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Summary: Drums of Autumn
Review: The fourth in the Outlander series, Drums of Autumn begins in Charleston in 1767 where Claire, Jamie, Fergus and Ian begin a journey to find Jamie's Aunt Jocasta who owns a plantation in North Carolina. As with the previous three novels in this series, Diana Gabaldon weaves stories within stories creating a rich tale of adventure, suspense and love. In Drums of Autumn Brianna, Jamie and Claire's daughter travels back in time to find her parents to warn them of disaster in their future. Brianna found a story in an old newspaper telling of the death of Jamie and Claire Fraser in a house fire. Roger Wakefield, Brianna's sometime boyfriend, also found the story. Roger decided not to tell Brianna for fear she would attempt to go back in time to warn her parents. When Roger learns that Brianna has done exactly that, he follows her through the stones back to 18th century Scotland. Brianna finds her way to Lollybrach and meets Jenny, Jamie's sister, and Ian and all the children. This is a wonderful part of the book where the reader can appreciate and feel the amazing connection between past and future, gave me the chills just reading it. Roger eventually catches up with Brianna in the colonies after Roger's most arduous ocean crossing. I do agree with several of the other reviewers who feel that Brianna's character is a bit weak. I haven't caught on to, or much liked, Brianna at all since the first introduction of her character. Brianna does not have the depth or heart that Claire has and comes off as a self-centered child in many ways. Brianna and Roger each have their own separate adventures and each is intertwined with Jamie and Claire's. Lord John Grey appears again to play an integral role in Brianna's life. The character of Lord Grey is one of my favorites as he is a man of honor. In Drums of Autumn Jamie is not the ferocious warrior, nor the persecuted prisoner; he's a farmer and a builder. Although it was a relief of sorts not to endure any floggings or near-death misadventures, it seemed as though Jamie was out of his element having been removed from Scotland. Nonetheless, this book was everything the previous books were in it's own way. Diana Gabaldon has succeeded in continuing the 'love that spans time' between Jamie and Claire and has added more depth to their relationship. This series is one of the best I have read. I was overjoyed to discover the 5th in the series, The Fiery Cross, has already been released already so I won't have to wait to continue this engrossing saga.
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Summary: THIS IS THE WEAKEST LINK...
Review: This is the fourth in a series of what has been, until now, exceptionally well written time travel, adventure/romance books by the author. There are four such books published to date in what is anticipated to be a series of six books. Those of us who are hopelessly addicted to this series are awaiting the publication and release of book five, "The Fiery Cross". I urge the reader to start at the beginning and read each and every one in the order in which it was written. Be not afraid of the length of each book. Trust me when I say that you will end up wishing that they were each longer, so riveting is the story that the author unfolds. Ms. Gabaldon is a master storyteller without compare, employing the superlative use of actual historical events with authentic period detail to weave a three dimensional tapestry of timeless love and adventure. While the core of the story is about a love that transcends time, it is an adventure story that holds the reader in its thrall. The love that spans time is that which twentieth century Englishwoman, Claire Randall, has for eighteenth century Scottish highlands warrior, James Fraser. Those readers who have read the first book in the series, "Outlander", know that in 1945, Claire, a combat nurse during World War II, is reunited with her husband, Frank, after the war. While on a second honeymoon in Scotland, she visits a strange, flat topped hill, where a forbidding stone circle draws her. Touching one of the stones, she is hurled through a vortex in time and finds herself in eighteenth century Scotland, where she meets the brave and brawny, red headed Scot, James Fraser, with whom she falls head over heels in love. Finding herself thrust into the midst of clan warfare and intrigue, she and her beloved 'Jamie' have enough adventures to last a lifetime. The second book, "Dragonfly in Amber", is a continuation of that story, told from the perspective of the twentieth century where Claire, now a doctor, has lived for the past twenty years. Upon the death of her twentieth century husband, Frank, Claire returns to Scotland with her grown, red headed daughter, Brianna. There she discloses to Brianna the events of her secret past, as well as the truth as to who Brianna's biological father truly is and of the love that Claire bore him. While in Scotland, however, Claire discovers something that will change her future, as well as her past. You see, for the past twenty years Claire has mistakenly believed that her beloved 'Jamie' died in the historic battle of Culloden. It was there that the Scottish highlanders bravely fought the English in a misguided attempt to restore Charles Stuart, their bonnie Prince Charlie, to the English throne, only to be decimated on the battlefield. Those few who survived were branded as Jacobite traitors and imprisoned, and their families disenfranchised. It was this very event that Claire and 'Jamie' had conspired to change, only to fail. Their story transports the reader from the turmoil of the Scottish highlands to the intrigue of the French Court and regales the reader with the adventures of the two lovers, as they conspire to change the very course of history. It was this valiant attempt that ultimately brought Claire and 'Jamie' to the crossroad that would compel these star crossed lovers to part and have Brianna become a denizen of the twentieth century. In "Voyager", Claire, now realizing that the love of her life and soulmate survived the battle of Culloden, makes the decision to go back in time and find James Fraser, as she has not stopped loving or wanting him every waking moment for the past twenty years. Leaving her daughter, Brianna, she once more hurls herself into the vortex of time to eighteenth century Scotland to begin her search for James Fraser, in hopes of being reunited with her 'Jamie'. "Voyager" tells the story of what happened to Claire Randall and James Fraser in those intervening years. It tells of their ultimate reunion and rediscovery. Against a backdrop of historical events and period detail and with a cast of unforgettable characters, it regales the reader with their new adventures, as Claire returns to a still divided, turmoil ridden Scotland. Reunited with Jamie, none the worse for wear,they seek to make a life for themselves. As their love comes full circle, they take to the high seas, and their adventures continue, captivating the reader once more. In "Drums of Autumn", the story takes somewhat of a detour, as it begins to focus more on Brianna. Back in the twentieth century, Brianna and her boyfriend, Roger, a Scot and college history professor, as well as descendant of one of James Fraser's cousins from clan MacKenzie, each independently make a discovery that stuns them. Roger keeps it to himself, while Brianna acts upon it. The discovery involves an old news clipping which tells of Claire's and James' premature deaths in a house fire in pre-revolutionary, frontier America. Brianna makes the decision to go to the stone circle to try and go back in time to change the course of history and save her parents. She does not, however, tell Roger of her plans. Roger, discovering Brianna's deception, follows on her heels and, on that strange, flat topped hill in Scotland he, too, enters the stone circle and is himself hurled into the vortex of time. Brianna and Roger catch up with each other in the eighteenth century only to be parted for a time, each having their own adventures. Claire and James by now are established homesteaders in North Carolina and are enjoying, what is for them, a relatively staid life. By the time Brianna catches up with them, an event has occurred in her life which may have the impact of forcing her to stay mired in the past. This fourth book in the series is a bit of a disappointment, as it could have used some serious editing due to the author's self indulgence. Moreover, the characters are not so well drawn, as they are in the first three books in the series. Unfortunately, a pivotal character, that of Brianna, is uncharismatic and comes across as somewhat vapid and stupid. Brianna definitely needs work, if she is to capture the readers' imagination as have Claire and 'Jamie'. At the stage of development in which she is, Brianna would be unable to sustain another book. The same goes for Roger, who comes across as somewhat one dimensional, though he does have potential, as he seems to have a latent smoldering and sensual quality to his personality. Still, notwithstanding some of these issues, this remains a compelling time travel saga, and my thirst for a fifth volume remains undiminished. I only hope that the lengthy time span between the fourth and the fifth volumes means that the author is working out some of the kinks in this new and developing direction which the series seems to be taking. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition
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Summary: Wonderful story all the way through.
Review: I've recently finished reading the entire series. What I enjoyed the most about this series is that it took so long for me to read. I have trouble getting interested in new authors and new stories which why I was so thrilled to see how exceptional these books are. I have always liked historical fiction, especially when it is realistic and personal. This final book is just as good as the other three and I hope to see a new installment sometime soon.
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Summary: 5 stars as usual!
Review: I just finished the 4th and (I hope not) final book in the continuing saga. I am ready for the next! Incredible how the story just keeps coming. And I just keep going. Here's some advice though, start with Voyager and progress through each book up to this one for the full effect.
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Summary: Adventures in History
Review: "Time travel, not my cup of tea " I thought when I first came across this book whilst researching novels set in 18th century North America. I like my historical novels with a dose of realism, not fantasy. And , frankly, the rave reviews of this and the preceding volumes made me wonder."Drums of Autumn" is the fourth in a series in which a 20th century Englishwoman is transported to 18th century Scotland, falls in love with a dashing native called Jamie , marries him, and has lots of adventures. But , as I found, not having got into the whole "Jamie and Claire "thing was no bar to enjoyment of this novel at all. The sterling quality of the writing drew me in and never let up. How can it be that a book of 800 pages whithout much of a plot still seems too short? Gabaldon is an excellent storyteller who brings her characters - and their surroundings - vividly to life. It is a mark of her skill that she manages to make an existing relationship sound new and exciting .(If you think that's nothing special, have you ever wondered why most novelists abandon their characters after courtship? As in life, so in fiction people find it much harder to sustain than to start new). And the device of time travel succeeds extremely well in dealing with the dilemma of the historical novelist: the desire to go back in time and fix things, to apply modern thought to a historic situation. We feel with Claire's outrage at slavery, bodily punishment and everyday cruelty, thoughts that would be anachronistic in a character of the period. Because she is a modern creature, Claire can voice these thoughts, if not act on them. For me, a particular gem was the deeply moving tale of another time traveller whose remains Claire stumbles across and who appears as a ghost to save her life. The story of his failed attempt to change the past and warn his people is revealed on the occasion of a visit to an Indian village, whose residents refused to believe his prophesies of doom. Claire of course knows the future but also knows that she is powerless to change the past. If you could go back in time, who would you try to warn?
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Summary: What a find
Review: Who would have thought that looking at a clearance rack of books would unleash such mystery and love. In 1996, I wanted to find books over Scotland... I saw Outlander. It looked like it may be okay. So I read it. I could not put it down. I was so swept up in JAmie and Claire's adventures, it was unreal. I couldnt wait for the other books in the saga. Drums of Autmn was yet another gripping adventure. I long await for the last two books in the saga.
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Summary: DRUMS OF AUTUMN
Review: OUTLANDER has to be the first one the reader reads..I know someone who started with the second book and was totally confused, she then read OUTLANDER, and finally all four and like myself, she is going insane waiting for #5 THE FIERY CROSS to come out...abt. the same time the first of her contemporary novels comes out, which is one of two that take place in Arizona. All of her books, in my opinion, are better than Gone with the Wind or Thornbirds...She is one talanted young woman, that is for sure!!
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Summary: Book No. 5 where are you??
Review: Over the past few months, I read the Outlander series and became completely engrossed in this other time and place! Of the four books, Voyager would probably get my highest rating because so much happens, but you have to read them in order anyways to truly enjoy it. I usually don't go for historical romances - the plot is often the same - but I thought I would give Outlander a chance when I saw it included time travel. Much easier to identify with a character who comes from approximately the same place as you, yet you get all the history stuff thrown in too. Anyways, I highly recommend all of these books to others - a word of warning, don't read ahead like I did (I can't help it -- it's a disease...) OR read the Outlandish Companion until you are all done!
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Summary: Back to the Best
Review: Drums of Autumn will leave you breathless. Whether from the pounding of the titular drums as war rises again on the horizon, or from the tension of suspense, you'll close the last page completely satisfied and wondering why you're exhausted. Our Heroine, Clare, finds herself looking for her past, in more ways than one. Returning to the 18th Century, she decides that trying to find the love of her life is more important than staying safe and secure in the 1960s. Unfortunately, like daughter, like mother. Her only child follows her on an expedition to find Jamie, Clare's husband and Bree's father. The action continues in Scotland and migrates to the New World. After having been separated for neigh unto 20 years, both Clare and Jamie have continued their lives, separately. It is the detailed, sympathetic portrait of them attempting to reconcile their shared past with their current present which will pull at your heartstrings. They are realistic, which certainly means it isn't the same old thing you've read before. Gabaldon never ceases to amaze with her insight into the workings between men and women, without denigrating either one in the process. This kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages like few other books. If you've read Outlander, either stop, or simply buy the next three together. Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager are definately worthwhile, if for no other reason then to get you to Drums of Autumn. This and Outlander are her best so far.
Rating: 
Summary: Needs Editing
Review: I have enjoyed all the books in the Outlander series. This was the weakest. What was her editor thinking about letting her go on for so long. It should have been trimed down into a normal sized book and it would have been wonderful. Robert Graves where are you now that we need you. (He edited David Copperfield). I will certainly buy the others. She is a wonderful writer, but this book was self indulgent.
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