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Voyager - By Diana Gabaldon
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Voyager ~ Chapter 8 ~ Honor’s Prisoner
This chapter begins with Lord John Gray beginning his new duties at Ardsmuir Prison. The previous governor of the prison was Colonel Quarry, as we was hastily leaving the place he referred to as “a carbuncle on God’s bum”, he filled Lord John a brief overview of how the prison operates.
As Quarry told John about the isolation of the prison and the lack of society, he said that the only good conversational partners were four of the officers at the prison and one prisoner, who was the only Jacobite officer there. The Jacobite to whom he referred, was treated with great respect by the prisoners and was viewed as their chief, they called him Mac Dubh, but he was best known by the English soldiers who feared him, as Red Jamie Fraser.
Quarry had a sardonic look on his face as he asked if Lord John had ever heard of ‘Red Jamie’. Lord John was not pleased, as the superior officer's look and tone of voice told him that Quarry was yet another soldier who had heard of his embarrassing encounter with Red Jamie Fraser, ten years previous. Quarry then informed him that he dines with Fraser once a week to discuss prisoner issues; this kept the prisoners "happy" and kept the prison running much more efficiently. As Quarry donned his boots to leave, he left Lord John with a warning to never turn his back on James Fraser when he was in John's quarters; he may be shackled but he’s a large man.
That night as Lord John slept, the memories of Carryarrick came flooding back to him. He recalled how he had snuck up on the man that he had read about on the broadsheets--he was about to either capture, or kill Red Jamie. As he was about to make his attack, he thought about all of the praise, Hector, whom he loved, would give him for doing such a deed, but that moment that he was distracted, was his failing as Red Jamie quickly turned the tables and held him prisoner
Later Lord John’s thoughts turned to the woman that was with Jamie that night.
“Curse that woman. If it hadn’t been for her—well God knew what might have happened.”
He blamed her for his surrender to the Scot Warrior of the vital information about his regiment—this was later viewed as the ultimate betrayal and had earned him the scorn of every soldier in his camp, except for his brother and the man he loved, Hector.
Finally Gray began to relax as he realized that all of his dreams had finally come true: James Fraser was his prisoner, now his fantasies of seeing the Scot in a jail cell, starving and freezing, and being flogged in the courtyard, could all come true.
While Lord John was settling in at Ardsmuir, we got a glimpse of Jamie’s life as Mac Dubh. He was still Laird, but now his tenants were prisoners and his land was a prison cell.
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I really enjoyed the chapter. This is my first re-kilt of Voyager so this time I was able to appreciate the irony of Lord John's desire to have control over James Fraser and watch him suffer.
Seeing the “the woman” at Carryarrick through Lord John’s eyes was not surprising, but was fairly entertaining.
We didn’t get to see much of Jamie in this chapter, but the small glimpse we had revealed that he was still the modest, good man that he had always been.
What are your thoughts on this chapter? Did you have any favourite parts that you’d like to mention?

One thing I wantto discuss is the title. I think Honor's Prisoner refers more to LJG than Jamie (but also Jamie). LJG is "trapped" or relegated to Ardsmuir because of someting he did that brought some measure of dishonor on him, he spends the chapter musing about how his honor (in, among other things, protecting Claire) caused him to suffer before and he wants to make Jamie suffer but in theend his honor does not allow it. And Carbuncle on God's bum remains one of my favorite descriptive phrases of the whole series!

Great scene! Sawney (congrats on going blue BTW).

What struck me was that despite Jamie being a prisoner, he seemed to have the respect of not only the men imprisoned with him but the warden Quarry. That says a lot to me about Jamie's character. Even as a prisoner, he conducts himself with honor. And of course he wins everyone over!

“Curse that woman. If it hadn’t been for her—well God knew what might have happened.”

The episode at Carryarrick Pass is a major event in Lord John's life and military career. He was mortally embarrassed by His only saving grace with the members of Hal's regiment was probably that it *was* Red Jamie Fraser he went up against. There is a good 8" between the men, along with a hardened military career (Jamie) vs. a soft 16yo. Regardless, almost 10 years later the event sticks in his gut and he despises Claire for her role and is thrilled at the idea of seeking revenge on Jamie Fraser.... until he realizes honor's duty between them -- jailor and prisoner -- won't allow Lord John to exact personal revenge. Lord John is bound (held prisoner) to his code of honor.


Years ago a phrase my friends and I would use which is verra similar: '... like a barnacle on da butt.' Dare I resurrect that particular phrase?

Laura, Is that another Pittsburgh thing?

um... yeah.

^Love that!

I agree with your observation about Grey, Laura, about John Grey's anticipation of having Jamie as a prisoner, and revenge. I got the feeling that even though he felt satisfaction about his new position, the was a sense of apprehension along with a slight sense of revenge - what a combo!

He may have thought he wanted revenge, but there is a saying "be careful what you wish for" I think what he really wants is to be close to Jamie (weather he admits that to himself or not) if it as a foe so be it, although I'm sure he wishes it could be as friend.

I offer these comments as my impressions of the chapter without meaning to disparage any of the great discussion above.

DG ended chapter 7 with the 20th C discovery that Jamie was at Ardsmuir and Claire asking "Where the hell is that?" Chapter 8 starts with Col. Quarry exclaiming "Ardsmuir is the carbuncle on God's bum".

Interesting that LJG feels the urge to curse the woman at Carryarick when she is likely the cause of Jamie sparing his life, if not his dignity. Rekilting that scene through LJG's eyes is interesting in itself, although appropriate in view of events unfolding as he takes up his new position.

Then we see LJG's resistance, but eventual concession that about the best companion at this "carbuncle" is the man, a prisoner whom he wishes to crush more than any other. Amazing that perhaps the most civilized prisoner is chained in irons! At least rather than continuing Jamie's misery, LJG eventually agrees to strike his irons. One veteran of Prestonpans put Jamie in irons and another veteran (?) released him.

Jamie cannot escape the mantle of leadership, even in prison. But, is this a curse or the means to keep him alive and sane? Who but Jamie would use his role as leader to disdain what comfort the fire offered and soften the pain of speakers moving away from the fire as their turn expired? (To bask in his glow?)

Was anyone else amused about whether the offer of a cat should be accepted to control rats in the prison cells?

Honor is certainly a two edged sword in this chapter! (Discussed very well by those preceding me.)

Tying the exchange of prisoner roles between Jamie and LJG is certainly the most obvious, but not the only irony in this chapter. The chapter could in fact be titled "Ironies"!

If you don't mind repoman I will comment within your own post, otherwise it will take too long to copy and paste... feeling lazy this morning.

I love re-kilting and re-meeting Lord John as an adult. Great summary, Sawney. And, great discussion all.

I love seeing how their shared sense of honor is such a strong parallel between Jamie and Lord John. John thinks about all the things he'd like to do now that Jamie is his prisoner, but he would never act on them because his honor precludes it. Loved seeing Carryarick and Claire through John's eyes.

I think that Jamie's role as leader of the prisoners and liaison to the prison governor's goes a long way toward helping him maintain his sanity and desire to live despite Claire's absence. I also think telling the long stories helps him, by distraction and by giving him a purpose, as well as helping and entertaining the men. I love how seamlessly Jamie slips into the role of laird.

I also agree with Bloom that the title has (once again) multiple meanings. John is a prisoner to his honor (he can't harm Jamie even though he may fantasize about it and he is stuck there because of some dishonor in London). And, Jamie is a prisoner because he gave himself up to save his family and tenants from starvation and the danger of having him hiding out there (since if he were caught they would likely all suffer or be killed).

Jamie's still an honorable man and a leader, despite being in irons, which outwardly make him look dishonorable. (There's that irony again. )

Love the carbuncle phrase. Nice to know that Harry Quarry has a sense of humor and turn of phrase. Too bad we don't learn too much more about Harry in this book.

I really like the way Diana builds on Harry's character through the Lord John books!