Gabaldon's fans get hitched married as Jamie and Claire Fraser

Note: Photo of Lady Johanne Brunet and DH Luc,
taken by Lady Johanne's father, Claude Lalumière.

Gaga for Gabaldon

Author Diana Gabaldon is no stranger to men in kilts. Not only did she create Jamie Fraser, an 18th-century Scottish heartthrob. in her best-selling Outlander series, but on publicity tours she is often besieged by male fans dressed in tartans and plaids. Gabaldon — who recently released her fifth book in the adventure saga. The Fiery Cross, (a mighty 979 pages) — does, in fact, have a strange breed of fans, and ones that are always rabid for more. "I received a letter." says the Arizona-based Gabaldon, "from a 96-year-old woman who wrote, 'I hope you won't be too long with your next book:"

Gabaldon, 50. has enthusiasts in such far-flung places as New Zealand, Japan and Zimbabwe, and some of her most fervent followers are in Canada. Vancouver's Judie Rousselle founded a worldwide group of Outlander aficionados called the Ladies of Lallybroch — the name of the Scottish town where Fraser was born. For Rousselle's birthday, the club asked Gabaldon to compose an ode. When the author replied that she might not be able to because she was so busy she couldn't find time to buy toilet paper, a call went out among the Ladies and 48 packages of toilet paper from around the world landed on Gabaldon's doorstep. How outlandish!

Amy Cameron

© Macleans Magazine, 2002-01-14
Reprinted for educational purposes only, and not for profit

 

Note: From the Acknowlegments of The Fiery Cross:
"... the Ladies of Lallybroch, for their enthusiastic and continuing moral support, including the thoughtful international assortement of toilet paper."


 



Ode
A Birthday Blessing

for Madame J. Rousselle, in Token of the great Affection and Esteem
in which she is held by all her Acquaintance, including the Undersigned

May God's blessing be yours,
And well may it befall you.
May God's goodness be yours,
And well and seven times well
May you spend your life.

Be the eye of God dwelling with you,
The foot of Christ in guidance with you,
The shower of the Spirit pouring on you,
Richly and generously,
Each day and night
Of your portion in the world.

The love and affection of heaven be to you,
The love and affection of the saints be to you,
The love and affection of the angels be to you,
The love and affection of the sun be to you,
The love and affection of the moon be to you,
Each day and night of your life,
To keep you from haters, to keep you from harmers,
to keep you from oppressors.

God's blessing be yours,
And well may it befall you;
Christ's blessing be yours,
And well be you entreated;
Spirit's blessing be yours,
And well spend you your life,
Each day that you rise up,
Each night that you lie down.

May God's blessing be yours,
And well may it befall you
On each day and each night
Of your portion in the world.

 

With the most sincere Sentiments of

Your Most Humble and Obd't. Servant,

JAMES ALEXANDER MALCOLM MACKENZIE FRASER, Esq.
by
Diana Gabaldon

 

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