time travel

I put off reading this 4th book in the series because I didn't think I'd like enjoy the American scene. I was not happy with the 3rd book. But I so enjoyed DRUMS OF AUTUMN! I can't wait to read the next one. I loved this book, MUCH better than the 3rd. It didn't hold me right away - I wasn't hooked until Jamie & Claire stayed with Aunt Jocasta - but the book seduced me and by the time they set off from River Run, I was reading in the car at lunch, reading through dinner, and devouring the story. The author's description of the American setting enthralled me, as did the goings on of farming, economy, indian relations, etc. Claire and Jamie's scenes together were still the best in the book, but I did enjoy Bree & Roger's relationship toward the end, but still not as much. I LOVED THE ENDING!!! That last chapter really was the perfect end to this wonderful story. Hurray Gabaldon! ...and Thanks.

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon is the fourth in a series; the story around the mysterious disappearance and intriguing reappearance of Claire Randall. In this, the fourth book, Claire and her Highland Scot husband have landed on the coast of the Carolinas after a shipwreck. They are now almost destitute and without a definite destination for their future. This wonderful story continues the fine tradition of the first three books; it contains heartbreak, love, tragedy, mystery, betrayal and more. Gabaldon twists the plot with the entrance of Claire and Jamie's daughter Brianna - from the 20th century. The author keeps us looking on as she switches back and forth between the events of Brianna's trek to pre-Revolution America to find and warn her parents of their impending death, and Claire and Jamie's trip up the east coast of the colonies and their subsequent settlement in the mountains. With disease, wild Indians, treacherous pirates, lust, greed and just plain survival, the story never slows. From one minute to the next you are compelled to read on. The events are told with a realism that makes you hear and see the sights and sounds of an America we won't see again. The colorful descriptions of everyday life and people make us feel as if we could reach out and touch them. We understand the pain, love and desires that drive the characters that are now almost a part of our own family

i would have given it four and a half stars but you cant do that. i dont think it merits five stars but i wouldnt call it a four star book either.
Diana Gabaldon begins to pull together all the floating strings in The Drums Of Autumn and she does an excelent job. She brings in a new romance, quite nicely, and has it play out much better then Jamie and Claire. it doesnt go rancid. She brings in a new charecter with Jamie's nephew Ian, who one gets to know in this book; she doesnt send Ian on the predictable route and instead creats quite a good charecter. She also brings in and developes Lord John Grey, who is a complex and interesting charecter. Again, the plot is good, being complex and not all that predictable, her writing style, though not deep, is definately hooking and beleivable. The one thing that gets very old is Jamie and Claire. They were great in the first book, they actually argued and acted like two people in a relationship but in this book it's all cotton candy between the two of them. Diana Gabaldon creates a possible fantacey or hers, in the relationship between Jamie and Claire and it stops working. Every body gets older and well it does not mean that they get any less beautiful it is doubtful that, unless she got implants, her boobies are as firm and round as they were when she was 27. I seriously doubt that her hair looks like Autumn and i find their relationship more and more sickening: no relationship is that perfect, it would get boring.
on the whole though, it was a good book, possibly my favorite from the Outlander series.