Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
New York Dell 1993.
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. The second part of the series from Diana Gabaldon that explores the power of a love which transcends space and time. A magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and passion of 18th-century Scotland...For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member atheist_goat
This book was that oddest of things: a boring page-turner. The pace was sort of hypnotic, in that it kept me going, but I didn't really care what happened to anyone. Certainly not to the heroine, who has evolved from being a colorless cypher in the first book to being a colorless cypher who is an
Almost a thousand pages of first-person narrative and all we learn about our narrator is: a) she gives off a major whiff of self-righteousness and self-satisfaction; b) every man she meets lusts after her; and c) the hero periodically needs to monologue for pages about how much he loves and desires and worships her, to which she tends to respond complacently with a bland, "I love you too," or some such. On no occasion, even when she has just almost gotten him killed, does she consider herself less than deserving of this worship, or even seem particularly grateful for it: she unthinkingly accepts it as the way things should be. We also never get any evidence of this amazingness our seven-foot-tall-shoulders-wider-than-a-longbow-blindingly-handsome Scotsman sees in her. She just deserves his adoration! You'll have to take Gabaldon's word for it.
And it is still true in this book, as in its prequel, that if you meet a gay man you know he is all kinds of evil. The one flash of developed personality we see in our heroine is when she starts talking about "perverts". Thanks, Diana, for providing your readers with the perfect way to insert ourselves into a kilt-related fantasy, as long as we don't mind being a smug homophobe in said fantasy. Uh... I mind.
(And yet, believe it or not, I have already started the third book. Partially it's because I own it and the Because It Is There principle is strong with me, but partially because, well, sometimes I will eat an entire bag of Starbursts, and this is sort of the same idea.)
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irritatingly obvious placeholder for the author/reader. If I wanted to believe that a hot Scotsman was obsessed with me, I would google-image Gerard Butler and use the power of my brain; when I read a book, I tend to be in search of, y'know, characters. And our heroine is nothing of the kind. Almost a thousand pages of first-person narrative and all we learn about our narrator is: a) she gives off a major whiff of self-righteousness and self-satisfaction; b) every man she meets lusts after her; and c) the hero periodically needs to monologue for pages about how much he loves and desires and worships her, to which she tends to respond complacently with a bland, "I love you too," or some such. On no occasion, even when she has just almost gotten him killed, does she consider herself less than deserving of this worship, or even seem particularly grateful for it: she unthinkingly accepts it as the way things should be. We also never get any evidence of this amazingness our seven-foot-tall-shoulders-wider-than-a-longbow-blindingly-handsome Scotsman sees in her. She just deserves his adoration! You'll have to take Gabaldon's word for it.
And it is still true in this book, as in its prequel, that if you meet a gay man you know he is all kinds of evil. The one flash of developed personality we see in our heroine is when she starts talking about "perverts". Thanks, Diana, for providing your readers with the perfect way to insert ourselves into a kilt-related fantasy, as long as we don't mind being a smug homophobe in said fantasy. Uh... I mind.
(And yet, believe it or not, I have already started the third book. Partially it's because I own it and the Because It Is There principle is strong with me, but partially because, well, sometimes I will eat an entire bag of Starbursts, and this is sort of the same idea.)
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LibraryThing member cranmergirl
This is the second installment in the Outlander series from Diana Gabaldon. I am not quite sure why I read this book after having such trouble getting through Outlander. Chalk it up to curiosity, I suppose. This book begins with Claire back in her own time, twenty years after leaving the past. We
sending her back to the present, is Gabaldon's best storyline and writing in the book by far. But then the reader is left disappointed by the finale of the book where Claire stops daydreaming and turns her attention to Brianna and Roger. At this point, the writing becomes erratic, muddled, and frankly anti-climactic, almost as if written by another author. Although curious about the final outcome of the Claire and Jamie saga, I choose not to suffer through any more of Gabaldon's lengthy books. I'll read the summaries and be done with it.
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meet Brianna, the twenty year old daughter of Claire and Jamie. We are also reintroduced to Roger, a family friend first met briefly in Outlander as a 5 year old, who is now a 25 year old historian helping Claire to track down what happened to Jamie 200 years ago. Claire confesses to Brianna that her actual father is not Frank, but Jamie. The rest of this quite lengthy book is spent with Claire recounting the past in an 800 page daydream, presumably to listeners Brianna and Roger. To say that Gabaldon is long-winded would be an understatement. It takes her 100 words to say what most could do in 10, which accounts for the 947 pages of this book! The last chapter of Claire's recollection, culminating in Jamie sending her back to the present, is Gabaldon's best storyline and writing in the book by far. But then the reader is left disappointed by the finale of the book where Claire stops daydreaming and turns her attention to Brianna and Roger. At this point, the writing becomes erratic, muddled, and frankly anti-climactic, almost as if written by another author. Although curious about the final outcome of the Claire and Jamie saga, I choose not to suffer through any more of Gabaldon's lengthy books. I'll read the summaries and be done with it.
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LibraryThing member rainpebble
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon; {acquired prior to L/T}; (4*)
For some twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning to Inverness, Scotland with her grown daughter, Brianna, to the majestic mist shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal to her daughter a truth as
Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper haired daughter as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self discovery continues in the intrigue ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart (the Bonnie Prince Charlie) in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves along with the others of the clans.
Following on the heels of Outlander which introduced readers to Claire Randall and her journey through time Dragonfly in Amber returns us to the heroine 20 years after her fantastic voyage back through the stones from the 1700s Scotland to the Scotland of the 1960s.
I truly enjoy this series. It just kind of sweeps me away with the pages and allows me to forget my mundane world. And I appreciate the research which Diana Gabaldon has done in order that her books have a more realistic, though not perfect, background in history. I love all of the descriptions of the economic & agricultural times, the plant life with which Claire makes her healing potions & pastes, the way she takes things from that time and fashions implements of the time from which she came, the differences in weaponry, and I especially love how she grows her characters and how they pop in and out of the weave of her story lines.
For some twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning to Inverness, Scotland with her grown daughter, Brianna, to the majestic mist shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal to her daughter a truth as
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unbelievable as the events which led up to it. In Gabaldon's first book, Outlander, we learned about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones near Inverness and about a love that transcends the boundaries of time. We learned about the young James Fraser, a Scottish warrior, whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his, the 1700s of ScotlandNow a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper haired daughter as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self discovery continues in the intrigue ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart (the Bonnie Prince Charlie) in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves along with the others of the clans.
Following on the heels of Outlander which introduced readers to Claire Randall and her journey through time Dragonfly in Amber returns us to the heroine 20 years after her fantastic voyage back through the stones from the 1700s Scotland to the Scotland of the 1960s.
I truly enjoy this series. It just kind of sweeps me away with the pages and allows me to forget my mundane world. And I appreciate the research which Diana Gabaldon has done in order that her books have a more realistic, though not perfect, background in history. I love all of the descriptions of the economic & agricultural times, the plant life with which Claire makes her healing potions & pastes, the way she takes things from that time and fashions implements of the time from which she came, the differences in weaponry, and I especially love how she grows her characters and how they pop in and out of the weave of her story lines.
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LibraryThing member SandSing7
My love for Jamie and Claire, and my newfound interest in Brianna and Roger, are the primary elements that carried me through this work. It was tedious and overly-descriptive at times, and lacked an actual climax. That being said, I will read the others. My love for the first book is STILL spilling
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over into the rest of the series, and that certainly says something. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
One word runs rampant in my mind upon finishing the second in this most delectable of series - vibrant. There is a vibrancy and realism in each of the characters that makes the entire series a true joy to read. Jamie Fraser is the ultimate male - tough, rough, physical, shrewd - and yet, he is not
Dragonfly in Amber starts out in a completely unexpected fashion. My love for all things romantic actually had me upset to find that Claire does indeed go back to her own time. Yet, this did keep me reading because I HAD to find out what would have prompted her to leave her soulmate. It was an interesting conundrum to be both upset with Claire (and Ms. Gabaldon) for doing so, yet wanting to keep reading to find out what occurred to force this dreadful situation. Once Jamie enters the scene again, the story immediately improved, and I kept reading because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Jamie and Claire. They truly are two of the most remarkable characters I have ever read. So alive and so devoted, they restore my faith in romance.
Ms. Gabaldon definitely has a way with words. Like my reaction to Outlander, I found it so easy to slip into the Scottish lilt that I had to mentally shake myself whenever someone in real life failed to speak with one. The hardships of the Scottish highlands and the political intrigue of the French court as well as the Jacobite rebellion are so realistic as to give my nightmares for the duration of the time I was reading. She also is a master of suspense. Throughout the novel, the reader is besieged by suspense and turmoil because of the pending battle and because the reader knows how the book is going to end. Yet, this tension only enhances the story itself, making it rather easy for one to devour this tome as quickly as possible.
I finished reading Dragonfly in Amber only to immediately go upstairs and grab the third book in the series just to find out what happens. Finishing a 900-page book only to pick up yet another book of the same length is a testament to her writing. If you have not yet picked up either Outlander or Dragonfly in Amber, I highly encourage you to do so. They are stunning works of historical fiction that are worthy of attention.
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afraid to show weakness. Claire Fraser is the ultimate modern female - tough, intelligent, and ensured of her equality among men. Together, they are a force that practically leaps off the page with such intimacy and clarity that one would be not at all surprised to see either character standing before him/her. Dragonfly in Amber starts out in a completely unexpected fashion. My love for all things romantic actually had me upset to find that Claire does indeed go back to her own time. Yet, this did keep me reading because I HAD to find out what would have prompted her to leave her soulmate. It was an interesting conundrum to be both upset with Claire (and Ms. Gabaldon) for doing so, yet wanting to keep reading to find out what occurred to force this dreadful situation. Once Jamie enters the scene again, the story immediately improved, and I kept reading because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Jamie and Claire. They truly are two of the most remarkable characters I have ever read. So alive and so devoted, they restore my faith in romance.
Ms. Gabaldon definitely has a way with words. Like my reaction to Outlander, I found it so easy to slip into the Scottish lilt that I had to mentally shake myself whenever someone in real life failed to speak with one. The hardships of the Scottish highlands and the political intrigue of the French court as well as the Jacobite rebellion are so realistic as to give my nightmares for the duration of the time I was reading. She also is a master of suspense. Throughout the novel, the reader is besieged by suspense and turmoil because of the pending battle and because the reader knows how the book is going to end. Yet, this tension only enhances the story itself, making it rather easy for one to devour this tome as quickly as possible.
I finished reading Dragonfly in Amber only to immediately go upstairs and grab the third book in the series just to find out what happens. Finishing a 900-page book only to pick up yet another book of the same length is a testament to her writing. If you have not yet picked up either Outlander or Dragonfly in Amber, I highly encourage you to do so. They are stunning works of historical fiction that are worthy of attention.
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LibraryThing member JaneSteen
Where I got the book: audiobook from Audible.com.
I've been reading the Outlander series on and off over the years, but I'd gotten to a point where I simply couldn't remember who was who any more and needed an audio refresher course. With seven stonking great books to wade through I've got plenty of
Not nearly as episodic as some of the later books have become, Dragonfly in Amber covers Claire and Jamie's attempt to avert the 1745 Rising of the Jacobite Scottish clans, which led to the disastrous Battle of Culloden about which, as a time traveler, Claire knows because she has almost perfect recall of just about everything she was ever taught at the school she never attended. Wait...never mind. Anyway, their travels take them to France where the Young Pretender aka Bonnie Prince Charlie is lurking, offering plenty of opportunities for larks and danger in the court of Louis XV and the introduction of some lively characters (I particularly liked the toad-faced Master Raymond). Claire, naturally, is hit on by a few Frenchmen (because she's gorgeous, natch) (view spoiler) while Jamie glowers a lot with his ruddy brows, (view spoiler) and keeps Claire warm through the apparently permanent winter (wait...never mind).
The 1700s story is bookended by the introduction of Roger Wakefield and 18-year-old Brianna in 1968 Inverness, where Claire finds an Italian restaurant with a heated terrace where she can have tortellini and Chianti (wait...never mind). In this time period the comic relief is provided by Fiona, but I regret that Geillis Duncan (in her 1968 incarnation) is never onstage. An opportunity lost.
That's Outlander: preposterous yet historically vivid, long-winded yet entertaining. The action swings around between comedy, gritty depictions of prisons and battlefields, tragedy, humor, history and sex like an afternoon of watching French TV. (My absolute favorite scene: Claire's dream about Frank lecturing. Poor ol' Frank.) There's WAY less sex than in the first book and consequently fewer Whoa! moments, except when Frank did THAT. Claire's a total Mary Sue and Jamie is Every Woman's Dream And Then Some, but no matter! Cast dull care aside and just go with the flow. Oh wait, I'm thinking of THAT, aren't I...never mind.
As the background to my increasingly long runs and to various car journeys, these audiobooks are perfect, and I enjoy Davina Porter's extremely competent narration. I particularly like the way she renders Claire's "REEEEALLY?" when she learns something particularly scurrilous, and my only criticism is that when we land back in 1968 after the long, long, long excursion into 1745 (interleaving? we don't do that till later in the series) Roger's accent has mysteriously switched from Oxford to Scots. But never mind. On with the next book, och aye! (Oh yeah: not the book for you if accents annoy you. Or, for that matter, Taking The Lord's Name In Vain which the main characters all do about every 30 seconds.)
I've been reading the Outlander series on and off over the years, but I'd gotten to a point where I simply couldn't remember who was who any more and needed an audio refresher course. With seven stonking great books to wade through I've got plenty of
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listening material coming to me, and I was pretty sure I'd left one out somehow (it's Voyager, my current listen, I'm almost certain). Not nearly as episodic as some of the later books have become, Dragonfly in Amber covers Claire and Jamie's attempt to avert the 1745 Rising of the Jacobite Scottish clans, which led to the disastrous Battle of Culloden about which, as a time traveler, Claire knows because she has almost perfect recall of just about everything she was ever taught at the school she never attended. Wait...never mind. Anyway, their travels take them to France where the Young Pretender aka Bonnie Prince Charlie is lurking, offering plenty of opportunities for larks and danger in the court of Louis XV and the introduction of some lively characters (I particularly liked the toad-faced Master Raymond). Claire, naturally, is hit on by a few Frenchmen (because she's gorgeous, natch) (view spoiler) while Jamie glowers a lot with his ruddy brows, (view spoiler) and keeps Claire warm through the apparently permanent winter (wait...never mind).
The 1700s story is bookended by the introduction of Roger Wakefield and 18-year-old Brianna in 1968 Inverness, where Claire finds an Italian restaurant with a heated terrace where she can have tortellini and Chianti (wait...never mind). In this time period the comic relief is provided by Fiona, but I regret that Geillis Duncan (in her 1968 incarnation) is never onstage. An opportunity lost.
That's Outlander: preposterous yet historically vivid, long-winded yet entertaining. The action swings around between comedy, gritty depictions of prisons and battlefields, tragedy, humor, history and sex like an afternoon of watching French TV. (My absolute favorite scene: Claire's dream about Frank lecturing. Poor ol' Frank.) There's WAY less sex than in the first book and consequently fewer Whoa! moments, except when Frank did THAT. Claire's a total Mary Sue and Jamie is Every Woman's Dream And Then Some, but no matter! Cast dull care aside and just go with the flow. Oh wait, I'm thinking of THAT, aren't I...never mind.
As the background to my increasingly long runs and to various car journeys, these audiobooks are perfect, and I enjoy Davina Porter's extremely competent narration. I particularly like the way she renders Claire's "REEEEALLY?" when she learns something particularly scurrilous, and my only criticism is that when we land back in 1968 after the long, long, long excursion into 1745 (interleaving? we don't do that till later in the series) Roger's accent has mysteriously switched from Oxford to Scots. But never mind. On with the next book, och aye! (Oh yeah: not the book for you if accents annoy you. Or, for that matter, Taking The Lord's Name In Vain which the main characters all do about every 30 seconds.)
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LibraryThing member mickeycat
Fabulous! Don't let the beginning fool you - it IS the correct book, you did not miss anything. It begins slightly confusing, but keep reading and it will all make sense. This series just gets better and better. Gabaldon - is a genius. In this installment of the Fraser chronicles, we find out
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about...genetics. Imagine Jamie's brain in the 20th century with an MIT education - add his temper, make him female - and you get a woman worthy of attention in any situation. His daughter, with those Fraser cat eyes, is about to get life changing news while under the gaze of a love-struck man. Show Less
LibraryThing member scoutmomskf
Fantastic second book in the series. It starts with Claire back in the future, telling her daughter about what happened to her and the truth about her parentage. She has also come to Scotland to see if she can find out what happened to the people she knew, if they survived the Rising and its
Jamie and Claire have settled into their marriage, with their love as strong as ever. Each of them has strengths and vulnerabilities that become part of their stories. Jamie has an honorable streak a mile wide that makes him want to save his family and countrymen from the looming disaster. It's hard for him to walk the fine line between honor and treason and it wears on him. Claire is deeply in love with Jamie, but still suffers from the guilt of feeling like she is betraying Frank. Trying to reconcile her love for Jamie with protecting Jack Randall so that it doesn't screw up her future with Frank is not easy.
With Claire's knowledge of the future, they go to France to try to stop Bonnie Prince Charlie from trying to take back the throne. The details of the political intrigue are fascinating and made me feel as if I was there. Claire also uses her healer abilities to work in a local charity hospital, giving more insight into the realities of life in the mid 1700s. I loved seeing Claire's strength of will and determination to make as much difference as she can. As they feel they are making progress and take a trip back to Scotland, fate intervenes and they end up on the wrong side after all. With Jamie's certainty that he won't survive Culloden, in order to protect Claire, he sends her back to Frank.
I love the rich historical details that are shown throughout the book. There are also some fun things that get worked into the story, such as Claire's explanation of what a "commando" is and what Jamie does with that knowledge. There is also a hilarious description of Jamie's venture into a brothel, a sausage, and a young French lad who becomes a big part of the story.
The depth of emotion throughout the book is amazing. Jamie's love for his family and his country is deep and his desire to save them influences everything he does. There is a feeling of fear throughout as he and Claire worry that they won't be able to stop the Rising. Claire's unhappiness and depression after the loss of her baby are deep, and the effect on her marriage was heartbreaking. But the deepest, most emotional event was as Jamie accepts what he sees as his fate, and begs Claire to return to the future so that he can be sure that she is safe.
I loved the sections in the present, as Claire tells her story. Her determination to discover the fates of her friends is intense. I loved Roger's fascination with her quest, and the lengths he goes to find out the answers. There is an intense twist to the story at the end that leads into the next book.
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aftermath. In the process, Claire tells of what happened to her and Jamie after they left Scotland up until the beginning of the Battle of Culloden.Jamie and Claire have settled into their marriage, with their love as strong as ever. Each of them has strengths and vulnerabilities that become part of their stories. Jamie has an honorable streak a mile wide that makes him want to save his family and countrymen from the looming disaster. It's hard for him to walk the fine line between honor and treason and it wears on him. Claire is deeply in love with Jamie, but still suffers from the guilt of feeling like she is betraying Frank. Trying to reconcile her love for Jamie with protecting Jack Randall so that it doesn't screw up her future with Frank is not easy.
With Claire's knowledge of the future, they go to France to try to stop Bonnie Prince Charlie from trying to take back the throne. The details of the political intrigue are fascinating and made me feel as if I was there. Claire also uses her healer abilities to work in a local charity hospital, giving more insight into the realities of life in the mid 1700s. I loved seeing Claire's strength of will and determination to make as much difference as she can. As they feel they are making progress and take a trip back to Scotland, fate intervenes and they end up on the wrong side after all. With Jamie's certainty that he won't survive Culloden, in order to protect Claire, he sends her back to Frank.
I love the rich historical details that are shown throughout the book. There are also some fun things that get worked into the story, such as Claire's explanation of what a "commando" is and what Jamie does with that knowledge. There is also a hilarious description of Jamie's venture into a brothel, a sausage, and a young French lad who becomes a big part of the story.
The depth of emotion throughout the book is amazing. Jamie's love for his family and his country is deep and his desire to save them influences everything he does. There is a feeling of fear throughout as he and Claire worry that they won't be able to stop the Rising. Claire's unhappiness and depression after the loss of her baby are deep, and the effect on her marriage was heartbreaking. But the deepest, most emotional event was as Jamie accepts what he sees as his fate, and begs Claire to return to the future so that he can be sure that she is safe.
I loved the sections in the present, as Claire tells her story. Her determination to discover the fates of her friends is intense. I loved Roger's fascination with her quest, and the lengths he goes to find out the answers. There is an intense twist to the story at the end that leads into the next book.
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LibraryThing member whiteknight50
Diana Gabaldon is an excellent story teller. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as much or more than the opening novel in the series, Outlander. I find the writing style in these novels incredibly intriguing, and the author's ability to engage you with the character is unique. Also, I love the genre
In this second installment, the love affair between Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall continues to heat up. Marriage doesn't slow them down much! Claire and Jamie find themselves embroiled in trying to prevent Charles Stuart from crippling Scotland in the process of attempting to regain his father, James', throne. This is attempted while they outwardly support Charles. This makes for an interesting story line, which serves well over the course of the novel.
I do have to say that one thing bothered me a bit in this novel. Claire and Jamie's answer for all situations seems to be to dissolve into a sexual escapade. They are happy, they have sex.
They fight, they have sex. They are angry, they have sex. They have to part, they have sex. They find themselves alone......you get the picture. While this does quite a bit to spice up some of the sections of the novel, I felt it was a bit overdone. It just wasn't natural.
Still, the story is good, well paced, eventful, and at times truly beautiful.
I do highly recommend the novel. It is one I would recommend to people across most genres, as it has something for nearly everyone.
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busting nature of this series. In this second installment, the love affair between Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall continues to heat up. Marriage doesn't slow them down much! Claire and Jamie find themselves embroiled in trying to prevent Charles Stuart from crippling Scotland in the process of attempting to regain his father, James', throne. This is attempted while they outwardly support Charles. This makes for an interesting story line, which serves well over the course of the novel.
I do have to say that one thing bothered me a bit in this novel. Claire and Jamie's answer for all situations seems to be to dissolve into a sexual escapade. They are happy, they have sex.
They fight, they have sex. They are angry, they have sex. They have to part, they have sex. They find themselves alone......you get the picture. While this does quite a bit to spice up some of the sections of the novel, I felt it was a bit overdone. It just wasn't natural.
Still, the story is good, well paced, eventful, and at times truly beautiful.
I do highly recommend the novel. It is one I would recommend to people across most genres, as it has something for nearly everyone.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Dragonfly in Amber is the second book in the Outlander series which tells the story of a young woman who stumbles through a porthole that takes her from 1948 back to the Scottish Highlands of the 1740s. Make no mistake, Dragonfly in Autumn is a historical romance, but be assured that the author has
The romance angle is rather special as Claire and Jamie, who found each other in the first book, Outlander, now find their love growing as they battle the circumstances that are threatening to tear them apart. One of the most sympathetic and endearing couples I have ever read about, it’s impossible to read these books and not cheer them on through their difficulties.
I first read this book about 20 years ago and have decided to visit this series for a second time. This time I chose to listen to the audio version which is excellently narrated by Davina Porter.. Her performance had a great deal to do with my with my overall enjoyment, and five star rating, of this book. She excelled in mastering the various Scottish, French and English accents, and nailed the various character, in particular Claire, perfectly.
I have the audio version of the next book and am looking forward to setting some time aside to once again follow the fortunes of Claire and Jamie.
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not put the romance ahead of the history. The sheer amount of research that she must have done is simply overwhelming. Chock full of details that range from the political situation, medical treatments, the fashions, foods and amusements of daily life in the 1740’s, nothing is overlooked, bringing this story to vivid life. The romance angle is rather special as Claire and Jamie, who found each other in the first book, Outlander, now find their love growing as they battle the circumstances that are threatening to tear them apart. One of the most sympathetic and endearing couples I have ever read about, it’s impossible to read these books and not cheer them on through their difficulties.
I first read this book about 20 years ago and have decided to visit this series for a second time. This time I chose to listen to the audio version which is excellently narrated by Davina Porter.. Her performance had a great deal to do with my with my overall enjoyment, and five star rating, of this book. She excelled in mastering the various Scottish, French and English accents, and nailed the various character, in particular Claire, perfectly.
I have the audio version of the next book and am looking forward to setting some time aside to once again follow the fortunes of Claire and Jamie.
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LibraryThing member Nancy-Jean
I can't say enough for Ms Gabaldon's story-telling. This Jamie and Claire series is so much more than a typical centuries old romance/adventure.
LibraryThing member scarlett78
Book 2. Although I enjoyed this book, not nearly as much as I did Outlander. It was tough to get into and the politics were everywhere. In addition I had many more "I'm just going to strangle Claire" moments, but I still highly recommend the serries to everyone.
LibraryThing member FieryNight
Now we understand Claire and Jaime better, and begin to worry over and love them.
LibraryThing member mireilleisis
this is the second in my most favourite saga of all time. I just can't get enough of these character. the writing is superb.
please don't be put off if you find this book in the romance section, becaseu it isn't your typical "chick" book. It will appeal to all.
please don't be put off if you find this book in the romance section, becaseu it isn't your typical "chick" book. It will appeal to all.
LibraryThing member justine
Series review: Fascinating and mostly very readable series even if it gets a little bit soap opera like at times. Rich with historical detail and description.
LibraryThing member lnc.macfarland
Even more unbelievable than the first. Plot complexities so tightly bound to the uniqueness of character construction that plot becomes ridiculous.
Again loved the time and effort reconstructing historical Scotland. Intensely disliked the silliness of witchcraft masonic nonsense. Novel spends most
Again loved the time and effort reconstructing historical Scotland. Intensely disliked the silliness of witchcraft masonic nonsense. Novel spends most
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of its time justifying itself. Show Less
LibraryThing member mchrzanowski
What a great book. I seriously could not put it down. Yes, it was very large and kinda scary to look at (size wise), it went really quickly. I think I finished this one in three days. The story was really great but heartbreaking. Gabaldon has me totally engrossed and I need to read more. I am now
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waiting on the next book in the series, Voyager to come to the library. I will not be satisfied until I have read them all. I will admit that Dragonfly is not really a romance, but regular fiction. I think the Outlander series is really worth a look at. I know I'm glad that I did. Show Less
LibraryThing member puttocklibrary
I read this book before realizing Outlander existed, and for that reason, I'm very fond of it. Though I know it is disliked by some, I found the tension of the section between past and present to be very compelling. Obviously, much of the story happened in the past...so how did she get back to the
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present? Show Less
LibraryThing member WillowOne
I just finished this book and I have to say it doesn't disappoint. Diana Gabaldon takes us back to the love story of Jamie Frasier and Claire Beauchamp Randall Frasier. It is now 1968 and Claire has returned to Scotland with her 20 yr. old daughter Brianna looking for information. The book takes us
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on a journey through 1744-45 with Claire and Jamie and how Claire returned to modern time 1948. I will not write more for fear of ruining the twists and surprises in store for the next reader. I look forward to beginnning the third installment of the Outlander Series, "Voyager". Show Less
LibraryThing member Ebba
I love this series. It is pure indulgence to listen to this book. It's part history, part romance, part fantasy. I would like to believe in time travel ! I cried many tears in the car while listening to the story of Claire and Jamie. I would recommend reading the book because the CD version is so
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much shorter. You probably miss out on a lot of steamy scenes... Show Less
LibraryThing member labelleaurore
Nothing to add here, I LOVE ANYTHING DONE BY DIANA GABALDON. Cannot wait for the seven book in the serie, coming at the end of 2008. Visit her website to know more.
LibraryThing member ctfrench
The second installment in the Outlander series is just as much a rollicking adventure as the first, albeit this one is told in flashbacks from time traveler Claire Beauchamp’s memory. The first of the book may be confusing to readers, as the end of Outlander left Claire with Scottish Highlander
Claire picks up her story when she and Jamie escape to France, where Jamie is to be interpreter for Prince Charles. Aware history shows that the bonnie prince’s failed attempt to reclaim the English throne caused massive devastation to the clans of Scotland at the battle of Culloden, Claire and Jamie are intent on thwarting Prince Charles’ efforts to accumulate the funds necessary to stage such a war. While in Paris, Claire and Jamie enjoy a lifestyle of luxury, but it seems that no matter what they do, they cannot stop the tide of history, and the battle takes place. But beforehand, Jamie is forced to kill his uncle Dougal, who tries to murder Claire. Knowing he must face punishment for killing his chieftain, Jamie tells Claire she must go back to the future, as it is his intent to die on the battlefield of Culloden. Claire goes back, but she takes a part of Jamie with her: his unborn child.
This series is a fascinating read, filled with historical facts, interesting information about medicines from the 18th century, nonstop action and nail-biting suspense. Claire and Jamie’s committed love for one another shines through the book and adds hot spice to a galvanizing read.
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Jamie Fraser in the 1740s, yet the beginning of this book finds Claire in Scotland in 1968, where she has returned with her daughter Brianna, intending to tell Brianna who her true biological father is. Frank, Claire’s present-day husband, is dead and Claire hopes to learn what happened to Jamie some 200 years earlier. She asks historian Roger Wakefield to help with her search and relates to Brianna and Roger her history with Jamie, laird of Lallybroch. Claire picks up her story when she and Jamie escape to France, where Jamie is to be interpreter for Prince Charles. Aware history shows that the bonnie prince’s failed attempt to reclaim the English throne caused massive devastation to the clans of Scotland at the battle of Culloden, Claire and Jamie are intent on thwarting Prince Charles’ efforts to accumulate the funds necessary to stage such a war. While in Paris, Claire and Jamie enjoy a lifestyle of luxury, but it seems that no matter what they do, they cannot stop the tide of history, and the battle takes place. But beforehand, Jamie is forced to kill his uncle Dougal, who tries to murder Claire. Knowing he must face punishment for killing his chieftain, Jamie tells Claire she must go back to the future, as it is his intent to die on the battlefield of Culloden. Claire goes back, but she takes a part of Jamie with her: his unborn child.
This series is a fascinating read, filled with historical facts, interesting information about medicines from the 18th century, nonstop action and nail-biting suspense. Claire and Jamie’s committed love for one another shines through the book and adds hot spice to a galvanizing read.
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LibraryThing member Joles
Diana Gabaldon really knows how to tell a story. From Outlander on I've been hooked on her story of Claire and Jamie. This book is no exception. It is definitely one of my favorites in the Outlander series.
LibraryThing member taconsolo
Wat can you possibly say about one of the most wonderful series written. Remarkable storyline, wonderfully rich caricatures, fabulous detail - I LOVE THIS SERIES!
LibraryThing member The_Book_Queen
Diana Gabaldon has done it again! Weaving a breathtaking story of myth and history, fiction and love, Diana has created a series that goes beyond that of any other romance novel out there: She creates a world that seems real, that is real for her fans, not just yet another story that is possibly
Dragonfly in Amber proves once again that Jamie and Claire's love transends over two centuries, a fierce love that goes deeper than ANY other connection I have ever read about in the hundreds of 'Romance' books I have read. Just reading some of their scenes, you almost feel like you are intruding on a personal moment between your best friends, it is that real, that deep. Nothing keeps them apart, and even though they have their fair share of arguments, they never hold it against each other for very long. A miscarriage, rape, both attempted and, well, 'succeeded', battles, treason, murder.... this all pales in utter significance to their love and passion.
I've fallen in love with Jamie more than I have any other guy I've ever known or dated. Now, yes, that could be read as me being a little bit... obsessed or crazy, but to any true Outlander fan, this is another reason why Diana Gabaldon is able to write such touching and gripping books. I am now eager, no, impatient!, to pick up her next book (The only thing standing in my way is 60 plus miles between me and Barnes and Nobles.).
5/5 STARS! (Though it easily deserves a thousand out of five!) What other words can I use to describe Dragonfly in Amber? Witty, heartwarming, touching, deep, loving, passionate, steamy, magical, wonderful, delicious, wicked, lovely, spectacular...the list could you on and on! But the one that should be at the very top is : 'A-MUST-READ-DO-NOT-MISS!' Okay, so maybe that's a lot more than one word... But it's the truth!
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enjoyed and then set aside. No, the Outlander Series grabs you from the very first page and even after you have set the books down (Until next month, of course, when you revisit them all...) the story and characters are still with you. Dragonfly in Amber proves once again that Jamie and Claire's love transends over two centuries, a fierce love that goes deeper than ANY other connection I have ever read about in the hundreds of 'Romance' books I have read. Just reading some of their scenes, you almost feel like you are intruding on a personal moment between your best friends, it is that real, that deep. Nothing keeps them apart, and even though they have their fair share of arguments, they never hold it against each other for very long. A miscarriage, rape, both attempted and, well, 'succeeded', battles, treason, murder.... this all pales in utter significance to their love and passion.
I've fallen in love with Jamie more than I have any other guy I've ever known or dated. Now, yes, that could be read as me being a little bit... obsessed or crazy, but to any true Outlander fan, this is another reason why Diana Gabaldon is able to write such touching and gripping books. I am now eager, no, impatient!, to pick up her next book (The only thing standing in my way is 60 plus miles between me and Barnes and Nobles.).
5/5 STARS! (Though it easily deserves a thousand out of five!) What other words can I use to describe Dragonfly in Amber? Witty, heartwarming, touching, deep, loving, passionate, steamy, magical, wonderful, delicious, wicked, lovely, spectacular...the list could you on and on! But the one that should be at the very top is : 'A-MUST-READ-DO-NOT-MISS!' Okay, so maybe that's a lot more than one word... But it's the truth!
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Awards
AAR Top 100 Romances (69 — [Previously 1998-56 / 2000-28] Most Recent Rank - 2007)
Language
Original publication date
1992-07-01
ISBN
0440215625 / 9780440215622
Local notes
Outlander, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic Romance Gabaldon |