Outlander Book Club: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone Chapter 5 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Claire and Roger discussing Dr. McEwan more. Roger tells Claire that McEwan healed some of his throat and that he said, “It all begins ‘in media res’, and if you’re lucky, it ends that way as well”.

What does that mean? The two try to work it out. Is it possible that the person who needs the healing needs to allow it to happen? Or is it all the doctor?

It’s worth noting that “in media res” in Latin means “in the midst of things.” It definitely doesn’t make a lot of sense just yet.

Roger then shares a little more about his time in the future and the past. He tells Claire about Buck and how the two went to 1739 to find Jemmy—of course, Jemmy wasn’t there. I just love that Roger has someone else to talk to about this. He doesn’t really have people to share his thoughts with except Bree, but he has likely already told her a lot of the story. Claire can give him another perspective.

As they talk, Claire places her hand on Roger’s throat to feel the blood pumping. Roger explains how McEwan noted that his thyroid bone is higher and that’s what saved him. While they are talking, they feel something happen. Is it possible that Claire has healed Roger a little more?

Claire thinks about that as the children run in and cause a racket. Roger shouts at the children, and fears that he damaged his throat a little. However, Claire realizes that Roger didn’t start coughing the way that he would have in the past. She asks Mandy what color her hair is, and Mandy shares that her hair is the same color as Joe Abernathy’s dog Badger. I’m sure we can guess why he’s called Badger, and that tells Claire that her hair isn’t fully white just yet.