Voyager © Diana Gabaldon 1994

Please discuss Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager ONLY in this thread. Thanks!


The Spoiler thread can be found HERE


Chapter 51

In Which Jamie Smells A Rat

The chapter opens right in the middle of the action, with Jamie hiding in the shadows on board the Porpoise. Apparently, the Porpoise's problems with the broken mainmast have slowed the ship down enough to give the Artemis a chance to catch up. Jamie has snuck aboard the Porpoise, with plans to find Claire, escape over the side with her, swim to shore, and then rendezvous with the Artemis once again.

Jamie has to stay hidden, but he knows exactly how to find Claire:



After four hours, Jamie's search for Claire is fruitless. We are treated to the amusing description of how Jamie imagines germs: "small blind things... with vicious razor teeth, like tiny sharks". Jamie encounters Tompkins, who recognizes Jamie at once. Jamie threatens Tompkins until he reveals that Claire is gone, and Jamie is taken into custody.

Believing Claire dead, Jamie lashes out at Captain Reynolds and attempts to beat him to a pulp. After another bash on the head, Jamie is recaptured and tossed in the brig once more. Good old Annekje comes to Jamie's rescue as the storm hits, reveals the truth about Claire's escape, and then literally heaves him overboard into the stormy seas.

Jamie comes to once again on the island of Hispaniola, where he encounters a motley assortment of helpful children. He learns from the children that several ships have come to the island recently, including the ship Bruja. Jamie feels his hope return, starting to believe that he will find not only Claire, but his kidnapped nephew Ian as well.

Questions:
- Were you surprised by the shift to Jamie's point of view in this chapter? Many times in Voyager, we've heard of Jamie's experiences as he relates them to Claire. Why do you think DG decided to switch perspective for this chapter?
- The chapter title, "In Which Jamie Smells A Rat", could be taken several different ways. What do you think it means?
- Do you find the action plausible, or -- as people have commented in previous chapters -- are there too many coincidences here?

Please add your thoughts on any points I may have missed. This is my first attempt at a chapter summary, so I'd love some feedback! (But be gentle...)

Finally, just a little bit off-topic: Happy Scottish Prisoner Day to all! How many of you are planning to start SP today?

Great summary, Lisa. And, thanks for joining in on the re-kilt by taking this week. It's great to have more people involved.

I downloaded SP from audible and listened to the first 4 chapters, so yay!

It is a little surprising to have Jamie's point of view because it hasn't happened often, but Voyager started out that way with Jamie's POV in chapter 1, so I suppose we might have anticipated getting more from him. I think it probably makes sense to hear a bit about what he's been up to rather than waiting for him to explain it to Claire later. Given that Claire just met up with Fergus et al and no one knew where Jamie was, it's nice to find out rather than having to wait and worry.

I was trying to figure out the meaning of the chapter title (it's been one of my focuses on the re-kilts). Anyway, there is quite a bit of focus on smells (the ship smells, plus those of illness). I suppose it could be literal rats, or the germs. Or Tompkins because Claire described him as looking like a rat (and wanted to ask Mr. Willoughby if T was born in the year of the rat). Or Captain Leonard who kidnapped Claire and whom he now believes killed her (not directly, but indirectly). Not sure what else.

I think events are still straining believability (with more to come), which is why this is not my favorite book in the series, but that doesn't mean I don't still love DG and her books.

Love Annekje. Taking matters into her own hands to get him overboard where he needed to be. Too bad she couldn't grab him a barrel or two like Claire had.

Thank you for a great summary, Lisa.

But, you do mean Captain Leonard, not Captain Reynolds?

You make a great point about Claire's character, and Jamie's understanding of her, when you highlight where Jamie will find her, among the sick.

There are a lot of coincidences as you point out. They do make the story move along. In some ways, it really is less surprising when you think about the Porpoise and the Artemis starting at the same location at sea and heading for the same destination as well as being limited by the same sea channels. The Porpoise was faster, but was slowed by the sick crew and the broken main mast. The approaching storm may have hit the Artemis first and sped her along also. And, remember that to get Jamie to land, we have the guiding hand of Annekje!

Poor Tompkins must be seeing his worst nightmare!

I love getting Jamie's POV. Since the author appears to be trying to hurry us along right now, this seems a good time to give Claire a break!

My copy of SP has not shipped yet! So, I ordered an e-book. I am taking a break from my to check OBC now.

Ha, yes, I meant Captain Leonard! (Can you tell I'm a Firefly fan? Captain Reynolds is never far from my mind, I guess...)

Lisa, great job on your first summary. You are a natural at it!

Not sure about the rat either. I agree with abl that it could be several things and probably is a combo of many of them.

As for too many coincidences, repoman had some great points about the point of origin and destination. Leave it to him to be logical.

I was really glad that we get these glimpses of Jamie through his own POV. I always feel more connected to him when I hear his own thoughts. It never ceases to amaze me that DG can tell so many stories with so many characters and get into their heads so clearly.

Well, Twilight, to hear her tell it, it is more a matter of the characters getting into DIANA's head!

Lisa SF I enjoyed your summary! (I'm new at this too!)

I don't have a lot to add; I think all of the "rat" theories have been discussed. It could be as simple as Jamie "smelling a rat" because Claire was not where she was supposed to be and being arrested by Tompkins lets him know that his identity is known and something is amiss! But...is anything ever that simple?

Like everyone else, I liked hearing Jamie's POV. Nice being in someone else's head for a change!