Dear Readers–
Well, AN ECHO IN THE BONE debuts on the New York Times list next week at #2! (My publisher sent me a large bottle of single-malt Scotch in congratulation–and, I suspect, in apology for having released Dan Brown’s book a week before ECHO [g].)
HUGE thanks to all of you, and I’m thrilled that y’all seem to be enjoying the book!
A word about the ending…I did say, did I not, “Nobody’s going to hit the end of _this_ book, and think it’s the last one?” [g] Indeed it is not. There will certainly be a Book Eight–and no, I have no idea when that one will be out. At the moment, I’m home on a (very brief) furlough from book-touring; back on the road Monday, and won’t be home for good until Thanksgiving, which is the soonest I could reasonably resume anything like a productive writing routine–as well as a prequel volume about Jamie’s parents, a Volume II of the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, and heaven knows what-all else. But the story is definitely not over!
Congratulations, Diana!
What a great read, truly an E ticket ride! (Remember those?) I powered through Echo is five days, and now find I must re-read it, to catch up with the more delicate parts of the saga. (As opposed to the delicious bits!)
I've enjoyed your books again and again, always finding new ideas to enjoy and explore. You are a truly gifted writer. Thank you for sharing that gift with all of us. And thank you for gifting us with the new members Jamie and Claire to our families.
Fascinating! Thank you!
My copy is on order – I am so looking forward to it. However, I am also completely gutted as I hear you are doing an event in Auckland in November – and it's the same evening as my first ante natal class. Hmm. Miracle pregnancy vs favourite author. What to do????
My hubby is away from late October so I can see some lovely quiet evenings with me, the dogs, and bump, reading Echo. Cannot wait!
My husband purchased "An Echo In The Bone" for me this weekend. I was so excited, I decided to do all my chores for Sunday on Saturday evening. Once I started reading I didn't want anything interrupting my journey with the Fraser family. I prepared Saturday dinner as usual; I pre-prepared Sunday brunch, and Sunday dinner with the exception of actually cooking. After Saturday dinner, my husband instructed the family not to disturb me unless an emergency.
Settling down with a glass of wine and a plate of grapes, pears and cheese; I opened my very new Diana Gabaldon novel. I read the jacket cover and anxiously opened the book to a blank fly page, turn to the next page, it is "Page 13". That's right the very first page of my brand new book is "Page 13".
There is no publishers page or title page or forward just starts in the middle of a sentence on page 13. Any ideas? Is this just a publishing error or is it the way the book begins?
Oh, Rocki!
Sorry you missed out on the first 13 pages! Perhaps you have a valuable, special incomplete edition! Hmmm ………… !?
I sure hope this is the only unfinished manuscript! Oh, dear …
Hi Diana! Thanks for such an amazing book! I'm about 200-300 pages in and am riveted (except for some of the confusing politics). Once I'm done, I'll probably sit in a corner and cry until the next volume (or Lord John book) comes out. I hope you're still planning to write Brian and Ellen's story, and of course Raymond's (I am literally dying to hear that one!). Anyway thank once again, and can't wait to see you when you come to New Zealand!
SPOILER (I'm not sure if that is even necessary at this point [g])
I just wanted to add my opinion to the list in regards to Claire marrying Lord John. I, like many, was shocked by this particular twist in the story. But, unlike some others, I do not think that this was entirely out of character for Claire.
We know that Claire has already gone through the stones 3 times. She has stated herself that she can't go back because another trip would most assuredly kill her. She hopes and prays that Bree and Roger and the kids are safely in their correct present, but she can't be sure if they are. So it isn't as if she has anyone she knows she can go back to even if she could make another trip through the stones.
Ergo, she has to stay where she is because she does have family in the 1700's that need her. The only way not to be arrested tried for treason is to marry Lord John. (And they have to get hitched pretty darn quickly in order to avoid such adverse consequences.)
And, in response to saying that Claire just forgot about Jamie and didn't mourn for him, I think she most surely did mourn him. Marrying LJ was practical. And we all know that above most other things that Claire is ruthlessly pragmatic. She would mourn Jamie, but would not allow herself to be arrested and her family to become suspect in the Crown's eyes. And I think that the only reason the two fell into bed together is because they both mourned for Jamie so much that they did something they would never have done in cold blood, as it were.
This is of course my humble opinion. I would hate to presume upon Diana's intentions for her characters, but this is what I gather from much reading and rereading of this series.
In conclusion, congratulations Diana and thank you for another heart-stopping page-turner that left me saying "WHAT?!?" an innumerable amount of times, especially during the last 100 pages or so. Can't wait for the next one.
Congrats Diana on the #2! I didn't know before that Amazon purchases don't count for the NYT ranking. I'll be sure to buy #8 at a bookstore to help get that #1 debut for you next time!
Loved Echo! So happy to find out more about Ian's past, and his present. I always enjoy your descriptions of the medical procedures Claire does. Has she at last found someone whom she can mentor and teach? She was thinking about that quite a bit in ABOSAA.
I wasn't surprised to find that Claire married LJ.. there was an excerpt at one point on the DG website with Claire and Willie in a burning stable, Claire as LJs wife.. telling Willie who his biological father really was. I expected to see this in ABOSAA but it wasn't there, and then the excerpt was removed. Now we see the same revelations in a different storyline in Echo.
Of all the cliff hangers I worry most about Roger…. his travelling companion has already proven to be unstable and has a wacky and evil mum! One different thing about Echo.. there is no truly diabolical villian to loathe.. we had Captain Randall and Stephen Bonnet… will there be a strong antagonist in #8? Or is the villian now the war itself?
Here's hoping that nothing happens to the world (2012), to you, or to any of your passionately loyal readers before the rest of the story is told! And.. really looking forward to the story of Brian and Ellen~
To Lindsey: Thank you for your insights regarding the marriage of Claire and LJ. I agree with everything you wrote. Also, I think, both Claire and LJ had one true passionate love in their lives, and that was Jamie. They suffer his loss immeasurably, and seek solace, peace, and release where they might find it, with the one someone who can truly appreciate their loss. After all, they are each only one human removed from Himself.
As for Jamie's comment, "Why?" – this is from a rational man to a beloved friend. He really is looking for information; how did this happen? I like to think he will understand, accept, and forgive them both, due to his love for them.
Ok, I have to say and I am pretty much at the beginning of the book, that I just don't "get" the same feeling that was between Jamie and Claire in ALL the previous books. Makes me want to cry! Claire with all her silly inuendos about the future. Jamie just isn't "Jamie" anymore. It all seems like a bad romance novel. I never cared for Lord John except for how he showed how the relationship was between J&C. Now that I have read the spoilers, I am truely disbelieving that Claire would EVER have sex with LJG! Never mind the fighting pirates w/her bare hands! Come on-she might be strong but shes over 50! I am too and it wouldn't happen! Diana-WHAT were you thinking? Couldn't you have at least put your heart into the last book(S) in this series? I want the REAL Jamie and Claire back!!! SO disappointed!! WAHHHH!!
Hi, turns out you were here in Halifax tonight and I missed it. I am a very lazy fangirl. But I am glad to hear there will be another so that I at least know I will have another chance!
Also, just wanted to say, I got my husband to read the first 100 pages of outlander, due to bribes/threats and he is now starting the second book.
Good luck on your tour!
Dear Diana
I am a big German fan. I am so sad. I read Jamie and Claire more than 10 years over and over again. I love the books. The books are a part of my life.
The love of Jamie and Claire is the important part of the books. So we all love the history of both. And now, Jamie is death and Claire married John? It is terrible. I was so sad, that I cried. We all wish a happy end for both, because we are waiting many years… and now?
Claire is full of love and when I think my husband will die, I am not able to marriage a gay friend after three days.
I hope all was a dream and Jamie and Claire get their happy ending.
John is a good friend, but not more.
I am so unbelievable sad…
but congratulation…I know you will achieve the 1# place on German readers list.
Your faithful fan
Nicole
What a wonderful story! Thank you so much. I've been reading these books since I was 11 (I "borrowed" the first one unbeknownst to my grandmother.)
So, here is the magic question: WHEN is book 8 due out? (No pressure or anything…)
Hello Diana; when " an Echo in the Bone "; he in France will go out to you; I am so much impatient to read it; thank you still for happiness to read you kisses
Okay, I feel like a fool. This is just your blog and I am a bit starstruck. First, thank you from the very depths of my being. You have given such a gift with these novels. I have never been so entranced by a story before and it has given me laughs, tears, and… well, for a business owner, wife, mother of 2 beautiful but very energetic little boys, I finally found my escape, my "This is Mommy time, Boys, I mean it!" I am in love with all of the characters and can't wait to see what you come up with next, literally I can't wait, so go back home and start up that amazing brain of yours! JK Relax a little, you certainly deserve it. By the way, where on earth do you get your energy from?
Again, a very heartfelt thank you. Terri Bland, Payson, AZ.
First…congratulations, though it is no surprise to your readers.
Secondly, I cannot tell you how happy I am to, once again, traipse through time with Jamie and Claire, et al.
You have given me (and my family) so much over the years. You gave us hope, adventure, education, a great love, an extended family, laughter, happiness, tears for once not meant for me, something to look forward to, and most importantly, a chance to travel through the stones, to a place and time that was not mine.
My first Outlander Series book was given to me by my husband over ten years ago(1997). *Can't believe it has been that long.* I was just starting my first of many battles with cancer. After I was admitted to the hospital, I asked my husband to bring me a book. He brought me Outlander. I was dumbfounded because he knew the authors I liked, but brought me yours. (No offense, keep reading) At that time, I had never heard of you or your books. (Sorry). I asked why he picked that book. He answered, "It is my hope. The prognosis is not good and I am not ready to let go. This is a nice thick book and I know you cannot put a book down until you finish it. You hate an unfinished story…and guess what, it's a series!” He them laid the other three on the bed. (I love him more every day for that.)
The rest of the family (husband and three teenagers at the time) listened to the books (Outlander-Fiery Cross) on a 32-hour drive. When we returned home, they were on the last book. They sat in the car until the story was over. *Guess I am not the only one in the family with an "unfinished story" problem.* By the way, thanks for the quietest car trip in 19 years.
Jamie and Claire are…I guess you can say my life. We recently found out that the cancer is back. Thanks for putting this one out just in time. I do not think I can make it through what I go through without something else to think about. Since I devoured this book in 3 days…I think of what could possibly happen to them next. To all of them. (I will not give it away to those who have not finished yet.)
My biggest fear is that I will lose this battle before the story ends. I am determined to hold on until the story ends. (God willing) So, could you keep them coming? Perhaps…just a little quicker though?
Seriously! You have NEVER left us hanging like that before!
I guess now I just have to wait patiently for #8.
*sigh*
Sorry to miss your appearance in hometown Toronto, but enjoyed your visit to Cobourg a few years ago. Just finished Echo – so left hanging!! Please, please get the next one out sooner! One thing I cannot figure out )don't know if I missed reading or what) is, how did Brianna and Roger get the letters?
Your story/saga is just wonderful.
Gayle
Thank you, Diana for another wonderful book. I think is the best one. Thank you for bringing back LJ I love the way you did it.
You left us all hanging in until the next one!
I am SO sad and mad at myself. You were in Santa Rosa last week, just 2 miles from my home, and I MISSED you! Aaagh, just shoot me!
I hope you had a good turnout here and that you got to see and appreciate our lovely town (though, knowing the nature of book tours, probably not).
Did you know Echo was the Number 1 best seller in the SF Bay Area the week it came out????
Congratulations! I absolutely adored all the books & particularly loved this one. You are amazing!