Comments on: The Dog Days of Summer https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/ Author of the Outlander Series Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:45:02 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.40 By: Diana https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-444526 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:32:53 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-444526 Dear Diane–

Having geckos in your house is nothing to do with your hygiene, believe me. [g]

Best,

–Diana

]]> By: Diana https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-444499 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:01:05 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-444499 Dear Helen–

I don’t think you’re depressed [g]–I think Jamie is just a very interesting man.

Best,

–Diana

]]> By: Jan F. https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-439544 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 02:43:21 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-439544 I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me sooner to look for you online. I have been reading your stories for over a decade now. Long before I discovered Outlander, I was completely obsessed with everything Scottish. I have no idea why that is. Another life and time, perhaps. And a few years after discovering your stories I finally took my dream vacation to Edinburgh and there met my husband who is Very Scottish. (Careful what we wish for, indeed) I have to say that your account of Bloody Scots in general is very accurate. You surely knew a few before putting them down on paper? Anyways, I’m reading number 8 and looking forward to #9. These stories keep me company during my long oncall weekends, and on those even longer winter evenings between shifts. I have SO many of your quotes highlighted and a good number of those copied in my journal of favorite quotes and phrases that I think I should start a new notebook dedicated strictly to your writings. An all time favorite is your description of Jamie’s living soul as Claire prayed for him at the Abby. You have an incredible gift. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Jan

]]> By: Helen Mayall https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-439394 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 23:05:14 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-439394 Dear Diana
I want to say so much but don’t know how to. I suppose I could start with some background about myself. I am 57 year old HR Manager and have read books from an early age, many classics many fictional . I consider myself to be well read. I have become a fan of books by Tess Gerritsen and other fictional crime writers. (Violent stories)

I do however have a great passion for classic love stories developed as a young girl with books by the Bronte sisters, favourites such as Jane Ayre and Wuthering Heights, not forgetting Thomas Hardies Tess. However as I got older I left that genre behind, favouring the fictional crime novels. It is here that I want to tell you that I read your novels 20 years ago, sadly this isn’t true. I by chance, watched Outlander on Amazon Prime earlier this year, never having heard of it. Since then I have watched it twice and bought the fist two novels (just started Outlander)
I am so consumed with the character Jamie that I am wondering if I am suffering from depression or need to see a psychiatrist!
I can not tell you how much I have enjoyed your story of Jamie and Claire. I am as passionate about history and archeology as I am about reading. As a first novel, outlander surely must be one of the greatest love stories of all time. Thank you for the dreams it has evoked. As a young girl I also loved science fiction – lost in space, Star Trek
Then aliens etc. Outlander hit it all for me and so despite having said all that, I still feel I haven’t explained how much I loved it.
I look forward now to reading the lot! ( I am impressed at how much the program is true to the book so far that is)
I wish you well and hope Jamie lasts forever!!
Helen.

]]> By: Keo Nansel https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-437689 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 21:39:40 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-437689 Diana,

Like your other avid fans, there have been times when I felt like your books have been emotional and psychological life-savers. This is especially true that last 4 years – when I returned home (which “you can’t” and shouldn’t do) to care for my 90 year old mother (now 94). She was not happy about being alive, and that hasn’t changed.

I have read and re-read all of the original Outlander series. I have read the Scottish Prisoner. I have Dangerous Women, etc. I find myself looking for books with your name associated them, just so I can buy and read them. It’s strange to become a “fan”actic at age 68, but I swear you keep me sane.

Just wanted you to know that I’m grateful. Thanks!

Keo

]]> By: Becky https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-437565 Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:48:44 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-437565 Growing up in OK and living in Texas most of my life, I am well aware of the so-called Dog Days of Summer…..with humidity. :-) When I was around 12, my mother called for my friends and me to come in and “rest” because the temperature had reached 109 degrees F. I remember thinking she was crazy. It was SUMMER, who played INSIDE?? But today, still living in Texas…in August, I relish inside days…..especially when I’m reading one of your books!

]]> By: Diane Aranza https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-436588 Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:59:38 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-436588 While visiting relatives in the Philippines, I met geckos hanging about their homes. It was surprising to me since these people are so clean. Then I discovered their purpose. I wondered if people in the US did the same. And here you are! (My husband was a Filipino. I am now a widow. We were married 38 years.)

Cute dog. I have 3.

During this summer, I had planned on doing quite a bit to down size and I found myself reading whatever I could about you, and the other members of the Outlander family. I don’t regret it and it has been fun and interesting. Your intellect, sense of humor, and willingness to share personal stories make for interesting reading and watching.

I enjoy historical and adventure programs. If it wasn’t for Outlander, the TV series I would not have met you.

Thank you.
Diane

]]> By: Diana https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-435866 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:19:47 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-435866 Thanks so much, Ellen! I’m glad that the books could have given you escape when you needed it–but I’m _really_ glad you don’t need it as much any more!

Best,

–Diana

]]> By: Diana https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-435863 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:16:33 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-435863 My sympathies, Lesa. Yes, of course I’d be happy to send your sister a note. Email me at dgabaldon@aol.com, if you would, and give me the details.

–Diana

]]> By: Barbara Gibbon https://dianagabaldon.com/2015/08/the-dog-days-of-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-435398 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:31:39 +0000 http://www.dianagabaldon.com/?p=5434#comment-435398 Dear Diana,

It’s only 108 F. here, so I guess I should be grateful to be cooler than are you and yours.

Having finished reading O.C.I, I wanted to thank you and IMT, et. al. for compiling the Guide to Gaelic Grammar, as well as providing the Glossary. I had no trouble with any of the other language insertions, but the Gaelic threw me for a loop. Those bits in O.C.I were much appreciated.
While reading the horoscopes, I wondered (just for kicks) if a professional astrologer who has never read or heard of the Outlander series (if, indeed such a person can be found–or even exists) might take a crack at doing readings for Jamie and Claire. Since there are variations of interpretation among practitioners, and since the readings that are published in O.C. I bear such striking resemblances to your described characters, would someone with no conscious or unconscious emotional attachments to the characters (as all of us who are fortunate to have become acquainted with and devoted to all of them are) have come to the same conclusions.
Lastly, I hope that there will be more books featuring Lord John and his comings and goings. I have been a nurse for nearly 40 years and have found gentlemen of his ilk to be sensitive, perceptive, excellent caregivers and generally great friends (no sexual tension to hinder the scope and breadth of the relationship). All that and a British accent!
Thanks for being you and for all your books. Bobbie

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