A virgin hero. Honestly, I never even considered the thought while I was devouring historical romances. Because in a traditional historical, the heroine is always the virgin, not the hero. Someone has to know what they are doing and that someone is always the hero. And then in 1991 I read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander and “met” Jamie Fraser, my first virgin hero.
For those of you who have never read Outlander or the rest of Gabaldon’s incredible series (what are you waiting for?!), I’ll give you a quick synopsis. It’s 1945 and Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and on a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank. One day, she’s exploring a stone circle and when she touches one of the stones she is hurled back in time to 1743. While there, she encounters members of Clan MacKenzie, including Jamie Fraser. To keep her safe from the English, she is wed to Jamie, and she becomes a Scot, by marriage. No one, at this point, knows she is from the future, but they do know she has been married before and believe she’s a widow.
Claire thinks that Jamie will be bothered by the fact that she’s not a virgin. Imagine her surprise—and the reader’s—when she discovers that he is! Despite the fact that Jamie is a tall, handsome, braw Scot, he is still a virgin at the age of three and twenty. On their wedding night, Claire is surprised by Jamie’s passion and completely understands his eagerness.
“As yet too hungry and too clumsy for tenderness, still he made love with a sort of unflagging joy that made me think that male virginity might be a highly underrated commodity.”
Now that’s food for thought!
I e-mailed Diana Gabaldon to ask her about her choice to make Jamie a virgin, and she kindly took the time to respond. And yes, I did let out a huge fan girl “SQUEEEE” when I received her e-mail! She said her intention when she started writing was to make Outlander a straightforward historical novel, not a romance. But then Claire was making modern smart-ass comments and several other elements made it clear this wasn’t a historical. A few of Gabaldon’s friends suggested that perhaps she was writing a historical romance, so she thought she’d read a few to compare. Here’s what she thought when she was reading one of the books:
Diana Gabaldon:
“Mid-way through a book in which the hero had his way with the heroine on the kitchen table, pausing courteously in the process to allow her to ‘adjust to his size’….<all together now>…So…how small WAS he?!? I decided that, no, I probably wasn’t writing a historical romance. Still I read—and enjoyed—the other two novels. Well, by coincidence, all three of these novels happened to have eighteen-year-old virginal heroines. ‘Oh, you’re kidding,’ I said. ‘Haha—let George do it.’”
So that’s why she made Jamie a virgin.
Jamie is an eager pupil—and a very fast learner—in the art of lovemaking. He is even able to teach Claire a thing or two. What starts as mere attraction and lust, turns into a love so complete, that nothing will stand in their way: war, Frank or even time itself. I have read this series more than once, and I still consider Jamie Fraser to be one of the quintessential heroes in historical romance. Completely sigh-worthy! Of course, the Scottish brogue is a plus. He possesses all of the qualities I think a hero should have: strength, honor, handsomeness, and a love and passion so fierce for his heroine that he will brave anything for her, even death. And Jamie does this many times for Claire. How could you not love a man like that?! Virgin or no, that’s the kind of hero I want!
So here’s my question for you. If you could be a heroine in a romance novel, would you want to be the virginal heroine and learn it all from the experienced hero or would you rather be the one instructing the virgin hero in the art of love?
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Marisa
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 2:08 pm:
Wow Gannon – you picked one of my all time favorite heroes. Jamie is all that and more and this book is truly one of my all time favorites. The love between Claire and Jamie is so exquisite and so well written that their characters and the story linger with you for a long, long time.
I love Diana’s response as to why she made Jamie a virgin – I love an equal opportunity author.
If I was a heroine in a romance novel – well – I’d certainly want to be the pupil. Think of how much fun classes would be.
Maria Lokken
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 2:11 pm:
If I was the heroine, I’d say teach me tonight!
I’m so glad you wrote this Gannon – this is one is up there with my favorites. I remember reading this series years ago, and sitting in my reading chair in the living room – my husband would come down the stairs late and night and ask me when I was coming to bed. All I could do was sigh and say I couldn’t leave Jamie and Claire just yet. This book had all the elements I love, TIME TRAVEL, history, and a great love between two people… who could ask for more.
orannia
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 2:14 pm:
Thank you Gannon! You’ve so made me want to pick the Outlander books up again. I read the first book while in the UK but I couldn’t concentrate on the second – my bad not the book’s
I think I will start again with the first one though as I’ve probably forgotten a lot 
As for your question…well…I think I have more in common with the virginal heroine (unfortunately)…. plus I just can’t see myself doing any instructing – it would be like the blind leading the blind LOL.
katiebabs
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 2:15 pm:
Teach me! I will be the meal and he can enjoy himself till he is full.
And really, at 18, how much would Jamie know, especially with death and war all around him?
Gannon
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 3:09 pm:
Oh, yes, I would love to be the pupil and learn it all! The possibilities are endless!
Orannia, I love the whole series, but the second book was my least favorite, if I had to pick one. The third book, VOYAGER, is my favorite for so many reasons, but I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you. I’ve read it several times and listened to the audio twice, which was amazing. It just made me fall in love with Jamie all over again.
Maria, I felt the same way about “not leaving” Jamie and Claire just yet. It was so hard to stop reading. Their story just sucked me in, like I had time traveled with Claire and was living it all as well. *sigh* Is it any wonder we love this series?!
Buffie
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 3:49 pm:
Great blog, Gannon! Every time someone mentions this book I tell myself that I must find it and read it. Yet, I still haven’t done so. Got to remedy that soon!
As far as your question, I can honestly say that I can see the good *wink wink* opportunities on both sides of that coin. Sure I’d love to sit back and be taught all the things one naughty hero could teach. And then there are times when a woman just likes to be in control
Stacy ~
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:01 pm:
Fabulous blog, Gannon! I heart Jamie Fraser! I think anyone who reads about Jamie immediately falls in love with him. How can you not? He is the most rare and special of heroes, and his & Claire’s story is an epic one.
And really, I think both scenarios have some fun linked with them, so either way works for me.
I was lucky enough to meet Diana Gabaldon years ago, and she is a delight. And her books are keepers.
Gannon
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:07 pm:
Stacy, I would love to meet Diana Gabaldon. One of these days…. It was such a thrill to get her e-mail, and I definitely squealed. My husband just looked at me and rolled his eyes. LOL!
Gannon
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:11 pm:
Stacy, I would love to meet Diana Gabaldon. One of these days…. It was such a thrill to get her e-mail, and I definitely squealed. My husband just looked at me and rolled his eyes. LOL!
You’re right about both scenarios being fun. Could be interesting being the teacher. Haha.
Karin
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:16 pm:
Sounds like yet another book I need to add to my list of those to get. Jamie sounds like a fantastic character. If I were a heroine, would it be possible to choose to be both the virgin and the teacher of the virgin hero? I can’t really think of anything better than learning what each other likes together and not worrying that either one’s level of experience would make things more one-sided.
Gannon
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:34 pm:
Sorry about posting twice. I did that earlier today at Romance Bandits, too. Ooops!
Karin, Jamie really is a wonderful character. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with him.
PJ
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 4:34 pm:
Great blog, Gannon! I’ll take experienced and enthusiastic please.
Maria Lokken
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 5:02 pm:
Karin – I STRONGLY recommend this book. You will not be disappointed. Seriously.
Anna Campbell
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 5:04 pm:
Gannon, what a great blog! Jamie sounds amazing. I haven’t (hangs head and blushes with shame) ever read any Diana Gabaldon. I must do something about that!
Marisa
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 6:24 pm:
Anna – you should definitely pick up Outlander, you would love it. Just add it to the your TBR pile – you’re building an extension on to your house for your TBR pile anyway. What’s one more book? My extension is almost done and I’ve got the decorator to install these nifty revolving shelves.
Maria Lokken
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 6:44 pm:
Seriously – there are so many fantastic books out there… it’s just a shame we don’t all read for a living. No there’s a profession I could get behind.
Gannon
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 7:46 pm:
Amen, Maria! Professional reader…..yes, I like the sound of that!
Andrea
on Dec 10th, 2008
@ 8:43 pm:
Great blog, Gannon! I’ve not read this book (or the others in the series), but have heard nothing but good things about it and sigh-worthy Jamie. Perhaps someday I’ll pick it up.
As for your question — I love Maria’s answer! Teach me tonight! Sounds like a good title for a book.
heidenkind
on Dec 11th, 2008
@ 1:11 am:
This is another series I haven’t read. Well, I amend that, I read one of the books–not the first one–when I was in high school and was totally lost.
I would definitely not want to be virgin heroine. Uhg.
Or if I absolutely had to be vh, I’d be a lustful virgin heroine, because they are hilarious.