Outlander Book Club: Book 1, Chapter 8 breakdown

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly /
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Outlander
Outlander Season 1 — Courtesy of STARZ /

Connections to the Outlander TV series

This chapter was used heavily for the show. We get to see the performance of Gwyllyn the Bard, although it is condensed. Instead of having all the songs, we hear the one of the woman falling through time. And like in the books, Jamie is the one translating songs for her.

In the show, this is the point Claire really understands what’s happened to her. Up to this point in the books, she knows that the stones are the reason she’s traveled through time. She has a hunch that the stones will take her back. In the show, she gets the idea she can go back through the stones from the song.

Up to this point in the show, she’s almost accepted life in the cast. The song gives her that renewed passion to return to Craigh na Dun and get through the stones to Frank.

At the same time, we can sense the growing attraction between Claire and Jamie in the show just like in the books. There’s a chance for the two to get to know each other a little more and feel more comfortable around each other. The show doesn’t give us as many chances before this like the book does, so this scene is extremely important.

Another moment I want to touch on that is used in the show is that in the hall. We get to see Jamie kissing Laoghaire in the alcove and it’s clearly to make Claire jealous. When Claire teases Jamie, she’s told the same thing about Laoghaire—Laoghaire will always be a girl, even when she’s 50. The big difference is that Alec isn’t the one that says it.

The show opted to make Murtagh more prominent in the show than in the books. It certainly makes sense for the show. Not only did storylines need to be condensed but there’s the importance of connecting to side characters more. They have to be fully fleshed out, so it’s easier to give one character on a show the lines and parts of multiple characters in the books.

Next. 25 most romantic moments on Outlander so far. dark

What did you think of Outlander Book 1, Chapter 8? Which moments stood out the most for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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