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)

excellent listen

this audiobook has it all for a commuter like me: narration, a great storyline, and a length that makes it worth the purchase. the narration was clear, interesting, and pleasant to listen to. when she takes on the scottish accent, she does it very well and consistently, so as not to be distracting, but not such a heavy accent that one can't understand. the storyline is fun, adventure filled, there are enjoyable, complex characters, and yet it was easy enough to follow as i listened on my commute. while it is billed as a romance, the sex scenes are very minor. there are some parts that are graphic, but those are about the brutal war. i WILL say that if you love bonnie prince charlie the potrayal of him in the next book in this series is NOT flattering. clearly gabaldin does not have any sympathy for the scottish separatist movement.

Not bad

I debated getting this for nearly a year before finally grabbing it on sale. I enjoyed it immensely though I have to admit I listened with some trepidation waiting for the sex scenes I had read so many reviews about. I love time travel and dont mind a good romace so long as the story isnt overpowered by mindless sex with the fabio sort. I found myself interested right from the start, and when the first sex scene popped up I found it tasteful and relevant, so I figured the remainder couldnt be too bad. The story went on and it sucked me in, the writing is excellent, the narration is superb, and you genuinely care about the characters as well as the rich vein of historical details Gabaldon provides. There are a few odd moments when you have to listen to some pillow talk between a sexual novice and his more experienced wife, but I took it all in stride. The only problem I had was the villain's odd sexual attraction to the male hero. It gets pretty graphic and disbelievable, and if I hadnt committed so much time and gotten so sucked in I probably would have given it up, but as I said before, I was invested. The story really is good, if you can look past the bizarre sexual deviancy that dominates the last few chapters. Also, I probably would have gotten the second book but it is not available on audible quite yet.

Great love story

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

The audio edition is very good. It was really nice to hear how to pronounce certain Scottish words. You will fall In love with the main characters and will really care what happens to them.

What other book might you compare Outlander to and why?

There is not another book that comes close. Maybe Time Travelers Wife.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Clare saves Jamie from the prison.

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

No it is very long, you want to savor it.

Gripping

Some slow and over the top but not enough to make it a 5 star

PLEASE get the others

This is quite simply the best audiobook I've ever listened to. After I started it, I would look forward to my commute so I could listen some more. PLEASE get the other unabridged titles in this series read by Davina Porter. And get them soon! I will buy every one.

More! More! More!

I have been waiting for a long time for Audible to get the unabridged version of this series. Davina Porter is absolutely magnificent as narrator. This book takes you away much better than Calgon. There's everything, sex, history, fantasy and fantastic plots and subplots. Please, please get the rest of the series.

Excellence in Audio

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

Adventurous, Complex, Wonderful

What did you like best about this story?

There's just so much that I love about this series - and this book in particular. It's the kind of adventure that sweeps you away... random fateful occurrences, sinister events, noble characters. In some of her books, Diana's historical detail can get in the way of the plot, but in Outlander, the author balances it in the best way. Her meticulous details anchor the characters in time and reality. The characters are robust and multi-dimensional. There is a beautiful romance between the main characters that, I feel, rides the line between steamy and classy.

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

Yes! I listened to The Mists of Avalon, which she narrated. That was actually one of the reasons I bought the M of A - because she did such a beautiful job in Outlander. I liked her Outlander performance better, but that may be because of the writing, not her. Davina Porter is one of the best narrators I've ever heard, by which I mean that I often forget that someone's narrating at all. Her accents and characters (especially the men) are amazing and, I feel, perfectly matched for Diana Galbaldon's narrative.

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

Yes, I wanted to, but it's so long (in a good way); it's just not possible. I stayed up late listening, way more than I should have though.

Outlander #1 love story of all times!!!!!

They are worth every bit of the money i spent, get them now while they are one sale!!! Hurry. I want more, what is next, don't stop. I have read them all.

Best Love Story and Adventure

This is the best love story and adventure every. The book sweeps you up and wont let you go!

My heart pounded in my chest!

My heart pounded in my chest!

It is a beautiful heart pounding book! Breath taking and amazing!