Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
Outlander, Book #9
By Diana Gabaldon
ISBN# 9780385685542
Author’s Website: https://www.dianagabaldon.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
Brianna, Roger, and the kids have made it back to Fraser’s Ridge. At the time, going back to the past seemed like the safer option, but with war looming was it really? They have enjoyed reuniting with everyone on the ridge, Claire, Jamie, and Ian and his young family, to name a few. They must keep racking their brains on what they remember from history class with every move they make now that the American Revolution is upon them. They don’t want to be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. And, the thought of their enemies following them to the past still looms.
Brianna, is offered a commission to do a painting for someone that affords her time with her brother, William, now that he knows who his real father is. Roger and the kids go along as it’s the perfect opportunity for Roger to do what he must, to be ordained, finally. Not to mention, to get the guns that Jamie needs to help protect his family.
Ian will now need to face his past as well. The village where his ex-wife resides was attacked, her husband killed. Ian goes to assure the safety of her and her children. Rachel, Oggy, and Jenny go along for the ride, as well. And they come back with more than they expected.
Jamie must maneuver through the usual politics that are involved in war to put himself and his family in the best position possible. What happens when even the ridge suffers from tenants aligned from both sides? Can they overcome their differences to assure their own survival?
This has become a series that I have to force myself to read. At the time of writing this, it’s the last book that has been written so far. I had to read it because I’ve come so far. However, the books are just hard to read and can feel a bit torturous. They are long and drawn-out, but once I’m done, I struggle even to know what happened during the book. For such large novels, nothing seems to truly happen. It never seems to be a complete story with a clear beginning, middle, and end with a problem and a conclusion. It’s just a bunch of random events that happen. Also, the war and politics and the history, probably things Gabaldon pours so much into, are just so incredibly boring to me. And, don’t even get me started on the full sentences in other languages that give no translations.
I love Ian, but there is just never enough of him in these later books. I felt there could have and perhaps should have been so much more of him in this one (and the previous one too). However, with so many characters now, he just doesn’t get the amount of coverage that he deserves.
The William chapters were better in this one as he slowly grows more tolerable and even likeable at times. However, I couldn’t care less about Ben and his wife.
This tome leaves off with William coming for Jamie’s help. It’s not going to be a quick fix like it was when Jamie helped him with the Jane situation. So, maybe the two can finally forge some kind of father/son relationship in the next book.
