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Dragonfly in Amber
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Plot Summary of Dragonfly in Amber
"In this sequel to Outlander, Claire, a twentieth century nurse, and her eighteenth century husband, Jamie, go to France to try to stop a highland uprising which they know is doomed to failure. As they find themselves caught up in the flow of history, the must come to grips with the fact that they know how events will turn out, and their love is repeatidly tested. Finally, caught up in a wave of events that they can no longer control, Claire and Jamie face the threat of being separated forever. "
fran laniado, Resident Scholar

"The year is 1967. Claire Randall, back in her own time, confesses her
story of her journey through the stones to her daughter Brianna and her friend Roger. Here we learn what happens to Jamie and Claire after Cross Stitch (the prequel). Claire Randall, a time traveller from the 20th century, is stuck in the 18th century with her husband and lover Jamie Fraser. They come to France to try and stop Charles Stuart invading Scotland to gain his crown back. Claire knows what is going to happen; the brutal slaughter of the Highland clans and exile and death for the chiefs. While in France, Jamie manages his cousin Jared's wine business. They mix with French nobility and closely watch Charles Stuart's progress. After duelling with his old enemy, Jack Randall, in a secluded spot (duelling is against the law), and mutilating Randall's testicles, Jamie is thrown into prison. Claire is distraught, as she now believes that Jamie has effectively killed Randall's descendant, her husband Frank, whom she is still devoted to. She also loses her daughter, Faith, in a miscarriage. It takes a while before Claire can even think about going to see Jamie, but she comes to her senses when she realises that there is work to be done. She manages to get Jamie out of prison, on the basis that Jamie is not allowed to come to France ever again. They leave for Scotland, and on arriving home at Lallybroch, find that they have failed. Charles Stuart has already gathered funds and has invaded Scotland. Worse still, Jamie's cousin Jared has signed Jamie's name on a list of
Highland chiefs willing to follow Stuart. Jamie realises that he has to join Charles Stuart, or he will be named a traitor. The Scottish army manage to make it to Edinburgh, but there they stop. They are running out of money; the gold promised by King Louis of France is long overdue. The Highland army is forced back, and makes a final stand at Culloden, on the same day that Claire predicted. Jamie, believing that he will be killed, sends Claire back through the stones to Frank, pregnant with his child, so that she may be safe."

Matthew S., Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Dragonfly in Amber
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - 18th century
Action/suspense subplot? Yes
Action: - social activism
If one lover chases another... - she chases after him
Time Travel Yes
Type of time travel - present to past

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - infantry soldier - accused criminal
Age/status: - 20's-30's
How sexual is this person? - several sexual encounters
How romantic is this person? - very romantic - somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on him Yes
Sex makes him - confident - blissful - mature - sensitive - a better lover
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - doctor/medical - nurse
Has unusual powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can see into the future - teleportation
How sexual is this person? - a few sexual encounters
Sex has good effect on her Yes
Effect of sexing - confident - a better lover - blissful - mature
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK - France
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion - fort/military installation - castle

Style
Person - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths - explicit references to deaths
What % of story is romance related? - 30%
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - impregnation/reproduction - actual description of sex - descript. of female anatomy (the big B's) - descript. of female anatomy (the big V)
Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English? Yes
Part of a series? Yes
Focus of story - Her - equally on him and her
Consequences of sex - pregnancy
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 5-9 sex acts
Most similar books to Dragonfly in Amber
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Waiting for Yesterday by Jenny Lykins
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
Nick of Time by Casey Claybourne


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Diana Gabaldon Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
fran laniado  

SCHOLARS:
Matthew S.  Sandra  Kimberly Sternes  Pauline Easter  Jennifer Olive  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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