Just to let y’all know that I’ve posted a sample page of the graphic novel script–so you can see what one looks like–and a page of Hoang’s layout sketches. Layout sketches are rough drawings, made so that we can be sure Hoang and I have the same vision of what the page looks like; that he has the composition and perspective I was envisioning, and whether there are any small details that I forgot to include that should be present (or that he’s added, but that oughtn’t to be there for historical or plot reasons).
Yes, that _is_ Jamie in the third panel. And yes, he is young [g]–remember, he’s only 22 here.
As always, I’m fascinated to hear what y’all think!
Dr. Gabladon:
While I love your books, and admire the brilliant writing, I found Exile underwhelming.
Some of the drawings are excellent; many are simply sloppy.
Jamie is generally well done and adheres to your description of him. He is recognizable in most of the frames. In some scenes , however, he just looks goofy, and in the wedding preparation scenes he simply looks thick. Its as if the artist wasn’t interested or hadn’t the time to maintain the same level of artistry throughout the book.
Claire looks different in each frame; there is no consistent vision of her. She appears hastily drawn and veers almost to the comic.
Her dress appears to defy laws of gravity , like the heroines on grocery store novel covers.` While in your book it is clear that she is a very beautiful woman, Exile does her no justice.
Some of the background details– Murtagh’s love for Ellen, for example– explain what was hinted at in the books, and are a clever touch; others, such as Kenneth, add an extraneous element, to no end.
Some of the scenes are monochromatic splashes, which give a rather cheap comic book effect. All the faces appear the same , with no attempt at individual expression.
The artist is obviously talented; I wish he had been as careful in all the plates as he was in the “Next Morning” in Chapter One.
Hello Ms. Gabaldon,
I am an absolute obsessive fan from Germany. My grammar is bad, sorry …. My family has been totally unnerved because I talk constantly of the action. I escape into another world and see many things in my experience it differently and partnership now intense. I told my husband he is my Jamie and my daughter is my red-haired Brianna. She has really long red hair and is absolutely beautiful and a teenager;-) I’m a bookworm, a very long time. I’ve actually read very much, but put all their books to the crown. You write very much alive to read a sentence is enough just to have in mind, in color and everything completely real thanks for the absolute pleasure to read! Always her devoted servant … laughing … Sabine from Germany!
Hello
today I read the graphic novel fire and stone, and I must say I find it very good figures may not agree with my idea but it should be if not impossible very difficult to please every reader. Succeeded very and the important scenes are available. It is a must for every Highland saga fan.
I even secretly admit that I hope that this series will be filmed.
Still a big compliment to you Diana Gabaldon without these books would be missing something me and I would love not to Scotland and the Highlands / know how I do it now.
Greetings from Germany
Sonja
I figured my comment would get lost in the heap of every other comment you get, so I figured I’d put it in a semi-easy to reach place… At least I hope it was easy to reach…
You wrote an article about Sam Heughan in which you talked about how quickly he changed from Sam to Jamie I don’t know what to call that phenomenon. I realize it’s acting, but not every actor has that ability. George Clooney sure doesn’t, but Viggo Mortensen does. I’m going to call it ‘plastic’ for lack of a better word or phrase.
Compare Viggo Mortensen’s performance and appearance in GI Jane to that in Lord of the Rings or Hidalgo. Same guy, totally different looks.
Anyway, thanks for your writing. I fell in love with Scotland in 1968. I was a ‘wee lass’. My Father , a professor, was taking a sabbatical from his usual institution to the University of Liverpool. On the weekends we would explore Britain. We never did get over to Ireland, but I have crawled through numerous castles, old homes and museums from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
Because I was so young, I picked up a Liverpudlian accent and can tell you where someone is from in Great Britain. Huh? Well, for example, without even looking, I knew Sam Heughan was not from Northern Scotland. His accent is too mellow. True, he’s changed it over time in his acting career, but it’s not the hard accent near John O’Groats or the Northern Highlands.
This ability is one of my few talents. I cannot tell you, for example, where someone is from in the United States. Sad, I know.
Congrats on the series! You’ve brought back some very happy memories for me.
Tania Moore.