
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