The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon – 5th book in the “Outlander” series.
If you know me personally, you know I’m beyond obsessed with Outlander. I always had a thing for Scotsman and Irishmen in kilts. Outlander took my “thing” to a whole new level. Now that it’s February, I’ve started the countdown to the new season of Outlander on Starz. For this season, the show is following the 5th book in the series, The Fiery Cross. So, it’s only fitting that I review this one.
“When the day shall come, that we do part,” he said softly, and turned to look at me, “if my last words are not ‘I love you’—ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time.”
Synopsis:
The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser’s wife tells him so. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy—a time-traveler’s certain knowledge. Claire’s unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past; her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead—or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes.
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest mind of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet not with standing go out to meet it”
I am a dedicated fan of Diane Gabaldon, but Fiery Cross was the weakest book in the Outlander Series. There is hardly any plot in this book. That being said, I adore Jamie, Claire, Roger and Brianna so I still loved this book and can’t seem to give it less than 4 stars. I’m too deeply invested in the Fraser and MacKenzie lives to stop reading this series over and over again. And while this book was not the best in the series, I feel closer to the characters and learned so much more about them. Diane Gabaldon details the historical settings so perfectly and vividly that you feel like you are actually there. Frasiers Ridge is a character in itself. Gabaldon clearly has done a ton of research about the living conditions in 1770’s as well as medicine at that time and the pre-revolutionary war colonies. I enjoyed reading about Claire’s adapting from 20th century medicine to 18th century medicine. There was WAY too much talk about Brianna’s breasts being swollen and leaking milk. Mentioning it once or twice is fine, but I literally can’t count how many times this was discussed in the book. It got old really quickly. The time travel realizations at the end of the book showed an interesting conflict and made up for the slow/long read. I’m ready to see how the Fraser and MacKenzie’s use this conflict and new-found knowledge in future books. And Roger… oooooo my poor, lovely Roger! He is a fish out of water in the 18th century. And what happened to him—I literally cried. That’s the beauty of Diana Gabaldon’s writing skills. She made you feel like you were losing a member of your own family. I’m not sure why Diana Gabaldon did this to Roger but I’m sure it plays a very important role in a later book. I love how Roger pays so much attention to Jamie and Claire to learn about a good marriage. Jemmy annoyed me at first but I learned to love him. Wee Ian… so glad to have you back!!!! I missed you!!!! These characters and their stories and every day trials hold a special place in my heart.
On January 4 at Comic Con in New Orleans, I had the immense pleasure of attending a panel with Sam Heughan who plays Jamie Frasier. I also attended a panel with “Outlander, Behind the Scenes”. What a true pleasure that was! I’ll post a link below to the panel discussion for those of you who are interested. Panel members spoke on the subject on the fiery cross itself. It was great to hear them speak on the sensitive nature of the burning cross. Burning crosses were used as far back as the Romans, who used burning crosses as a killing tool. I agree with the Outlander BTS panel in that it’s important for Starz [for the show] to portray and not sanitize history. Outlander has been known for broaching very sensitive topics such as rape (m/f and m/m). Sanitizing history to appease a few would be an insult to the show and its viewers. A cross in the Scottish Highlands was used to bring people of the clans together in preparation for battle and ensure the protection of the clan. How the burning cross was used in the 18th century (and in The Fiery Cross) is much different than how it is used/perceived now. Now in the 21st century, a cross being burned, no matter what type it is, is essentially going to have some problems. Burning crosses took on a different meaning and interpretation over the course of US history. I agree with the Outlander BTS panel in that I don’t understand the controversy. “It was historic. It happened. I don’t see any reason to remove it or make it seem that it was something other than what it was.” As Antoinette Simmons (panel member, member of Outlander BTS and Blacklanderz, criminal defense attorney, and general badass) says, “It is not our job to sanitize history. That is not the job of any creative endeavor, to go back and sanitize history. It is what it is. It happened. But we’re not saying that by showing it in the show, presenting the historical accuracy, that we’re in any way legitimizing how it has been co-opted and used to terrorize people.” If you have Twitter, do yourself a favor and follow Antoinette Simmons. I’m so excited to see how the book is adapted into season 5!
“As long as we both shall live.”
On a scale of 1-5, I give The Fiery Cross 1771 dinna-fash stars!
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