# Diana Gabaldon fans: the new book is out today

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [September 27, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698 "2005-09-27T16:56:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/1 "2005-09-27T16:56:51Z")

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Hear ye, hear ye, Gabaldon fans:

[A Breath of Snow and Ashes](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0385324162/ref=dp_proddesc_0/002-4816735-6248859?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=507846) is due to be released today.

It’s 992 pages. Big surprise.

I’d run out and buy it but I don’t have the time to commit to it until next week. If anyone picks it up, let me know if you like it.

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### Author: ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/2 "2005-09-27T17:11:45Z")

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> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> Hear ye, hear ye, Gabaldon fans:
> 
> [A Breath of Snow and Ashes](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0385324162/ref=dp_proddesc_0/002-4816735-6248859?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=507846) is due to be released today.

Exciting, I’m one of the first in line at the library for this one. It better be better than the last one!

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/3 "2005-09-27T17:20:27Z")

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I have it. I ran out and bought it at lunch.

It’s sitting in my car right now. You can’t imagine how hard it is not to start reading it _right now_.

I like her acknowledgements at the beginning of the book almost as much as the book itself. She’s rather funny.

The prologue, which she credits to her husband, is interesting:

If Time is God, then Memory is the Devil

Hmmmmm…  
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

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### Author: ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/4 "2005-09-27T17:23:24Z")

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Getting it today. See you all in about 2 days. 😃

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/5 "2005-09-27T17:25:57Z")

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I’m not going to rush through it like I did the _Half Blood Prince_. I’m going to savor it, wallow in it, take my time and let the words flow through my body like a warm ocean…

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### Author: ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [September 27, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/6 "2005-09-27T23:55:09Z")

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I’ve read that this is the second to last book. I hope she completes the circuit before I’m too old to fantasize about Jamie.

Glory, I agree with you. The last one was a real snooze!

Waiting for greywolf to come up for air and give us a report.

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/7 "2005-09-28T13:40:27Z")

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It’s moving faster than _The Fiery Cross_. At least we don’t have about 30 chapters devoted to one night at a bonfire.

No spoilers, but as expected, Jamie is getting dragged into the wrong side of the Revolutionary War.

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### Author: ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/8 "2005-09-28T14:11:16Z")

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I’m reading _The Fiery Cross_ right now, and yikes. **Ivylass** is spot on about 30 chapters about a bonfire. Sheeyit! Do Brianna and Roger _ever_ get married?

I started reading the series later in life, so I didn’t really have to wait for this one. Looking forward to it, though.

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### Author: ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/9 "2005-09-28T14:33:16Z")

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I’ve got too much going on in life at this point to run out and get it, but I can’t wait until I have time to sit down and read it.

**Lisa** , nobody’s too old to fantasize about Jamie. 😉 Every now and then I stop and think that his current age is almost as old as my dad … and I really don’t care. He’s Jamie.

**Ivy** –No matter what side he gets dragged in on, I just plan to keep it in my head that there’s nothing Jamie enjoys more than killin’ Redcoats. 🙂

And am I the only person who wouldn’t care if Bree disappeared off the face of the earth? Well, I recall thinking she was a little easier to handle in _Fiery Cross_, but I know I wanted her to just roll over and expire during most of _Drums of Autumn_.

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### Author: ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/10 "2005-09-28T15:18:33Z")

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Got it the night before it was released, 800 pages into it, and I like what Roger makes for the kids.

What?

I’m thinking it’s a bit too action-filled, but maybe I’ll appreciate it more on my second read through when I can read it slowly. I’m borrowing from work, and I feel guilty, so I’m reading fast.

Am I the only person who reads these books for the funny bits and (semi) historicalness instead of for Jamie? I’m not really in love with Jamie. Or Roger, for that matter. I’m fond of them, but not in that way.

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### Author: ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/11 "2005-09-28T15:36:06Z")

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> [@Lissla Lissar](#):
>
> Am I the only person who reads these books for the funny bits and (semi) historicalness instead of for Jamie? I’m not really in love with Jamie. Or Roger, for that matter. I’m fond of them, but not in that way.

I do love the history and the funny–but I also love Jamie. 🙂 I think my favorite bit is from the first book, when Claire is musing that she’s gone back in time, been attacked by an English officer and abducted by Scottish cattle rustlers … but at least it wasn’t raining.

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/12 "2005-09-28T15:50:24Z")

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> [@Snickers](#):
>
> Do Brianna and Roger _ever_ get married?

Yes. It gets better after the bonfire.

Gabaldon can be right funny sometimes. I loved the part at the beginning

Ian’s been hurt, and Rollo comes to the house and Claire is puzzled because of Rollo’s behavior, whining, running in circles, going a few steps toward the house, then back to the woods, and as the light dawns for Claire, she screams, “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ! Timmy’s in the bloody well!”

Wonderful modern reference. I love that this isn’t your normal bodice ripper. Claire is not afraid to get up in Jamie’s face and tell him what’s what.

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### Author: ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/13 "2005-09-28T15:55:24Z")

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**Ivy** , that may be the funniest thing I’ve read all day. Thank you.

And can you believe that until you said it I _completely forgot_ that Ian’s back? Pardon me while I do the dance of joy.

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/14 "2005-09-28T16:46:43Z")

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We need to find out what happened to Ian’s Indian wife and baby. I assume since he came back at the end of _FC_ that they died, but they haven’t explained that part yet.

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### Author: ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/15 "2005-09-28T16:59:03Z")

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> [@ivylass](#):
>
> We need to find out what happened to Ian’s Indian wife and baby. I assume since he came back at the end of _FC_ that they died, but they haven’t explained that part yet.

I was actually going to ask that, but …

I dimly recall that Ian went a bit squirrelly when they asked him about Emily–I don’t think she’s dead. But there’s got to be one hell of a story regarding why Ian had to leave.

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### Author: ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/16 "2005-09-28T17:58:29Z")

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It gets explained. Ian’s wife, I mean.

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### Author: ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/17 "2005-09-28T19:34:54Z")

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> [@Lissla Lissar](#):
>
> It gets explained. Ian’s wife, I mean.

SSHHHHH! I’m savoring.

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### Author: ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/18 "2005-09-28T19:48:45Z")

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I picked up my copy today at lunch and have read a few chapters so far. Looks pretty good up to this point. I’ve been anticipating this book for quite a while now…things are just about to get VERY interesting with the Revolutionary War just around the corner, the mystery of the supposed fatal fire in the future (and Jamie and Clare’s ‘no surviving children’ thing in the newspaper). I’m dieing to find out what happens during the Revolution…if they all make it that long (I assume the will, but I think they are supposed to die in '69 IIRC…6 years before the war kicks off).

Anyway, I’ve been following the series since it originally came out and have to say I’m pretty happy with it…and surprised how far its come from the original.

-XT

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### Author: ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/19 "2005-09-28T19:55:05Z")

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I picked up my copy today at lunch and have read a few chapters so far. Looks pretty good up to this point. I’ve been anticipating this book for quite a while now…things are just about to get VERY interesting with the Revolutionary War just around the corner, the mystery of the supposed fatal fire in the future (and Jamie and Clare’s ‘no surviving children’ thing in the newspaper). I’m dieing to find out what happens during the Revolution…if they all make it that long (I assume the will, but I think they are supposed to die in '69 IIRC…6 years before the war kicks off).

Anyway, I’ve been following the series since it originally came out and have to say I’m pretty happy with it…and surprised how far its come from the original.

-XT

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### Author: ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)
#### Post date: [September 28, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-gabaldon-fans-the-new-book-is-out-today/323698/20 "2005-09-28T21:09:42Z")

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I picked up my copy during lunch, also. I am so excited right now that I can’t really think of anything witty or exciting to say that would indicate the level of excitement I am feeling.

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