We see more of Roger and Brianna’s life together in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 34
We head back to the 20th century in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 34. It’s time to get a little more of Roger and Brianna’s life together.
I do love seeing Bree and Roger fit back in with the 20th century. It wouldn’t have been easy after spending years in the 18th century. While there are certainly parts of life that will be easier, there’s a simplicity of the 18th century that I feel they miss a lot while at Lallybroch.
That being said, we get a chance to see Bree with her work and Roger as he attempts to get his voice back. There is focus on the children, and then there’s talk of time travel. I do think that a lot of this chapter is about foreshadowing things to come, and I’ll get to those thoughts in the foreshadowing chapter.
I would love to see this chapter developed in the show. I think it will be too, based on photo leaks that we’ve seen. I’ll get to those thoughts in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 34.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with Bree thinking about work. Rob Cameron has been making his notes in the most unprofessional way, and I think part of that is linked to the way he views Bree. He doesn’t see her as his legitimate boss, so he’s making life as difficult as possible for her. At the same time, there’s something in his notes that foreshadows some things.
Bree hears a humming, which she initially thinks is linked to time travel. However, she realizes that Roger is trying to sing. This leads to a conversation about the children, and it turns out that Jemmy can sing. He should join the choir at St. Stephens.
This is great for Bree and Mandy. They can now attend the Presbyterian services without questions since they’re both Catholic. Roger just gets to be a proud father.
I love that we get some focus on what lunch is like for the two of them in the 20th century compared to the 18th century. It’s something small, but meaningful. It just shows the type of things that they miss.
However, there is a conversation about time travel in the chapter. Bree mentions to Roger what she felt in the tunnel and they look at a reference to the dam. Bree offers to go back, but it’s clear that she’s reluctant. She also doesn’t want Roger to risk anything. Roger notes that he’s felt moments around the Highlands. He’s even taken notes about sensations of time traveling while he’s wandered around.
One of his notes is about the Isle of Lewis and the Callanish Stones. He wonders if they’re another portal.
At the end of the chapter, Roger heads to the Masonic lodge. It’s the first time in 15 years, but he recognizes someone: Mr. Gaugh. It turns out that Lionel Menzies, the principal at the school, is Rob Cameron’s cousin. This is when we learn that Rob is involved in the Scottish National Party (SNP), and Roger wonders about Menzies. Could this be why Menzies wants to keep Gaidhlig in schools?
After all this, Roger and Brianna read the next letter andare surprised to learn that Claire and Jamie are in Fort Ticonderoga. This leads to the two of them researching what happened. Which one will tell them about the fall of the fort? Is it possible that Claire and Jamie were saved from the fire just to end up dying at a later point in history?
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
There is certainly some foreshadowing in this chapter, and it starts with Rob Cameron. Part of his notes includes a comment about Loch Errochty. Later in the book, Rob takes Jemmy to Loch Errochty and the tunnels, and it all connects to Jem’s ability to remain calm the way that his mother does.
It’s clear that Rob is going to be a problem. There’s no way that he would be mentioned so much if he wasn’t.
Then there’s the bit about time travel. Bree is scared to travel again, and I think this foreshadows that she will only ever be able to travel through time once more. This comes up in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. There’s also foreshadowing of Roger going through the stones as he references the points in the Highlands that could have travel portals.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I would love to see at least some of this chapter developed in Outlander Season 7. It seems clear that Rob Cameron is going to be part of the story, but just how much will he pop up? I want to see his scribbled notes, and I want to see that connection to Jemmy and the tunnels.
For the whole of Bree and Roger’s story in the 20th century to have some weight, we need to see this part of the story. We need to see them getting used to the time again, and then we need to see how and why they decide to go back to the past at the end of book eight (which would likely be Outlander Season 8 if it happens).
I just can’t see any point in keeping Bree and Roger in their own time if they don’t include any of this in the story.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 34? Let us know in the comments below.
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