If I Find I Need Guidance, I’ll Ask! {Outlander Readalong Week 3}

Posted July 2, 2012 by Asheley in Uncategorized / 22 Comments

Welcome to Week Three of the Outlander Read-Along everybody! Jess from Tangled Up in Blue has written some excellent questions!

These come from Chapters 15-21.

My Questions for Week Four are found at the bottom of this blog post! *Be Warned: The Questions MAY be slightly spoilerish. Be careful if you’re not reading ahead!* 

Tweet while you read! Use: #OutlanderRA 

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Week Three: GOOD STUFF!

1. We FINALLY get to the scene we’ve all been waiting for. You know what I’m talking about — yay sexytimes! What were your impressions? Was it what you were expecting? Or did you want more?  

OH MY GOODNESS. *blushes* Great question. 

Well…YES I was highly anticipating the scene you mention. I mean, seriously, I’ve been very vocal about this on the blog posts and on Twitter. And I absolutely loved it! Does that make me a freak-weirdo? Because I’m okay with that if it does. GOOD STUFF, baby!!! 

My impressions are that I love Jamie for being naive. I love him for being inquisitive and for being honest. I love Claire for being patient and willing and kind. And I love that the two of them could be more than just married-on-paper. I thought it was fantastic. There were several parts of the chapter that I read more than once. **ahem** Y’all did too, don’t lie…

Is it what I was expecting? I didn’t know what to expect, other than I was hoping for GOOD STUFF because I had talked myself into high expectations. Although it is weird to be judging the sexual encounters of another couple, I APPROVE! and not only that – I’ll go a step further and say that I think I like these two more and more even after Chapter 15. Chapter 15 is only a springboard for the rest of what I’ve read so far.   

2. I know that some readers have been bothered thus far by the fact of Claire being married to Frank but still being involved with Jamie, despite the different time periods. Does their time as newlyweds change anyone’s opinion of that? If not, now what are you thinking of the situation? 

OOOOH another good one… I’ve been TEAM JAMIE from the beginning, even though I know Claire still thinks of Frank. Honestly, while the marriage and all the GOOD STUFF was going on, I wasn’t really thinking too much of poor Frank. I think that their time, those few days after their wedding made them grow as a couple, building on their friendship, and now I think Claire and Jamie have a reasonably solid relationship – or, as solid as it can be under the circumstances and for how new it is. 

For me, I’m GUESSING that if there is another jump and Claire goes back to the 1940’s where Frank is, I will actually be more bothered by any ‘interaction’ she has with Frank. To me, Claire and Jamie are a sound and solid couple and this is just how I see things. They’ve basically taken the place of ‘Frank and Claire’ in my mind – Does that make any sense? I think from here on out, Frank will bother me more than Jamie ever did/would have. That may be wrong or weird, but I’m just being honest…and also speculating. 

Also, again, I’m TEAM JAMIE, so there’s that. *shrugs shoulders* 

3. What did you think about the “waterhorse” that Claire saw? Why do you think Peter was so spooked? And what do you think this means for Claire? 

Honestly, I thought it was pretty silly when I was reading about it. But now that it shows up as a question, I’m wondering if it is foreshadowing of something later onCould Peter tell others about what he saw, Claire’s ease with the Waterhorse? Could she be viewed as some sort of witch or something? I have no idea. Where I had pretty much forgotten about it before this question, I will probably keep it in the back of my mind now. Sneaky, sneaky question.

4. If you were Claire and you were knowingly in the vicinity of the stones, would you have done the same thing she did? 

No way no no no! I trust Jamie and he isn’t real, so I can only imagine that if I were Claire, I’d do EXACTLY what he said. There are a ton of things working against Claire AND against Claire and Jamie as a couple. She was a bit foolish, in my opinion. I’d have planted my behind and stayed right there all day for my hot kilted hottie to come back for me. Y’all, I’m as serious as I can be. 

5. What do you think about Captain Randall? How do you think the family resemblance between him and Frank affects Claire and particularly her relationship with Jamie? 

I think Captain Randall is a horrid, horrid human being – just utterly terrible. Every time he does something that I think is awful, he comes back and does something that is WORSE. I know it bothers Claire to see him because he apparently looks a lot like Frank, but I would think that after a time she would be able to break that association…

I don’t really know how the resemblance affects her relationship with Jamie unless it keeps reminding her about Frank – erases the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality – but still I am thinking that Randall is so BAD that if it were me I’m thinking I’d probably just stop associating him with someone a bit more positive like Frank. Or maybe I’d have a hard time making an association with Frank at all anymore because all I’m seeing in the flesh is the awful Randall, and the memories of Frank – his own face, his voice, his movements, etc – would fall away. I’m not sure I’m making any sense right now, but I promise you it makes good sense in my head. Really.

I think Claire is smarter than Randall, though, in several ways. YAY!! And I love the way she has stood up to him already – with and without the help of others. At this point, I see Randall as an unredeemable creep. Who knows what the rest of the book holds?  

My love for Jamie Fraser only grows and he isn’t real. Help me, y’all.

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My questions for Chapters 22-28: 
(READING THESE AHEAD MAY REVEAL SPOILERS!)

1. How do you feel about Claire disobeying Jamie and the resulting punishment he brings forth on her for this? Do you feel that Jamie’s punishment was justified by the fact that everyone was put in danger by Claire’s actions? Finally, did Jamie’s vow with Claire’s dagger do anything to sway your thoughts or change your mind on how you initially feel/felt about his punishment? 

2. Just for fun, what was your reaction to the suspicious black spot Claire spotted on the floor near the area where Jamie was sleeping? Did you have any theories to what it might have been before it was revealed to be a _____? 

3. With regard to the ‘changeling’ baby Claire and Geilie spotted in the wild – if it were you back then and you happened upon a changeling baby in the wild in a circumstance such as this, do you think you’d have reacted most like Claire or Geilie? Explain. 

4. Share your thoughts on Geilie Duncan. Is there anything that surprised you about her story or were you suspicious of her from the beginning? 

5. Your thoughts on Jamie’s LAST REASON for wanting to marry Claire – the one he had been so secretive about. GO! 

Next week, Logan from Logan E. Turner 
will be sharing her questions from Chapters 29-35!
I can’t wait to see what Logan has for us! 

');

Asheley

About Asheley

Asheley is a Southern girl. She loves Carolina blue skies, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and NC craft beer. She loves all things history but prefers books over everything.

You can find her somewhere in North Carolina, daydreaming about the ocean.

Find Asheley on Litsy @intothehallofbooks!

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22 responses to “If I Find I Need Guidance, I’ll Ask! {Outlander Readalong Week 3}

  1. Lol…if you're a freak-weirdo, you're in good company! And, yes, that scene makes me like them both a lot more…although I'm pretty sure it's not possible for me to like Jamie anymore than I have from the very minute we meet him. Is there really anyone out there who's Team Frank? I think THEY'RE the freak-weirdos!

    • Agreed! I read and loved Chapter 15 and honestly, I wondered if the story would continue down this path of "romance" in this way. As I'm now through Chapter 28, I can see that it does! I like it. 🙂

  2. I agree with Sarah, I don't see how anybody reading this book wouldn't be anticipating the good stuff between Jamie and Claire:)Team Jamie all the way!!

    And I think your assumption about another "jump" in time is a good one. The question is: When will it occur?

    And I am in total agreement with you on Randall. That man makes my skin crawl.

    So, since I have, again, read ahead, I peeked at your questions for next week. Thank you for question #1, because I have A LOT of thoughts on that one!

    • About the jump: I just can't see how there are so many books in this series without some back-and-forward movement…however, I really really really want Claire and Jamie just to stay together. I really like them as they are. Usually, though, when I have a wish like that, IT DOESN'T COME TRUE. So, I guess we'll see.

      I figured everyone would have lots to say about #1…

  3. Jac

    My love for Jamie grows and grows, each time I read, each time I think about it – it's crazy how much I love him!

    And I agree with you on the Standing Stones – I would have sat my bum right there and listened (obeyed!) everything that Jamie said!!

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

    • Yeah, sometimes Claire frustrates me with her stubbornness, and THAT was one of those times. And in that instance, it just started a constellation of events that weren't all that pleasant. I'd have been content to take a nap until Jamie came back for me!

  4. I'm a freak-wierdo too. I think it is because their consummation was way more than the sex. The intimacy of getting to know their past, exploring & gentleness with each other….SWOON to the 10th power.

  5. I really like what you said about feeling like Frank is the "other guy" now. I'll also be upset at this point if she goes back to him.

    And I really hope that Claire is smarter than Randall. She at least has the advantage of knowing some things, because she read about him when she was in the future (like his association with the Duke). Hope that pays off! Because I'm certain he's not done yet.

    • I'll be upset too, Lauren, but I'm kinda terrified that exactly that will happen. This series is too epic to be so cut-and-dry, I fear.

      In the beginning when we first read about Randall I kept thinking WHY ON EARTH ARE WE HAVING TO READ ABOUT THIS GUY?? I really had no idea he'd play such a huge part. And it seems his part keeps getting bigger and bigger. I'm really glad she was paying attention to all of that stuff back in the 1940's – she was paying better attention than I was!

  6. Great answers! I love that Jamie was so naive and open with the fact that he had no relations with another woman — I loved how he was a little shy and a little embarrassed, but still said that he's not a monk! Even though chapter 15 was indeed full of "good times," I really enjoyed how it still made me smile and love Claire and Jamie even more.

    As for the waterhorse, I really had no idea that it might be significant in the novel … I guess I'll have to keep reading to see! I've read the book before, but I can't even remember.

    And I agree with you — I'll be very upset if Claire goes BACK to the 1940's and has relations with Frank … it's funny that I don't see THIS as cheating, with her and Jamie!

    • It's funny, Kristilyn, that we're almost all on the same page about that. We all have our thoughts and opinions about cheating and it being wrong but we can certainly suspend it for Claire and Jamie!! But I'm all for it. I love the dude. And I just…yeah, at this point I'd totally feel awful for poor Jamie that she'd cheated on him if she went back with Frank! But in real life…hmmm…

  7. I am most definitely Team Jamie as well. Claire and Jamie were meant for each other, simple as that, and I love them together.

    The waterhorse was definitely silly. There are often little silly things that get included in these books, and they don't always come back to mean anything significant…but sometimes they do. It's part of what makes reading these books so fun!

  8. great answers! i agree about waiting for Jamie. I mean, she was just almost raped for Pete's sake. I think that alone would have made me a little more wary about disobeying my husband (although, seriously, that "obey" part kills me). Also, I love everything about Jamie. ~dixie

  9. I must be a freak too ( or maybe it's just who I am married to ) But I love Jamie so much it is scary! I think why I love him so much, is that even though he is a fictional character, he could be real. He he is amazing but also has faults. He is real, not like a vampire of werewolf character, he could really exsist, and that is what I like!

    • You're too funny! You're so right about all that you said. I have almost texted you so many times, however I find that I read this mostly really late at night so it would be wildly inappropriate. But WHOA I do love that Jamie.

      And you are the one that told me about him first!!

  10. HAHA I couldn't wait to read your response to question one. I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YA WOMAN! I totally read some parts a few times! I think seeing Randall act the way he does would probably draw me further away from Frank and further TO Jamie, so I totally see what you're saying.

  11. Hahaha, Claire is kind of an idiot this week (as you know my thoughts already)! I'm not sure why she doesn't put more stock into what Jamie says, and can't believe her stupidity over the whole thing. It's like she won't listen because she just think he's demeaning her as a woman, when really he knows what he's talking about and genuinely doesn't want her in trouble. *sigh*

    • She does kind of treat him as if he is a little dumb, doesn't she? When really, he's pretty dang smart. He has as much smarts and wit as anyone else in the book and he's definitely strong and brave. She should absolutely be listening to him. She just wants to assert herself, probably because of how women were starting to move in the 1940's BUT STILL. Hang in there because this week has some fun AND some crazy surprises. It's a lot of reading, I think, and there's a LOT packed in there. I'm excited for you to read it and see one week from now if your thoughts are the same or if they've changed in any way…

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