Outlander Book Club: The Fiery Cross Chapter 4 breakdown

Roger looks to buy something for Brianna in Outlander Book 5, Chapter 4

We get the first chapter of The Fiery Cross from Roger’s point of view. In fact, it’s the first Outlander Book 5 chapter from any’s point of view other than Claire’s.

Roger spends his time thinking about a gift to buy Brianna. While she’s a pragmatic person, he still wants to get her something. Before he can do that, though, he has a conversation about religion and money with Duncan Innes.

Duncan and Roger are much more alike than anyone would initially believe. Not only are they marrying women who are wealthier than them (in this time period), but they’re also two Presbyterian men marrying Catholic women.

Religion has been something that’s played a part here and there in the Outlander books. Claire has found solace in a religion that she didn’t practice much as a child. However, it’s very important to Roger, and it’s all setting up things to come in later books. Yes, there is certainly some foreshadowing in this chapter.

As for the development of the TV series, this chapter was skipped over. There were still mentions of Roger being a Presbyterian, but we didn’t have this moment between two men of similar stature. I’ll get to what I think about that and why I was a little disappointed with the chapter not being used in the adaptation section.

Let’s dive into The Fiery Cross Chapter 4.