Should you read the Lord John Grey books before later Outlander books?

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Should you read the Lord John Grey books before later Outlander books?

As a seasoned Outlander fan who has traversed the turbulent waters of time and love with Jamie Fraser, I must say that Lord John Grey has become a surprising beacon of intrigue in this captivating saga. His transition from a peripheral figure to a central character with his own series is nothing short of extraordinary.

Originally a supporting figure in the Outlander novels, Lord John Grey has evolved into the protagonist of his very own narrative. To date, he’s the unique side character who has been granted an entire book series; while there are other characters with individual tales, none have received a sequence as extensive as his.

In essence, most of the books unfold during the timeframe of ‘Voyager’, stretching from Ardsmuir’s closure to Jamie’s return to Scotland. As a result, Jamie makes occasional appearances. Moreover, there are plotlines in these books that are expanded upon later. However, it might be a bit jarring if you leap directly from ‘Voyager’ into the Lord John Grey stories without reading the intervening books.

You’ll understand a little more in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

In the novel “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone,” I came to understand that I would’ve benefited from a deeper understanding of Lord John Grey’s story. Previously, there were hints scattered throughout, but nothing that required extensive knowledge. However, when Percy appeared in “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” I must confess that having the full background between him and John would have been quite useful.

Diana Gabaldon skillfully ensures that essential details from prior tales are within reach for readers. Her intent is to present subsequent books as if they were the initial one to be read. Nevertheless, there are numerous aspects of John’s life that remain unexplored, leaving gaps in the narrative.

For me, one of the standout points was when they mentioned Thomas Byrd. I admit, I was unfamiliar with him at first, but my interest piqued once I delved into the Lord John Grey series and came across his character.

There’s a little more apprehension in the Lord John Grey books

Reading “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone” earlier on, I was already familiar with Byrd’s presence. In a pivotal moment from “The Scottish Prisoner”, I found myself reassured rather than anxious. Without prior knowledge of Byrd, that scene would have stirred up far more apprehension within the storyline.

Reading the Lord John Grey series in order might provide a more coherent and enjoyable experience, as it presents the events in their chronological sequence, thus avoiding potential spoilers from the main storyline that could be revealed later.

The Lord John Grey books aren’t necessary to understand the Outlander books

If you haven’t read the Lord John Grey books yet, you won’t be left entirely in the dark. While there are a few details that might have added depth had I read them first, overall, I didn’t feel like I was missing the main plot. On the contrary, my curiosity about Lord John Grey has been piqued, making me eager to learn more.

You won’t fully follow John’s narrative until you reach the book titled “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood”. Until then, you can continue reading the main Outlander series without any issues. You might even want to alternate between the two books as you approach the eighth installment of Outlander.

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2024-09-28 15:37