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About Me
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- Diana Gabaldon
- Scottsdale, AZ, United States
- I'm the author of the OUTLANDER novels--which Salon.com described as "the smartest historical sci-fi adventure/romance ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting Uncle Scrooge comic books." I'm not sure I could describe them any better. [g]
Diana
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean. Actually if you cut Ms. Stowe's hair to shoulder length she has a striking resemblance to the portrait of Claire. Also it would get curlier the less weight longer hair has. Very lovely. Jamie would be proud of your choice.
Although Melina Kanakaredes' hair has always been more along the lines of what I pictured Claire having:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/media/rm1646172672/nm0005074
I still am adamant that I accept Diana's idea of her since she is Diana's character after all. And now, with a pic, I'm better attuned to what Diana was trying to describe. :D
Thanks! And I like her, anyway you depict her, Diana! Well, short of fat and toothless that is. Even Jamie has his standards ;)
When I think of curly hair, I think of my own, which is naturally wavy, curly, and often, frizzy, and unfortunately, never silky. But...that's _my_ hair. I'll happily take Claire's however you choose, since she's your creation.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how proprietary we are about the images that writing evokes, and how strongly we hold on to those images! For me, once it's laid down in portrait or film, it's difficult to hang onto my initial concept of it, especially if you end up embracing the new medium. I'll grieve for a bit over what's not to be, then things sort of blend in and move on. (I hope this makes sense.)
I found this great picture of Ashley Judd with brown, shoulder length,silky curls (but not kinky):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/curly-hair-cut-13.jpg
Diana,
As always, thanks for trying to provide visuals for us to communicate that which is locked up in the creative recesses of your brain.
Hair,Hair,Hair, down to here, down to there, everywhere Hair. What is it about our hair that can be one of the first impression we have of a person? I've heard people say even after getting to know someone, if only he or she would do something with that hair. Usually in literature, and you want this person to be quite attractive, hair is one of the first descriptions written(long,flowing,shining,usally with highlights) and that can even be the men, too. As strong a woman as Claire is, when she woke up and found her head shaved, she thought she would not be attractive to Jamie any more. I know as a society hair can become an obession. We certainly spend an enormous amount of time and money on it. Claire's hair has turned in to having a life all it's own. Oh well! I'm off to get my roots done.
ReplyDeleteAw, Madeleine's hair is exactly how I picture Claire's, when I think of it at all.
ReplyDeleteIt was never described as super curly....only as fairly out-of-control at times.
No matter how loose or curly, the only thing that matters is Jamie loves it.
This is more on the comment I posted earlier on hair.
ReplyDeleteDiana is a master at depicting how intimate hair could be to a relationship. When Jamie and Claire washed,or braided, or with a gentle touch tucked the hair behind and ear, it gave me goose bumps. I would wash my husbands hair if he would let me..if he had hair that is.
What about Lady Chatterly's Lover? That's not Lit? (No pun intended, but what the hell... And that's pretty graphic - and incredibly erotic. Certainly in the past it's been accused of pornography; times have changed, at least a little.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I'd argue that Ms. Gabaldon's books are Literature, (I wouldn't rule it out) but I'd certainly observe that if they're not, it's not because of the sex scenes.
Finally, to weigh in on the subject of Jamie's butt: He'd be mortified about this. Mind you, this doesn't stop me, at least.
For me, though, one of the values in these novels is that the characters actually age. Not only do they age,they remain vibrant and sexual. So why are we looking only at the 28 year old butts? Don't get me wrong, I like a nice young butt as well as anyone else, but this is Jamie, who has grown and evolved (and, most importantly, aged) throughout the series.
And thanks from this 50 year old reader.
Dear demon--
ReplyDeleteWell, we're looking only at 22-year-old butts, because what I need it for is as a reference for the graphic novel artist (I actually have a pretty good idea of what Jamie's butt looks like at all ages, myself [cough])--and Jamie is 22 in that.
Beautiful, reminds me of my Mother's hair which is like that only a bit more coarse..should post a pic since hers is always the kind that I pictures Claire having, meaning she has tons of higgledy piggledy curls... I like this type of hair much better than corkscrews which I can imagine would be very hard to care for in any century. LOL!
ReplyDeleteOK, this explains the disconnect. Your idea of curly hair is radically different from mine. [g] I would call Madeleine Stowe's hair wavy. Loose waves. I would never have called that curly hair in a million years.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad to have this put to rest, because I was having real trouble figuring out how you were picturing Claire's hair. Now I know.
Nightsmusic --
ReplyDeleteNow THAT is curly hair. Silky curly, too. That's very much what I imagined for Claire.
Yes, Beth, I did too. And I've seen her brush it almost straight and seen it much curlier on damp days. I got that impression from the conversation Jamie has with Claire when he says something to the effect that the girls in the castle would have to work for hours with an iron and still not get the kind of curly Claire has and they'd kill to have it. My hair is poker straight but if I muss it up and let it air dry, it does look like Stowe's so I just had a curlier picture. That's all.
ReplyDeleteAnd notice how I'm trying to ignore the whole 'search for Jamie's butt' conversation? Don't need any hot flashes now!!! ;-)
I only saw three links to a whole set of photos of Madeleine Stowe. Which photo(s) in particular were being pointed out?
ReplyDeleteThis is a picture of Kanakarides with her hair brushed:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/media/rm2391447552/nm0005074
Still very "Claire" to me....
Saw the Kanakaredes photos. No. Nice looking lady, but those are corkscrew curls. NOT what Claire looks like, at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to offend, if I did. That was just my original impression of Claire, that's all.
ReplyDeleteSorry to Blurb in like this. I have just found your Blog. (I have spent my adult years being 20 min. late, two days behind and 5 yrs. behind in Tech.) I use to watch my children "blog" and didn't concider it again (had to watch for the "perv's). Now I have found two of my favorite Author's in Blog's. You both are what I call Thousand page writer's, (I think of myself as a professional reader) Laurell K. Hamilton is the other author and totally different from you. Any-hoo, I have such a perfect vision in my head of All your "protaganist" that I'm just going to go with them. God forbid a movie would come out I'm sure I would be the idiot in the back saying "He does say that!!!" I also vote for the unabridge, and had no idea how badly I'd been "slapped" around until I got out of the car and bought the book so I could figure out what you had just said on the tape.
ReplyDeleteDear Night--
ReplyDeleteOf course you're not offending! Goodness, everybody's entitled to their own impressions, and glad to hear them. [g]
I'm just pointing out what Claire _does_ (and doesn't) look like, since there's been so much discussion.
Dear cjt--
ReplyDeleteWas I slapping you around?!? I do apologize, if so--but what tape?
Just making sure, DG :D Like I said, now I have a true idea of what she looks like and I love it really! I just know how upset everyone's been with their own ideas of what Claire looks like and didn't want to offend you at all.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have a great site for naked men's butts, if you're interested in...um...expanding your search ;)
In chapter 16 of Outlander Jamie stretches one of Claire's curls from her shoulder to "nearly her breast". That sounds rather curly to me. And if it would take "3 hours with the hot tongs" (again ch.16) to get Claire's hair then it is definitely more than wavy. Finally, Jamie tells Claire (ch.16) that her hair is curlier than his sister's, which is described in Chapter 26 as "cascades of black curly hair". Sounds like Claire has more than the slight wave of Madeleine Stowe's hair. Sorry to be so contrary but I am just the messenger. The descriptions are in the book. And many more besides! All of them curly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the proposed portrait of Claire, all I could say was "that's not Claire!!". Claire is older, rounder faced, shorter hair, curlier hair and lighter in colour. I know. She has lived in my mind for many years now. I do not presume to contraindicate Diana, however. With respect to Jamie.. I have a definite picture of him as well (large, muscular, rugged, deep red/long/thick/wavy hair, white smile, thick hands).. I could go on. He has been a resident in my heart for many books now. I eagerly anticipate more (pictures, books).
ReplyDeleteGail from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
I just started the first book (yet again... I've lost count of how many readings this makes) this morning. While I have now seen the painting of Claire, I can report that in my own visuals she still has shoulder-length, crazy curly, light gold with highlights hair.
ReplyDeleteI freely admit the possibility that this may be because I've just described my own personal hair- and I relish the idea of Jamie loving it!
It is a great compliment to you (lovely DG), that your readers are so zealous about the fantasy world you have created for us that we would obsess over the precise amount of curl in Claire's hair!
Speaking of zealous, I have just discovered your blog. The fact that you respond to comments has me in an absolute tizzy. Now I know how my daughter felt at the Hannah Montana concert! I have been reduced to a nervous, giggly mess. I think I'll go make a "Diana ROCKS" poster with glitter and Sharpies. :)
By the way, my husband (who actually read Outlander first and insisted I take it up posthaste) agrees with the rendering of Claire 100%.
ReplyDeleteI showed him the painting, and he said, "Precisely."
Oh my goodness, can you imagine the uproar when the Jamie picture is revealed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I have no strong opinion on Claire's picture, other than she's beautiful. Doesn't this particular art form_require_a rather stylized look? She looks great.
I guess I don't really "see" Jamie or Claire's features too clearly when I read.
Yes, his nose is a tad too long and her hair is "curly" but it suffices to know she is lovely and he is stunning and masculine. They both have striking eyes, and above all, they are completely attracted to each other.
I look at the Graphic Novel almost as a different entity from the series. If the images depicted in the GF creep into my brain when I'm later reading the books, it certainly won't ruin them for me.
Hm, yes, like my hair. I always thought of my own as "wavy" until various hair stylists from various salons, independantly of each other called it "curly". It's not straight, ergo, curly.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, without the aid of product and/or styling tools, it's all over the place.
I had hoped that Claire would have a distinction beyong a set of perfect features. She just looks like everyone else who's considered pretty. For instance, remember Gene Tierney ...not perfect...just amazing!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I have always "seen" Clair as looking like Emma Thompson and certainly older...we don't meet Clair until she's 27...the portrait makes her look about 17.
ReplyDeleteEyes are right on. Hair needs more curls..lips a bit too perfect..think a bit thinner and wider (like her daughter's), Otherwise, good start for Claire. I see Jamie as a cross between the actors, John Corbett/McConoghy(sp?)and Liam Neesum (sp?). hmm
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Echo..have read the series 4times already, feel bereft...can't sleep without em!
Susable
Am I the only person who just can't reconcile Hoang Nguyen's portrait of Claire with what I have in my head? I must be weird or something. I have a completely un-Madeline Stowe-ish picture in my head of Claire. I picture Claire as being (ducking here) a bit more "frowzy." Not frumpy - but simply not sleek or unrumpled. I picture her being "dragged through a hedge backward." You guys are probably going to thump me for this, but I Had more of a "Minnie Driver meets Julia Ormond" look in my brain for Claire. Ack. I guess I shouldn't describe the Jamie who lives in my head, huh?
ReplyDeleteI understand what are saying, Uska. To me, Claire is completely unpretentious and also "rough around the edges" due to her upbringing -- and she's not afraid of the hardships of 200 years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt is also clear she is stunning without trying.
I still think Nguyen's Claire is typical of graphic novels, quite sleek and stylized. It's just the way those things look. I had a look at Frank Miller's 300 book after the movie came out, and it was the same way.
I think I have to agree with Luke here, using the text as reference. Claire's hair has been described as much curlier than the picture of her shows. As devoted a fan as I am, and with multiple readings of each book, I feel like I totally missed out on any descriptions of Claire's hair as silky. So many different characters have "stretched" a lock of her hair to watch it "spring" back into place...and she describes her own hair as "higgledy-piggledy" at the best of times. Mrs. Baird (in the beginning of O) thinks Claire has a bad perm, remember? I love that scene. Anyway, what does it say about all of us that we are so obsessed with Claire's hair? =) I would be incredibly reluctant to post the first pix of Jamie...the phrase "firestorm of controversy" comes to mind. Still can't wait, though. I am also anxious to see Jenny, since I have never been able to fully picture her, either.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Uska. I can't see Claire as either Madeleine Stowe or Nguyen's teenage depiction. His nurse looks like she should be at a bachelor party, maybe coming out of a cake. She certainly isn't the woman with the "fine fat arse" described in the novels.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that while D.G. writes new books and works on other projects her lowly fans read her novels over and over and over again. It should be no surprise then that she may forget details like Claire wearing her hair in plaits but we wouldn't. In voyager, for example, Jamie tells Claire that Laoghaire's second husband, Simon MacKimmie, is the father of Joan and Marsali. Her first husband, Hugh Mackenzie was killed at Culloden. In A Breath of Snow and Ashes Marsali tells Claire that Hugh Mackenzie is her father.
In some obsessive, maybe sick way we know the little details of these characters better than their "Mother". Ultimately it is compliment but a curse too. Perhaps it is time for us to expand our literary horizons and read some other books. Just for a while
It's true Luke. Obsession is a wearying thing.
ReplyDeleteGraphic novels are basically cartoons...very pretty cartoons with adult storylines...but cartoons none the less.
The pictures (and format) won't be to everyone's taste.
Yep, that is Claire's hair, and not surprisingly unlike my own. ha ha.
ReplyDeleteIs your artist planning on updating his portrait again, or is the one you shared the final image for 1940's Claire?
One more thing that has always nagged at me: At the end of Outlander, Geillis Duncan tells Dougal four numbers to relate to Claire in a particular order. The numbers are 1,9,6,7, which of course Claire interprets as the year from which Geillis came. BUT, didn't she come from 1968 later on? What's with 1967?
ReplyDeleteWith a bit of a hair cut Katherine McPhee in this photo:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/yad5cb
would also be a ringer. Check the face-shape, eyes, brows, lips. She looks very much like the graphic novel portrait of young Claire, silky-curly and all.
Whoo. I think Luke is being a wee bit harsh. Diana created Claire and I think you need to respect that. I happen to have long curly / wavy hair, and without it being corkscrew curls it still stretches out when pulled and would take a long time with tongs to create. I think the big difference here is texture and thickness. Her curls and unruliness would probably come from the amount of hair, not the tightness of curl. And as for the graphic novel portrait being too young, is everyone forgetting Claire is ALWAYS being mistaken for someone younger. At 27 she looked more like Jamie's 22. At 40 or so she looked 30. Lets just admit that she looks young, and beautiful. I happen to love the portrait. I always thought of the curls like this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Rachelweisz.jpg/468px-Rachelweisz.jpg
ReplyDeleteor http://www.withfriendship.com/user/images/376/mummy-returns-rachel.jpg
Thats all. Great job Diana!
I hate to get in on the hair topic, but I suppose Claire has always been the most difficult character for me to envision and her hair has always been the one constant in my imaginings. I have always pictured Claire's hair as being akin to Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio's hair in Kevin Reynold's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is awesome and some excellent information is shared. Your blog is useful for our visitors.
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