Outlander Book Club: Voyager Chapter 45 breakdown

Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter

While a lot of this story is set in the past, Mr. Willoughby’s story does offer a little bit of foreshadowing. Those who have read toward the end of Voyager will know that Mr. Willoughby is connected to everything that went wrong with the smugglers. This chapter offers a hint of that to come.

Mr. Willoughby is angry. He’s viewed as a heathen when he views others as barbarians. He’s not even allowed his anger at the situation he has found himself in. People can’t even look past his outburst of anger and remember his story.

This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Things have been bubbling up, and this foreshadowing the betrayal to come.

Adapting the Voyager chapter

I’ll admit that I prefer Mr. Willoughby’s story on Outlander Season 3. I’ve said that a few times, but it’s this part and the adaptation that I love the most.

Yi Tien Cho on the show remains respectful. There’s no need for anyone to get angry at him or feel offended by his words in the series. The story is one of a distraction to save a life, and he remains focused on that story. It garners sympathy and attention, giving the rain a chance to fall.

There seemed more of a purpose to tell the story. Plus, we got to hear Yi Tien Cho tell it. His English is a lot better on the series, which does feel a little more believable after spending two years in Scotland. He still speaks with some broken English and has to clarify things at time, which continues that believability.

Plus, while it is telling and not showing, it has its place in the story. It’s Yi Tien Cho telling it, and not him telling Jamie to then tell everyone else. There’s more emotion to the story than in the book. Jamie keeps his voice neutral when Mr. Willoughby starts to get upset and angry in the book.

Claire also has a lot more respect for Yi Tien Cho, which feels more believable for her character than in the novel. She thanks him for his story, even before knowing it was to buy some time. I love the bond of respect that forms between the two of them.

I think there are always going to be cases where something on the show connects more than the books. Likewise, there will always be moments in the books that feel or play out better than on the show. It’s the beauty of having both mediums, and why I never mind the changes all that much because there are two stories offering something slightly different for different preferences.

What did you spot while reading Voyager Chapter 45? Let us know in the comments below.

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