Drums of Autumn

Outlander, Book 4

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 44 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Diana Gabaldon's fans will be delighted to find Jamie and Claire as spirited and endearing as ever in this fourth installment of this magnificent saga. Romance, history, and time travel blend once again as the couple builds a new life together in the wilderness of pre-Revolutionary America.

Twice Claire has used an ancient stone circle to travel back to the 18th century. The first time she found love with a Scottish warrior but had to return to the 1940s to save their unborn child. The second time, 20 years later, she reunited with her lost love but had to leave behind the daughter that he would never see. Now Brianna, from her 1960s vantage point, has found a disturbing obituary and will risk everything in an attempt to change history.

Davina Porter's narrative talent adds a special vibrance and resonance to Gabaldon's complex, colorful characters.

©1997 Diana Gabaldon (P)1999 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"Gabaldon's range is impressive, whether she's evoking the rawness of colonial America, the cozy clutter of a modern Scottish parsonage, the lusts of the body or the yearnings of the spirit. Her legion of fans will love diving into this ocean of romance." ( Publishers Weekly)

I Can't Get Enough!

I have only huge enthusiastic praise for this enthralling, mesmerizing series.
I am completely wrapped up in the characters and they are so vivid, so beautifully drawn that I feel I am in their world along with them.
I also cannot heap enough praise upon Davina Porter, the narrator of this extraordinary series.
She is magnificent---her voices make every character come alive and her accents are impeccable, as well as her tone whether the character be male or female.
I have to drag myself away from listening and I am continually finding things to do just so I can continue listening.
This is the 4th book in the series and I keep wanting to slow down because I don't want it to end.
I have got to write Diana Gabaldon and lavish her with overwhelming praise as I genuflect before her!
I don't want to give away any plot and spoil anything for those who haven't yet read this series. But the twists and turns; the wonderful way that Ms. Gabaldon weaves the characters in and out of the saga; the horrific events and the charming moments as well as the absolutely gorgeous, romantic sex will keep you enthralled.
Okay. Can you tell that I like this book?

Re: Last 2 books in the Series

Having listened to all the UNabridged books in this series, I suggest you do not use credits for the last 2 ABRIDGED books. In order to listen to "Fiery Cross", I checked the 47(!) CD edition out from my local library. I ripped them all to my MP3 player, but they could also be listened to on your computer or CD player.

Davina Porter is the reader on the UNabridged versions, not the abridged. I can't imagine listening to anyone else. I am about to check out the last in the series and will be so sad when the tale is over.

Very slow start

As always, the performance was amazing, the story however was very lacking. Absolutely nothing important occurs between 5-20ish hours of the book. It was a struggle to continue and I wanted to stop the series, however the story finally picks up in the last 20 hours and I couldn't stop listening.

Okay

As with all of the Outlander series I am in wonder and how anyone from the 20th century would choose to live in those primitive times but that is what the series is about for the most part; Claire and Jamie's love for each other and the choices she makes to have that forever.

This was not my favorite book though it kept me interested enough to listen to all six parts in rapid succession. If you do not have a lot of time I would not recommend it. If you are taking on very long commutes or doing a big job in your house; go for it. It will keep you interested and entertained.

Don't get me wrong - if the rest of the series is finally published in unabridged format I'll be there with my Gold Dollar Credit. I will not get the abridged version.

Enjoyable!

I love Davina Porter's narration of this series! I bought this audio book the day it was available and listen all day while doing housework. When will the rest of the series be available in unabridged versions!!????!!!

You listened, Audible!

Thank you so much for obtaining the unabridged version of Drums of Autumn. I was soooo immersed in the lives of Claire and Jamie but the abridged version, which I purchased, was like replacing fine wine with Kool Aid! I immediately asked when you might have the unabridged version and you listened to me. Here it is!

In addition, Davina Porter has become the voice of Claire for me, so it's incredible to have her back in this version.

Again, thanks again...this is like opening a surprise gift!

The Drums of Autumn

Fantastic book, number 4 in the series. I love Devina Porter as the narrator. I wish the next two books had been unabridged! I will read the books rather than to listen to the abridged version. And I do not like the other narrator that I listened to on the samples. The first 4 books have been the best I have read (heard) in a long time. I recommend them to all, expecially the adult ladies. Rather sexually explicit for young girls. I feel like Jamie and Clair are part of my family. I shall miss them, now that I have finished these four books. PLEASE, PLEASE bring to us the UNABRIDGED version of The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes!!!!

YAY!!!!!

OMG i was so excited when i saw that DofA was FINALLY available in unabridged format online i swear i nearly threw up! This series is honestly the best thing that i have read.. ever... i downloaded outlander last summer and since then have read every one of the books in this series at least twice and have listened to the first three books in audio format about 3 or 4 times each! I cannot wait for #5 & 6 to be available in unabridged formats. For those thinking abridged formats are just as good... well.. give your head a shake because cutting out over 80% of the book is ridiculous... If you dont believe me go to gabaldons website and look at the sample experts she provides to show a comparison between abridged and unabridged versions.. you'll be shocked... THis book is an absolute must but make sure you start from the beginning... You'll love ALL of them! Trust me.. after you listen to these books.. 45 hours will seem like nothing... and you'll never be able to listen to another janet evanovich book again. ENJOY!

Ps the narrator is awesome. she reads it beautiful and maintains consistency VERY well... Cheers!

a bit too long

I like the series, but this is the first time i have listened to a book in a long time that i truly wished it was abridged. The book is littered with so may gratiutous sex scenes that it makes you wonder who the author is trying to write to. In sum, not as good as the previous books, but still worthwhile if you have lots of time to kill.

A Welcome Addition

This was a satisfying installment in the saga of Jamie and Claire I hope Audible will add Gabaldon's Fiery Cross and Breath of Snow and Ashes in the unabridged versions SOON. Narrator Davina Porter does such an extraordinary job with both male and female voices that good books are rendered great with her performances. Audible notes in her profile that she won a 2006 recording award for A Breath of Snow and Ashes, but it is not yet available here.

A good place to stop

There are just too many books in this series, and whilst I loved the first three I'm starting to get a sense of "padding" here. Too many stretches of description and intraspection etc etc..... The characters are also starting to lose it a bit for me, behaving in unpredictable ways that are useful to a new plot's thread, but not necessary in keeping with their character (or so it feels like to me). I have no doubt that the next three books will have good bits too - but looking at reviews on the rest of the series, I think that this is where I shall stop. This book (#4) wraps up many of the loose ends and seems a good place to leave Jamie and Claire before I lose my liking of them.

Very good but not excellent

I love this series of books. I find some parts of this one extremely slow, and nothing happens for a while. However, I'm a fan, and I did really enjoy it. I am now waiting for Audible to get the next one unabridged, as at the moment the one available is abridged.

Excellent read with one complaint

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

For me personally it was as I sometimes skim read when a book has too much description or is a little long winded. By listening you hear it all.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drums of Autumn?

When Roger decides not to go back through the stones with his family

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The description of Clare's attempt to use 20th Century medicine to save Jaime when he was bitten by a snake

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

a lot of both

Any additional comments?

I think that Diana Gabaldon has done a great deal of research into the history and language of the Scots for this series, and that Davina Porter reads the series amazingly. The sad thing is that Ms Gabaldon has let the series down by not using British words when they are being spoken by British people eg diapers, pants and Fall. It would have been a credit to her if she had

Another blockbuster from Diana

I have waited patiently for this the 4th book in the Claire and Jamie series and what a cracker.

I haven't had much sleep at all and the sleep I have had is with Davina Porter speaking into my ear. She really does do a superb narration which brings the whole brilliant story to life. I am right there in the New World with them.

I do hope that Audible won't keep us waiting so long for the next episode. It is a must listen.

The best so far!

This was the best book for me so far! The reader really makes the book come alive. I never want the series to end!!

Historical drama at its best

You really feel involved in the lives of these people, as they struggle to build new lives amidst danger.

Brilliant

I loved it 💕 great story very decriptive roll on the next book! love Scotland!

totally wonderful in every way, filled my mind

thank you for transportation to the 18th century filling my mind with another world and taking me there

Needs a good edit

I enjoyed the first two and even the the third but I lost patience with the same old shtik on this one. It might have been OK if the same stuff had happened much more quickly

My favourite of the series so far

If you could sum up Drums of Autumn in three words, what would they be?

Surviving in pioneering America

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drums of Autumn?

The rescue of Roger from the Indians

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

Clare is performed perfectly but somehow she manages to pull off a six foot six highlander with no problem too