Geillis Duncan is introduced during Outlander Book 1, Chapter 9
Sometimes, you think a scene happens much earlier than it really does. That’s what I love about rereading the Outlander books. Events I thought happened earlier actually took place a few chapters later.
That’s certainly the case when it comes to the introduction of Geillis Duncan. And I’ll admit that watching the TV series first is part of the reason for my bad memory. After all, Geillis is introduced much sooner on the TV series. It’s only during Outlander Book 1, Chapter 9 that we get to meet her.
There is a lot happening during this chapter. Not only do we meet Geillis, but there’s also that sense that there’s something different about her. At first, it’s normal to see her as just an outcast among the women in the 18th century, but as Claire gets to know her, we realize there’s likely something more to this woman; something modern about this woman.
We also get to see 18th-century justice take place. Claire views the situation with a 20th-century view, shocked at the treatment of a young boy. It’s easy for us to look at the past with a 20th- or 21st-century view, and this chapter reminds us that we read everything with opinions we’ve developed from today. Sometimes, we have to remember the horrors of the past to avoid repeating them.
This chapter is another 40-minute or so chapter on Audible. It’s also an important one for both book and show.
Here’s the breakdown of Outlander Book 1, Chapter 9.