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)

Good story and characters.

Enjoyed the characters and storyline. A little slow at times but worth reading. looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Of course the book is always better.

I was eager to read, or in this case listen to, the book after watching the series on STARZ. I was not disappointed and can't wait to continue with the book series. The biggest bonus was the splendid narrator. I found myself hearing her voice narrate the mundane routines of daily living in my head making me smile a bit. I will be searching for other books she narrates as she makes the listening that much more entertaining.

I'm hooked

I am not a fan of romance novels and I involuntarily roll my eyes with each sex scene, but the story, itself, has me hooked. I watched the series, first, and the show follows the book pretty closely. I binge-watched the series and they are taking a year off so I figured, "Why not read the books?" I bought the first one to see if I liked it and, despite the gratuitous sex that is easy enough to forward through, I loved it. The narrator does a great job and I can't wait to listen to the second book.

Exquisite writing, Captivating story

Diana Gabaldon is an amazing writer. She pulls you into the story from the start. Her details are exquisite. I can see, hear, taste, and smell everything. Sometimes, too much! The story begins in the late 1940's. The second world war has ended and Claire and her husband Frank are reconnecting. They go to Scotland for research. That's where Claire learns a bit of family and Scottish history, which comes in handy when she enters the stone circle Craigh na Dun, touches a stone, and is transported back in time to the Scottish Highlands, 1743. Gabaldon has done her research about Clan life, the landscape, life in the times, and herbal medicines. Claire was a nurse during WWII, so she is a healer in the 1700's, even thought to be a witch. So much action and adventure, a romance, and enough steamy scenes to make up for the graphic brutality. The violence is a bit much for my sensitive soul, but I couldn't stop listening because the story was so good! I can see why they made it into a series (which is how I discovered it), but I stopped watching part way through season one and enjoyed the book. This is the first in a series of nine or ten books (the last two aren't written). The first one was published in 1991. Where have I been? I listened to the audio book, read by Davina Porter, and she is brilliant, one of the best narrators I've ever heard. Well done. And, of course, the end leaves you hanging!

Romance and History.

Liked. Not loved. This is a well done performance and story. The sex and adventures punctuated much of the narrative but it lacked that bit of detail that transforms the story into something more meaningful.

Love love love

I was so happy with this book, I loved listening to and from work, where it took me to another world! I have been watching the series, but the books are holding me from season to season!

Outlander

Everything you could want in a book; riveting, enlightening, and novel. Hated for to end.

You will love this. Every word.

If you enjoy being taken on a detailed vivid ride, this is the multiple book story for you!

best ever

best book series of All Time! Devina is Remarkable. love to see herdo her work

High Expectations Met

What did you love best about Outlander?

I first read the paper version of the Outlander series a few years ago. Knowing that I was scheduled to make a lot of flights and travel, I decided to try the audible version. I already knew and loved the stories, which would lessen the "gamble" of purchasing something unfamiliar. The audio version met my requirements; that 9 hour transatlantic travel was made bearable with my old friends, Claire and Jamie.

What other book might you compare Outlander to and why?

Outlander is a fantastical story with a large dose of historical fiction and lots of bodice ripping. It is hard to compare to other historical fictions, as I typically read the drier versions.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can not identify one particular scene.

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

The paper copy of this book is around 1000 pages. I knew I could never listen to it in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

My only very slight criticism of the book is that I expected Claire to have a younger voice. Not a young voice, mind. Just younger. Nonetheless, as what frequently happens in this kind of thing, one adjusts.