Saturday, December 5, 2009

"Slash"y Musings on AN ECHO IN THE BONE

I've had my expectations about ECHO based on the excerpts that had been posted to the Forum. The book, to me, seems faster in pace compared to the previous novels. Needless to say, I was caught unprepared for the surprising twists and turns – not to mention shocks – in this particular book in the series. However, it was the second to the last chapter "Redivivus" that has caused my "slash"y mind to go into all sorts of wild speculations. So, apologies in advance to those who are squicky about homosexual themes.

Other discussion threads have mentioned about there being closure between Jamie, Claire and Lord John. While I would agree that there is some closure between Claire and Lord John, I don't agree that the same could be said for Jamie and Lord John. In fact, I don't think there is any closure at all to that other "triangle" – Jamie, Lord John and Percy Wainwright.

Perhaps I'm putting too much meaning in the body languages described in the book. In the scenes with Lord John and Percy, I don't have any reason to doubt that Percy still holds very deep feelings for LJ. While it's true that Percy did betray LJ in BOTB, it's my opinion that LJ betrayed Percy first by going into a relationship with him while harboring intense feelings for Jamie. That undertone of resentment was apparent in his sarcastic remarks to LJ. There was also mention of Percy's "lover" the sub-gardener, who shared similar characteristics with LJ. It's obvious that he has been seeking out the same kind of passion that he had only felt with LJ. On LJ's part, I don't have any doubt that he too loved Percy in some way. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been hurt so deeply by Percy's betrayal.

And then, there's Jamie Fraser. I could not help but be amused by the fact that Lord John is now essentially in the same situation that Claire had been in many times in the previous books – namely being on the run with Jamie. In "Redivivus", Jamie's gestures toward LJ echo a tenderness that, to me, seems more than just mere friendship (Jamie's wrapping LJ in his cloak and holding his wrist as they flee, same as he had done with Claire). LJ had a couple of opportunities to escape from Jamie, but he didn't (Hadn't Claire likewise done the same in the past?). Then, there's his curious reaction to Lord John's blurted out confession, which may not be "curious" at all since I have reason to suspect that Jamie does know that Lord John married Claire. And if he didn't, that simple question of "Why?" holds a measure of trust in it. After all, given what Jamie knew of his friend's character and honor, LJ certainly wouldn't have had "carnal knowledge" with Claire without good reason – those reasons being that he married her to save her from imminent arrest and that they are simply two grieving souls seeking comfort from each other.

The fact that Jamie and Lord John are together and presumably on the run presents with several dilemmas. Obviously, Percy is still looking for Jamie (as a means to find Fergus), and he doesn't know that Jamie is the very man LJ is in love with, his rival so to speak. While I don't think that Percy is brave or vindictive enough to want to kill Jamie, I believe that his feelings for LJ are strong enough to warrant a verbal and emotional confrontation between him and his rival. Naturally, such a scenario would force LJ to also explore his true feelings with regards to the two men.

Then, there's Jamie and Lord John. There have been a number of arguments against Jamie's being able to share an intimate moment with LJ because of the sexual abuse he had suffered from Black Jack Randall. But then again, LJ too was a victim of sexual abuse. Both men are still obviously affected by their respective experiences (Jamie and his nightmares and LJ's hesitancy in giving himself to another man). But both have also tried to overcome the emotional aftermath of these experiences – LJ and his love for Hector and, later, his surrendering himself to Percy; Jamie giving LJ a fleeting kiss. Trust already exists between them. It's strongly possible that honesty would follow. As for the two of them sharing an act of intimacy, I say why not, if only to complete the sexual healing for both of them.

My greatest concern for this "triangle" however is William. While it's true that William now knows who his real father is, I don't think that he would be enraged enough to want to kill Jamie or LJ just to keep a title when it is already legally his. The big question is how would William react if he finds out that 1) LJ is a sodomite and 2) that the reason why LJ had taken Willie in was because of his strong love for Jamie. I won't be surprised if the knowledge of LJ's sexual preferences would be revealed to William by Percy, since Percy had indicated an interest in William in the first chapter of ECHO. Given the strong sentiments against sodomy during those times, there's a possibility that William might even suspect LJ of ulterior motives toward his person (Didn't Claire also consider the same thing in a previous book?), especially since, grown-up, William strikingly resembles Jamie.

Of course, this is all purely speculation on my part. That is why I will eagerly await the next book, not to mention all of Diana's other literary offerings in the future. I do have one last concern though. Diana said in THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION that the Outlander series will end in 1800. ECHO ends in 1778.

I don't know if I could bear witnessing the end of a series that I loved so much. But then as they say, all good things must come to an end. And at least Diana has promised that there would be a happy ending. Yes, I'm very much hoping for a happy ending. But, please, don't let it come any time soon.

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