The Fiery Cross comments chapters 79-91
Forgot to post this the other day, but here it is under the cut, my comments for chapters 79-91
Topic of the Week: What was your reaction to Jamie being bitten by the rattlesnake?
Great, not another huge thing! It may be a bit much after everything else he's already been through.
Thoughts and Topics...
1.Do you feel that Bree has a reason to feel like she can’t talk to Roger now that he seems to be pulling away from her because of what happened to him?
Yes, you can't talk to someone who won't talk to you after all.
2. Maybe Chapter 80 is the turning point for Roger and Bree. Bree is a little relieved that he will be gone because then she doesn’t have to be so cautious around him. Because of his impending absence, Bree loses track of her inhibitions and is able to give all herself to Roger. Do you think this helps him to heal emotionally?
It might be part of it and having something useful to do would help too.
3. Ghost bear. So apparently everything thinks so highly of Jamie that they think he can kill a ghost bear. *lol* I just love it.
It is amusing.
4. What did you think of Josiah’s revelation that he was sometimes the “bear”? Anything? Do you like the newer developments of Kezzie and Jo?
This was amusing too and yes, I do, seems to make them more a part of the story, which makes one think they'll continue on too.
5. Jamie tells Claire that had she not returned to him he would have just kept going on living. Do you believe this or do you think Jamie just wants to believe it? What do you think Jamie’s life would have been like?
I think he would have just gone on in the way he had been, just functioning and not really living, so no, I guess I don't really believe it because he's said so many times that he couldn't live without her. So, yes, he'd be alive and going on with a life, but not really living a full one without her. I doubt he'd have ended up in America had she not returned though. So much more wouldn't have happened either, which in a way is quite sad and yet might have been better in some ways, like Ian and Jemmy and Roger's loss of voice, they each have their sadness and goodness.
6. Do you feel Roger is being a little selfish and self absorbed after his ordeal or do you think his feelings are justified?
I think he is being selfish, but in a way it is justified. He lost who he was in a big way. But then he really needs to make the effort of finding who he should be now.
7. What do you think the purpose was for DG to toss Fanny Beardsley back into the story? Was it necessary to tell us that she cares about her child or was it solely to develop something in Roger?
Maybe just to give us closure. Could be that she learned from experience from the other books that sometimes readers want to know what happens with some of those minor characters, even the really minor ones. Could be that she might show back up again later too for some purpose. Who knows with DG?! LOL
8. Lightning strike. Judas and the ghost bear die. Claire grieves for her mother. Were you shocked by Judas’ death? Did you find Claire’s grief strangely out of place?
Not shocked, but sad like Claire. I love her reaction though that Judas must have always known and that was why he hated thunder so much because he was due to die that way. And no, not really out of place, maybe a bit more than needed, but then after such an extremely stressful last several hours and not knowing where Bree was and worried about Roger and the fact that lightning does weird things to you, I think it was her vent.
9. It seems like we discover the root of Jamie’s love of hair. Apparently, Jamie remembers his mothers hair when she was in her coffin. I love the imagery of a young Jamie uncovering his little sibling because he was buried under their mother’s hair only to cover him back up thinking maybe he would like it. Did Jamie like it? Is that way he loves Claire’s hair so much?
Funny that he calls her wee hen. It may be, the things of our youth tend to form our likes and dislikes.
10. Jamie also tells Claire he loves her gray hair because it means she is living. Does this stem from never seeing the gray in his mother’s hair?
Probably.
11. Weird that Brianna dreams of the ocean, Jemmy and Bonnet when she will she Bonnet again at the ocean with Jemmy. Bonnet also has a fear of drowning and they were under the water. I’ve often wondered what was behind Bree. Jamie? Roger? Any thoughts?
Maybe it was the krakken from Pirates! LOL Sorry couldn't resist. I would suspect either Jamie or Roger or maybe even both.
12. How did you feel about the scene when Roger asks Jamie to learn to fight? Did you think it was very much like a father and son?
It does seem like a bit of a father and son moment. I like that he asked, it shows he's feeling better about their relationship in a way, plus the respect of Jamie's abilities even at 50.
13. After Roger calmly accepts the idea of killing Bonnet do you think he’s starting to fit in to the 18th century?
Maybe a little.
14. The chapter is a good show of Roger and Bree’s little family with Roger getting excited about Jemmy walking and Jemmy excited that Dadee is home. I love that Jemmy butts his head against people when he wants up and it is so hilarious when Jemmy pokes his doll in the stomach telling it to eat, mimicking Bree.
Yes, I love all that too.
15. Sword fighting makes Roger and Jamie (Outlander) frisky for their women. Is it a Roger and Jamie thing or a man thing?
Oh, I think it's a man thing in general.
16. Roger gets approval from Jamie on his fighting skills which must be high praise considering Jamie’s own skill with a sword. High praise or Jamie humoring him?
I think it's legitimate praise.
17. Roger says that he watches Jamie and Claire hoping to learn their kind of love. His image of Jamie and Claire walking together with Jamie bending close to hear everything Claire is going on about is sweet. Jamie cares enough about Claire’s thoughts to just listen which I’m sure every woman would adore. This is my favorite Jamie and Claire moment. What is yours?
I like it too, but I'm not sure what my favorite moment is.
18. Jamie telling Roger everything he’ll need to take care of his tenants. Trust in a son? Is Jamie over estimating Roger or is Roger ready to be the son of the house?
I think yes, although I'd think he'd have, under different circumstances have said it all to Fergus. He may very well be over estimating him, but I think he'd have done all right, he has Fergus to help and the Bugs as well. If forced I think it'd be all right.
19. Roger asks what he should say to Claire and Jamie says, “I meant it.” What do you think this means?
Everything he's ever said to her.
20. What was your reaction to the thoughts that Claire might have to amputate Jamie’s leg?
Horror and hope that it wouldn't happen.
21. The buffalo wandering into the dooryard? Thoughts?
Fortuitous to be sure, but not surprising once Bree found the maggots, it was injured so it makes sense it wasn't with the rest of the heard.
Topic of the Week: What was your reaction to Jamie being bitten by the rattlesnake?
Great, not another huge thing! It may be a bit much after everything else he's already been through.
Thoughts and Topics...
1.Do you feel that Bree has a reason to feel like she can’t talk to Roger now that he seems to be pulling away from her because of what happened to him?
Yes, you can't talk to someone who won't talk to you after all.
2. Maybe Chapter 80 is the turning point for Roger and Bree. Bree is a little relieved that he will be gone because then she doesn’t have to be so cautious around him. Because of his impending absence, Bree loses track of her inhibitions and is able to give all herself to Roger. Do you think this helps him to heal emotionally?
It might be part of it and having something useful to do would help too.
3. Ghost bear. So apparently everything thinks so highly of Jamie that they think he can kill a ghost bear. *lol* I just love it.
It is amusing.
4. What did you think of Josiah’s revelation that he was sometimes the “bear”? Anything? Do you like the newer developments of Kezzie and Jo?
This was amusing too and yes, I do, seems to make them more a part of the story, which makes one think they'll continue on too.
5. Jamie tells Claire that had she not returned to him he would have just kept going on living. Do you believe this or do you think Jamie just wants to believe it? What do you think Jamie’s life would have been like?
I think he would have just gone on in the way he had been, just functioning and not really living, so no, I guess I don't really believe it because he's said so many times that he couldn't live without her. So, yes, he'd be alive and going on with a life, but not really living a full one without her. I doubt he'd have ended up in America had she not returned though. So much more wouldn't have happened either, which in a way is quite sad and yet might have been better in some ways, like Ian and Jemmy and Roger's loss of voice, they each have their sadness and goodness.
6. Do you feel Roger is being a little selfish and self absorbed after his ordeal or do you think his feelings are justified?
I think he is being selfish, but in a way it is justified. He lost who he was in a big way. But then he really needs to make the effort of finding who he should be now.
7. What do you think the purpose was for DG to toss Fanny Beardsley back into the story? Was it necessary to tell us that she cares about her child or was it solely to develop something in Roger?
Maybe just to give us closure. Could be that she learned from experience from the other books that sometimes readers want to know what happens with some of those minor characters, even the really minor ones. Could be that she might show back up again later too for some purpose. Who knows with DG?! LOL
8. Lightning strike. Judas and the ghost bear die. Claire grieves for her mother. Were you shocked by Judas’ death? Did you find Claire’s grief strangely out of place?
Not shocked, but sad like Claire. I love her reaction though that Judas must have always known and that was why he hated thunder so much because he was due to die that way. And no, not really out of place, maybe a bit more than needed, but then after such an extremely stressful last several hours and not knowing where Bree was and worried about Roger and the fact that lightning does weird things to you, I think it was her vent.
9. It seems like we discover the root of Jamie’s love of hair. Apparently, Jamie remembers his mothers hair when she was in her coffin. I love the imagery of a young Jamie uncovering his little sibling because he was buried under their mother’s hair only to cover him back up thinking maybe he would like it. Did Jamie like it? Is that way he loves Claire’s hair so much?
Funny that he calls her wee hen. It may be, the things of our youth tend to form our likes and dislikes.
10. Jamie also tells Claire he loves her gray hair because it means she is living. Does this stem from never seeing the gray in his mother’s hair?
Probably.
11. Weird that Brianna dreams of the ocean, Jemmy and Bonnet when she will she Bonnet again at the ocean with Jemmy. Bonnet also has a fear of drowning and they were under the water. I’ve often wondered what was behind Bree. Jamie? Roger? Any thoughts?
Maybe it was the krakken from Pirates! LOL Sorry couldn't resist. I would suspect either Jamie or Roger or maybe even both.
12. How did you feel about the scene when Roger asks Jamie to learn to fight? Did you think it was very much like a father and son?
It does seem like a bit of a father and son moment. I like that he asked, it shows he's feeling better about their relationship in a way, plus the respect of Jamie's abilities even at 50.
13. After Roger calmly accepts the idea of killing Bonnet do you think he’s starting to fit in to the 18th century?
Maybe a little.
14. The chapter is a good show of Roger and Bree’s little family with Roger getting excited about Jemmy walking and Jemmy excited that Dadee is home. I love that Jemmy butts his head against people when he wants up and it is so hilarious when Jemmy pokes his doll in the stomach telling it to eat, mimicking Bree.
Yes, I love all that too.
15. Sword fighting makes Roger and Jamie (Outlander) frisky for their women. Is it a Roger and Jamie thing or a man thing?
Oh, I think it's a man thing in general.
16. Roger gets approval from Jamie on his fighting skills which must be high praise considering Jamie’s own skill with a sword. High praise or Jamie humoring him?
I think it's legitimate praise.
17. Roger says that he watches Jamie and Claire hoping to learn their kind of love. His image of Jamie and Claire walking together with Jamie bending close to hear everything Claire is going on about is sweet. Jamie cares enough about Claire’s thoughts to just listen which I’m sure every woman would adore. This is my favorite Jamie and Claire moment. What is yours?
I like it too, but I'm not sure what my favorite moment is.
18. Jamie telling Roger everything he’ll need to take care of his tenants. Trust in a son? Is Jamie over estimating Roger or is Roger ready to be the son of the house?
I think yes, although I'd think he'd have, under different circumstances have said it all to Fergus. He may very well be over estimating him, but I think he'd have done all right, he has Fergus to help and the Bugs as well. If forced I think it'd be all right.
19. Roger asks what he should say to Claire and Jamie says, “I meant it.” What do you think this means?
Everything he's ever said to her.
20. What was your reaction to the thoughts that Claire might have to amputate Jamie’s leg?
Horror and hope that it wouldn't happen.
21. The buffalo wandering into the dooryard? Thoughts?
Fortuitous to be sure, but not surprising once Bree found the maggots, it was injured so it makes sense it wasn't with the rest of the heard.