Outlander Book Club: An Echo in the Bone Chapter 83 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Young Ian being unable to sleep. He is thinking a lot of Rachel, excited to see her again. At the same time, he feels bad leaving his father behind. This is a man who hasn’t spent that much of his adult life with his parents, but that doesn’t stop him from loving them and wanting to be with them in their hours of need.

We get this sense that it won’t be long until Ian dies. The whole house feels like it’s rattling from Ian’s breathing, so Young Ian decides to take a walk outside.

That’s where he sees Jenny counting sheep. Well, she’s actually naming the sheep. She’s done praying with the rosary because she’s done asking for help. Jenny is startled by Young Ian joining her, and it feels like the two haven’t had many warm moments since Young Ian has been back.

I think that’s why this moment is so beautiful. Jenny takes Young Ian to the graveyard where she shows him a small stone for Isaebail. This is that sign that Jenny accepts the woman Ian took as a wife, and she is marking the loss of her granddaughter. Isaebail is welcome in the family by being in the graveyard, and it offers Young Ian the comfort he needs in this moment.

Jenny also tells Young Ian that he shouldn’t feel guilty for leaving to go back to America with Claire. Jenny wants her son to be happy with Rachel.