An Echo in the Bone: International Edition

Outlander, Book 7

De: Diana Gabaldon

Narrado por: Davina Porter

This seventh novel in author Diana Gabaldon's immensely popular Outlander saga takes listeners on a thrilling journey to 1777 America.

Jamie Fraser knows from his time-traveling wife, Claire, that, no matter how unlikely it seems, America will win the Revolutionary War. But fighting for the eventual winner is no guarantee of safety. And worse still, the possibility of pointing a weapon at his own son - a young officer in the British army - haunts Jamie's every thought.

©2009 Diana Gabaldon (P)2020 Recorded Books, Inc.

When Last We Saw Them...

It has been five years since "An Echo in the Bone" was published, and the long awaited Volume 8 is finally imminent (June 2014). Although readers are now five years older, the forthcoming "Written in My Own Heart's Blood" will apparently pick up the story on the same day (well at least one of the same days) "Echo" ended.

I started listening to this series four years ago and listened to them all in sequence (along with the Lord John Grey books--and a lot other books in between). I just recently finished "Echo," so I guess I timed it right. I can't imagine how frustrating it's been for fans of the series who read "Echo" when it came out to have had all those cliffhangers hanging all this time. You've probably re-read the book in anticipation of the new one; it's certainly a good idea to do so.

After three books set claustrophobically in frontier North Carolina and stories centered almost exclusively on Jamie, Claire, Roger, and Brianna, in "Echo" we *finally* get off of Fraser's Ridge--with a vengeance! If almost nothing happened in "Fiery Cross" and the action was slow (and mostly depressing) in "Snow and Ashes," then "An Echo in the Bone" seems determined to make up for it. Not only do characters from previous books (notably Ian, Lord John, and William) now take center stage right along with J,C,R&B, we are suddenly world and time travelers again. The action covers much of the American east coast, has great scenes in Scotland (in TWO story lines, 200 years apart!), and for kicks throws in several scenes in London and France. We meet historical characters, including Benedict Arnold and a naked Ben Franklin. Even Rollo the Wolfhound gets featured actor status.

The mind reels and the plot jumps can be hard to follow, but I enjoyed "An Echo in the Bone." I'm especially grateful for the action-packed pace after the previous two snoozers. I think you do need to have read "The Brotherhood of the Blade" in the Lord John series to fully appreciate "Echo," but that should not be a hardship; in my opinion, "Brotherhood" is, all things considered, Diana Gabaldon's best novel to date. And I'm glad I won't have to wait five years to find out what happened in Philadelphia that day.

What are these people talking about???

I am in love with this author's novels. But, when I read the reviews for Echo in the Bone, I was not only worried but taken aback because I thought she must have butchered the story line, characters, and the overall readability of the novel.
So..this is to all those people who said it was lengthy, boring, and off subject.
Have you read Gabaldon novels before???
They're in depth about the period which makes them lengthy. They're "boring" to the first time Gabaldon reader because of the huge feat in putting context into the novels. They're "off-subject" if you expected to only go on with Jaime and Claire.
Yes, it was a long novel. Yes, a few times I wanted to fast forward. Yes, Jaime and Claire was not the focal point...
But, we gained a lot of information and knowledge about the several other characters we grew to love.
I must say...I was laughing like a crazy woman when the man Claire started to trade with was Benedict Arnold!
Still haven't finished the novel but I hear from a friend it is a cliffhanger. I read the same from other reviews too.
All I can say is that I hope Gabaldon can write a novel faster than her devoted fans can read it!
Now what will we do?

A Much Loved Series

I have enjoyed following the lives of Claire, Jamie, Breanna, Roger and John Grey as Ms Gaboldon has brought them to life over the years. This is not a book that you could pick up and start reading if you have not read all the previous books as each of her books builds on past events. In places the plot tends to ramble but I appreciate her attempts to provide historical background to her novels. Overall it was not quite up to the quality of many of her past instalments and I feel she rushed the end a little but certainly a series of books that will capture you and leave you anticipating the next book in the series.

So wonderful!

I really like this new addition to the Outlander series. I find I am making time to listen to it by putting off "more important" daily tasks.

I really like the narration by Davina Porter. I think a book of this length has to have a very engaging and very competent reader, and Davina pulls this off superbly.

Beyond all this, I marvel that Ms. Gabaldon can keep on creating this wonderful series.

Wonderful, Left Me Wanting More!

The latest novel in the Outlander series was full of historical detail and kept me guessing with all the plot twists. Young Ian and William play a larger role in this book than previously. Jamie and Claire and well as Roger and Brianna make up the major characters. The conclusion definitely left me wanting more!
Davina Porter's narration is second to none.

Just keeps going.

Following this story has had me engrossed for months. I feel as though I'm part of the family. On to the next book! Can't wait to see what happens. Love the setting during the American revolution.

A winner!

An Echo in the Bone is now one of my favorite Outlander stories. Gabaldon brilliantly balanced multiple story lines which lead to an exciting ending. But, Davina Porter really brings this story to life with her perfectly placed intonation. She gives each character their own voice. I'm giddy with excitement for the next book.

Another addition to the series

It was good, and if your a fan of the series, you will enjoy it, but it isnt as good as the first 4 books. A lot of the characters take bizarre turns of personality. Jenny, Lord John, and Claire all do things you wouldnt expect their characters to do. Not to mention the bizarre twist that happens to Bree and Roger.

But if you like the books it will still hold up. If you love Jamie and Claire, you will enjoy this book.

Dreading the end of the series!

This book in the Outlander series got very heavily into the politics and tactics of war (won't spoil it with details) as I suppose it must have. But for me this at times got a bit much and I lost interest in stretches. But overall I am so enjoying the series writing and performance that am dreading the end and loss of my companions!

Love this series!

Love this series, and all it's interesting characters! Looking forward to the next book on this series!