Friday Fun Facts - 1/27/2012
I've decided to try a new meme: Friday Fun Facts! This will be a selection of odd, unusual, humorous, or otherwise interesting facts that I've learned from reading Diana Gabaldon's books.
1) Jamie measures short distances with the joints of his left middle finger. (SCOTTISH PRISONER, chapter 20, "Stalking Horse", p. 263 in the hardcover)
2) Brianna had a Swiss army knife with her in the 18th century. (ABOSAA chapter 6, "Ambush")
3) Lawrence Stern, the Jewish natural philosopher in VOYAGER, is named after the 18th-century author of TRISTRAM SHANDY, Laurence Sterne.
4) There really was a window tax in Britain in the 18th century. (Roger mentions it in FIERY CROSS, chapter 100, "Dead Whale".)
5) The passenger pigeons are not the only extinct species mentioned in THE FIERY CROSS. Just before Claire's encounter with the immense flock of pigeons, Roger sees some "vivid little parakeets" (beginning of chapter 82, "A Darkening Sky"), which are in fact Carolina parakeets -- also an extinct species in our time.
Thanks to Margaret Campbell on Compuserve, who pointed this out to me several years ago. I didn't actually find the reference until my most recent "re-listen" of FIERY CROSS, just a couple of months ago, but apparently it was Margaret who suggested to Diana that she include the parakeet. Isn't it beautiful? Really a shame that they're gone.
I hope you enjoyed these. I plan to make this a regular blog feature, so please stop by next week for more!
Look here to see all of my Friday Fun Facts blog posts.
Fwiw, that's how _I_ measure short distances (though being right-handed, I use my right middle finger). The finger is exactly three inches long, and the first joint is exactly one inch long. Very handy!
That's a wonderful idea, Friday Fun Facts I mean. It's been a few months since I started The Outlander Series and I'm becoming addicted. The fact is that there's always something I didn't noticed, because they're so full of details. Once I heard a song saying that a book cannot reproduce real life, well, Diana Gabaldon almost managed. The point is it's always nice for me to read what other readers have to say, to find out what I missed, and you are a very careful reader Karen, so I'll stop by for sure next Friday.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment! I'm glad you like the idea. I just thought, what better way to make use of my knowledge of OUTLANDER trivia than sharing some of my favorites with other fans? <g>
Karen
Karen
Karen
Karen
Karen, these are going to be enjoyable to read, thanks for doing it!!
Julia - I have no idea. But it's always fun to speculate! :-)
Karen
Thanks! I finished a re-listen to Fiery Cross just over a week ago. I do remember Roger and the parakeets. I am thinking that the old question and answer thread on the forum would be a wealth of "Friday Fun Facts", besides your considerable knowledge.
Karen
I'm really glad you enjoyed this! I'm already thinking about ideas for next week. :-)
You can call me "Karen", by the way. Everybody else does.
Karen
Karen