Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Outlander's Circle of Stones




from Outlander , Chapter 2, "Standing Stones" by Diana Gabaldon

"Why, it's a henge!" I said, delighted. "A miniature henge!"...There were no signs of burial in the miniature henge atop the hill. By miniature, I mean only that the circle of standing stones was smaller than Stonehenge; each stone was twice my own height, and massive in proportion..."


"The tallest stone of the circle was cleft, with a vertical split dividing the two massive peices. Oddly, the pieces had been drawn apart by some means. Though you could see the facing surfaces matched, they were separated by a gap of two or three feet.

There was a deep humming noise coming from somewhere near at hand. I thought there might be a beehive lodged in some crevice of the rock, and placed a hand on the stone in order to lean into the cleft.

The stone screamed."

***********

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Outlander books is the Circle of Stones, or Craigh na Dun, as the Scottish highlanders call it. We learn early on that the stones are a passage through time and are responsible for Claire's disappearance in the twentieth century. As the plot unfolds, we gradually learn more and more about the secrets of the standing stones.

Why did the stone scream? Looks like you'll have to read Outlander to find out the answer to that question!

5 comments:

Lezlie said...

I have had the Outlander series sitting around forever! Someday I really need to read it. :-)

Lezlie

Kim said...

A few weeks ago I was just asking my b.i.l. who just got back from Britain, what stone henge was all about -- he didn't know. Guess I will have to read the book!

Joanne said...

Lezlie -- treat yourself soon to Outlander and let me know what you think!

Hi, Kim -- I learned from reading the books that there are miniature stone henges in many places of the world, not just England. Who knew?

Lesley Hensley said...

I'm on book 2 of the Outlander series. About half way through it. I am in love. Not just with the amazingly passionate and gorgeous Jamie, but with all of the characters. It's like you form a relationship with them. And I love every page :)

Joanne said...

Lesley - You have many adventures ahead in the Outlander series with so many books yet to read! It is an amazing experience. Enjoy!

Favorite Period Dramas

Mount TBR

Joanne's to-read book montage

On a Highland Shore
A Light on the Veranda
Entwined
The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile
The Edwardians
Maisie Dobbs
Howards End
Lady's Maid
Instruments Of Darkness
When Maidens Mourn
Where Shadows Dance
What Remains of Heaven
Where Serpents Sleep
Why Mermaids Sing
When Gods Die
Shadowfever
Before Ever After
The Sugar Queen
Garden Spells
After the Night


Joanne's favorite books »
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