Dragonfly in Amber

Outlander, Book 2

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 38 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Diana Gabaldon enchanted scores of fans with Outlander, her electrifying historical saga set in 18th-century Scotland. Now the sequel sweeps listeners back into the past as Claire relates more of her perilous sojourn there with her Scottish warrior husband, James Fraser. Twenty years after her strange journey back in time, Claire has returned to Scotland with her daughter, determined to share with her the secret she has harbored since her time travel. Still longing to know the fate of her beloved warrior, she recounts the story of her stay with him in the intrigue-ridden court of Charles Stuart and their attempt to avert the doomed Highlands uprising at Culloden. As her story unfolds, it reveals implications more far-reaching than even Claire could have guessed.

Narrator Davina Porter's gift for expression captures the history and flavor of a harsh place and time, and gives it the polish of a warm and engaging love story.

©1992 Diana Gabaldon (P)1998 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"Compulsively readable." (Publishers Weekly)
"A winning combination of vivid imagination and good common sense." (Kirkus)
"Diana Gabaldon is a born storyteller." (Arizona Republic)

FOR GUYS AS WELL

I wish I could take back the review I did on book 1 of this series. I said it was chick lit, which it is, too some degree, but to pass this series by because of a few sex scenes from the ladies point of view is foolish in balance with the really great story that you would miss.

I was drawn to the first book because it dealt with time travel and was rated 5 stars. I got the second book because I became very attached to the characters and it also was rated 5 stars. The author is a very good writer and the narration is freakishly perfect. I prefer male narration because female narrators rarely narrate the male parts well enough. but Davina Porter pulls it off quite well.

So far I've listened to her for about 70 hrs and I feel I could go on listening to her indefinatly ! Perfectly nuanced, perfectly timed , wonderfully relaxing, and sumptuously toned, thats how I would describe her narration.
Im very happy that I have something like 5 big books left to go in this series, yet I already feel some separation anxiety of loosing these characters, thats testament to the fine writing Dianna Gabaldon has produced.

Finally! The unabridged version is here!

For months I put off buying the abridged version of this audiobook in hopes of buying the unabridged version. Finally, after months of waiting and an e-mail or two to Audible Customer Service, I bought the abridged version. Alas, the very next month, the unabridged version came out. As such, I've had the opportunity to listen to both.

Admittedly, the abridged version gives the highlights, however, it can't give sufficient background info or do full justice to Gibaldon's outstanding storytelling ability. While 38 hours for the unabridged version might seem daunting, it's a delightful sojurn. Who, in the midst of a love affair is anxious for it to end? That's the journey this author offers.

If you're new to Diana Gibaldon's "Outlander" series, start with the first book, "Outlander." Once again, I highly recommend the unabridged version. "Dragonfly in Amber" is the second of six or more books in the series.

The narrator, Davina Porter, does a fine job of presenting Claire Randall, the story's spunky protagonist (complete with captivating British accent) as well as the other characters.

This is an outstanding book! Please enjoy it to it's fullest--unabridged and at your leisure. It's a great way to pass hours in the car. (Handheld computer or MP3 player via FM transmitter through the car stereo). Besides, listening to the full version will allow time for audible.com to obtain the next book in the series in unabridged format.

Thanks audible. Keep up the good work!

I ADORE this series!

I agree with all these glowing reviews, especially the reviewer who said they were in intense pain for Jamie and Claire! I cannot stop thinking about these characters---they are so compelling.
I thank Audiblebooks so much for my finding the Outlander series---I am obsessed.
This second book is absolutely wonderful as it moves back and forth through time. One of the author's brilliant writing touches is to present something---an event that a character tells, and then later reveal what really happened.
I have already started on the third book in the series and I don't want it to end! As I said, I'm obsessed.

Riveting and Brilliant sequel

"Dragonfly in Amber" by Diana Gablaldon is the sequel to the phenomenal (and also highly recommended) "Outlander." There are now actually six books in the series, with more to come, so if you enjoy these books, there is much more for you love!
This series is brilliantly crafted by the author, with plot twists by the score (there is NOTHING predictable about them), quirky characters (some you love, some you hate!), and dialogue that will make you laugh and cry. The characters will be so real to you by the end, you will find it hard to believe they have not been sitting at your kitchen table all along, telling their tales themselves. The "Outlander" books definitely defy GENRE. Initially set in Scotland in 1743, they have it all--history (meticulously researched), action, romance, drama, war, time travel, spies and intrigue--sprinkled throughout with characters based on real historical figures. These are LONG books, but by the end of each one you may be wishing it would go on further. Read (listen to) "Outlander" first, and you could be hooked in the first few chapters. The other books in the series are: "Voyager" (book 3); "Drums of Autumn" (book 4); "Fiery Cross" (book 5); and "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" (book 6). If that isn't enough, read the companion book "The Outlandish Companion," which explains a lot about the author's process of creating the series and characters, and answers her most frequently asked questions. The author's website is also worth a visit.
These books are written for intelligent readers, and I myself have created quite a large circle of "Outlander" fans by suggesting them to my friends and family, who subsequently get hooked. I do not recommend these for readers under 18, because of some graphic loves scenes, and other intense themes. However, I cannot recommend the series highly enough. Read (listen to) them twice each, at least!

Tedious

First up I have to say that Diana Gabaldon's first novel, Outlander, was a surprising delight. I expected it to be a bit of chick-lit - and while there were elements of that genre the story was strong and kept this bloke engaged and entranced.

I was expecting a similar journey with Dragonfly in Amber. Sadly I gave up half way through part 2 - after investing about 12 hours with this story.

For me, this was a case of a storyline being totally obscured by overly detailed descriptions of mundane objects, environments and characters. My feeling was that the author was either trying to impress the reader with her knowledge of historical bric-a-brac, or perhaps was trying to pad out the story - or maybe a combination of both.

I desperately wanted to like this book - but try as I might I just couldn't. This is the first audio book in over three years that I have not been able to complete.

Thank goodness there is a Wikipedia entry for Dragonfly in Amber. At least I now know the key elements of the storyline! I doubt that I will ever return to this book!

So much better that the

I've been a fan of Diana Gabaldon for years, and I was one of the many who wrote to Audible customer service begging to see the unabridged titles in the Outlander series added to the Audible library. At long last...I was so excited when "Outlander" showed up one day. I checked back every week to see when "Dragonfly in Amber" would be posted!

Gabaldon does thorough historical research and has excellent chaacter development in her stories. There is romance, but not so much that I would put the book in that category. There is mystery and magic, action and adventure, intrigue and espionage.

"Dragonfly in Amber" picks up where "outlander" leaves off, but it also carries the listener forward to what the future may hold and sets the next few books up nicely.

Another Winner!

OK, not as great as the first book, Outlander, but darn close! I did find my mind wander here and there in a few slow spots, but Gabaldon always made me fall right back into the story. Jamie and Clair are near and dear to my heart now and I sobbed for them and all the Scots that suffered a horrible end at Culloden.
I find myself researching history about the events in the book and am so impressed with the amount of Gabaldon's work put into this amazing story.
I just had to write this review to encourage folks to give it a listen. Davina Porter is one of my two favorite narrators and I'm just so into this story, I've got to go and download book three right now!
Enjoy!

Long, but pure pleasure

This series is wonderful. The narrator is absolutely incredible, with great Scottish voices and even a Scottish chieftain with his false teeth taken out!

Gabaldon is a literary genius

I have listened to the Voyager, Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber and finally Drums of Autumn. All books in the series that I have listened to are magnificent. Authors knows that perfect narration is the key to an excellent audio book and Davina Porter is the absolute best. Will listen to them again. Just when you think Diana's story is "pat," she puts a twist in the story that makes you sit up staight and say, "Wow". Thank you so much, Diana and Davina.

Wonderful book and series

STORY (epic historical fiction/adventure/romance) - You will want to start with Book 1 of this series and hear them in order. The books are very long -- this one is over 39 hours. It is about a present-day English woman (Claire, the "Outlander") who is propelled back in time to the Scottish highlands in the 1700's. The time travel isn't the thrust of the book but, rather, a mechanism to put Claire in position to give listeners a modern perspective on life in that period. This perspective is long, detailed and sometimes confusing, but it is never boring.

The main characters are lovable and well-developed. You will become totally engrossed in the plight of Claire and her Scottish husband, Jamie, as they try to survive in this brutal time period and prevent war with the English. Their love for each other is deep and absolutely beautiful. Reviewers who criticized the first book, Outlander, for its sexual content will be pleased to find there is much less in this book.

PERFORMANCE - Davina Porter is my favorite female narrator. Sometimes I paid more attention to her lovely voice and performance than I did to the story itself.

OVERALL (Actual rating 4.5) - I would have rated this book a five if it had been about 10 hours shorter. There is sex and language which might be offensive to some.

more sex than history

I love historical novels, but this really is more of a romance novel with a bit of history thrown it as filler. If you are looking for a book with lots of sex scenes set in a 'period' ambiance this is your book, if you are looking for more history than slightly vulgar sex than this one isn't for you.

Can't put it down

No really I'm losing sleep as I must know what happens. After reading the first, I am now half way through this book and still have all the others to catch up on. Davina Porter is an amazing narrator. You honestly believe in all the characters and their different voices; how does she do it? I would never have enjoyed these books if I had read them myself. I couldn't have switched from voice to voice in my head the way it is narrated.
Oh just one other thing; A plead to reviewers; you are giving too much away and this spoils it for those who haven't yet read or finished each novel.

A brilliant follow up

This lived up to the brilliance of the first book, and I finished it in five days. Plenty of laughs and tears, and a gripping plot.

enthrawling story worst american accent ever!

Any additional comments?

fantastic story very well performed (ignoring the worst American accent I've ever heard, it was more west country than anything!) thoroughly enjoyable highland /time travel romp! definitely purchasing book 3

This series of books are amazing

Would you listen to Dragonfly In Amber again? Why?

absolutely, They are absolutely wonderfully narrated by Davina Porter. She makes these books as amazing as they are. Without her reading them I don't know if I would love them as much as I do.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Clare. She's witty, kind, loving and calm.

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

Jamie, Davina's character voices are impeccable.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love at its deepest

Any additional comments?

as you can see I just adore the outlander series (so far..) wonderfully amazing

I was caught in amber too

A wonderful, wonderful story ! Painful, touching, exciting, I know it's a cliche, but I didn't want it to end, and when it did.......downloaded the next one ! I commend this to the House.

Wonderful!

The continuing story of Claire and Jamie.. Fascinating, compelling, intoxicating!... A romp through history... traveling in two centuries, full of wonderful characters, who both engage and repel. Epic battles..heartbreaking, as the narrative speaks of the futility of war. Love portrayed timelessly as truth. Funny, affectionate and unputdownable...thank goodness for audible narration by Davina Porter, (who deserves an award!) that brings vividly to life every character and scene with such dramatic flair. As I said ...Wonderful!

Great book poor recording

Engaging and vivid story. Unfortunately let down by a background noise of chatter or echo, noticeable when listening on phone but less so if listening in car.

Really good book

Shame about the slight background noise as I really liked the story hence four stars.

great book reading

I loved this book, it was well detailed and made me go back to France and Scotland. looking forward to Voyager