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An Echo in the Bone

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Book Brief

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Diana Gabaldon

An Echo in the Bone

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

820

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Colonial America • 1770s

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

An Echo in the Bone, the seventh novel in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, follows time-traveling nurse Claire Randall and Highland warrior Jamie Fraser as they navigate the challenges of the 18th-century American Revolutionary War and 20th-century Scotland. The story weaves through alternating timelines, historical records, and letters, involving military engagements, familial duty, and complex relationships, as they and their extended family grapple with fate and the supernatural. The novel depicts instances of self-harm, sexual assault, and contains offensive depictions of Indigenous American peoples.

Adventurous

Romantic

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

4.6

192,561 ratings

89%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone captivates with its historical depth and vivid character dynamics, continuing the beloved Outlander series. Fans praised its intricate plot and emotional weight, though some cited pacing issues and unresolved storylines as drawbacks. Overall, it remains a compelling entry, deeply cherished by series enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read An Echo in the Bone?

A reader who enjoys An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon likely appreciates historical fiction with a blend of romance and adventure. Fans of Gabaldon's Outlander series or Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl would relish this intricate weave of 18th-century history and time-travel elements.

4.6

192,561 ratings

89%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Character List

Claire Fraser

A 20th-century doctor and WWII nurse who travels back to the 18th century, becoming the wife of Highland Laird Jamie Fraser and a central figure in navigating the complexities of time travel and historical society.

A red-haired Highland Laird and ex-Jacobite who is deeply devoted to his family, particularly his wife Claire, and struggles to balance his duties with his adventurous spirit.

Claire and Jamie’s nephew who once lived with a Mohawk tribe, wrestling with his identity and seeking reconciliation between his Scottish heritage and newfound customs.

The red-haired daughter of Claire and Jamie, who returns to the 20th century with her husband Roger to secure their family’s safety while grappling with modern life's challenges.

A 20th-century historian and musician, Bree’s husband, who time travels to help Claire and Jamie, and struggles to redefine his identity in the modern era after their return.

A young man of noble birth who is Jamie’s biological son and navigates his military ambitions and personal identity as he matures.

A British soldier and aristocrat with a deep, complex friendship with Jamie, serving as a protector and confidant to both Jamie and his son William.

Book Details
Pages

820

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Colonial America • 1770s

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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