Drums of Autumn

Outlander, Book 4

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 44 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Diana Gabaldon's fans will be delighted to find Jamie and Claire as spirited and endearing as ever in this fourth installment of this magnificent saga. Romance, history, and time travel blend once again as the couple builds a new life together in the wilderness of pre-Revolutionary America.

Twice Claire has used an ancient stone circle to travel back to the 18th century. The first time she found love with a Scottish warrior but had to return to the 1940s to save their unborn child. The second time, 20 years later, she reunited with her lost love but had to leave behind the daughter that he would never see. Now Brianna, from her 1960s vantage point, has found a disturbing obituary and will risk everything in an attempt to change history.

Davina Porter's narrative talent adds a special vibrance and resonance to Gabaldon's complex, colorful characters.

©1997 Diana Gabaldon (P)1999 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Gabaldon's range is impressive, whether she's evoking the rawness of colonial America, the cozy clutter of a modern Scottish parsonage, the lusts of the body or the yearnings of the spirit. Her legion of fans will love diving into this ocean of romance." ( Publishers Weekly)

Playing House

In the fourth book of the Outlander series, "Drums of Autumn" has a lot less historical events and more personal stories about Claire and Jamie. At one point of the book, I wanted to stop listening altogether because Claire was being obsessive about her man. It really felt like the first half of the book was all about the couple and playing house.

Jamie, building the house. Jamie, getting sick with the measles. Jamie, making love. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Claire quickly forgets Frank, while the doctor is in a time warp. If you can't tell already, I have this love and hate relationship with Claire. Sometime she is very selfish and other times, she is warm and friendly. She also has a lot of resentment for Jamie's son.

Geez, my friends are right, I'm starting to think all of these characters are real.

The story really begins in "Drums of Autumn" when Brianna seeks out her real father, after Frank dies. We often hear about adopted children, wanting to find their biological parents. This is no different for Brianna and her dad, Jamie. I just wished that the author would had gone more in depth of Frank, who raised Brianna like a Randall. Often times, adopted parents are more nurturing than the couple who conceived the child.

Now that Jamie and Claire are grandparents, I'm wondering if they will have less passion for each other and have more compassion for their grandson.

One of the reason why I keep going on with this series is because of Diana Gabaldon. She captures real human emotions in her books where you love and hate them in each chapter. If i didn't like Outlander and all of the characters, I wouldn't bother reading more, but as you can tell, I have a lot to say in each book and enjoying them more, as I check them off one at a time.

Great book

Loved it! Looking forward to the next book and seeing season 3 and 4 on tv.

One of my favorites

Love this entire series. Davenia Porters narration brings all of the characters to life thank you

Cross the Atlantic

Would you consider the audio edition of Drums of Autumn to be better than the print version?

Having read the book and listened to the audio version, I would recommend both, but have really enjoyed the audio version. The speaker adds a depth and dimension to the story that I didn't get in reading the book.

Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I would love to listen to more of Davina Porter.

Any additional comments?

Following the "Outlander" series, I find that when Clare and Jamie cross the Atlantic, becoming involved int the colonies, less compelling than the first three books of the series. However, it is still an excellent book.

Love the series

I enjoy this series immensely. I saw some lower reviews of this one but I disagree. It's heart warming, exciting, and intriguing.

Excellent

Just as good as the rest! I love Davina porter narrating! Sad when it ended

Drums of Autumn

I have done this the wrong way. I was introduced to the Outlander series through the televised broadcast. I normally will read the book prior to watching but in this case I had never heard of the books. I sometimes regret having had a visual of the characters and scenes rather than my own imagination and interpretation. Would I have been disappointed had I done this in reverse? I'll never know. That being so - I just finished the 4th book in the series - and it has been my favorite so far. The introduction of new characters and continuation and growth of existing characters held my attention throughout. The mark of a good book is if it touches all your emotions. I cried, laughed, and was angered. My only disappointment was that it had to end. So now - on to the next in the series.

amazingly well written

I cannot imagine a better book than this one. and that is a fact., Jack

Excellent!

Thoroughly enjoyed my first audiobook. I recently started having to travel a lot in the car and this was the perfect way to pass the time.

4th Time. Still great

Best series I've read . I've been reading these books for more than 20 years. They're very dear to my heart.