Tag: Romance

The Fiery Cross

The Fiery Cross (Outlander 5)

Title: The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
# Pages: 1,443
Published: November 2001 (published mass market 2005)
Rating: 2.5 stars

Diana Gabaldon continues her masterful narrative of Jamie and Claire Fraser in the 5th main novel, The Fiery Cross. This novel is set in 1771, in and around North Carolina. The Frasers work on setting up their land and preparing for the war they know is coming. Jamie continues his role as the strong leader that everyone comes to for help with their problems, and Claire tries to cultivate penicillin and set up her surgery.

Roger and Brianna try to find their place in the new time period and struggle to put their strengths to use in the rugged mountainside of Fraser’s Ridge. The main plot point for the MacKenzies is the parentage of Jemmy, and they dwell on this A LOT. Brianna begins to be an inventor, and Roger continually tries to prove himself to Jamie.

Gabaldon’s ability to infuse her narrative with historical details is unmatched. However, these details often don’t do a lot to move the story along, so while I enjoyed the 1,400+ pages as a fan of history, there weren’t any of the fast-paced, action-filled moments that sucked me in while reading the previous books. A lot happened, but it was quite slow.

I have never been much of a fan of the romance portions of Gabaldon’s novels, and The Fiery Cross is filled with those scenes. For anyone who enjoys the Outlander franchise because of those sections, you’re in luck!

This 5th book in the series seems to be more of a bridge between the 4th and 6th books than anything else. Gabaldon is clearly trying to set up her characters for the Revolutionary War, but there isn’t a lot for them to do while they prepare. I’m a big fan of her writing, so I can’t say I’m disappointed to have read this, but I do wish it contained a little more action.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

Title: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Bronte
# Pages: 507
Published: 1847
Rating: 4 stars

Jane Eyre was the first novel published by Charlotte Bronte, and it was originally published under Bronte’s pen name, Currer Bell. Charlotte Bronte was a member of a very creative and literary family–she and her sisters published a book of poems in 1846, and by the end of 1847 both of Charlotte’s sisters also had novels published. 

The story is of Jane, is a poor orphan being raised in the home of her late uncle.  Since her uncle has died, she is the responsibility of her aunt who clearly has no love for her niece.  Her cousins are mean to her while they grow up, and they ridicule and look down on her due to her position as a poor orphan. Jane is eventually sent away to boarding school, where the conditions are deplorable but, as happens in so many good stories, she meets a wonderful friend and a wonderful mentor.  Bronte patterned the boarding school after one that her two older sisters attended, both of whom passes away as children because of illnesses contracted at the school.

After boarding school, Jane decides to move on with her life and finds a position as a governess. She finds happiness there and enjoys teaching, spending time with her student, and speaking with her master, Mr. Rochester.  There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, though it ends up pretty much the way you would expect it to.

One of the defining features of Jane Eyre is the Gothic theme that runs throughout the story. From ghosts to secret rooms, Bronte gives the reader everything a Gothic fan could hope for. It’s also fraught with symbolism, which makes it fun for people who like to dissect their literature. 

Favorite Quotes:

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” 

“I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.” 

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.”

“I would always rather be happy than dignified”