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Outlander #7.5
The Space Between
Joan MacKimmie is on her way to Paris to take up her vocation as a nun. Yet her decision is less a matter of faith than fear, for Joan is plagued by mysterious voices that speak of the future, and by visions that mark those about to die. The sanctuary of the nunnery promises respite from these unwanted visitations . . . or so she prays. Her chaperone is Michael Murray, a young widower who, though he still mourns the death of his wife, finds himself powerfully drawn to his charge. But when the time-traveling Comte St. Germain learns of Joan’s presence in Paris, and of her link to Claire Fraser—La Dame Blanche—Murray is drawn into a battle whose stakes are not merely the life but the very soul of the Scotswoman who, without even trying, has won his heart.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2012
About the author
Diana Gabaldon
217 books182k followersDiana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,022 reviews
December 26, 2016
*re-read 2019*
Excellent the second time around as well! I remember this storyline- I want MORE from these characters. Really good stuff.
Excellent the second time around as well! I remember this storyline- I want MORE from these characters. Really good stuff.
May 23, 2014
Where I got the book: purchased on Kindle.
This is another of Diana Gabaldon’snice little earners e-novelettes based on the Outlander series. This time—I hope I’ve gotten this right—it involves Jamie’s nephew Michael, returning to Paris after the death of his wife, and Jamie's stepdaughter Joanie (Laoghaire's daughter), traveling to Paris to become a nun. AND she wants to become a nun because…she is finding it hard to cope with being some kind of seer, with voices in her head and the ability to see when people are going to die.
AND we also have the blue light, the Comte de Saint-Germain who has some weird ability to see conception happening, Maitre Raymond who can disappear at will and does not appear to age consistently…from its inception as a fairly straightforward timeslip historical fiction, Outlander appears to be straying more and more into the realms of fantasy and confusion and I’m expecting dragons to appear any moment (there is a character called Mélisande, only one letter removed from Game of Thrones…)
I’m not sure what to make of this inconclusive tale, . If you’re a hardcore Outlander fan you’ll have bought this already; if not, you’ll be wondering who the hell these people are and why Claire Fraser is so important to them.
And about that: remember that Doctor Who episode where Donna turns out to be the most important person in the whole of space and time or something? And the Doctor wipes her memory in the end? I have nothing against raising the stakes for a character, but sometimes the stakes get raised so ridiculously high for a character in a novel that you practically DO have to make them the pivotal point in the universe, from which position you can go precisely nowhere. I’m starting to feel like this with Claire. Please don’t give her godlike powers, because if that happens Outlander and I may have to undergo a parting of the ways.
This is another of Diana Gabaldon’s
AND we also have the blue light, the Comte de Saint-Germain who has some weird ability to see conception happening, Maitre Raymond who can disappear at will and does not appear to age consistently…from its inception as a fairly straightforward timeslip historical fiction, Outlander appears to be straying more and more into the realms of fantasy and confusion and I’m expecting dragons to appear any moment (there is a character called Mélisande, only one letter removed from Game of Thrones…)
I’m not sure what to make of this inconclusive tale, . If you’re a hardcore Outlander fan you’ll have bought this already; if not, you’ll be wondering who the hell these people are and why Claire Fraser is so important to them.
And about that: remember that Doctor Who episode where Donna turns out to be the most important person in the whole of space and time or something? And the Doctor wipes her memory in the end? I have nothing against raising the stakes for a character, but sometimes the stakes get raised so ridiculously high for a character in a novel that you practically DO have to make them the pivotal point in the universe, from which position you can go precisely nowhere. I’m starting to feel like this with Claire. Please don’t give her godlike powers, because if that happens Outlander and I may have to undergo a parting of the ways.
April 21, 2014
My favorite Gabaldon novella so far. I loved Michael and Joan and I really want to know what happened to Raymond and Comte St Germain. I read Diana plans a new series about Raymond and time travellers and I really can't wait for it...This author is simply unique in her intensity, emotions and richness of details.
October 14, 2015
If I have to be completely honest even fans of Outlander really wont miss a lot by not reading the novella and the only reason why I bought this is because I miss Davina Porter’s narration :-)
This little interlude does not add or subtract anything from the main series but it was a nice 4-hour audio that apparently should only be read after book 7.
This definitely cannot be read as a stand alone with no knowledge of the series but I think it can be read before book 7 as the majority of the tension centers around characters from book 2.
As always, some of the time traveling concept gets explored in this novella, just enough to spark curiosity but too little to satisfy completely
This little interlude does not add or subtract anything from the main series but it was a nice 4-hour audio that apparently should only be read after book 7.
This definitely cannot be read as a stand alone with no knowledge of the series but I think it can be read before book 7 as the majority of the tension centers around characters from book 2.
As always, some of the time traveling concept gets explored in this novella, just enough to spark curiosity but too little to satisfy completely
March 7, 2021
1.5 stars
Originally read (actually, this was a DNF) as part of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall anthology; now rereading on audio as part of the same anthology
Gee, I sure wonder what happened to the Comte de Saint Germain after he died, said nobody ever. But here's this story to tell you what happened. *yawn*
Not only is this nonsensical and boring and contains way too many subplots that are just barely tied together, and has a poor resolution (if you can even call it that), but it pulls in a bunch of characters you barely know from the main series and really have no need to learn more about. It also brings back Raymond, who is a curious oddity but not someone I'm chomping at the bit to see again. Gabaldon is trying too hard too late in the game to change up/explain the time travel aspect, tangling up the existing lore in the process, and I just don't care about anything that happens here. And of course, she has to include an icky, inappropriate "sex" scene because this woman just can't help herself with her rape fetish. Seriously? Why did that side story even exist? In fact, why does this entire story exist? Why can't Joanie just go be a nun? Where did that ridiculous ending come from with her and Michael? *scratching my head*
Unless you're a hardcore fan and just have to read everything, this is entirely skippable.
Davina Porter is great, even though she doesn't have much to work with here. I had to listen at 1.4 times just to get through this before dying of boredom.
Originally read (actually, this was a DNF) as part of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall anthology; now rereading on audio as part of the same anthology
Gee, I sure wonder what happened to the Comte de Saint Germain after he died, said nobody ever. But here's this story to tell you what happened. *yawn*
Not only is this nonsensical and boring and contains way too many subplots that are just barely tied together, and has a poor resolution (if you can even call it that), but it pulls in a bunch of characters you barely know from the main series and really have no need to learn more about. It also brings back Raymond, who is a curious oddity but not someone I'm chomping at the bit to see again. Gabaldon is trying too hard too late in the game to change up/explain the time travel aspect, tangling up the existing lore in the process, and I just don't care about anything that happens here. And of course, she has to include an icky, inappropriate "sex" scene because this woman just can't help herself with her rape fetish. Seriously? Why did that side story even exist? In fact, why does this entire story exist? Why can't Joanie just go be a nun? Where did that ridiculous ending come from with her and Michael? *scratching my head*
Unless you're a hardcore fan and just have to read everything, this is entirely skippable.
Davina Porter is great, even though she doesn't have much to work with here. I had to listen at 1.4 times just to get through this before dying of boredom.
March 13, 2018
The Space Between is a novella from the Outlander series. It was kind of cute because it gave you more information about characters that you didn't really know from the bigger books. Now this story is about Joan McKimmie, who is Jamie's step-daughter by the UGH Laoghaire. Sorry guys! I just did not like her in the first book nor in the show. Again, sorry to the people who like her.
Anyhoo, it's about her leaving Scotland for France with Michael Murray, who is Ian's older brother AND he runs a wine business. HOLD UP! I love wine. Can I go instead? I would LOOOVEEE it. Oh, maybe I wouldn't go for the reasons that Joan is going for.. well.. because she wants to be a nun.. I would just go for the wine.
Now I loved this novella! LOVED! Because it was way shorter than the regular books. I honestly really liked getting to know Joan's character too because she's freaking fascinating. Plus the whole nun thing was really intriguing and I just wanted to know if she was going to go through with it or not. Then there's Michael who is way too busy grieving over his father's death. Now I have the BEST relationship with my dad.. so I have a feeling I would grieve way harder and longer than Michael. Not a competition.. but just saying.
Overall, I really liked this book. It gave you a little bit of time travel and a lot of information. It also gave you lovable and relatable characters. I wish all of her books were quick, easy, and SHORT but I will accept the novellas with happiness. Can't wait to read the next book!!
Anyhoo, it's about her leaving Scotland for France with Michael Murray, who is Ian's older brother AND he runs a wine business. HOLD UP! I love wine. Can I go instead? I would LOOOVEEE it. Oh, maybe I wouldn't go for the reasons that Joan is going for.. well.. because she wants to be a nun.. I would just go for the wine.
Now I loved this novella! LOVED! Because it was way shorter than the regular books. I honestly really liked getting to know Joan's character too because she's freaking fascinating. Plus the whole nun thing was really intriguing and I just wanted to know if she was going to go through with it or not. Then there's Michael who is way too busy grieving over his father's death. Now I have the BEST relationship with my dad.. so I have a feeling I would grieve way harder and longer than Michael. Not a competition.. but just saying.
Overall, I really liked this book. It gave you a little bit of time travel and a lot of information. It also gave you lovable and relatable characters. I wish all of her books were quick, easy, and SHORT but I will accept the novellas with happiness. Can't wait to read the next book!!
May 9, 2014
I just finished re-reading The Space Between, a wonderful novella by Diana Gabaldon centered on two barely known characters from the Outlander series: Michael Murray (son of Jenny and Ian) and Joan MacKimmie (daughter of Laoghaire and stepdaughter of Jamie). The Space Between takes place soon after events introduced in An Echo in the Bone, and I can only assume that the events in The Space Between will be referenced in the upcoming 8th book in the Outlander series.
Basically, this novella is a goodie for fans, although I've been informed by a friend who read it as a stand-alone that it's enjoyable even without having read the series.
Set in Paris, The Space Between gives us more clues regarding some of the basic mysteries of the Outlander series, revisits characters not seen in quite some time (including one presumed dead up to now), and sets the stage for perhaps a new romance and certainly more intrigue in books to come.
If you're an Outlander fan with time on your hands before the release of Written In My Own Heart's Blood, definitely read The Space Between!
Basically, this novella is a goodie for fans, although I've been informed by a friend who read it as a stand-alone that it's enjoyable even without having read the series.
Set in Paris, The Space Between gives us more clues regarding some of the basic mysteries of the Outlander series, revisits characters not seen in quite some time (including one presumed dead up to now), and sets the stage for perhaps a new romance and certainly more intrigue in books to come.
If you're an Outlander fan with time on your hands before the release of Written In My Own Heart's Blood, definitely read The Space Between!
September 1, 2015
The space between este volumul 7.5 din seria Outlander, o carticica de 103 pagini in care este prezentata calatoria lui Michael Murray impreuna cu Joan MacKimmie spre Paris. Cu ajutorul acestei nuvele ii cunoastem mai bine si aflam lucruri interesante despre acestia.
Cartea incepe cu un alt personaj care ” a murit” in urma cu mai bine de 30 de ani. Ha, va imaginati ? Shoc si groaza , la inceput am crezut ca e o gluma, dupa care neuronii mei au primit doua palme de reveneala si totul s-a clarificat. Tot in aceasta nuvela apare si Master Raymond. Avem secrete, mister, alchimie, superstitii si ” voci” si inceputul unei posibile povesti de dragoste.
Cartea contine anumite detalii interesante, care cred ca vor aparea treptat in volulele urmatoare.
Cartea incepe cu un alt personaj care ” a murit” in urma cu mai bine de 30 de ani. Ha, va imaginati ? Shoc si groaza , la inceput am crezut ca e o gluma, dupa care neuronii mei au primit doua palme de reveneala si totul s-a clarificat. Tot in aceasta nuvela apare si Master Raymond. Avem secrete, mister, alchimie, superstitii si ” voci” si inceputul unei posibile povesti de dragoste.
Cartea contine anumite detalii interesante, care cred ca vor aparea treptat in volulele urmatoare.
March 17, 2026
4 Stars for The Space Between: Outlander, Book 7.5 (audiobook) by Diana Gabaldon read by Davina Porter.
A young woman who is troubled by hearing voices makes her way to Paris where she is to become a nun. Hopefully this will make the voices stop.
A young woman who is troubled by hearing voices makes her way to Paris where she is to become a nun. Hopefully this will make the voices stop.
March 18, 2014
Everything is good that's Outlander related, but I give it a 4 because it's so short, just as you're getting into it - it ends! It's surely enough to whet the appetite, but leaves the reader a bit dissatisfied and up in the air! The adventures of Michael Murray and Joan MacKimmie in Paris bring back memories and old characters from Dragonfly in Amber. Danger lurks nearby as Joan, starting out as a young novice in a convent, has a secret in which she has some sort of power to hear voices and forsee when people are going to die soon. Michael accompanies her to Paris but has trouble forgetting about her. He has his own issues as well. The two of them wind up facing an old enemy who has it out for "auntie" Claire Fraser - La Dame Blanche! Nice little tidbit to tide us over until book 8!
February 3, 2015
In this novella, Gabaldon chooses two lesser characters and send them on a journey mentioned towards the end of An Echo in the Bone. Young Joan MacKimmie, step-daughter of our beloved Jamie Fraser, heads to Paris to answer her calling and train to become a nun. Sent on her way with Jamie's nephew, Michael, they travel through the streets of Paris in a short and jam-packed story. While Joan seeks to make herself a bride of Christ, she wrestles with voices only she can hear, which offer both advice and glimpses into the future. As she prepares for her entry into the convent, she begins to question everything she has come to believe, which led her to this point. Michael, who may have been sent as a bodyguard, fights his own inner demons on the trip, part related to his growing feelings for this young woman as well as the knowledge his Aunt Claire gave him about the not too distant civil uprising in France, with Paris at its heart. Michael and Joan struggle to balance their responsibilities with what the heart desires, creating a space between logic and emotion. They must also fend off the plans of a sinister man who seeks revenge for Claire Fraser's antics when last she spent time in Paris. Learning of the connection Joan and Michael possess to La Dame Blanche, they are spun into a web of deceit and potential disaster. With a sprinkling of time travel discussion (of course, no Outlander story can ignore the Stones), Gabaldon moves her major sub-story forward while keeping a little more of the full time movement situation for the final novel. Brilliantly composed with just enough to keep the reader wanting more.
As the number of remaining Outlander stories dwindle, I am left to pay special attention to these tales. Having taken the time to re-read the entire collection, I have taken away so much and learned a great deal, both about the history of the time as well as the intricacies of the characters Gabaldon has set before the reader. As mentioned many times in previous novels, Gabaldon may introduce minor characters throughout, whose importance is only known much later. This novella is a wonderful case in point, where the likes of Joan and Michael receive only passing mention in earlier stories, but now play central roles. One could say the same for Comte St. Germain, who acts as a Stephen Bonnet or Black Jack Randall of sorts. Wonderfully spun in such a way to entertain and intrigue simultaneously.
Kudos, Madam Gabaldon, for another great addition to the collection. Much yet to read with so many questions I need to answer, and so I trek forward.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As the number of remaining Outlander stories dwindle, I am left to pay special attention to these tales. Having taken the time to re-read the entire collection, I have taken away so much and learned a great deal, both about the history of the time as well as the intricacies of the characters Gabaldon has set before the reader. As mentioned many times in previous novels, Gabaldon may introduce minor characters throughout, whose importance is only known much later. This novella is a wonderful case in point, where the likes of Joan and Michael receive only passing mention in earlier stories, but now play central roles. One could say the same for Comte St. Germain, who acts as a Stephen Bonnet or Black Jack Randall of sorts. Wonderfully spun in such a way to entertain and intrigue simultaneously.
Kudos, Madam Gabaldon, for another great addition to the collection. Much yet to read with so many questions I need to answer, and so I trek forward.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 6, 2019
"Sometimes a strange-looking boat would be there. But the rest was always the same and no doubt always would be: the old fishermen, catching their supper off the landing in stubborn silence, each guarding his space with outthrust elbows, the younger ones, barefoot and slump-shouldered with exhaustion, laying out their nets to dry, naked little boys diving off the quay. It gave him a soothing sense of eternity, watching the river. Perhaps it didn’t matter so much if he must one day die?"
September 29, 2015
Re-read for challenge
September 17, 2016
3.5 A quick, interesting listen. We get to know Joan and Micheal, as well as some other characters we've met before. I really liked the link between time-travelling and being snatched by fairies. As always the biggest reasons to listen to this series is the author's amazing sense of humour, her ability to to get me to really feel for the characters, and Davina's astonishing narration.
September 24, 2018
Who wouldn't want to read more about the Comte St. Germain and Master Raymond?!?
They as well as Michael Murray (young Ian's brother) and Joan (Marsali's sister) are the stars of this novella!
It's short, but not too short. I enjoyed it!
They as well as Michael Murray (young Ian's brother) and Joan (Marsali's sister) are the stars of this novella!
It's short, but not too short. I enjoyed it!
June 3, 2024
UGH DIANA what can I say.. she’s done it again. Some home I didn’t realise I hadn’t read this and boy I’m so happy I did 😍
This book delved into some of my own thoughts but also created SO MANY NEED QUESTIONS 💀🤣 I NEED book 10 to be out asap.
This book delved into some of my own thoughts but also created SO MANY NEED QUESTIONS 💀🤣 I NEED book 10 to be out asap.
April 17, 2014
huh?
I mean, I love this series, and I am always happy for a little more time in the Outlander world, but what did I just read?
I'm hoping that this has something to do with the plot in book 8, like a prologue or something, because as a stand alone, this novella is not only very thin, but unresolved for me.
Honestly, I would have rather had the author spend her time getting book 8 and the conclusion of the story written and published, rather than spend the time on small side stories like this one, cable productions, musicals, facebook spoilers, and other distractions. (for me, the Lord John books are an exception...I have enjoyed those).
The synopsis of the story mentioned a growing connection between Joan and Michael, but it didn't feel developed for me. Other inconsistencies were that there were many hints of things in the works that were never resolved, explained, or developed, for example: a kidnapping with no known motive, etc. Like I said, I am hoping that many of these things will be resolved in book 8.
Sadly, though I am a long-time fan, this one was a little disappointing to me, like most of her small Outlander-related shorts. (and that honestly, hurts my heart to say)
If you haven't read all the Outlander books that came before, do NOT bother. Most of this novella will make little sense to you.
August 7, 2014
Bumping this up in 2023 because is DG ever going to tell us what happens with Michael and Joan?
This might just be my favorite novella spin-off of the Outlander series. The events take place after "Echo in the Bone" and revolve around Jaime's nephew Michael Murray and Jaime's stepdaughter Joan MacKimmie Fraser. Joan is on her way to join a convent to Paris and Michael, recently widowed is willing to help out a member of the family. However, when the Comte St. Germain( yes, he is still alive!) gets whiff that a young woman with connections to Claire is in town, St. Germain will stop at nothing to get his revenge.
07/08/14
This might just be my favorite novella spin-off of the Outlander series. The events take place after "Echo in the Bone" and revolve around Jaime's nephew Michael Murray and Jaime's stepdaughter Joan MacKimmie Fraser. Joan is on her way to join a convent to Paris and Michael, recently widowed is willing to help out a member of the family. However, when the Comte St. Germain( yes, he is still alive!) gets whiff that a young woman with connections to Claire is in town, St. Germain will stop at nothing to get his revenge.
07/08/14
April 17, 2014
Gabaldon is one of my favorite authors so it pains me to give this one star, but it was not much more than a confusing, half-baked story that didn't seem to have much point or resolution. I wouldn't be surprised if it were actually a mishmash of deleted scenes that she pasted together in order to have a novella for sale. I enjoyed her other novella about Roger's parents, but this one was not up to her usual standards, unfortunately. :(
July 12, 2016
Wow! I thought this would answer so many questions and it did answer some. But now I'm spinning with more questions than I started with! Can't wait to see where this all goes.
October 26, 2023
Entertaining relationships listening 🎶🔰
This is a kindle e-book from my local library.
Joan is going to Paris to become a nun. She is will help with the voices she has been hearing 👂. Michael a friend of her cousin is her chaperone. It does not go as planned but Michael rescues her and she returns to the convent.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 of historical type novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😮
This is a kindle e-book from my local library.
Joan is going to Paris to become a nun. She is will help with the voices she has been hearing 👂. Michael a friend of her cousin is her chaperone. It does not go as planned but Michael rescues her and she returns to the convent.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 of historical type novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😮
April 24, 2014
As per usual, Herself has managed to do it again... Left me with that aching void of "What's next?"' I can't wait another moment for book 8. In such a short novella she was able to raise so many new questions, bring to life characters you felt were forgotten, and piqued many questions of Claire. I loved the opportunity to learn more about Joan and Michael, and see the beginning of a new kinship as well as the impact of Claire's warning on Michael. This definitely was a kind segue into book 8, providing a little background and a taste for the adventures to come. There is also a spoiler at the end, chapter 3 for book 8. I didn't read it, not a fan of spoilers. But this novella is not a spoiler, if you've read book 7 and the Lord John series you'll understand how significant Percival Wainwright's presence was, if you haven't read the LJ series, start now.
November 26, 2015
I had to read this a couple of times, and I'm sure that I still missed a lot. This novella is packed full of useful Outlander series information. There are so many mysteries. This helps some with the blue color surrounding certain people and other things in the series. It also leads to so many new questions. The family tree is looking like everyone in the series is somehow connected. I admit I mostly focused on Jamie, Claire, Lord John, Brianna and Roger while reading the other books. I need to do a reread and pay closer attention to some of these others. It's turning out that every detail seems important.
May 25, 2014
Note: this contains spoilers for
An Echo in the Bone
.
As with all of Gabaldon's books, there is a gaping error in the timeline.
In
An Echo in the Bone
, Jamie writes a letter dated March 20, 1778, and says that Michael and Joan have already left. In other words, they've left before March 20. This novella starts with their departure, but says June 1778. As I've said in all my reviews of her other books: huh????
Also, the Comte St. Germain says "tabernac". But that's exclusively a Québecois word.
An Echo in the Bone
.
As with all of Gabaldon's books, there is a gaping error in the timeline.
In
An Echo in the Bone
, Jamie writes a letter dated March 20, 1778, and says that Michael and Joan have already left. In other words, they've left before March 20. This novella starts with their departure, but says June 1778. As I've said in all my reviews of her other books: huh????
Also, the Comte St. Germain says "tabernac". But that's exclusively a Québecois word.
August 13, 2014
TEASE! That's all I can say… Diana's fantastic writing made me fall in love with two side characters from An Echo in the Bone, AND, we get a reemergence of Master Raymond. Fantastic, but too short!!! Thank goodness I can go right into Book #8, or this would have just made my heart hurt with longing.
March 21, 2022
This was SO GOOD!! Very short and flies by! So fascinating and I wanted more!! The ending felt so abrupt!! Almost like right when I was about to get BIG ANSWERS to the series as a whole, it ended!! But this definitely offers some very interesting and exciting things to unpack and theorize about. highly recommend any outlander fan pick this one up!! Really hoping we see more of Joan and Michael in the future!!
May 3, 2020
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" “The Space Between” is a novella set in the Outlander world that takes place roughly toward the end of An Echo in the Bone or perhaps between it and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. It involves several supporting characters from the series. In one part of the story we have Michael Murry, Jenny and Ian’s son and Young Ian’s older brother, and Joan MacKimmie, Laoghaire’s youngest daughter and Jamie’s step-daughter. In a separate storyline, we also have Paul Rakoczy aka the Compte St. Germain who we were led to believe had died in Dragonfly in Amber after ingesting poison, but who isn’t dead after all. Eventually the two storylines converge when the Compte abducts Joan, thinking that she’s Claire’s daughter and that she, too, may be a sorceress, and Michael must come to her rescue. Since the story primarily takes place in Paris, we also get to see Master Raymond and Mother Hildegaard again, which I found pretty exciting.
Michael has been living in Paris, working for cousin Jared in the same capacity that Jamie did years earlier. He was married, but his wife, Lillie, has recently died and he’s still mourning her. While that was still fresh for him, he also had to travel back to Scotland (something that happened in Echo) to be at his ailing father’s bedside before he died, too. Now Michael is returning to Paris, but not looking forward to being in his home where memories of his wife haunt him. He’s agreed to escort Joan who is traveling to Paris to become a nun and he finds her companionship to be a pleasant distraction.
Joan has been determined to become a Bride of Christ for some time, and even engineered certain events in Echo to finally make that happen. As it turns out, though, her reasons for wanting to enter the convent have to do with her hearing voices and seeing a dark veil over people who are about to die. It’s a burden that’s been difficult for her to live with, and one that she hopes the Church will help her sort out. However, she’s afraid to tell anyone for fear of them thinking she’s mad. During an outing with the other postulants, she encounters the Compte St. Germain, and the voices give her a message for him. She reluctantly delivers it, only to have him come looking for her later and abduct her, thinking that she has powers like him.
The Compte St. Germain appears to be dabbling in alchemy and possibly seeking the secret to immortality. As the story opens, he’s testing different potions on rats, trying to find the right one that was previously used on him. He also wishes to have a child and engages the exclusive services of a lovely young prostitute to accomplish that. We also discover throughout the course of the story that the Compte has powers we never knew about before that actually go a bit deeper than any we’ve seen thus far in the series and that border on magical abilities. He also has a surprising connection to Master Raymond, someone he’s been seeking out.
“The Space Between” was an entertaining Outlander side-story. I very much enjoyed getting to know these characters better and seeing them interact with one another. Michael is a kind man who has an honorable and protective side that’s reminiscent of his other male relatives. Joan is a fascinating character whose psychic abilities (if that’s what they are) are again, something that we haven’t quite seen before in this series. Her fears and uncertainties surrounding her gift are very realistically rendered. The Compte is a particularly interesting and compelling character, and I liked having the opportunity to unearth some of his peculiarities. The story of these three definitely kept me engaged throughout with its sense of mystery, intrigue, and a touch of romance. My only small complaint is that the conclusion is pretty open-ended, when I prefer for things to be wrapped up a bit neater. It really left me with a yearning for more. Perhaps Ms. Gabaldon will write more about them in the future or perhaps she’ll give us an update on what’s happening with them in the main Outlander books. Either way, I’d be game to read more about these three. “The Space Between” was originally published in the multi-author anthology, The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination. It was later republished in the single-author anthology, A Trail of Fire, and as a stand-alone novella in eBook format. It’s most recent publication is in the single-author anthology, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, along with several other Outlander related novellas.
"4.5 stars" “The Space Between” is a novella set in the Outlander world that takes place roughly toward the end of An Echo in the Bone or perhaps between it and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. It involves several supporting characters from the series. In one part of the story we have Michael Murry, Jenny and Ian’s son and Young Ian’s older brother, and Joan MacKimmie, Laoghaire’s youngest daughter and Jamie’s step-daughter. In a separate storyline, we also have Paul Rakoczy aka the Compte St. Germain who we were led to believe had died in Dragonfly in Amber after ingesting poison, but who isn’t dead after all. Eventually the two storylines converge when the Compte abducts Joan, thinking that she’s Claire’s daughter and that she, too, may be a sorceress, and Michael must come to her rescue. Since the story primarily takes place in Paris, we also get to see Master Raymond and Mother Hildegaard again, which I found pretty exciting.
Michael has been living in Paris, working for cousin Jared in the same capacity that Jamie did years earlier. He was married, but his wife, Lillie, has recently died and he’s still mourning her. While that was still fresh for him, he also had to travel back to Scotland (something that happened in Echo) to be at his ailing father’s bedside before he died, too. Now Michael is returning to Paris, but not looking forward to being in his home where memories of his wife haunt him. He’s agreed to escort Joan who is traveling to Paris to become a nun and he finds her companionship to be a pleasant distraction.
Joan has been determined to become a Bride of Christ for some time, and even engineered certain events in Echo to finally make that happen. As it turns out, though, her reasons for wanting to enter the convent have to do with her hearing voices and seeing a dark veil over people who are about to die. It’s a burden that’s been difficult for her to live with, and one that she hopes the Church will help her sort out. However, she’s afraid to tell anyone for fear of them thinking she’s mad. During an outing with the other postulants, she encounters the Compte St. Germain, and the voices give her a message for him. She reluctantly delivers it, only to have him come looking for her later and abduct her, thinking that she has powers like him.
The Compte St. Germain appears to be dabbling in alchemy and possibly seeking the secret to immortality. As the story opens, he’s testing different potions on rats, trying to find the right one that was previously used on him. He also wishes to have a child and engages the exclusive services of a lovely young prostitute to accomplish that. We also discover throughout the course of the story that the Compte has powers we never knew about before that actually go a bit deeper than any we’ve seen thus far in the series and that border on magical abilities. He also has a surprising connection to Master Raymond, someone he’s been seeking out.
“The Space Between” was an entertaining Outlander side-story. I very much enjoyed getting to know these characters better and seeing them interact with one another. Michael is a kind man who has an honorable and protective side that’s reminiscent of his other male relatives. Joan is a fascinating character whose psychic abilities (if that’s what they are) are again, something that we haven’t quite seen before in this series. Her fears and uncertainties surrounding her gift are very realistically rendered. The Compte is a particularly interesting and compelling character, and I liked having the opportunity to unearth some of his peculiarities. The story of these three definitely kept me engaged throughout with its sense of mystery, intrigue, and a touch of romance. My only small complaint is that the conclusion is pretty open-ended, when I prefer for things to be wrapped up a bit neater. It really left me with a yearning for more. Perhaps Ms. Gabaldon will write more about them in the future or perhaps she’ll give us an update on what’s happening with them in the main Outlander books. Either way, I’d be game to read more about these three. “The Space Between” was originally published in the multi-author anthology, The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination. It was later republished in the single-author anthology, A Trail of Fire, and as a stand-alone novella in eBook format. It’s most recent publication is in the single-author anthology, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, along with several other Outlander related novellas.
September 11, 2019
This was one of those novellas that if you happen to miss, it won't hurt. I struggled with this one. It was between 2 and 3 stars for me. But of course I rounded up for three reasons. One, because its Diana Gabaldon, two, it is Outlander, and three, it is Davina Porter. Those three reasons go hand in hand. So 3 stars.
April 19, 2014
For one of the many fans awaiting for the next Outlander installment this June, I was thankful for this short story to tide me over. If youre just starting this series, this novella will be a bit spoilerish.
This fun gem follows Joan McKimmie, daughter of Laoghaire (pronounced "Leery", or as we fans like to call her, "Leg Hair") on her quest to quiet her inner demons.
The stoy opens with Joan, accompanied on a ships passage to France by Michael Murray, Young Ian's brother. Joan seems to be running from her own demons, the voices in her head, no really...real voices, while she finds a kindred heart in Michael's sadness and strength. Although, she's off to the convent to become a nun while there are those in France who dont belong in 1700s France. There's your hint of time travel and "the space" between.
Joan is pretty gutsy. Knowing her stepdad, Jamie, and Leghair? How could she NOT have some fire? The nunnery will not be the same. I hope her 'deciding' year goes by quickly....you'll see what I mean.
Go read it. Its short and come back so we can be swoony over the awesomeness that is the Murray offspring. A new one to read about!
Michael's character made my brain melt. Here we go, another strong, endearing, redheaded Scot to be all gushy over and this while he is in a time of sorrow, mourning the loss of someone he loved dearly. And then he gets to save the day, all in 100 pages.
For the record, I would grab up anything DG writes on the Murray boys...I already adore Young Ian's character.
Richly detailed, fun read.
This fun gem follows Joan McKimmie, daughter of Laoghaire (pronounced "Leery", or as we fans like to call her, "Leg Hair") on her quest to quiet her inner demons.
The stoy opens with Joan, accompanied on a ships passage to France by Michael Murray, Young Ian's brother. Joan seems to be running from her own demons, the voices in her head, no really...real voices, while she finds a kindred heart in Michael's sadness and strength. Although, she's off to the convent to become a nun while there are those in France who dont belong in 1700s France. There's your hint of time travel and "the space" between.
Joan is pretty gutsy. Knowing her stepdad, Jamie, and Leghair? How could she NOT have some fire? The nunnery will not be the same. I hope her 'deciding' year goes by quickly....you'll see what I mean.
Go read it. Its short and come back so we can be swoony over the awesomeness that is the Murray offspring. A new one to read about!
Michael's character made my brain melt. Here we go, another strong, endearing, redheaded Scot to be all gushy over and this while he is in a time of sorrow, mourning the loss of someone he loved dearly. And then he gets to save the day, all in 100 pages.
For the record, I would grab up anything DG writes on the Murray boys...I already adore Young Ian's character.
Richly detailed, fun read.
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