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Drums of Autumn Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Drums of Autumn


Claire Fraser, a time-traveller from the 20th century, and Jamie Fraser, her 18th century husband, arrive in the Colonies (future U.S.) in the mid-1760s. With them are their nephew Ian and Jamie's close friend Duncan Innes. Their adopted son Fergus and his family are left behind in Jamaica. Jamie plans to make his way across the Colonies to find residence with his rich, elderly aunt, Jocasta Cameron, at her plantation at Cross Creek. Along the way, they meet a man named Stephen Bonnet, who is trying to escape from the Crown, and help him escape. He later repays them by boarding their boat and stealing one of Claire's wedding rings and all their jewels. Upon arriving at his aunt's place, Jamie is cordially welcomed by his aunt Jocasta and invited to stay there with her. However, problems arrive when Jamie hears word that his aunt plans to make him heir to River Run, her plantation. Jamie does not want this, as he knows that Claire, who comes from the 20th century where slave trading is looked down upon in disgust, would hate to own River Run, with its abundance of slaves. Jamie, Claire and Ian accept the proposal made by the governor of the colony to give them land, and make a settlement at Fraser's Ridge. Fergus, his wife Marsali, and their son Germain join them soon after.
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In the future, Claire's daughter, Brianna, who had been spending the summer with her lover Roger Wakefield, has found an old newspaper clipping, dating 200 years ago. It reports the death by fire of Jamie and Claire Fraser of Fraser's Ridge in January, 1776. Brianna realises that time is running out if she wishes to see her mother again, and meet her father for the first time, so she undertakes the journey through the stones, into 18th century Scotland. After a brief journey to Lallybroch, her cousin Jamie, the laird, organises for her to board a ship bound for the Colonies, and hires her a bondservant, by the name of Lizzie. Roger, who has also seen the newspaper clipping, soon realises what Brianna has done, and sets out after her. Arriving in Edinburgh, 1768, he boards a ship bound for the Colonies, captained by none other than Stephen Bonnet. Brianna and Roger meet in a tavern in a town in the Colonies, and share a night together, complete with sex, after being handfasted. They then part company. Two days later, Brianna is raped by Stephen Bonnet, in exchange for her mother's ring. Brianna makes her way to Cross Creek, and meets her father. There is a
joyful reunion back at Fraser's Ridge. Brianna tells her parents about
Bonnet raping her. When Roger arrives at Fraser's Ridge, Jamie and Ian
meet him, and thinking that he is the man who raped Brianna, sell him to a group of Indians. Upon realising his mistake, Jamie returns to the Indian village with Claire and Ian, in the hopes of settling a bargain with whiskey to get Roger back. Brianna is left in her great-aunt Jocasta's care, who tries unsuccessfully to find suitors for her. Meanwhile, Brianna gives birth to a
boy, not knowing who the father is. Roger returns, but at a price - Ian is left with the Indians, and has been made to become one of them. Brianna and Roger plan their wedding for the annual Gathering of Scots at Mount Helicon, later that year. Continuing... in another book. This is book four in a series that is not yet finished (six so far).
The review of this Book prepared by Matthew S.




Reunited lovers Jamie and Claire arrive in America with their nephew Ian, and start a settlement called Fraser's Ridge. Meanwhile in the twentieth century, their daughter, Brianna, and her lover Roger, come across a notice of Jamie and Claire's impending deaths in an old newspaper. Brianna travels back in time to warn them, with Roger following close behind. Claire and Brianna are reunited, and Jamie meets his daughter for the first time, but after a misunderstanding, and a violent attack, Brianna and Roger are seperated, and Brianna may be stranded in the past forever.
The review of this Book prepared by fran laniado




The romance and adventures of Jamie and Claire Fraser continue as they work to clear a new settlement in the Carolina mountains in the 1700's. Their daughter unexpectedly joins them from the future and her fiancee follows suit to cause multiple circumstances and events to unravel!
The review of this Book prepared by Pauline Easter



Chapter Analysis of Drums of Autumn

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1600 to 1899 Who:    -   daughter Time Travel    -   Yes Type of time travel    -   present to past Family focus?    -   Yes Family, loving    -   Yes

Main Male Character

Profession/status:    -   farmer Age/status:    -   40's-50's Sex makes him    -   confident    -   blissful    -   mature    -   sensitive    -   a better lover

Main Female Character

Age/status:    -   40's-50's Profession/status:    -   doctor/medical Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:    -   teleportation Effect of sexing    -   confident    -   blissful    -   mature

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Southeast    -   Northeast Mountains/Cliffs    -   Yes Mountains:    -   climbing on trails    -   falling off Farm/Ranch?    -   Yes Farm/Ranch:    -   farm    -   lot of descript of animal care

Writing Style

How explicit is the sex?    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing    -   touching of anatomy    -   impregnation/reproduction    -   actual description of sex    -   Boob talk    -   rape/molest (yeech!) How much dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog How much sexing?    -   5-9 sex acts

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