SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read chapter 20 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE.
I've been fighting it. Fighting William. I didn't really want to be interested in his life; it just... happened. And now I'm stuck. I am moving on to Chapter 21 - "The Minister's Cat" (which makes me giggle, as I love Bree and Roger's little game) - and I'm finding myself a little bummed; I want to know what happens! Will he take Richardson's offer and become a spy? I think not. I thought he was going to - until this horrible situation with Hale. And now I'm thinking he's going to say "no", now that he's gotten a taste of what it feels like to watch someone die - indirectly - by your own hands. Or your own actions. I'm thinking William is going to realize it's better to kill someone outright on the battle field... than take part in killing someone by sneaking around lying and hiding. There is honor in fighting fair. And I have a feeling that William - like both his fathers - will choose honor. I can't wait to read on and find out.PS - Speaking of The Minister's Cat - am I the only one who gets a little giddy every time a new chapter starts with the word "Lallybroch"??
I'm impressed that you finished chapter 20 quickly. It took me three tries--I kept falling asleep. SOOO want to be more interested in Big Willie, but it's just not happening... :-(
ReplyDeleteFor my money, right now the most interesting character in the book is.... wait for it....wait for it....
Mr.
Roger.
Mac.
Followed closely by our lil Ian.
The inner struggle for identity that Roger Mac seems to be having in this book is some of iDG's best, most interesting work, IMO.
I really hate to admit it but... most of the the parts about William left me a little bored. I was more into scenes where he interacted with Bree or Jamie.
ReplyDeleteI know from reading other discussions that many people did not enjoy reading the William parts of Echo. I actually did enjoy them..somewhat. I read them with the thought that I was watching him develop...maybe giving me a sense of what Jamie's early years were like. I assumed that his character would develop & mature throughout the book. I know you're not there yet, but I enjoyed his role by the end of the book.
ReplyDeleteI went into chapter 20 a bit nervous - because Tracey said it was hard to get through. And I did have to go back a good 5 pages because I read at night and was skimming without even realizing it. But I was glad I did - because I really enjoyed the chapter and watching William make tough decisions... and the outcome of those decisions. And when he put on the clothes from Rogers and had to let his shirt hang out because he couldn't button the pants... which were 6 inches above his hairy ankles? Oh I howled. It was SO Jamie!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I noticed - William's seasickness seems to be somewhat selective. He jumped at the chance to get on the boat with Rogers and there was no mention of him being sick.
I understand your lack of "Willie-love" ladies. My 1st time thru Echo, I had only a passing admiration for the lad (although by the end it was much greater). My 2nd read of Echo has left me loving Willie--for himself and both his fathers. I have to cop to feeling rather "cougarish" over young Master Willie!!
ReplyDeleteI love William. I didn't my first read through until further into the book. Upon rereading for the Echo chapter analysis on the Outlander Book Club, I fell in love with William too. So Julie, I totally understand what you're saying about loving William. Me too.
ReplyDeleteWilliam is such a sweetheart. From the beginning, on his own account. I loved looking for nature (Jamie) and nurture (LJ) and found both.
The William parts bored me quite a bit. But what I had most trouble with in this book is what Carol already mentioned... just when I was getting deeper into a scene it jumps into another "prong" of the caltrop (which usually involves another time period or continent) leaving me wondering what happened in the the part I was just reading. Problem is, Diana doesn't always go back and fill in the blanks and "wrap up" the previous scenes. It was frustrating. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Ladies. I love, love, love your blog but had to stay out of it until you got to Echo because the books all run together for me and I end up spoiling things.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're on Echo but see that you feel the same way I did when I read it. The first time thru I had to say that it wasn't my fave. Willie gets more interesting at the end but when I reread Echo the 2nd time, much better.
The best part of this book is that Fergus FINALLY gets a storyline! Enjoy!
Thanks pcost! We have had soooo much fun with this blog. Tracey is flying through Echo... but I am trying hard NOT to. When it's finished, Jamie will disappear from my life for 2 years. I canna even handle the thought! I am going to need some SERIOUS help from you all when I'm finished!
ReplyDeleteI am up to chapter 49 and now firmly on Team Willie, believe it or not. After a slooooow start, parts 3 and 4 were AWESOME--particularly part 4. Carol, you DO have to read faster so we can talk about stuff!!!! It's KILLING me!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYa know what's interesting? I am so protective of this last book and its contents that even your last comment is TMI, Tracey. I want no expectations. I want to know nothing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should just read and blog and not read any comments until I'm finished?
And when I'm finished YOU ALL better come to chat because I have already heard the words CLIFF and HANGER and I am going to be a MESS!!! :)
Why not just blog but don't read the comments? I usually read them and can respond...
ReplyDeleteOh---that's what you said. DUH. I read it as "I won't blog"--LOL.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll do that for the next few weeks. You'll be the Tweeter AND the Commenter. ;)
ReplyDeleteWee Willie bored me too - although I did find that I actually enjoyed Ch 20 more then I have the other ones (I did like his interaction w/ Bree et el) I really DO want to like him so I'm encouraged to see that there are Team Willie fans out there!
ReplyDeleteI find I'm reading Echo so much slower then the other 6. Possibly because the Willie chapters have been harder to get through, but I think it's also because I want to savour it knowing the LONG wait is that much closer for book 8
Oh Loopy I wish I were you! Still on Echo! Savor every SECOND!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just reading Echo for the second time. I just realized he met Richardson at the Culper's house! So Richardson is involved with Wahington's Culper ring! I don't know how I missed this before! It made things that happens in MOBY a lot clearer to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I like William by the way! His temperment reminds me a lot of Bree. Roger Mac is one of my favorites too!
ReplyDelete