Claire succumbs to the sickness spreading across the Ridge in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 62
As the sickness spreads across the Ridge, it’s clear that someone close will contract it. It just so happens to be Claire in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 62.
At least, we’re left to assume that Claire gets the same sickness that is spreading around the Ridge. That wouldn’t be surprising with the way doctors are close to viruses and bacteria. It could take one mistake. Even with handwashing and other methods of sterilization, Claire would likely be concerned with catching something a patient has when she’s not vaccinated against it.
This sickness is spreading fast, too. There are multiple funerals happening. This does foreshadow a little of what’s to come. However, it’s more of a plot point at this part of the story. The focus is on how this sickness is spreading and who it spreads to.
We did see some of this chapter used in the TV series. There was no way around that happening. After all, it’s needed for the next part of the story.
Let’s dive into A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 62.
Just the Outlander chapter
We start off with Claire showing Malva the cause of the sickness through her microscope. They’re also making something that will help those who do catch the disease.
There is nothing that can be done to get rid of the problem for now. They need to figure out the source of it, and there is a mention of contaminated water. Until then, Claire can just treat the symptoms, making sure that people have the fluids they need as their bodies try to force out the bacteria causing the problems.
Claire needs herbs and things like garlic and onions to help ease the stomach. She gets Malva to collect some from the pantry and then they get to work on making batches of treatments.
We then move onto Claire at another funeral. This is the third in three days, but it’s clear that the sickness hasn’t stopped spreading just yet. Claire thinks about the people who have been buried so far, but then she starts to feel bad.
Suddenly, she realizes that she’s fallen down in the dirt. She doesn’t remember falling down, though. She doesn’t really remember standing upright. At this moment, we know this is serious.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
The chapter doesn’t foreshadow too much. This is more of a plot point. Claire has come down with some sort of sickness.
I guess the way Claire collapsed is foreshadowing that she hasn’t caught the same thing that’s going around the Ridge. Claire is sick with something else, but this is still going to be a fight for her life. The family is going to be worried.
Maybe there’s a little foreshadowing in the way that Malva pays attention to things. There is a mention of Malva’s mom and an item she had in her stores. Does this hint that Malva has been around someone who gets up to no good, and Malva is up to no good too?
Adapting A Breath of Snow and Ashes chapter
There was no way the series could avoid including some of this chapter in Outlander Season 6. After all, Claire being sick plays a huge part in the next part of the plot. She has to be sick to be out of the way for Malva’s accusations.
We don’t see it all from Claire’s point of view on the series, though. Instead, we see it from the outside, with Brianna checking up on her mom and Claire collapsing into Jamie’s arms. It all happens at the funeral just like in the book.
What did you spot while reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 62? Let us know in the comments below.
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