Drums of Autumn

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Gabaldon blends various genres from romance to drama to science fiction. How did you feel about this combination of genres? Were there any moments in the plot that you think blended these elements better or worse than others?

2. Have you seen the Outlander TV show? How did it impact your reading of the novel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Have you ever found yourself starting over in life? If so, did Claire and Jamie’s experiences in the colonies resonate with you?

2. Has there ever been a time when you chose to sacrifice your happiness for someone else’s well-being, the way Brianna does to save Jamie and Claire? Why did she you make the choice you did, and how do your reasons compare to Brianna’s?

3. Is there something you’re as passionate about as Claire is about practicing medicine? What is it?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Drums of Autumn often wrestles with the nature of the past and how it can influence the present. What past events, figures, and/or traditions continue to influence your own 21st-century society? What does the novel suggest about the values and limitations of knowing the past?

2. What does this novel say about gender roles and dynamics? How do the gender roles and assumptions change between the 18th- and 20th-century settings, and what, if anything, remains the same?

3. What does the novel say about race and justice? Do you think Gabaldon would have focused more on these ideas if she wrote this book today?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the vast and wild setting of the backwoods of the Carolinas influence the story? How is it described, and what is its wider significance?

2. How does Claire change throughout the novel? Do Jamie’s changes parallel those Claire experiences, or are they entirely different?

3. How do the various points of view shape the narrative, key events, and/or characterization?

4. What do the standing stones at Craigh na Dun or the gemstones used to travel through them symbolize?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to return to the present after time-traveling, who or what would you think of to bring you back to the present?

2. If you could change something in your ancestors’ past, what would it be?

3. If you could time-travel to any period, when would it be? Why?