Whew… just back from a working cruise down the Danube (and getting up in the middle of each night on the river in order to write a script for the Prequel, needed in two weeks. Luckily, I made it. <g>). So—just in time for a brief excerpt in honor of Jamie’s birthday tomorrow (and a quick “Happy Birthday!” to Sam Heughan, whose birthday is/was today):
EXCERPT from BOOK TEN (UNTITLED), Copyright © 2024 Diana Gabaldon
[Jamie and Roger sitting outside the malting shed, discussing Jamie’s imminent departure to find Lord John.]
“Are you afraid?” he said. Jamie gave Roger a sharp look, but shrugged and settled himself before replying.
“Does it show?”
“Not on you,” Roger reassured him. “On Claire.”
Jamie looked astonished, but after a moment’s contemplation, nodded slightly.
“Aye, I suppose it does. She sleeps wi’ me, ken?” Evidently Roger’s expression didn’t show complete comprehension, for Jamie sighed a little and leaned back against the wall of the malting shed.
“I dream,” he said simply. “I can mind my thoughts well enough whilst I’m awake, but… ken, the Indians say the dream world is as real as this one? Sometimes I think that’s true—but I often hope it’s not.”
“You tell Claire about your dreams?”
Jamie grimaced briefly.
“Sometimes. Some….. well, ye’ll maybe ken that sometimes it helps to open your mind to someone, when ye’re troubled, and some dreams are like that; just saying what happened lets ye step back from it. Ye ken it’s only a dream, as they say.”
“Only.” Roger said it softly, but Jamie nodded, his mouth relaxing a little.
“Aye.” They were silent for a few moments, and the sounds of the wind and the local birds kept them company.
“I’m afraid for William,” Jamie said abruptly. He hesitated, but added, in a low voice, “And I’m afraid for John. I dinna want to think of the things that might—might be done to him. Things I may not be able to save him from.”
Roger glanced at him, trying not to look startled. But then he realized that Jamie didn’t avoid things, nor the mention of them. He had simply accepted the fact that Roger knew the things that had been done to Jamie, and exactly why he might fear for his friend.
“I wish I could go with you,” he said. It was impulsive, but true, and a genuine smile lighted Jamie’s face in response.
“I do, too, a Smeoraich. But the folk here need ye—and they’ll need ye a good deal more, should I not come back.”
Roger found himself wishing that Jamie would avoid some things now and then, but reluctantly conceded that things must be said now, no matter how uncomfortable. So he answered the question Jamie hadn’t asked.
“Aye. I’ll mind them for ye. The family; the weans. And all your bloody tenants, too. I’m not milking your kine, though, nor yet looking after that damn sow and her offpsring.”
Jamie didn’t laugh, but the smile was still there.
“It’s a comfort to me, Roger Mac, to ken ye’ll be here, to deal wi’ whatever might happen. And things will.”
“Now I’m afraid,” Roger said, as lightly as he could.
“I know.” Luckily Jamie didn’t expand on this, but turned to practicalities.
“An Deamhan Gael can mind herself,” he assured Roger, referring—Roger thought—to the White Sow. “And wee Frances will take care for the kine. Oh— as for Frances herself— ”
“I won’t let her marry anyone until you come back,” Roger assured him.
“Good.” Jamie let out his breath and his shoulders slumped. “ I think I will. But the dead ha’ been talking to me.” He caught Roger’s lifted eyebrow. “Not—well, not only—my own dead. That’s often a comfort to me, should my Da or Murtagh or Ian Mor come by. Once in a long while… my mother.” That made him shy; he looked away.
Roger made a small noncommittal sound and waited for a moment, then asked, “you said, not only your own dead…?”
“Ah.” Jamie straightened up and set his feet solidly in the dirt. “The others. Men I’ve killed. Sometimes killed for cause. Others—in battle. Strangers. Men who—” he broke off and Roger saw his whole body tighten. Jamie looked away, down the path that led to the lake, as though something might be coming. The feeling was so strong that Roger looked too, and was relieved to see no more than a small covey of quail dust-bathing under a bush.
“Jack Randall came to me, two nights ago.”
Roger’s stomach contracted so suddenly that he said “Oof!” out loud. Jamie stared at him, then laughed.
“Aye, that’s what I said, too,” he assured Roger. “A few other things, besides, but I wilna repeat them wi’ Jemmy in earshot.”
There was a long pause, filled with birdsong from the trees that shaded the malting shed, punctuated by the distant cries of ravens.
“I suppose,” Roger said at last, “that it doesn’t matter what you said to him—but what did he say to you? Did he speak?”
Jamie looked down at the ground, and Roger could see the pulse beating at the side of his neck.
“No. He just laughed.”
[end section]
Visit my official Book Ten (Untitled) webpage for more excerpts from this book.
And Many Thanks to CO Petersen, who made this photo of a flying raven and allowed it to be used under a Wikimedia Commons license!
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I have enjoyed reading the Out lander series. I’ve read them a few times. I’m so anxious for your next book. I’m so thankful you were so very involved with the filming of the TV series. I know it must have been hard to see them make changes from the books. I do appreciate that both Claire and Jamie had so much knowledge of the scriptures and were both Christians. That says a lot about you. We are all Christians but different flavors. May God be with you.
Diana, You are a force to be reckoned with. Such talent; it bogles my mind.
BUT!, I am 86 years old and am beginning to wear down. I would really like to know what happens to Jamie and Clair, as well as all of the rest of the characters before I meet my Maker.
I guess the TV producers did the best they could. I have watched the episodes a couple of times.
I have read all of the books at least three times. I not only enjoy the tales, I learn from them: History. Phycology. Flora & Fauna. Customs of the times. Climates. And on and on.
So!, dear lady . . . . Hurry up and get #1o published! P L E A S E !
Regards, Susan Redd
I love reading these. I listen to Davina Porter reading Outlander every night before bed. It’s my comfort listen, a little piece of familiarity and time with my ‘friends’ to wash away the day. I’m currently on my fifth re-read(listen??) and I can’t WAIT to read book 10. Jamie and Claire are my happy place.
Ha! I also listen to Davina Porter every night before bed and also during the day while doing chores with my Bluetooth Bose headphones on lol. I have physically read all the books twice but I am currently on reread 5 on audio! I just cannot get enough, I’m so addicted to Jaime and Claire I may need help!!
Hello Mrs Gabaldon,
Everyday i look into your website for a new piece of book 10.
We are ( my husband and I) in a serious Outlander drought.
Sincerely we hope you will find the time to publish a new part.
Regards from Holland,
Susanne
Waiting inanticipation! What a story! I love your mind Diana. I have no more words.
Pani Diano, ten rok 2024 jest dla mnie rokiem Outlandera. Zaczęłam oglądać serial na Netflix no i tak jak Clair “przeszłam przez kamienie”. Obejrzałam go nie raz, często wracam do ulubionych scen. Na urodziny zrobiłam sobie prezent i zakupiłam wszystkie wydane w serii książki. Czytałam po kolei nie rozpakowując z folii kolejnej – żeby mnie nie korciło zobaczyć, co dalej. Kiedy przeczytałam dziewiątą, pomyślałam jak to,? i to już taki konie,?, przecież tyle wątków niedokończonych, czy sama w mojej wyobraźni mam tworzyć możliwe scenariusze zakończenia? Zaczęłam szukać w internecie, stąd ulga – będzie dziesiąta część. Czekam na jej wydanie i gorąco wierzę, że się doczekam( mam już swoje lata). Podczas lektury, podziwiałam Panią za tak wielki talent pisarski. To dzięki Pani zaczęłam zwracać uwagę na zapachy i przestałam się brzydzić nawet tych brzydkich. Dużo się dowiedziałam o osiemnastowiecznej Szkocji, Ameryce, … Aktualnie, żyje nadal w świecie Pani książek. Przeraża mnie wojna i wszystko, co z nią związane. Nie sądziłam, że dożyje czasów, w których znowu będą wojny na świecie. Martwię się tym, bo mieszkam w kraju, który graniczy z Ukrainą. Pozdrawiam Panią bardzo serdecznie.
Polish to English Translation using Google Translate:
Mrs. Diano, this year 2024 is Outlander’s year for me. I started watching the series on Netflix and just like Clair “I went through the stones”. I watched it more than once, I often go back to my favorite scenes. For my birthday I made a gift and bought all the books published in the series. I read in turn without unpacking from the next film – so that it would not be tempted to see what to do next. When I read the ninth, I thought how it,? And that’s such horses, ?, So many unfinished threads, should I create possible ending scenarios in my imagination? I started looking on the internet, hence the relief – there will be a tenth part. I am waiting for its release and I strongly believe that I will wait (I am already years old). While reading, I admired you for such a great writing talent. It was thanks to the lady that I began to pay attention to the smells and stopped groaning even the ugly ones. I learned a lot about the 18th century Scotland, America, … Currently, she still lives in the world of your books. I am terrified by war and everything related to it. I did not think that he would live to the times when the world wars would be again. I am worried about it because I live in a country that borders with Ukraine. I cordially greet you.
I have read all ,9, twice and had a friend ask why. My response was “because I love them so much that once every 6 months I will do it again!”
My hope is that I live long enough to read #10
i thank God for your talent
These characters mean so much to me you have written them so well they are wonderful people I feel like every time I watch a episode or read a book. I am visiting old friends and it just brings me comfort. And I cannot wait for what is to come please hurry. I’m not happy about the show ending before the book is finished. I’m still going to watch, but how could they?