Time Travel/Historical Fiction Review: Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon
Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #8)
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Synopsis from Goodreads
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series.
In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.
Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.
The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.
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8.5/10
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I started reading this on my kindle, but then remembered that Vika always listens to it on audio, and switched to it not being able to resist to Davina Porter's voice which sounds so like Dame Maggie Smith it's uncanny!The parts I always enjoy most is Claire's and Jamie's, because she is fascinating as a modern surgeon in 18th century and he is a magnet for trouble; and on that front this book did not disappoint. Despite trying to avoid being embroiled into a war for independence, these two are dragged into it kicking and screaming, and Claire is the one who gets injured (for a change). In some regard it was a sobering and scary situation, but both her and her Scot got through it with a lot of grace.
I also love reading about Lord John, and while Jaimie's hot temper (and the fact that John had sex with Claire) got him into so much trouble in this book, he still managed to have fun and a few lustful thoughts in the process of getting out of all that trouble. He is such a sweetie though, I love him to bits!
Less exciting was to read about Jaimie's son, but despite being a hotheaded jerk in the beginning, he grows up considerably during this book and I'm slowly starting to warm up to him. He falls in love and loses someone too, the poor dear.
Ian and his Quaker girl, her brother and John's niece are another two couples that are mildly interesting but not very entertaining, so while I tolerated them, I wasn't looking forward to their adventures.
The worst part of the book and the reason for my lower rating is Bree and Roger's journey. It was sooo long and kinda boring. I just could not care for those two at all maybe because there was more Roger than Bree and they were mostly separated; and he also gets too sanctimonious sometimes!
Overall, it's an amazing read, but some of its parts are much better than the others. There is also a lot of loss and heartbreak, and a slight cliffie in the end. Very much recommended, as it's an epic series. Of course if you can't bear to read the massive tomes, wait until this beauty starts...
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Честно говоря, несмотря на то, что я как всегда читала (и слушала в исполнении Давины Портер) сагу Гэбальдон, некоторые моменты в ней оказались очень скучными.Как всегда Джейми и Клэр остаются моими любимцами. Я обожаю моменты, где она использует своё мастерство хирурга, да и Джейми так и остаётся магнитом для неприятностей, так что, несмотря на все их усилия, они оказываются по уши втянуты в войну за независимость. На этот раз, Клэр ранена вместо её мужа, даа и так серьёзно, что очень напугает читателей.
Лорд Джон по популярности у меня на втором месте, и хотя гнев Джейми за то, что тот переспал с его женой втягивает того в большие неприятности, он вылезает из них с присущими ему грацией и ловкостью. Ну люблю я его, он просто очаровательный персонаж!
На третьем месте у меня оказывается Иан с его квакершой, её братом-врачом и его невестой - дочкой брата лорда Джона. Они тоже оказываются в гуще войны, и хотя читать мне о них было не особо интересно, в сочетании с остальными героями они работали прекрасно.
Дальше по иерархии находится сын Джейми - Уильям, который начинает книгу, ведя себя как испорченный дурак, однако в процессе, влюбляется, теряет свою незрелость, теряет свою любимую и очень взрослеет... Под конец книги он мне даже нравился.
Наконец, самая скучная часть повествования, это главы с точки зрения Бри и Роджера. Жалко конечно, но я зевала, когда читала об их приключениях. Особенно плох был Роджер, так как вдалеке от жены он чуть ли не превращался в зануду.
В общем, читать конечно нужно всем поклонникам книг, да и концовка оказалась очень интересной, однако восьмая часть серии - не самая лучшая.
