The SPOILER Thread can be found here.


Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Copyright 1994

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


The Promised Land

Scene I
In the beginning of the chapter a beautiful picture is painted for us of Kingston Harbor – “glowing like liquid sapphires in the morning light, the town above half-sunk in jungle green, cubes of yellowed ivory and pink rose-quartz in a lush setting of emerald and malachite.”

Finally, it seems, Jamie and Claire have come to a place where they can have a bit of a respite following everything they have been through since Claire returned. Their main goal is still to find wee Ian and in searching for him they are seeking out a Mrs. Abernathy. At this point, they have no idea to the actual identity of Mrs Abernathy.

Jamie is complaining to Claire that he is being pursued by the Porpoise, which really leads into a discussion of the new governor of the colony...Lord John Grey. Claire is not surprised that Jamie would know someone of LJG’s status, but that he would have made friends with the former Governor of Ardsmuir prison. Claire states, “I’ll never understand men.” Jamie responds by saying, “Well, friends are where ye find them, Sassenach.”

Scene II

Ishmael appears ready to take his leave of the ship. Jamie tries to make a joke about his leaving without a boat, but Ishmael remains stoic. Jamie offers Ishmael the gold but he wants none of it; instead, he wants to take Temeraire with him.

Jamie offers Temeraire the choice of whether or not to go with Ishmael, promising that he would not be mistreated in any way if he chose to stay. Ishmael spoke to Temeraire in a language that he understood and Temeraire “fell to his knees, and pressed his forehead to the deck at Ishmael’s feet.” Ishmael announced, “He be goin’ with me.”

After they leave the ship there is a discussion about where they would go as it seemed to be only jungle. Lawrence assures them that there are plantations “far up in the hills where they grow the coffee and indigo...” He says, “It is more likely that they have gone to join a band of Maroons, though.” Lawrence reminds them, “There are Maroons wherever there are slaves, my friend.” He said, “There are always men who prefer to take the chance of dying like animals, rather than live as captives.” This comment causes Jamie to react, but he said nothing.

Scene III

Again, we are given a beautiful description of Jared’s plantation (Blue Mountain House) at Sugar bay. They are made welcome by the MacIvers who are described as “a portly, comfortable Scottish couple.” Claire describes Mrs. MacIvers as “a plump, genial, grandmotherly soul-who, I realized to my shock, was roughly five years younger than myself.”

After much-needed attention to personal needs and private time, Jamie and Claire join the MacIver’s for dinner. The MacIvers are a very forthcoming with information about Mrs. Abernathy and her plantation. In the course of the conversation it is revealed that Archie Campbell is also on the island, having come to be a missionary to the blacks. Mrs. MacIver states, “So, ‘twas on account of the Reverend’s bein’ a great scholar that Mrs. Abernathy had written him, whilst he was still in Edinburgh, to ask him questions. And now that he’s come here, he had it in mind to go and see her.”

The discussion continues as to how Barnabas Abernathy had come to the island from Scotland and purchased Rose Hall. Two years previous he married a “woman no one knew, bringing her home from a trip to Guadeloupe.” “And six months later, he was dead,” stated Mrs. MacIver. There is a discussion that people suspected Mrs. Abernathy of having killed him, possibly by poison. It is also revealed that Reverend Campbell’s sister, Margaret Jane Campbell, has disappeared under strange circumstances.

Finally, the set-up for the next chapter takes place. The Governor is having a reception and anyone is welcome to attend. To Claire’s shock, Jamie asks her, “What d’ye think, Sassenach – would ye care to step out wi’ me at the Governor’s Residence?” He mentions that it would be a good opportunity to seek information about Ian, Claire expresses that she had nothing to wear (as she is trying to determine what Jamie is really up to) and Rosie MacIver offers the services of her “sempstress” who is very clever.

Jamie was nodding thoughtfully. He smiled, eyes slanting as he looked at me over the candle flame. “Violet silk, I think,” he said. He plucked the bones delicately from his fish and set them aside. “And as for the other – dinna fash, Sassenach. I’ve something in mind. You’ll see.” This comment being in response to Claire’s questioning looks about Jamie appearing in public when he could well be arrested.


This chapter is a great set-up for future chapters and contains a lot of background information, but there are still interesting questions to ponder:

How do you think the title of the chapter applies? Is the Promised Land only within reach or is it actually achieved in this chapter? Could Jamie's eventual reconnection with LJG achieve somewhat of a Promised Land for Jamie since LJG is his only link to William? Have Claire and Jamie reached what promises to be the key to finding Ian? Have Ishmael and Temeriare reached their Promised Land?

Once Jamie found out that LJG was the Governor, do you think he was equally occupied by his thoughts of meeting with LJG to find out about William as he was of finding wee Ian?

Jamie reacts to Lawrence’s statement, “There are always men who prefer to take the chance of dying like animals, rather than live as captives.” Do you think Lawrence was referring to Jamie’s past, and why did Jamie react?

Why do you think “Mrs. Abernathy” actually sent for Reverend Campbell? Do you think that it was a coincidence that Mr. Abernathy met and married Mrs. Abernathy?

Why do you think Claire thinks Jamie is up to something regarding the Governor’s reception?

Great summary, Trudy. Sorry I haven't responded sooner. Since we had a few weeks off, I got out of the habit of reading my two chapters a week and when I saw this thread and started reading it, I realized that I needed to go read the chapter to have the details fresher in my mind. And, since it hasn't been a big day in terms of reading time, I didn't get here to post until now.

I was a little confused about the scene with Ishmael and Temeraire. Was Ishmael ordering Temeraire to accompany him even if it were against T's will? His bowing down could indicate that or gratitude for getting him away from having owners. I assume the latter makes more sense, but on this read it seemed possible that T didn't feel that he had the choice.

About Lawrence's comment - I don't think Lawrence was referring to Jamie's past because it's not clear that he knows much about it. But, Jamie has certainly chosen at times to take the chance of dying like [an] animal, rather than live as [a] captive so I think Jamie - and Claire - would be thinking about that. Not sure specifically what Jamie had in mind, but I'm sure the comment hit home.

I have no idea what Mrs. Abernathy wanted with Reverend Campbell (though, as we later discover they are both nuts, so they have that in common). I hadn't considered that there might have been something up with Mr. Abernathy. Hmmm.

I'm sure knowing that Lord John is near by would make Jamie think of William, but I'm sure a lot of his focus is still on finding Ian. He feels a lot of guilt for losing him and he is in serious danger, while William is presumably safe, so Ian still has to be his first concern. Hearing about William and seeing his friend are just unexpected bonuses. I think Claire was shocked that Jamie would want to show himself in official circles given that they know he is wanted by the navy and he was so annoyed to see the Porpoise. But, I'm sure she's used to going along with Jamie even when she doesn't know all the details.

I hadn't thought about the chapter title before now, but I think you make some interesting points. They have reached their destination since Jamaica was where they believed the Bruja was headed, so that was a Promised Land, but until they actually find Ian, I doubt it feels completely that way. On the other hand, Blue Mountain House sounds like a veritable paradise as they arrived after the long trip and the adventures along the way. I think the two former slaves have definitely reached a promised land.

Interesting that when Claire and Jamie talk about Lord John, he doesn't tell her that she has actually met him once too. I find it hard to believe that Jamie has forgotten about Carryarick pass, but I supposed he was fairly distracted during the whole interchange.

I am not sure about the spoiler policy. So, I will just say that the later Lord John books shed some light on the events in this part of Voyager.

Trudy, Great review and questions!

Interesting that when Claire and Jamie talk about Lord John, he doesn't tell her that she has actually met him once too. I find it hard to believe that Jamie has forgotten about Carryarick pass, but I supposed he was fairly distracted during the whole interchange.

Well, but Jamie now has years of history with Lord John -- more years with John than with Claire, as a matter of fact. While Carryarick might be a good reference point for Claire, I'm sure for Jamie it's far from the top of his mind when he realizes that the governor is in fact his old friend/warden. Knowing that John is in a position to help him find Ian must be a huge relief -- although I'm sure the idea of learning more about Willie must be occupying his thoughts as well.

Great question about the meaning of the chapter title. One more thought on this -- it could also be seen as the end of the voyage and return to a "normal" (land-based!) life, including hot baths, civilized meals, and making love (extensively!) in an actual bed. After such a long and arduous journey, that sounds pretty blissful!

Also, interesting question about Mr. Abernathy. Based on who Mrs. Abernathy turns out to be, I'd say it's quite likely that their meeting wasn't by chance. We know that she doesn't do anything halfway, and I'm sure she must have investigate her prospects and planned what she wanted to do very carefully.

It's so nice to be back to the chapter discusions! I missed them over the holidays!

I agree that Jamie and Lord John have a lot more history together now and that goes along with Jamie's general distraction to prevent him from thinking about the fact that Claire met him before. But, I think in different circumstances without all the immediate distractions, he might very well have thought of that first meeting and told Claire who John was. Young John was quite honorable toward Claire after all, so she'd be predisposed to like him, right? That would help balance the thought of him as Ardsmuir governor, which would not be so positive.

Good point, ABL. I'm sure Claire would have remembered him quite sympathetically from Carryarick. Her encounter with him on the Porpoise was also very positive and helped her a great deal, and I think their initial good impressions of one another are important later on in countering the hard feelings that they also experience.

Thanks for all of your great comments!

ABL with regard to your quote:



I thought about this as well. I also wondered if Temeraire was bowing to Ishmael out of respect because Ishmael was offering him freedom for the first time in his life. I don't remember that the books ever reveal the conversation to us, unfortunately.

Love your comment that *Mrs. Abernathy* and the Reverand are both nuts!!! I agree wholeheartedly!

Repoman - are you referring to The Scottish Prisoner? I was able to read this in an entirely different light, having read TSP. It answered some things for me and helped me to better understand LJG and Jamie's friendship. That's all I guess I can say and stay within *non-spoiler* limits! Also, thanks for the encouragement...this chapter had a lot in it without really saying much! Does that make sense??? It just seems so full of exposition. It was hard not to just list fact after fact while trying to keep it interesting. So, thank you!


Lisa SF - Good point about the history between LJG and Jamie. Possibly that does account for him not clearing up LJG's identity with Claire. That was an interesting point to bring up ABL. I don't know, though, it does seem that sometime before the big reception that Jamie would have discussed that with Claire.

Hi All
Im new to this site and very excited i have come across it. A good friend convinced me to read this series, (i have not read a book in 6yrs) and now i cant put it down.

Im also up to this chapter, and found few things confusing, and hoping with great posts like above to get a better understanding.

Huge fan

Sorry, allen3, I missed your other posts when I approved your intro. Let's help you with a "bump" and hope that you get your questions answered.

Welcome, allen3! You will be amazed at the discussions from everyone here! Sometimes their knowledge astounds me!!! Have fun and join in - the books are worth the time!