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)

Outstanding Historical Saga

Where does Outlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am astounded by the authors ability to bring you into the story and the narrators gift of making you forget that you are listening to a tale. I love fictional stories that are based in fact and this series has me hooked from this story on. Thank you for bringing these to audio.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jamie Fraser at this point because he has been childish, churlish,chauvanistic, and macho>>as well as loving,thoughtful,and comical...and really doesn't have a clue to what is truly going on-in other words...typical male-it seems in any century.

Outlander

If you could sum up Outlander in three words, what would they be?

1. Adventure, Time Travel, A timeless love story,
2. The best series that I have listened to sense The Lord of the rings series,
3. It is a can't put it down till the last page excellent work from an extremely talented author. This book series can't be explained in three words it is just too good!

What other book might you compare Outlander to and why?

I have never read a series quite like this one, so I am unable to find a deserving comparison.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Divina Porter rocks in her performance of this series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The movie with time travel, excitemt, a love story, it had everything and more for movie buffs!

Any additional comments?

I only hope that there are many more adventures to go before it ends!

The Oracle Reviews: ThOutlander

Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon Narrated: Davina Porter
File Size: 2562 KB, Print Length: 896 pages, Audio: 32hrs & 37min
Publisher: Dell, Recorded Books June 1, 1991 & October 26, 2004
Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...
In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
A book comes to life to me, becoming a living fantasy …movie in my mind and some even become a part of me, this is one of those stories. There is no way you can put this book down or stop the audio without fighting with conscious and making it submit to reality. Diana takes you there; you will find yourself in Claire’s place living life with Jamie. She truly captures the human state. The past will flash forward grabbing you and thrust you head long into Scotland and the Highlands. The concept of time travel may seem too farfetched for some, but it’s the perfect launching point for this story. The synopsis does a grand job letting you know what the story is about, I can only emphasize to run not walk to your local book store, or E-book hub and download this story. You will not be disappointed. If you enjoy audio, the audio version is fantastic. I feel like taking a bullhorn shouting about the necessity to include this book and series in your library but to purchase the audio as well. Davina Porter is brilliant, simply brilliant. Her voice and performance knocked me to my bum. I’ve not said this about many narrators. Basically, if the publisher is wise they will choose the voice to fit the story or main character, which they did with Davina. But rarely does the narrator become the main character or the cast of characters with such believability. She is a true spectacular find and will not disappoint. This series is expected to be picked up by Starz and produced as a series, expecting cable release in 2014. If you purchase this story and the following series, you will be adding a true treasure to your library.
The Oracle (Maria Mercedes)
All synopsis are supplied by the publisher via Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble
The Oracle Reviews purchases some titles others are received via Netgalley or the authors themselves. All opinions and reviews are her own.

Awesome Re-read

I read this book when if first came out many years ago. I was in my 20's and I absolutely loved it and it stayed with me. Now in my 40's, and an author myself, I read (listened to) it again and loved it even more. Beautifully narrated and it was so wonderful to spend time with Jamie and "Sassenach" again.

delightful

I loved it. I am almost walking around with a Scottish accent! Davina Porter is fantastic. The book is very descriptive which I think does justice to make this era come alive - an abridgment could not capture it so vividly, also so much detail would get lost. happy to see Book 2 is here and we are patiently (well almost) waiting for the remaining books unabridged. I aslo agree with the previous critic - women may appreciate this type of book more - I can see men getting a little "ADD" in the overly descriptive parts.
Enjoy.

Glad I downloaded this one!

I was not familiar with this series before I read the 3rd book by accident. I enjoyed that, and decided to start from the beginning by downloading the first. Have to say that listening has made the experience that much more enjoyable, and has really brought the characters to life. Love the narrator; I can actually hear humor, distress and happiness in her voice not just when quoting the characters, but as the first person narrator as well. RECOMMENDED HIGHLY.

7th time of reading, 2nd time of listening,,,

Where does Outlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

still laughing, crying and being outraged in the right spots

What did you like best about this story?

then setting, the plot, the whole thing

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

how does she keep the characters straight?

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

all through it. I even went to Scotland and touched some standing stones.......nothing

Loved every minute.

If you could sum up Outlander in three words, what would they be?

Fall in love

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Nailed the accents, very comforting listening before bed each night. It's a bedtime story and I Never thought I would love being read to so much!

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

Both

Really, really enjoyable!

What did you love best about Outlander?

I loved the story overall. Well written, likable people and the atmosphere is so that I almost long to be there.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outlander?

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments was when Jamie rescued Clair from being burn as a witch.

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

Evarything. She is very good! And I learn the word "sasanach" a scottish word for an englishman. It sound so soft and Davina Porter makes the scottish sound so romantic.

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

What Randell did to Jamie in prison was horrific and very saddening.

Any additional comments?

Just to say thanks for reading this fantastic story to me.

Can't Wait

I can't wait to get the next book!