A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Outlander, Book 6

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A worldwide sensation with more than 12 million copies in print, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series has produced #1 best-selling novels and earned a fiercely devoted fan base. Another spellbinding entry in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the privilege, although some might call it a burden, of knowing that war cannot be avoided. Claire has told him that the colonies will unite and rebel, and the result will be independence, with all British loyalists either dead or exiled. And there is an additional problem. Claire has discovered a newspaper clipping from 1776 that tells of Jamie’s death. With its epic scope, historical details, and sweeping romance, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is everything Gabaldon’s fans love and more.

©2005 Diana Gabaldon (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A]n enthralling experience." ( Booklist)

Wonderful, as expected!

I listen to my audio books on the way to and from work, also at my lunch hour. I looked forward to this one every day!

Breath

The Outlander Series consists of 8 novels in addition to a few novellas, shorts. This review addresses the full-length novels only. Ranging in audiobook length from 32 to 57 hours in length, all books are beautifully narrated by Davina Porter. Published by Recorded Books from 2006 to 2014. Although you can jump into the series at any point, you will regret not starting at the beginning, with Outlander.

Plot. While on a walk to retrieve flowers, a 1940s nurse, the beautiful, young Claire Randall, is transported to the 18th century. She is rescued by and falls in love with a handsome Scottish highlander, Jamie Frazier. The two lead characters traverse the pages of the entire series through the Highland wars of the 1750s to the American Revolutionary War. In a timeframe of approximately 30 years start to finish, historical characters briefly appear, although Gabaldon does not change history. The stories are about how events affect the lives of the characters, their love for each other and their families. Claire’s medical background and knowledge of flowers/herbs are significant to her character building. Jamie is extraordinarily alpha male, a you-need-my-protection guy. Great appeal to the damsel in distress reader. Nails-on-a-blackboard to the MeToo crowd.

Liked. Length - the books are very long - you’re in for about 400 hours of listening. Personal preference, I suppose. But the longer, the better. Historical novels. Before listening to this series, I had very little knowledge of the Scottish highlands and the wars of that era/place. The impact of the American Revolutionary War was also educational. The use of herbs and their medicinal use, the brutality of piracy, the hardship aboard tall-ships - many historical tidbits of well-researched detail transports you to the time and place. Nicely done.

The narration is awesome. Frankly, one of the main reason that had me working through the entire series. If you have never listened to Davina Porter, do yourself a favor and give her a go - just terrific.

Not so hot. Lots of no-fade-to-black sex. Homosexuality, i.e., me-Tarzan-you-Tarzan. There is quite a bit of me-Tarzan-you-Jane dominance. Not my cup ‘o tea, and quite often, I wanted to kick Jamie in the ….. well, you get the idea - way too much alpha male in his character. Claire is too girlish and submissive. He picks her up like she’s a feather. She sits on his lap a lot.🙄 Reality: my hubby would break his back, and between the two of us we’d break a chair. Many readers will enjoy the explicit romance-novel stuff, including rape and oral sex. Used fast-forward more than usual to get back to the meat of the story, nice audiobook feature.

Recommended for lovers of history and lovers of romance novels. Not recommended if you are offended by explicit sex scenes.

love hate

I had so much trouble with this book, emotionally. I was just devistated by the events left and right. on top of being completly confused about my feelings toward Stephen bonnet. why do I love him!?!? the revelations at the end and the merciful parting made it all worth it. please tell me Diana is going to write bonnet's story some day !!!

Still facinated!!

Im hooked on this series! Love the narrator. I cant wait to start the next book.

Love the characters, the narration the storry.

Would you listen to A Breath of Snow and Ashes again? Why?

Yes yes yes, Fun story, following Jamie and Claire in thier lives together and the history of the new Americas is interesting and definately entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

Like following family friends.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The accents and the way she uses her voice to bring emotions into the story.

If you could rename A Breath of Snow and Ashes, what would you call it?

No ideas

Great book, I love this series

What made the experience of listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes the most enjoyable?

I love this series. Ms. Porter is wonderful with the voices and accents.

What other book might you compare A Breath of Snow and Ashes to and why?

Historical fiction spanning generations.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

She's awesome with differenct characters and accents, French, English, American and Gaelic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The dedication of Claire to Jamie and vice versa, in the face of all odds.

I can't get enough of this story!

It seems as though I live on the Ridge too. I listen to these books over and over. Well worth the money. Jamie, Claire and family, as well as, River Run and the Ridge community continue to engage as no other story does. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and endearing. Diana Gabaldon continues the saga of Outlander with deft clarity and deep description.

Riviting!

I do believe this is her best book yet. I'm downloading the next in the series already.

Another book that you totally lose yourself in!

Long book but well worth the time it takes to read. Can't wait to begin the next book in the series!

Now one of my favorites in this series.

Everything about this book was so well done! I was completely swept away by it!