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)

Fall in love with a wonderful book

What did you love best about Outlander?

Without a doubt, Diana Gabaldon's writing will make you feel as though you understand what it is like to have lived in the 18th century. Her characters come to life, and live in your heart. Davina Porter is also amazingly talented as the voice of this story.

What other book might you compare Outlander to and why?

No other series really compares, but I also really liked "The Bronze Horseman" by Paulina Simmons.

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

Davina Porter captures the voices of the characters, is rich with intonation, accents, and is simply beautiful. She is my favorite narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! Hard to put down, but the sheer length makes that impossible surely!

Any additional comments?

A must read!

Perfection!

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

Yes

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

She does accents and voices incredibly well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

I cannot recommend this book enough! It has by far become one of my absolute favorites. Beautifully written with a captivating plot and set of characters, Diana Gabaldon has truly created a masterpiece. I was initially intrigued because the writing style was both striking and colloquial, and soon after became completely absorbed in the characters. I found myself thinking about the story when I wasn’t reading it, and for perhaps the first time in my life, felt that I just couldn’t put it down! (This is saying a lot, given the seemingly endless book-lined shelves throughout my house). I struggled between wanting to read on, and feeling saddened by the prospect of the adventure being over. It did not disappoint and I have already purchased the next book in the series!

Excellent narration, story a little long

Would you listen to Outlander again? Why?

I loved listening to this book. The narrator was supremely talented, her movement between characters and accents was effortless. The story was highly detailed and a little plodding at times, but the author evidently has a rich imagination. This is a romance novel with a high level of historical accuracy, but it's far more developed as a love story than most romance novels out there. I found myself thinking about the characters and getting emotionally involved with their experiences when I wasn't listening to it. There are some scenes with graphic violence and sex, but I think they add to the story. Life in that place and time was violent and sex is part of any romantic relationship, so it makes the characters whole. If you like long, dramatic novels and enjoy historical detail, you will like this novel.

Well written

Would you listen to Outlander again? Why?

This is a well written book and the reader is extremely competent. The characters are voiced beautifully.

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

Ms. Porter's reading brings the whole book to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The characters and story keep you at the edge of your seat. I couldn't stop listening.

The coughing man.

I’ve read the story a few years back and I loved it and I love listening to it on here and reliving the emotions I did the first time.

Mrs. Porters voice, as perfectly accented as it is, distracted me a bit because she made Claire sound older than what I imagined. But you get used to it because she portrays the characters emotions and personality so well.

Now, the coughing man. WHY is there a man coughing the in background constantly?!? At first I thought the background noise, people talking, was part of the book. Then I noticed it’s throughout the book and randomly a man will be coughing in the background when there shouldn’t be anyone else there. It completely throws me off and it’s maddening!

But, you get over that too because you can’t just stop due to a poor sick man in the recording studio. Feel better coughing man.

Its A Good Story

Any additional comments?

I normally do not give a comment about a book I like but felt compelled to give one this time, which is this was an overall very good story, This story will be TV show is coming to Starz and I wanted some background because I story about this time period, I am writing because I read the one star ratings first prior to reading the 4s and 5s stars rating. First, this is FICTION and second the sex scenes are not as graphic as the Story of O, Spartacus, and True Blood.

Every one of the negative statement started out with they are not a prude but continued with a negative comment. Ranging from the fact that Claire choose to be with Jaime over Frank (regardless that they was only to for 6 months prior to her being a combat nurse and was away for 6 years), about Claire ability to adjust to 1743, coming from 1945, and about the rapes to females and the rape and sodomy to Jamie, again this is fiction and there are cable TV shows that reveal more if not similar graphic incidents to inmates in prison getting rape. I agree with someone comment about the first 15 hours of background was a bit much. So it will be interesting see how the TV show will reflect.

I guess because I read a lot “Smut Book” this was mild in comparison to some of the other authors (like Maya Bank, Sylvia Day, and E L James, etc) description of the graphic sex scenes.

You just get sucked in.

This slightly racy historical fiction is an easy read and an easy listen. It hooked me in and kept me with the series for several subsequent books. It wasn't a genre I had listened to before but definitely enjoyable. I've recommended it to a few of my women friends and they got sucked in as well.

All-time best start of a series!

This is still my favorite read, even after the 3rd or 4th time. I don't re-read very often, but Outlander has become a part of my life.

Great narration on Outlander

What did you love best about Outlander?

The narrator helped the characters come alive with the inflection. One word sentences said so much. I found myself inventing reasons to drive around since that is when I listen to my books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outlander?

The discovery that one can get back.

Which character ??? as performed by Davina Porter ??? was your favorite?

Jaimie

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

The language is so evocative. I can see and feel a lot!

best new series I have started lately

Would you listen to Outlander again? Why?

yes

What other book might you compare Outlander to and why?

its a good merge between gone with the wind and any phillpa gregory stories

Which character – as performed by Davina Porter – was your favorite?

mutagh, claire, and jaimie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no - too many hours, but worth the time while at work