Brianna and Roger read one of Jamie’s letters in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 7
We picc back up in 1980 in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 7. It’s time for Bree and Roger to learn what Jamie is planning to do next.
All this takes place at Lallybroch, where the MacKenzies now live. Bree reads one of Jamie’s letters, which catches us up to the point where Jamie and Claire are right now in the story. I love that we don’t really head ahead of the main story, as if An Echo in the Bone is more like the story of Bree and Roger learning what happened to Claire and Jamie.
After that, we get some interactions with the children. Some of Lallybroch hasn’t changed since Bree was there with Ian and Jenny Murray. I love that part of the house has stood the test of time, and that Bree is focusing on changing as little as possible except to bring necessary parts into the modern day.
We also get to see a different way for Jamie to fight. He’s taken to heart that he wouldn’t fight if he was in the 20th century now, and he is ready to follow through with that in the past.
There is a bit of foreshadowing in this chapter. It’s mostly about what’s to come for Fergus, and I’ll get to that in the foreshadowing section.
I’m not sure we’ll see any of this play out in the TV series. I’ll get to my thoughts on that in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 7.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with Bree reading another letter from Jamie. Jamie shares that he and Ian are heading to Scotland. Bree later notes that she’s sure Claire will be going there soon. Jamie doesn’t want to go to Scotland, but he needs to. Now is the time to retrieve his printing press.
He also wants to get Young Ian back to Lallybroch. This was a promise Jamie made to Jenny, and it’s time to see it through. Of course, Ian has changed considerably since then, so will Ian fit in with the area anymore?
Jamie goes on to explain that he’s going to use his printing press to help “fight” for the cause. The people of New Bern are mostly on the Loyalist side. That means he can’t do much there because he wants to keep Fergus safe. So, he needs his own printing press to do things. He will print pamphlets to help raise the word.
He doesn’t blame anyone being on the Loyalist side. Jamie notes that he would have been had it not been for the knowledge of the future. I love that we get to see this. It’s a chance to understand why some of those who fought at Culloden are now fighting with the British.
After reading the letter, Bree and Roger hear Jemmy and Mandy talking. There are marks in one of the doorways in Lallybroch, and Jemmy shares that they were when the “Bad English” got Jamie. Bree wonders if they should really raise their children to hate the English, but Roger points out it’s not hate. Plus, they’re in the Highlands and there will be a few comments about Sassenachs.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
This chapter certainly foreshadows a little about Ferguus. We know that he doesn’t get to stay in New Bern. He’ll need to head to Philadelphia at some point, and it’s all linked to the views of the people and the views of Fergus and the Frasers. Fergus is going to be forced out because he holds Patriot views.
We also get some foreshadowing of trouble at Lallybroch. Jamie isn’t so sure about whether Young Ian will fit in anymore. Well, there’s no need to worry about that as they’re not staying. Ian doesn’t fit in anymore, and Jenny will soon have little reason to stay.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I doubt this chapter will be used all that much. We may see Jemmy and Mandy talk about “Bad English,” but there’s no need for the part of reading the letter. In a series, it’s much better to show and not tell. Plus, we know what Jamie is planning to do already.
This is great filler content for Bree and Roger to learn what’s going on. However, we can just have a quick mention of a letter or see Bree put it down to know what she’s doing and what she’s learning. The main focus has to be on the bigger drama to come in An Echo in the Bone.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 7? Let us know in the comments below.
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