Comments on: REVIEW: Lord John and the Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/ Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:50:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jorrie Spencer http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106688 Jorrie Spencer Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:04:29 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106688 I read part of <em>Voyager</em> before I stopped the series. I wasn't particularly interested in Lord John from that book. In fact, I had a hard time remembering him when his books started being released. Of course, I was obviously disengaging from the series at that point, so that played a role. Anyway, every reader takes something differently away from a book. But in what I've read, Lord John's attraction to Jamie feels forced and I feel uncomfortable for the character—and takes me out of the story, so I have to rush through those scenes with Jamie. Gabaldon convinces me of Lord John's attraction to other men, so it's not that she can't write manlust in a way that convinces me. (And, being a romance reader, I'm still hoping for someone to come back into Lord John's life. Not sure how likely that is though.) I read part of Voyager before I stopped the series. I wasn’t particularly interested in Lord John from that book. In fact, I had a hard time remembering him when his books started being released. Of course, I was obviously disengaging from the series at that point, so that played a role.

Anyway, every reader takes something differently away from a book. But in what I’ve read, Lord John’s attraction to Jamie feels forced and I feel uncomfortable for the character—and takes me out of the story, so I have to rush through those scenes with Jamie. Gabaldon convinces me of Lord John’s attraction to other men, so it’s not that she can’t write manlust in a way that convinces me. (And, being a romance reader, I’m still hoping for someone to come back into Lord John’s life. Not sure how likely that is though.)

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106684 Jayne Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:51:44 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106684 Bluenote, you're correct that I haven't read past the middle of book two in the Outlander series but even with that one, I got tired of everyone falling in love with Jamie. I guess I just hoped that Gabaldon would have one series without Jamie in it and one character who didn't fall in love with Jamie. I'm sure the scenes you describe are moving but I'm just tired of Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Bluenote, you’re correct that I haven’t read past the middle of book two in the Outlander series but even with that one, I got tired of everyone falling in love with Jamie. I guess I just hoped that Gabaldon would have one series without Jamie in it and one character who didn’t fall in love with Jamie. I’m sure the scenes you describe are moving but I’m just tired of Jamie, Jamie, Jamie.

]]> By: bluenote http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106481 bluenote Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:42:40 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-106481 I don't know if this is true or not, but it seems from the comments that the people who don't buy Lord John's love for Jamie have not read all of the Outlander books. I have done so, and while I admit that doing so was a bit of a slog (especially The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes -- she really, truly needs to cut down on the writing and finish the story), I nonetheless loved them overall. More to the point, though, John's feelings for Jamie might have read differently if you had been introduced to them in the Outlander series. The manner in which he fell for Jamie is beautifully described in Voyager, and there are some lovely passages in Drums of Autumn that reconfirm the depth of his affection. I have no problem with the way she handles his feelings for Jamie in the mysteries, for two reasons: (1) I have background knowledge which makes his feelings ring true, and (2) He doesn't simply sit around and pine for Jamie -- he actually has relationships with other men. Obviously, readers of the entire Outlander series might disagree with me, but that is my own take. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it seems from the comments that the people who don’t buy Lord John’s love for Jamie have not read all of the Outlander books. I have done so, and while I admit that doing so was a bit of a slog (especially The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes — she really, truly needs to cut down on the writing and finish the story), I nonetheless loved them overall. More to the point, though, John’s feelings for Jamie might have read differently if you had been introduced to them in the Outlander series. The manner in which he fell for Jamie is beautifully described in Voyager, and there are some lovely passages in Drums of Autumn that reconfirm the depth of his affection. I have no problem with the way she handles his feelings for Jamie in the mysteries, for two reasons: (1) I have background knowledge which makes his feelings ring true, and (2) He doesn’t simply sit around and pine for Jamie — he actually has relationships with other men. Obviously, readers of the entire Outlander series might disagree with me, but that is my own take.

]]> By: Chicklet http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102577 Chicklet Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:33:42 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102577 <em>Ladies, two words: audio books!</em> Oh, I have no aversion to long books, I have an aversion to authors spending 200 pages covering eight hours of action in the story. *g* Ladies, two words: audio books!

Oh, I have no aversion to long books, I have an aversion to authors spending 200 pages covering eight hours of action in the story. *g*

]]> By: Marianne McA http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102513 Marianne McA Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:16:49 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102513 Great, another book for the Christmas list. I'd forgotten this was coming out. I'm another reader who didn't like Outlander (and so many people whose taste I trust loved it, that I reread it some time later - but no, not for me.) I'd have thought I just didn't like Gabaldon's writing - but I did enjoy Lord John and the Private Matter. Gabaldon says somewhere that she thought, when she was writing the first Lord John, that she was writing a short story, and I wondered if that was what made the difference. Perhaps there's something different about her writing when she's trying to write in a shorter format. Great, another book for the Christmas list. I’d forgotten this was coming out. I’m another reader who didn’t like Outlander (and so many people whose taste I trust loved it, that I reread it some time later – but no, not for me.)

I’d have thought I just didn’t like Gabaldon’s writing – but I did enjoy Lord John and the Private Matter. Gabaldon says somewhere that she thought, when she was writing the first Lord John, that she was writing a short story, and I wondered if that was what made the difference. Perhaps there’s something different about her writing when she’s trying to write in a shorter format.

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102449 Jayne Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:27:46 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102449 Seems like I recall hearing that she plots her books as she goes along. Or is it that she writes scenes then constructs the plot so as to connect them into a book? Something different than the norm. I only hope (especially for her Outlander fans) that if she feels she's flagging, healthwise, that she writes some kind of outline and plot synopsis so at least people will know how she <em>wanted</em> the series to end! Seems like I recall hearing that she plots her books as she goes along. Or is it that she writes scenes then constructs the plot so as to connect them into a book? Something different than the norm. I only hope (especially for her Outlander fans) that if she feels she’s flagging, healthwise, that she writes some kind of outline and plot synopsis so at least people will know how she wanted the series to end!

]]> By: Marg http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102437 Marg Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:03:31 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102437 Isn't that every die hard Gabaldon's greatest fear....that either she or we will not be around to finish the series!!!! Isn’t that every die hard Gabaldon’s greatest fear….that either she or we will not be around to finish the series!!!!

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102428 Jayne Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:47:20 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102428 Marg, I wonder what Gabaldon will do if, and when, she finally finishes with the "Outlander" series? Of course since that will probably be in the late 2020s we might never know....[grin] Marg, I wonder what Gabaldon will do if, and when, she finally finishes with the “Outlander” series? Of course since that will probably be in the late 2020s we might never know….[grin]

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102426 Jayne Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:44:37 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102426 <blockquote>"Gabaldon does a great job of making the 18th century come alive. She has a great ability in these books to come up with the telling detail that helps define a scene."</blockquote> Precisely DS! When I read these books, I don't just feel like I'm sitting in the audience watching a play. I feel like I'm there, in on the action.

“Gabaldon does a great job of making the 18th century come alive. She has a great ability in these books to come up with the telling detail that helps define a scene.”

Precisely DS! When I read these books, I don’t just feel like I’m sitting in the audience watching a play. I feel like I’m there, in on the action.

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102424 Jayne Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:38:52 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102424 Vanessa, I haven't read the first Lord John book either. I <strong>will</strong> go back and pick it up at some point but since I knew I had the arc to this anthology to read and review before the end of the year, I put it off for now. Perhaps this character and these books work better for me because, like you, I really have to lurve me a book that goes on past 450+ pages. Vanessa, I haven’t read the first Lord John book either. I will go back and pick it up at some point but since I knew I had the arc to this anthology to read and review before the end of the year, I put it off for now. Perhaps this character and these books work better for me because, like you, I really have to lurve me a book that goes on past 450+ pages.

]]> By: Marg http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102378 Marg Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:30:29 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102378 I am very much looking forward to getting hold of this, although to be fair I would read just about anything Gabaldon wrote! I am very much looking forward to getting hold of this, although to be fair I would read just about anything Gabaldon wrote!

]]> By: Ann Bruce http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102294 Ann Bruce Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:55:23 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102294 <blockquote>I gave up 200 pages into The Fiery Cross</blockquote> Ladies, two words: audio books! And I can't wait to get my hands on this LJ book. I think I like the LJ series more than the Outlander series. Or maybe that's because LJ is my Gabaldon fix until the next Outlander book due in 2009? 2010? 2011?

I gave up 200 pages into The Fiery Cross

Ladies, two words: audio books!

And I can’t wait to get my hands on this LJ book. I think I like the LJ series more than the Outlander series. Or maybe that’s because LJ is my Gabaldon fix until the next Outlander book due in 2009? 2010? 2011?

]]> By: DS http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102211 DS Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:13:57 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102211 I love long historical novels but never could get into the Outlander series. However, in the two Lord John books I've read (except when Jamie is on stage) Gabaldon does a great job of making the 18th century come alive. She has a great ability in these books to come up with the telling detail that helps define a scene. I'm looking forward to reading this collection as well. I love long historical novels but never could get into the Outlander series. However, in the two Lord John books I’ve read (except when Jamie is on stage) Gabaldon does a great job of making the 18th century come alive. She has a great ability in these books to come up with the telling detail that helps define a scene. I’m looking forward to reading this collection as well.

]]> By: vanessa jaye http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102174 vanessa jaye Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:02:41 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102174 I read Outlander, loved it, and bailed on the rest of the series. I have this aversion to long-assed books. No matter how good they are, somewhere around page 400 I start resenting the fact that the damn book isn't over yet. I have the first Lord John book in the tbr pile, this review makes me want to go hunt for it. I read Outlander, loved it, and bailed on the rest of the series. I have this aversion to long-assed books. No matter how good they are, somewhere around page 400 I start resenting the fact that the damn book isn’t over yet. I have the first Lord John book in the tbr pile, this review makes me want to go hunt for it.

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102097 Jayne Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:14:26 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102097 Oh Jorrie, you and me both sister. Enuff of Jamie! But, sigh, I've come to expect that Gabaldon is going to haul his ass into everything she writes. Oh Jorrie, you and me both sister. Enuff of Jamie! But, sigh, I’ve come to expect that Gabaldon is going to haul his ass into everything she writes.

]]> By: Jorrie Spencer http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102085 Jorrie Spencer Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:56:45 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102085 I'm looking forward to this one! Like others, I bailed early in the Jamie/Claire books, despite loving <em>Outlander</em>. In fact, I just get a little irritated by the too-prominent role Jamie seems to play in the Lord John series. (Though it's not enough to put me off the books because I adore Lord John. I just don't find his attraction to Jamie convincing.) I’m looking forward to this one! Like others, I bailed early in the Jamie/Claire books, despite loving Outlander. In fact, I just get a little irritated by the too-prominent role Jamie seems to play in the Lord John series. (Though it’s not enough to put me off the books because I adore Lord John. I just don’t find his attraction to Jamie convincing.)

]]> By: Jayne http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102081 Jayne Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:49:34 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102081 There's no reason to slog through any J/C books in order to read any of the Lord John ones. I bailed halfway through "Dragonfly in Amber" and have never picked up another one. There’s no reason to slog through any J/C books in order to read any of the Lord John ones. I bailed halfway through “Dragonfly in Amber” and have never picked up another one.

]]> By: veinglory http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102073 veinglory Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:29:04 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102073 I will give it a go -- and I bailed on feiry cross at the non-consensual scene and swore of that author. I will give it a go — and I bailed on feiry cross at the non-consensual scene and swore of that author.

]]> By: Chicklet http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102047 Chicklet Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:41:10 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102047 I find it most interesting that Gabaldon can keep her logorrhea in check for the Lord John books, but not so much for the Jamie/Claire ones. Either way, I'm trying to figure out if I can read the John books without picking up the J/C series (I gave up 200 pages into <em>The Fiery Cross</em>). I find it most interesting that Gabaldon can keep her logorrhea in check for the Lord John books, but not so much for the Jamie/Claire ones. Either way, I’m trying to figure out if I can read the John books without picking up the J/C series (I gave up 200 pages into The Fiery Cross).

]]> By: veinglory http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102037 veinglory Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:18:54 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/11/27/review-lord-john-and-the-hand-of-the-devils-by-diana-gabaldon/#comment-102037 This one looks good! Thanks for the review :) This one looks good! Thanks for the review :)

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