Favorite chapter titles in Diana Gabaldon's books
What are some of your favorite chapter titles from Diana Gabaldon's books, and why? What is it about them that makes some titles especially noteworthy?
Some of them stand out on re-reading because you know the chapter contains a wonderful scene. "The First Law of Thermodynamics", from DRUMS, or "Hearthfire", from FIERY CROSS, for example. Just seeing those chapter titles can put me in a good mood, knowing what's coming. <g>
Some of them are allusions to 20th-century pop culture. "Strangers in the Night" from FIERY CROSS, for example; I always get the Sinatra song stuck in my head for days after I listen to that chapter. <g> Also "Bottom of the Ninth", from DRUMS (the chapter where Jemmy is born), and "Brought to You By the Letters Q, E, and D", from MOHB (which is a reference to Sesame Street).
Some send chills of foreboding up my spine just seeing the title. "Timor Mortis Conturbat Me", from DRAGONFLY, always has that effect on me, especially since I looked up the translation of the Latin phrase. <shudder>
Some are just funny, or unexpected plays on words. "Three-Thirds of a Goat", from FIERY CROSS, with the reference to the "ghost" chapter titles in DRUMS, always makes me smile. I also like "Squid of the Evening, Beautiful Squid", from MOHB.
I love the titles that expand my vocabulary, even if I find them baffling on the first reading. "Oenomancy" (divination by wine), from ECHO, made no sense at all to me until I read the chapter. Ditto for "Amplexus", in SCOTTISH PRISONER. And "Absquatulation", from ABOSAA, is a cool word, that I hadn't encountered before I read that book. <g> For that matter, so is "Amphisbaena", from MOHB.
What about the rest of you? Do you have a favorite chapter title or two? And what is it that makes them so memorable?
Some of them stand out on re-reading because you know the chapter contains a wonderful scene. "The First Law of Thermodynamics", from DRUMS, or "Hearthfire", from FIERY CROSS, for example. Just seeing those chapter titles can put me in a good mood, knowing what's coming. <g>
Some of them are allusions to 20th-century pop culture. "Strangers in the Night" from FIERY CROSS, for example; I always get the Sinatra song stuck in my head for days after I listen to that chapter. <g> Also "Bottom of the Ninth", from DRUMS (the chapter where Jemmy is born), and "Brought to You By the Letters Q, E, and D", from MOHB (which is a reference to Sesame Street).
Some send chills of foreboding up my spine just seeing the title. "Timor Mortis Conturbat Me", from DRAGONFLY, always has that effect on me, especially since I looked up the translation of the Latin phrase. <shudder>
Some are just funny, or unexpected plays on words. "Three-Thirds of a Goat", from FIERY CROSS, with the reference to the "ghost" chapter titles in DRUMS, always makes me smile. I also like "Squid of the Evening, Beautiful Squid", from MOHB.
I love the titles that expand my vocabulary, even if I find them baffling on the first reading. "Oenomancy" (divination by wine), from ECHO, made no sense at all to me until I read the chapter. Ditto for "Amplexus", in SCOTTISH PRISONER. And "Absquatulation", from ABOSAA, is a cool word, that I hadn't encountered before I read that book. <g> For that matter, so is "Amphisbaena", from MOHB.
What about the rest of you? Do you have a favorite chapter title or two? And what is it that makes them so memorable?
"A Marriage Takes Place' another is "The Laird's Return and "The Watch " others like Strawberry Fields Forever: in "Drums of Autunm ' are pretty funny , so I'm glad that Diana names her chapters a lot of authors don't , I wonder what titles Diana will be using for Book #9, can't wait to find out, please post more soon. Happy Holidays , love your Blog, Sincerely