Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

This stunning blend of historical romance and time traveling adventure has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world and catapulted author Diana Gabaldon to the top of the New York Times best seller list. Outlander introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love.

In 1945, former combat nurse Claire Randall returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. Their blissful reunion is shattered when she touches a boulder in an ancient stone ruin and is instantly transported to 1743 Scotland, a place torn by war and raiding border clans. Will Claire find her way back to her own time, or is her destiny forever linked with Clan MacKenzie and the gallant James Fraser?

©1991 Diana Gabaldon (P)1997 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"Davina Porter maintains the distinct voices she creates for each character throughout the lengthy narration. Her delivery of 18th-century language sounds authentic and is easily understandable." (AudioFile)

Trigger warning for those who suffer from PTSD

This book was amazing but because I suffer from complex PTSD, there were parts that affected me very badly and triggered some nightmares. Other than that I really enjoyed it.

Thank You!!!!

Finally, unabridged. And Davina Porter! The best! Please please please get the rest of her books unabridged. I commute to work and listen to tons of books on my iPod, and Diana Gabaldon's are the best ... good and long and rollicking good stories!

Love it!

What a great story! It pulls you right in. The narrator does a wonderful job creating characters' voices.

Warning: audible only has the first 4 books in the series unabridged and read by Davina Porter. After that it is a new author and abridged. Terribly frustrating when they do that, as I have run into the problem often. You can find the unabridged versions of the later books read by Davina Porter elsewhere.

AT LAST - IT'S ON AUDIBLE!

I usually only listen to books in my car during my commute. But with this book, I had my earphones on 24/7 - I couldn't get enough. The narrator is incredible. Careful - you will be swept away -- please don't get the abridged versions that follow -- wait for the unabridged - they will be well worth it.

Absolutely Amazing

I bought this book in January of 2007. I was bored, and the story sounded interesting. However, I didn't begin to read it until the day before Easter. The book, at first, moves a bit slow, but as soon as Clair passes through the stones, the action takes off. I'm a full-time college student, so as you might conclude, I'm very busy in early April with getting papers done and all that. However, I finished this book in a little over two weeks. I loved it, and have continued reading the series. I've also recommended the series to all of my friends whom have read it and loved it. Davina Porter is an excellent narator. This is an absolute must read for any who, like myself, were and are tired of the same pointless romance novel with the same plot and same ending. Read this, and I promise, you will not regret it.

Enchanting entertainment

Diana Gabaldon created an epic series of adventure, history, fantasy and romance. From the first in the series, Outlander, to the most recent, A breath of Snow and Ashes, I find the plot and characterizations engrossing and expertly woven.
I read for entertainment and to expand my understanding of people and places. This series has it all. Other authors I enjoy are Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Patrick O'Brien, Susan Howatch, C.S. Lewis, Daphne Du Maurier, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Gregory Maquire, Robert Heinlein, the Bronte sisters, and Christopher Paolini.

Outlander is filled with adventure, mystery, romance, strong characters, history, justice, honor, conscience, and questions of mortality. I read the remaining five books of the series and Lord John books and am waiting impatiently for Gabaldon's future books. Time travel is a vehicle for the storyline. It is part of the fantasy. Gabaldon gives us an understanding of a warrior Scot of the 1700's and shows us the emotional reserve of a 20th century British male. Our heroine is presented as an admirable woman. The historical events and countries visited seem realistic. The clash of the cultures and development of characters is part of the journey. Diana Gabaldon has a true gift for understanding human emotion and translating it into literature for the rest of us to enjoy.
This book, the author, and the narrator each earn 5 stars.

Fascinating

I found this audio book hard to turn off. I wished I could listen 24/7. Some of the book is given over to laborious love scenes, but I still loved listening to the recording and was very pleased to find that there are 2 more books. I am downloading them as I write this. Good storyteller.

Loved the whole series!

I have just finished the last book, An Echo in the Bone, and was disappointed that it ended. There are alot of loose ends, so I'm sure there's another one in the works. I loved the naration with different versions of accents so you always knew which character was speaking. The story line and historical references were very intriguing. I am now starting back with book one because I feel that I missed alot of pertinent information to understand the entire story. I'm waiting for the next book to become available and for the two abridged books to become unabridged and have Davina Porter as the narrator. Great read! Highly recommend it to persons that enjoy romance, history and some Sci-Fi intertwined.

History lovers guide to the universe

I love Diana Gabaldon's books, so I was so thankful when these became available in audio format. She writes in such detail that her books end up looking like phone books. Audio books make getting through them so much easier. They are entertaining, gritty, and historically accurate. Throw in a little scifi fun and romance and this book is as good as it gets. If you love learning about history and reading about romance then this book is for you.

Epic Romance not "Bodice Ripper"

The naysayers may have wanted more action. Each love scene is written so discreetly written as to not embarrass all but the most prudish and none roughly written as MANY other 'thriller' love scenes. There is also action hand to hand fighting with dirks and swords. This book is LONG and held my attention to the very last word. No wonder people rave. If you want historical fiction with a very solid love story this is unbeatable. Every sentence in this story is so perfectly crafted and so perfectly narrated that they are breathtaking. The nuances in the narrator's voice are the best I've heard yet! She makes every sentence a joy to hear.