Do we need an Outlander novel about Claire’s parents?

By Alexandria Ingham | Apr 9, 2019

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /

Diana Gabaldon has shared that she plans to write a prequel novel about Jamie’s parents. But what about Claire? Do we need an Outlander novel about Claire’s parents and will we ever get one?

There are many characters who have stories to tell in the Outlander universe. Two characters are Brian and Ellen Fraser, Jamie’s parents, and we already know we’ll get a prequel Outlander novel. But what about Claire’s parents? Will we get a story about them and do we need one?

It would certainly be interesting to learn more about Claire’s parents. They died when Claire was young, so it would never be from her point of view, but it would be intriguing to learn more about who they were, what they did, and what happened to them when they died. Claire only has bits and pieces of the puzzle, stories that she would have heard from her Uncle Lamb.

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Claire never really had much of an interest in history and genealogy, which could have come from her lack of family growing up. It’s not surprising that we haven’t heard too much about her parents — not even many mentions of them when Claire and Brianna or Claire and Jamie have spoken.

But knowing more about them would be interesting. Knowing that the time-traveling gene is passed on, it means that either her mother or father (or maybe even both of them) could travel through time. Because of that, many fans have suspected that they went through a set of stones somewhere and got stuck within them or found themselves in another time period.

It’s not likely true, but there are so many potentials for stories. However, it’s unlikely that we’ll get an Outlander novel about Claire’s parents. Diana Gabaldon has often made it clear that she doesn’t plan on writing a story because the two characters don’t talk to her. Her way of writing involves listening to the characters and the stories they have to tell.

That is how she came to initially write Claire into the story. It was initially about Jamie, and then she heard a woman’s voice. And it wasn’t just any woman, but one definitely not from Jamie’s time, so then Gabaldon had to work out how and why she’d traveled through time.

Maybe one day, Claire’s parents will talk to Gabaldon. Until then, don’t expect a prequel novel about them.

Next. 25 best Claire and Jamie moments in Outlander so far. dark

Would you like a story about Claire’s parents? What are your theories about them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Book 9 will be released in 2019. Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter for more updates and news.