Adapting the Dragonfly in Amber chapter for the Outlander series
This is a chapter that was used for the series, but in different places. From what I remember, the discussion of Annalise happens at the ball or maybe at the luncheon during the TV series, instead of later on. It makes sense for the show just to keep it all contained.
Meanwhile, the hospital discussion happens in a different order. Claire finds the hospital and works there before telling Jamie. He’s understandably concerned that Claire isn’t at home when he needs her and he gets annoyed about that. Claire doesn’t send a message to him, although admittedly that is harder when there are no phones! Not impossible, but harder.
Claire has a great day and it’s overshadowed by the argument she and Jamie end up having about the hospital on the show. I think this was to give the two something to argue about. Relationships need some sort of drama, even when we know they’re meant to be. It’s a chance to show them have different views but end up coming together when they make up at the end. It’s a little drama for the episode.
I have no issue with the way the TV show did it. My issue is Jamie not listening to Claire’s need to do something more than being the lady of the house. He knows Claire. He’s seen her at work at Castle Leoch and at Lallybroch. She needs to do something useful, and her work at the house isn’t useful. Jamie just overlooks that in both book and show, but the book does a much better job of explaining why. He’s worried about the baby.
Then we have the monkey bite and Bonnie Prince Charlie. In the TV show, we don’t find out beforehand that Charles and Louise are having an affair. It’s the mention of the monkey bite after meeting the monkey at Louise’s (which is also how Claire meets Mary instead of at the party) that puts the pieces together. I do suspect this was more due to time since Jared wasn’t used as much as the start of Outlander Season 2.
What did you notice in your reading of Outlander Book 2, Chapter 11? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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