Outlander
discussion
Do you think the TV Series is influencing the way you interpret the book
Kyra wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Kyra wrote: "I am curious how they are going to play out that spanking scene on the show when it wasn't brought up in the last episode. "Well, the spanking scene takes place after ..."
Well, hopefully, they won't leave it out. I know "the spanking" has been the topic of some heated discussions here on Goodreads ... Since it is Starz I don't think they would be worried about offending the masses. Personally, I think once Claire gets over being enraged and mortified, she allows herself to see Jamie in a different light and it marks the point she begins to fall in love with him.
I love them both, and just comment on the inconsistencies to my husband. Of course he could care less:)
I agree that scene marks a turning point for Claire in many ways. I think up until this point, she liked Jamie very much, but saw him more as a means to an end, a safety measure to keep her safe until she could get back to the stones. I'm curious what others think: What else might've accounted for the change? Was it the shock of trying and failing to return to Frank? Did the gravity of her situation finally sink in? Did she suddenly see Jamie as "real" and begin the blissful fall into love? After Jamie promises not to lift a hand to her again, even though at the time it was considered "a husband's right" (*chokes*...blech), does she realize there is even more depth to this man?
I'm sure there are a bunch of factors. Thoughts?
I don't know. I just think she realized she could love him. They both seem to read each other very well.
I don't like TV Claire as much as I liked book Claire for book one. Then I thought book 2 Claire was an idiot and so much unlike book one Claire I have never reread it.I don't think I answered the question but I think they do Jamie perfect each way.
Joyce wrote: "I did think that he had affairs but now I need to reread because I don't recall. But even without being in love with Jamie, I know that the time it takes to get a medical degree is very demanding...."He had lots of affairs even before Claire went back. They were separated for 5 years for the War. I believe Claire admits to having kissed another person or two during that time but was smart enough not to let it turn sexual.
gertt wrote: "I read DG's comment regarding Frank's affairs and then read his and Claire's conversation in Voyager..."
I think they were both just trying to cope with a bad situation. It's even easier for me to believe that Frank went to other women since we know Claire's heart was still with Jamie. That's another reason Claire might not of brought it up over the years. If he was with other women, she didn't have to sleep with him, although we know she did. I'm not judging there, he was her husband, but I think she still felt it was a betrayal to Jamie and had guilt later. It was a lose/lose situation. Both parties were victims. Both parties were equally guilty of hurting the other. The only winner was Bree.
Shawn wrote: "Though I have not watched the TV Series, I have seen many threads that reference the series, while discussing the book. I am curious if you think the series is influencing the way you interpret the book."I think it affected how I saw things. I saw the first episode and started reading the series. So that did color the way on how I saw things. As many others have said, the TV series has a lot more insight on Franks point of view. But it is still neat to compare and contrast what you did read and how you saw it in your head vs on the screen. It seemed to me she was more devoted to Frank in the TV series then in the books.
gertt wrote: "Becky ♡The Bookworm♡: "Regarding Frank's fidelity..."I read DG's comment regarding Frank's affairs and then read his and Claire's conversation in Voyager [spoilers removed]
I wanted to let you k..."
Too bad we couldn't ask her about that. The rest of her letter makes sense to me but this conversation with Frank doesn't match up.
gertt wrote: "Becky ♡The Bookworm♡: "Regarding Frank's fidelity..."I read DG's comment regarding Frank's affairs and then read his and Claire's conversation in Voyager [spoilers removed]
I wanted to let you k..."
You think Claire is to blame for Frank's affairs or did I misread that? She did tell him to leave her when she came back through the stones. He chose to stay. So, if anyone is to blame, it's him. And then he does say he's leaving, he tries to take her daughter away.
Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "I agree that scene marks a turning point for Claire in many ways. I think up until this point, she liked Jamie very much, but saw him more as a means to an end, a safety measure to keep her safe u..."I think her failing to get back through the stones and the realization of how she could have gotten Jamie and the rest of the McKenzie men killed when they came to rescue her form BJR.
Mrsbooks wrote: "Too bad we couldn't ask her about that. The rest of her letter makes sense to me but this conversation with Frank doesn't match up."It's a good question if anyone wants to ask. From this page on her website she seems very open to questions. I'd hang out at CompuServe more often, but Goodreads is already taking a chunk of my life. : )
she is answering lots of questions on facebook right now - that might be a way or tweet her - she responds there too
Gosh, I miss FB sometimes. I'm on a dinosaur computer until the Christmas bonus hits. If anyone does ask and gets a response, please, please let us know! : )
Shawn wrote: "Well, hopefully, they won't leave it out. I know "the spanking" has been the topic of some heated discussions here on Goodreads ... Since it is Starz I don't think they would be worried about offending the masses...."From reading assorted interviews I know the spanking scene was filmed, so it will show up in the show at some point.
gertt wrote: "Gwendolyn wrote: "He had lots of affairs even before Claire went back.."What makes you think Frank cheated during the war and where does it say Claire kissed others?"
The book never says that Frank did have affairs. He never admits it and there are no scenes of his infidelity. Claire merely wondered if he had because he never said he hadn't. I choose to think not, although I believe he did strike up friendships with sympathetic women who wanted more than he was willing to provide (yes, I like Frank!) to compensate for Claire's pining for Jamie.
It's a mistake to forget that these are people raised in the 1930s and '40s. Marriage today is like a public library---take a book out, take it back when you're done---no stigma attached, even if there are children. Their generation would be extremely unlikely to consider it a serious option. They are Catholic after all, and in that generation divorce was nearly unheard of and somewhat scandalous, especially for Catholics.
I don't believe Frank was unfaithful BEFORE Claire went back through the stones, but I do believe he was unfaithful later on. Believing he was sexually faithful to Claire wouldn't necessarily be wrong...one could argue certain phrases he spoke in subsequent books were sarcastic...but that's far too big of a stretch for my imagination. Even considering the time frame, the issue of Catholicism, and possible scandal, I still cannot suspend my belief.
I am one of those who has started reading the book after beginning to watch the episodes. I actually started to read the first book several times and, for whatever reason, stopped. Now, after watching the episodes, I see the characters in the faces of the actors. I feel much more committed to continuing to read and to find out what happens. Who knew?I'm an avvid reader and this thing really has me hooked!!!
Patti wrote: "I am one of those who has started reading the book after beginning to watch the episodes. I actually started to read the first book several times and, for whatever reason, stopped. Now, after wat..."Oh Patti, it only get worse ... You will read one after the other ... Then (because the books are so long) your family begins to revolt .. Your friends wonder what happened to you ... AND worse, you go stark raving mad because it is going to take 4 years for you to get the final fix ... Whew, Welcome to the Mania!!!!
Shawn wrote: "Patti wrote: "I am one of those who has started reading the book after beginning to watch the episodes. I actually started to read the first book several times and, for whatever reason, stopped. ..."LOL, Shawn! As I'm on book 4, I have to agree!
Sharon wrote: "Shawn wrote: "Well, hopefully, they won't leave it out. I know "the spanking" has been the topic of some heated discussions here on Goodreads ... Since it is Starz I don't think they would be worri..."That's good to know ... It would leave the viewers with a different take on the evolution of Jamie and Claire's relationship, I think.
Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "Mrsbooks wrote: "Too bad we couldn't ask her about that. The rest of her letter makes sense to me but this conversation with Frank doesn't match up."It's a good question if anyone wants to ask. ..."
Well Becky, how cool is that .. Thanks!!!
Shawn wrote: "Patti wrote: "I am one of those who has started reading the book after beginning to watch the episodes. I actually started to read the first book several times and, for whatever reason, stopped. ..."I'm in for the ride for sure! My husband says I am borderline obsessed!!!
Patti wrote: "Shawn wrote: "Patti wrote: "I am one of those who has started reading the book after beginning to watch the episodes. I actually started to read the first book several times and, for whatever reas..."yeah, he is being nice now, wait until you are 3-4 books in LOL:D
Jeanine wrote: "What book is MOBY"
gertt wrote: "That's why I haven't read MOBY...I bought it as soon as it came out and it's sitting there nicely on my bookcase, but I know once I read it, there'll be a 3-4 year wait..so I'm holding out for a ni..."You have awesome will Gertt, I bought it and demolished it .. I just couldn't wait.
I'll do a re-read of the series before long.
i'm planning on starting MOBY November 1 in audiobook - and going to savor it
Ok I just couldn't figure the letters thanks. I'm not up to that book yet. I'm reading a breath of snow and ashes now
the title is Written in my Own Heart's Blood - which got shortened on her forum to WIMOHB - or MOHB (my own heart's blood) - which is said MOH-B or MOBY
I also started reading the first book after watching a couple of episodes and LOVING them. I don't think I could have imagined Jamie to be as breathtakingly gorgeous as he is on the show, especially as I've never really been much of a fan of red hair on guys. It was a really good decision to make Jamie's hair a dark auburn rather than a carroty red. Now when I read the book, I visualize the characters as I've seen them on TV. One thing I did notice is that TV Dougal doesn't seem to look anything like book Dougal has been described.
No I think the tv Dougal is more handsome than I pictured him
No I think the tv Dougal is more handsome than I pictured him
Shawn wrote: "Though I have not watched the TV Series, I have seen many threads that reference the series, while discussing the book. I am curious if you think the series is influencing the way you interpret th..."I just found this thread, and very happy I did! I had never read the books but was so hooked by the 6th episode, I picked up Outlander and read the whole thing before the next show - the Wedding episode. I was surprised how close it stayed to the book, how much the actors fit the characters, and how the scenes that were embellished worked. I'm now addicted and reading Voyager.
Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "That's a great question, Shawn!I read the book first and I went into the TV series with a pretty firm grasp on how I felt about the characters. Sometimes they hit the mark, sometimes they don't..."
Wonderful perspective, and great additional info!
L.G. wrote: "Shawn wrote: "Though I have not watched the TV Series, I have seen many threads that reference the series, while discussing the book. I am curious if you think the series is influencing the way yo..."Congratulations L.G. Welcome to the fanatical fan club of Outlander ... as you can see we are all die hards.
Jeanine wrote: "No I think the tv Dougal is more handsome than I pictured him"I saw a Trailer with the TV Dougal ... I have to agree ... I think he is very handsome.
Dougal's character intrigues me. I can see that fierce pride and nobility, but he has a tenderness in him that for some reason can vanish with the flip of a switch. He's either running hot or cold. Maybe that's why he's so good at being the Clan War Chief. As for the TV series, I really took notice of Dougal (er...maybe it was the actor) after the wild pig hunt. What an awesome scene. Then we see another side of him in the episodes at the Garrison. He carried off the arrogant pride like a true bad ass. The man deserves an Oscar, or at least a Golden Globe. Same with Tobias for his portrayal of BJR
Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "Dougal's character intrigues me. I can see that fierce pride and nobility, but he has a tenderness in him that for some reason can vanish with the flip of a switch. He's either running hot or co..."I agree with you on both counts. Dougal seems like a real person. BJB is just plain scary. When he talked about whipping Jamie, it just made me sick.
Of course, Jamie could just stand there and that would work for me!!
I will have to go back and reread Becky because I thought it was said that he did.
Shawn wrote: "Though I have not watched the TV Series, I have seen many threads that reference the series, while discussing the book. I am curious if you think the series is influencing the way you interpret th..."Long ago I read the entire series of these novels and loved every minute of the read(s). I think the TV version is wonderful, when I can understand the accents. I'm more of a visual person…so the series really is bringing the story to life.
Jeanine wrote: "I will have to go back and reread Becky because I thought it was said that he did."I listened to the series on audible and the reader was great. She used English and Scottish accents so I got so used to listening that once when my husband asked me a question while I was listening I answered " aye" :-)
He finds the accents difficult to understand but I think because of all those hours listening I am able to understand them!!
@ Heidi, Joyce and Marcy .... If you picked up one of the books now and started reading ... in your minds eye, would you see the characters you first imagined or the TV series' version of the characters?
Shawn wrote: "@ Heidi, Joyce and Marcy .... If you picked up one of the books now and started reading ... in your minds eye, would you see the characters you first imagined or the TV series' version of the chara..."Actually seeing the first show I wanted to relisten and I now see Jamie like the tv (in my mind he had redder hair and I like red heads!), I think I still see Claire as half what I had imagined (she was described as having that apple bottom men like and nice round breasts, not skinny like on the show) and curlier hair but the face of Claire on the show. If that makes any sense!! So yes it has changed a bit. Though like I mentioned earlier most of the characters look on the show just like she described them in the book. Dougal is more handsome than I had imagined and Murtaugh too. But they still look a lot like I had thought of them.
Sam is only an inch shorter than Jamie in the books - Sam is 6'3" and Jamie was 6'4"
It is what it is to each and everyone
The way the books describe Jamie, I always pictured him being the biggest Scot in the crowd, a guy who stands a head above the other men. Sam doesn't quite hit that mark for me, but he's still nice to look at. I won't complain. I'll just embellish on his fine features when I read the books. Ahem..all of his fine feature. *grins*
Its less Sams fault and more the other actors. One more inch on Sam (to make him the same height as Jamie) wouldnt make him tower over the other characters.I think, if I recall correctly, the only other tall character so far should be Dougals. Claire, whos supposed to be 5'6 (not 5'10) says somewhere in the book that even she is taller (or same height) than most of the men of the times.
So Sam would be fitting the description if the others were. Otherwise, they need a 7 ft actor, which I imagine, would be hard to come by.
gertt wrote: "It's not the height that's important, it's how the actor portrays the character and I think Sam and Cat both do an excellent job. You could have a taller Jamie and a shorter Claire that are the ri..."When/if I decide to watch the series, I hope I can do the same.
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Well, the spanking scene takes place after Jamie rescues h..."
But, didn't he tell her before he left her in the woods what he would do if she wasn't there when he returned? That wasn't mentioned in episode 8 so I was just curious how they would bring it up.