Welcome back to the "Outlander" discussion of Lemondrop's Book Club. (Click here if you happened to miss the first questions.) As always, we've got juicy discussion topics for you whether or not you've read the book. Everyone who comments in the book club between now and October 1 is eligible to win a copy of "An Echo in the Bone," the latest in the "Outlander" series. And sign up for our Book Club mailing list for more exclusive offers.
Now on to the discussion:
* What statement is the author trying to make with her juxtaposition of Frank's looks and that of his ancestor, Black Jack Randall?
* Other than Jamie, what other character from "Outlander" would you most prefer to be forced into marriage with? Consider Murtagh, Colum, Black Jack Randal or Ned Gowan. Are there any modern-day Scotsmen (real or fictional) whom you'd be happy to marry?
* Discuss the significance of kilts in Scottish culture, citing at least three scenes from "Outlander." * What significance does the kilt have in popular culture today? Who are the most notable kilted dudes who come to mind? Check out this all-kilt blog if you need inspiration. (We're fascinated by the article about a postman who was denied the right to wear a kilt while on the job. And the fact that the plural of kilt is The Kilt.)
Click "next" to read our interview with Diana Gabaldon, plus more book club questions.
About the moderator: Beatrice Underwood-Sweet is a voracious reader of anything and everything, including the backs of cereal boxes. Her other hobbies include knitting, writing and ice skating, often while reading. She reviews books at My Kingdom for a Book.
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Friday 25 September
By Beatrice
I have to say that I really love the scene early on in Outlander where Jamie is riding double with Claire and drapes his kilt around her. I don't think that I'd really realized how important the kilt really was to those Scottish men. I've always thought they were sexy, but I never thought about how romantic or how practical kilts could be until that scene!
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Sunday 27 September
By Gayle
I think it was his plaid he draped around her, not his kilt. I got to see a man in full Scottish regalia once. He was at our table at a formal dinner and because he was Scottish, it was what he wore instead of a tux. Fascinating--but I didn't ask if he was traditional under the kilt.
I'd love to see a range of men in their kilts. The different fabrics are for different clans so they immediately identify the wearer.
I looked at the kiltblog and must say that they just don't look right unless they're made from plaid wool. The khaki ones look especially funny to me. They don't seem too practical in this day and age. I like they way the traditional ones look at formal events but they look out of place in the US when worn casually.
Saturday 26 September
By busweet
I thought that the way they wore them back then was that the kilt and plaid were all connected, and it was in the way you draped it that made it a kilt. I think that today's kilts are quite different than the way they were during Jamie's time.
I agree that the plaid kilts look better, but I have to say that I love a man in a kilt, no matter what the kilt looks like! They're just sexy!
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Saturday 26 September
By trudy
I love kilts as well. the plaids you refer to were worn well before the 1800s and each clan (family name) had their own plaid design. basically, each kilt was about 17 ft long, and were wrapped around the hips, then the rest draped and belted. they wore a shirt under the draping (or not). but they have evolved and now you may have a casual dress kilt, or full regalia. i also like the camoflauge kilts. when i was in scotland, i went to a military fort, and the soldiers had 3 uniforms: the usual soldier fatigues, a plaid slack with a jacket, and a kilt with a jacket. but all three soldiers were in fine form so they all looked great.
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Saturday 26 September
By therobertson403
I just picked up my copy from the library today and I can't wait to start reading it, as soon as the kiddies go to bed lol. I would love to win my own copy, I have all the rest.
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Saturday 26 September
By Nan
They're not plaids, but rather tartans. Each clan has their own and there were three original clans. It is very interesting to study as I found out while researching my geneology.
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Saturday 26 September
By Edda
I love how Diana G works the facts into the weave of the story. We get the benefit of her story enriched with the historical details. Of course the tartan dress kilt is a great practical piece of clothing and wonderful when worn by a real man!
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Sunday 27 September
By brian
none of you know much about history or The Kilt. I shouldn't even mention the fact that The Kilt is prevalent in ALL Celtic culture, not just Scottish
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Sunday 27 September
By sheila mcalister
As a scottish girl , of course I love the kilt. Blac Jack is my man after Jamie of course.
love the book
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Sunday 27 September
By Jeri
Rowdy Roddy Piper!!!!! Best kilted man ever!
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Sunday 27 September
By Galynn
Jeri you are absolutely right! I had completely forgotten about Roddie Piper and he is one fine looking man in a kilt.
Tuesday 03 November
By Jeanette
Not until this book would I have ever thought a Kilt or a red head would be sexy. Well Jamie changed all that!
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