-
Outlander
- Outlander, Book 1
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Series: Outlander, Book 1
- Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins
- Categories: Romance, Historical
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $34.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Dragonfly in Amber
- Outlander, Book 2
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 38 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Diana Gabaldon enchanted scores of fans with Outlander, her electrifying historical saga set in 18th-century Scotland. Now this 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.
-
-
FOR GUYS AS WELL
- By Jeff on 05-14-12
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Voyager
- Outlander, Book 3
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 43 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Set in the intriguing Scotland of 200 years ago, the third installment in the romantic adventures of Jamie and Claire is as compelling as the first. Now that Claire knows Jamie survived the slaughter at Culloden, she is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. She aches to travel back through time again to find the love of her life, but, in order to do that, she must leave their daughter behind.
-
-
My favorite Gabaldon book
- By KB on 12-09-09
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Drums of Autumn
- Outlander, Book 4
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 44 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
I Can't Get Enough!
- By Eugenia on 02-15-10
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
The Fiery Cross
- Outlander, Book 5
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 55 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1771. Claire Randall is still an outlander, out of place and out of time. But now she is linked by love to her only anchor: Jamie Fraser. They have crossed oceans and centuries to build a life together in North Carolina. But tensions, both ancient and recent, threaten members of their clan. Knowing that his wife has the gift of prophecy, James must believe Claire, though he would prefer not to. Claire has shared a dreadful truth: there will, without a doubt, be a war.
-
-
Death is in the details
- By Sheri on 03-03-12
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
- Outlander, Book 6
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the burden of knowing that war cannot be avoided.
-
-
Unabridged!
- By JerryT on 05-20-11
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
An Echo in the Bone
- Outlander, Book 7
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 45 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jamie Fraser knows from his time-traveling wife Claire that, no matter how unlikely it seems, America will win the Revolutionary War. But that truth offers little solace, since Jamie realizes he might find himself pointing a weapon directly at his own son - a young officer in the British army. And Jamie isn't the only one with a tormented soul - for Claire may know who wins the conflict, but she certainly doesn't know whether or not her beloved Jamie survives.
-
-
Read all of Gabaldon's stuff before this one
- By Charles on 10-17-09
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Dragonfly in Amber
- Outlander, Book 2
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 38 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Diana Gabaldon enchanted scores of fans with Outlander, her electrifying historical saga set in 18th-century Scotland. Now this 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.
-
-
FOR GUYS AS WELL
- By Jeff on 05-14-12
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Voyager
- Outlander, Book 3
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 43 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Set in the intriguing Scotland of 200 years ago, the third installment in the romantic adventures of Jamie and Claire is as compelling as the first. Now that Claire knows Jamie survived the slaughter at Culloden, she is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. She aches to travel back through time again to find the love of her life, but, in order to do that, she must leave their daughter behind.
-
-
My favorite Gabaldon book
- By KB on 12-09-09
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Drums of Autumn
- Outlander, Book 4
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 44 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
I Can't Get Enough!
- By Eugenia on 02-15-10
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
The Fiery Cross
- Outlander, Book 5
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 55 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1771. Claire Randall is still an outlander, out of place and out of time. But now she is linked by love to her only anchor: Jamie Fraser. They have crossed oceans and centuries to build a life together in North Carolina. But tensions, both ancient and recent, threaten members of their clan. Knowing that his wife has the gift of prophecy, James must believe Claire, though he would prefer not to. Claire has shared a dreadful truth: there will, without a doubt, be a war.
-
-
Death is in the details
- By Sheri on 03-03-12
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
- Outlander, Book 6
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the burden of knowing that war cannot be avoided.
-
-
Unabridged!
- By JerryT on 05-20-11
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
An Echo in the Bone
- Outlander, Book 7
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 45 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jamie Fraser knows from his time-traveling wife Claire that, no matter how unlikely it seems, America will win the Revolutionary War. But that truth offers little solace, since Jamie realizes he might find himself pointing a weapon directly at his own son - a young officer in the British army. And Jamie isn't the only one with a tormented soul - for Claire may know who wins the conflict, but she certainly doesn't know whether or not her beloved Jamie survives.
-
-
Read all of Gabaldon's stuff before this one
- By Charles on 10-17-09
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Written in My Own Heart's Blood
- Outlander, Book 8
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 45 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hurtled back through time more than two hundred years to 1743 Scotland, Claire Randall finds herself caught in the midst of an unfamiliar world torn apart by violence, pestilence, and revolution and haunted by her growing feelings for a young soldier, James Fraser.
-
-
AWESOME, WELL DONE, .... BUT WHY?
- By Marie on 07-17-14
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
A Fugitive Green
- Outlander, Book 2.5
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
- Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In which, a 17-year-old apprentice dealer in rare books is sent from Paris to England by her father, to obtain incunabula and medieval books of devotion - and whatever secrets of political intrigue or finance may come to hand in the process. In the course of her business, though, Minnie meets Harold Grey (Lord John’s elder brother), the newly-widowed (and alarmingly deranged) Duke of Pardloe, and things fall out.
-
-
Story plot is lacking
- By Sean on 08-02-19
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Virgins
- An Outlander Short
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Allan Scott-Douglas
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mourning the death of his father and gravely injured at the hands of the English, Jamie Fraser finds himself running with a band of mercenaries in the French countryside, where he reconnects with his old friend, Ian Murray. Both are nursing wounds, both have good reason to stay out of Scotland, and both are still virgins despite several opportunities to remedy that deplorable situation with ladies of easy virtue.
-
-
Don't expect an in depth story
- By LZ HICKERSON on 10-30-16
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
Seven Stones to Stand or Fall
- A Collection of Outlander Fiction
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie, Allan Scott-Douglas, Davina Porter, and others
- Length: 24 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The author presents a collection of seven short stories set in the Outlander universe, never before published together, including two original stories and featuring beloved character Jamie Fraser.
-
-
Two new works and five previously published
- By Mary R on 07-03-17
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
The Hobbit
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Rob Inglis
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all.
-
-
Finally! Thank you Audible!
- By Bryan J. Peterson on 10-20-12
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows
- An Outlander Novella
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie
- Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Available for the first time as an audiobook in this original Outlander novella, Diana Gabaldon reveals what really happened to Roger MacKenzie Wakefield’s parents. Orphaned during World War II, Roger believed that his mother died during the London Blitz, and that his father, an RAF pilot, was killed in combat. But in An Echo in the Bone, Roger discovers that this may not be the whole story. Now, in "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows," readers finally learn the truth.
-
-
I miss davina porter
- By sandy on 03-11-14
By: Diana Gabaldon
-
The Fellowship of the Ring
- Book One in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Rob Inglis
- Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between the powers of good and evil.
-
-
Audiobook version better than I had hoped
- By James W. on 10-31-18
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Return of the King
- Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Rob Inglis
- Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Return of the King is the towering climax to J. R. R. Tolkien’s trilogy that tells the saga of the hobbits of Middle-earth and the great War of the Rings. In this concluding volume, Frodo and Sam make a terrible journey to the heart of the Land of the Shadow in a final reckoning with the power of Sauron. In addition to narrating the prose passages, Rob Inglis sings the trilogy’s songs and poems a capella, using melodies composed by Inglis and Claudia Howard, the Recorded Books studio director.
-
-
No Longer Jumbled
- By Reviews By Cole on 11-27-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Two Towers
- Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Rob Inglis
- Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Two Towers is the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga, The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship has been forced to split up. Frodo and Sam must continue alone towards Mount Doom, where the One Ring must be destroyed. Meanwhile, at Helm’s Deep and Isengard, the first great battles of the War of the Ring take shape. In this splendid, unabridged audio production of Tolkien’s great work, all the inhabitants of a magical universe - hobbits, elves, and wizards - spring to life. Rob Inglis’ narration has been praised as a masterpiece of audio.
-
-
Thank goodness - finally
- By John on 11-05-12
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Fifth Season
- The Broken Earth, Book 1
- By: N. K. Jemisin
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the way the world ends. For the last time. A season of endings has begun. It starts with the great, red rift across the heart of the world's sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun. It starts with death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter. It starts with betrayal and long-dormant wounds rising up to fester. This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the Earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.
-
-
The Nay-Sayers are Wrong.
- By Steve Groves on 02-10-20
By: N. K. Jemisin
-
Clanlands
- Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other
- By: Sam Heughan, Graham McTavish, Diana Gabaldon - foreword
- Narrated by: Graham McTavish, Sam Heughan, Diana Gabaldon - foreword
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unlikely friends Sam and Graham begin their journey in the heart of Scotland at Glencoe and travel from there all the way to Inverness and Culloden battlefield, where along the way they experience adventure and a cast of highland characters. In this story of friendship, finding themselves and whisky, they discover the complexity, rich history and culture of their native country.
-
-
Not sure what I was expecting...
- By Admirer of great books; critic of bad books. on 11-03-20
By: Sam Heughan, and others
-
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
- A Novel
- By: Heather Morris
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (German for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners. Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism - but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.
-
-
Very uneven performance. Read this one instead.
- By telekelley on 08-05-19
By: Heather Morris
Publisher's Summary
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?
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)
Featured Article: So Many Branches—The Outlander Characters Family Tree
Wondering who Jamie's father is or how the Clan MacKenzie fit into other character arcs? We’ve pulled together an Outlander Family Tree to offer you an overview of several of the main Outlander characters and their relatives. There’s also a who's who of supporting characters of importance, and a description of the main clans at the end. Heads up: If you haven't yet listened to the books or seen the show, this post might contain spoilers.
More from the same
What listeners say about Outlander
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sara
- 09-10-14
The Time Travel VS Romance Quandary
I downloaded this book years and years ago and settled down to a 30+ hour listen. Based on many raving reviews I thought the book was a time travel tale of beloved fiction. There was so much about the book that I knew I would enjoy. The time travel, the Scottish highlands, medicinal herbs, life hundreds of years ago, gardening...the list goes on.
However, I have to state up front I hate romance novels. At the half way point I had the sudden realization--I know I'm quick-- that this book was a dreaded romance novel. I was horrified and had heard enough of what Jamie wore or didn't wear under his kilt to last me forever. The heaving bodices were weighing me down as well. This was before Audible allowed returns of hated books. So I shelved the book with a shudder, gave up, and it sat there in my library untouched for years.
Fast forward to last month when the Outlander cable program started and I watched just to see what it was like. Well--to my shock--it is wonderful. The filming, the setting, the costumes--all fantastic. So I'm listening again with renewed interest. I cringe a bit every now and then to be honest. But I am enjoying the book at long last. I can see what those positive reviewers were about. Living proof that if you don't like a book give it time. You might like it after all.
881 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 11-30-18
Interesting story with a little too much romance
A very interesting story but spends too much time on the romance and sex than the actual storyline with long stretches between the interesting action parts
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- 🎧 Cyndi Marie🎧 ☆★Audiobook Addict★☆
- 06-16-20
✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫
I really enjoyed this story but give it 4 stars for the length! This book was SOOOO long and I don't enjoy really long books. I love the story and the history. I started off hating Jamie but boy I sure LOVE him now! The narration was great too!
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tifanis
- 11-23-15
I tried to hang in there, but it wasn't for me
Would you try another book from Diana Gabaldon and/or Davina Porter?
I would possibly try another book by Diana Gabaldon in the future, but this style wasn't for me. I read online to try to figure out if I needed to "hang in there" until a certain point to get hooked, but I found most people love it or don't care for it, and I fell into the latter category.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lulu
- 08-19-12
The Reason for the Existence of Audio Books
I had read a few audiobooks and had even joined Audible. But until I read this book I did not understand the magic of the format. Before reading this book I had no interest in1) romance 2) science fiction or fantasy and 3) time travel genres. I'd heard enough about the series that it piqued my interest because I loved historical fiction. Especially the period of time I knew the book covered. And I always found the challenge of tackling a big book rewarding.
This book changed so many of my perceptions of genre and reading format. While I still argue that though there is definitely a romantic and sexual relationship at the books core, it was only one part of the adventure. It still doesn't fit the romance genre to me, but it did such a good job of weaving romance and sexuality into the adventure it made me curious to read more traditional romance novels and see if they handled the topic as well. They didn't, but I discovered other good books I never would have tried of not for Outlander.
Likewise, other than Anne Rice's Vampire series which I had read many years ago, this was one of my very rare ventures into fantasy-science fiction. Setting aside my understanding of reality to accept someone else's is always difficult. But reading Outlander and the subsequent books in the series, I found myself trying to work out in my mind how this might have happened. It encouraged me to explore this genre more thoroughly as well. Even more surprising, it made me evaluate my perception of "time", what it means and how it works. I found myself paying more attention to physics and the study of the time and space relationship.
The twists and turns of the plot kept me turning the page just like the best mysteries I read. While reading the book there were enough unanswered questions, clues and short glimpses of scenes or events that caught my attention and made me store them away to remember "when all was revealed." But all was not revealed at the end and I found myself turning over these clues and snippets, trying to determine their significance, what I thought they meant and what their purpose was. One requirement of a great book is that you cannot get it out of your mind after you turn the last page. This book met that criteria. I thought about it for weeks.
Most importantly I learned that other voices can bring a whole new level to the reading experience, if it is the right voice for the right book. I would have enjoyed this book regardless, but if I read it myself and heard my voice in my head the characters would never have come so alive as they did in Davina Porter's voice. This is a perfect marriage of book and narrator. I was so surprised when I later discovered more about Porter's age, experience and background. She made a 21 year old Scotsman come to life. Her voice is Jamie to me. She handled each character wonderfully, although it is the first and only time I have ever listened to a book or series of books and thought a woman narrator did a better job on the men's voices than she did on the women's. I have loved hearing how the narrator has aged the character's voices throughout the series. You hear the young Jamie in the middle aged Jamie's voice, but you also hear the growth and maturity. I have accepted the narrators in the Lord John series, even when the book includes Jamie and actually think they are narrated well. But I am not certain I could accept another narrator for future Outlander books.
Finally, my initial interest in this book was from a historical fiction viewpoint. A good historical fiction novel, by Bernard Cornwell or Sharon Kay Penman sticks to as much historical fact as possible but presents it in an engaging and relate-able format. It makes you interested enough in the times and events that you will endure the dry-er, less lively recitation of facts of that same event or time in a nonfiction book, just to learn more. Outlander and this series delivered that in spades.
735 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- BeesKnees
- 10-05-17
I may be the only woman alive who didn't like this
I am almost an hour in and have yet to become invested in any of the characters. This book just doesn't work for me. It seems to drag and I find my mind wandering. I had high hopes but perhaps I am just not the kind of girl to get swept up in verbose historical romances.
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Teresa
- 03-01-14
Too much....
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
First I must state that I am only 11 hours into this book and I realize it is probably unfair of me to do review it. That being said I must vent. I was quite enjoying the first 8 or so hours. Then it started. Screw after screw after screw. No, I am not a prude but I have outgrown Harlequin style prose. Especially with a Scott accents that reminds me of my brother-in-law's mother and an English accent like my old piano teacher... creepy. I am skipping forward to chapter 19 in the hope that he can keep his hand out from between her moist thighs for the next 30 hours.
Would you ever listen to anything by Diana Gabaldon again?
Not sure yet.
What would have made this romance irresistible?
I didn't know it was a romance. It was in the scifi list.
72 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tracy Wood
- 04-28-17
mostly romance and gore
narrator was great. i like listening to her voice. amazing how she keeps track of all the voices. Story line, not all that. i don't undetstand why people love it so much. mostly romance, gore, and poor choices.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- crazybatcow
- 09-24-08
Don't tell anyone that I liked it...
I bought this audiobook because it was in the sci/fi fantasy category. The write up claims it has "a dash of time travel" - and that's all it has in the way of fantasy/time travel - a dash.
Time travel is used as a way to launch a HISTORICAL ROMANCE. And, ultimately, this is exactly what it is: a very detailed romance novel set in 18th century Scotland.
Keeping that in mind: it is VERY well done. The narration is terrific and the story engaging (though I did use the fast forward several times to get through the long descriptions of clan family lines, or details of the clothing/housing/etc of the time).
I don't like romances and I don't like historical fiction so I thought the two together would mean I had wasted my credit. Not so. Even though it's as far from my usual listening choices (sci/fi or cop/detective stuff) as it could be, the story flew by: I caught myself smiling at events in the story pretty regularly.
Assuming a starting point of 3 stars for an average story, I added one star for the narration (which brings the story to life) and a second star for making me smile in public. I took off a half star for requiring me to fast forward some of the descriptions = 4.5 star story. So I give it 5 stars because 4.5 is not possible. (I did buy the next book in the series too.)
Remember though, this is a romantic novel with some/lots of sex (though having made it through the sex scenes in Altered Carbon, this is pretty "romantic" sex) - so if you're looking for sci/fi or fantasy, you will be disappointed in this.
Otherwise... if you're not the romantic type but, like me, stumble onto this story by accident only to find that you like it - don't worry, we won't tell anyone...
363 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Frank Walter-Meinsteier
- 04-16-19
Great narrator but terrible story
As a guy it takes a good deal to disturb me. But the amount of glorified violence and erotic rape going on in this book, I found not only deeply disturbing, but also made me very uncomfortable. The fact, that this loose story of strung together scenes of rape and abuse is rated so well astonishes me to no end.
Don't get me wrong. There is not much death in this book, not compared to game of thrones, but a lot of really wierd erotically described rape, that gets to you on a much more personal level, making me think that the author has some very deepseated issues. Can't recommend.
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- L
- 10-01-06
First book of a series
This series is a mixture of science fiction, history, medicine and romance. Forget historical or geographic accuracy. This is escape and should be taken as fiction based on fact. Diana Gabaldon wrote this as an exercise and did it extremely well, even though she had never visited Scotland before writing Outlander. It is thought provoking, funny, sad, erotic and dramatic.
There are, to date, six books in the series following the Frasers from Culloden (and the lead up to it) to the beginning of the War of Independence in America. There is one or possibly two more books to come.
Ever wondered where certain ideas came from? Who thought of putting phosphate on bits of wood with an air proof covering? Could have been someone who had already seen the idea in action.
I thoroughly enjoyed the books and Davina Porter is an excellent narrator. She manages to capture a 1940's English female accent but still does a very good Scottish male voice. Quite an achievement and well worth listening to.
72 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Alan
- 03-28-07
Lose yourself in a gripping story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Being a bloke I was looking for a nice time travel adventure but I soon got caught up in the thrills and spills of highland life without missing the real reason for choosing the book. The first couple of chapters drag a bit but keep close attention as they make historic references picked up later on. I was fascinated and enthralled!
53 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Julie
- 11-07-13
Unexpectedly Brilliant
Any additional comments?
I loved this book!!! I downloaded it expecting to be a bit disappointed........time travel/scotland in the 1770's....really!! However, the storyline is thoroughly enjoyable and won't let you turn it off! The narration is extraordinary, you can instantly recognise the vast array of characters!. A word of warning - there are some quite saucy parts, and there are also some quite distressing parts.........I do not recommend having your nan in the car while you're listening to it at certain points, can be a little awkward.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Sceptical Shopper
- 03-06-12
Entertaining romp
A page turning bodice ripper with added pornography. The book started off ok but I found the increasing dominance of the sex scenes became boring. Definitely written to appeal to women rather than men - my husband couldn't stand it and gave up on the first book.
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Marcus H.
- 09-14-12
Clichéd chick-lit
I actually fell for the 5* reviews on this book and feel like a bit of a fool for doing so. This really is "chick lit" and quite poor at that. The story is historically very weak indeed and is really aimed at female titillation because every other scene revolves around sex and, to be honest, it's so damned boring! What's more it has the clichéd goody v baddy storyline that has been done to death since time immemorial.
It took so long to get going that I almost gave up on it on three or four occasions. It's a shame really because when it did get going it was actually quite good but for 70% of the time it wasn't. If it wasn't for Davina Porter's amazing narration I don't think I'd have stuck it out til the end. Without her wonderful voice the whole thing would've ground to a halt rapidly.
To put it in the sci-fi/fantasy section is a bit misleading because the only thing that is faintly related to this genre is the initial time slip. With a bit of imagination from the author we could've really been put into the excitement and terror of a 20th century woman suddenly finding herself in the 18th century but instead we have a main character that knew exactly how to behave and speak from the start and was all too accepting of her situation.
Because the times where the story got moving were quite good I give it 3*s but for the most part it was a load of tosh and I certainly shall not be listening to any more of the series!
41 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Stewart
- 11-03-11
Excruciating!
I acquired this as the free title in a 3 for 2 offer. Thank goodness I didn't pay for it!
Be very careful, the sample is taken from the sensible start of the book.
I only managed half of it - 16 hours of sex and violence fantasies are more than enough for me.
If your idea of fun is a huge 18th century be-kilted Scotsman being beaten and having sex incessantly, this may be for you.
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Victoria
- 04-26-12
Mind-numbingly dull
I found this painful to listen to. Firstly the reader speaks as though she is the Queen, which I found really off-putting at times. Secondly, the chapters before the time travel drag on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.... and they go into so much boring detail about things that no-one could possibly be interested in. It also included some of the most excrutiatingly embarrassing and unsexy sex scenes.
I thought once the time travel happened, I would be embarking on a thrilling historical romp. I was sorely disappointed. It was more of the interminable detailed descriptions of the most boring events and more of the awful sex scenes.
Dreadful!
47 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- John
- 12-02-13
Get out of bed and get on with the story!
What would have made Outlander better?
The story gets the narration it deserves. Both are tedious and more Mills and Boon (I imagine as I haven't read any) than serious historical novel. A possibly good idea is interrupted by so much sex and "oooohhhhh Jaaaammmmieeee" that it never really gets a chance. I did listen right through to the end, even though I wanted to stop half way, and have masochistically even gone part way through the second book, thinking it may improve, which it didn't. If anything it got worse. Unfortunately I bought three of this series at the same time on the basis of other reviews, but just couldn't face any more of this tedious drivel.
Would you ever listen to anything by Diana Gabaldon again?
Emphatically not!
Would you be willing to try another one of Davina Porter’s performances?
Highly unlikely.
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Outlander?
About 60% of it.
Any additional comments?
I can honestly say that nothing I have read has annoyed me more than this series.
53 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Paul D
- 12-01-13
Eat your heart out Barbara Cartland!
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
Some degree of historical reality/accuracy is useful in a historical novel,.
What was most disappointing about Diana Gabaldon’s story?
Lacked any depth, just a bodice ripper using a historic setting - the Scottish highlands. No conception or the era or realistic characterization.
Did Davina Porter do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?
No. Heroine, "oh gosh, I've time travelled, never mind."
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
No redeeming features for me. A big error. Thought it may be interesting and a little different. It was certainly different to anything I would spend time listening to.
Any additional comments?
My mistake, but perhaps it should have been made clearer in the blurp that this was a shallow bodice ripper in Mills and Boon gendre and should be avoided by all but those of a certain gender and age.
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Katrina
- 08-12-11
well worth listening to
I was never sure about reading audiobooks until an injury meant that I couldn't hold a book to read. So I bought Outlander a historical novel - has wrongly been labelled a romantic fiction - should be relabelled as a historical fiction, I enjoyed in paper form but listening to it on Audiobook really really makes a difference, Davina Porter (the narrator) has a natural gift at bringing the various characters to life. I absolutely love this book, so much so that I rave about it to all my friends and I have listened to the book on more than one occassion. I would definitely recommend it.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- elena collins
- 04-27-20
Like waiting for Donald Trump to finally shut up.
My new mantra is "don't rely on best seller claims". I'm 6 chapters in and so far there's been a long winded instruction on gardening and another on how to dress a wound, and not much else. I picked the book based on the summary and claim of reader popularity. I was expecting something clever but instead found a lot (an awful lot) of words that presume to be clever, about a woman whose husband's only interest is sex, and who appears to divide people Iinto 2 categories: overweight or not. I'm at the end of my tether as I obey the Stay-at-home orders and persevere with this book. Or will I? So far I've had about as much enjoyment as I get listening to President Trump drone on about nothing each day in his "Corona taskforce briefing". Oh man, I should have taken the blue pill.
Update: I'm on Chapter 13 and FINALLY something appears to have happened. Hurrah!
update again. I'm now on Chapter 15 and can't go on. This book is awful, nonstop drivel. I'd rather visit the dentist. At least I tried.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anneka
- 11-02-16
Narrator's voice does not match the character
What didn’t you like about Davina Porter’s performance?
I couldn't pair the narrator's voice with the character - the narrator's voice felt too old and stuffy to be the young, headstrong Claire. I couldn't keep on with this audiobook after the first 3 hours. I have now read the book in its normal written format and loved it, but still cannot bring myself to return to the audiobook version as narrated by Davina Porter. Sorry Davina, it's not you, it's me!
30 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 12-02-19
Brilliant story
With ones own imagination coupled with the writers own admirable talent, this is a delight to listen to. The author has told a story that in another less talented scribe would not fill you with all the emotions that Diana has done. A great deal of thought, research and hard work has given us, the reader a journey that I cannot wait to continue in reading the second in the series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dim
- 10-24-16
Enthralling
Absolutely loved this book. I'm a huge fan of The Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons, and I've been looking for something as good as. Throughout listening to this book, I drew a lot of parallels out of both books. The characters are well defined and the story is full of detail. The voice actor does a great job and I'm looking forward to listening to the next one.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- gayle l mcdonald
- 07-12-18
someone needs some cough mixture
the narrating was ok, the background out of sync echo when listening on headphones is very distracting and the random coughing throughout in the background is also off-putting, I found myself tuning in to the background.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sandra
- 07-01-14
Great Story.........great Narration
What did you like most about Outlander?
I absolutely love the story and I can't wait to get into the next book in the series. I also love the Narration by Davina she is very believable with all the various characters.
What did you like best about this story?
I love the time traveling and of course the love story between Claire & Jamie,
Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is my first Performance by her but after this series, I will be looking at other stories.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Deanna
- 09-11-15
couldn't handle the voice actor
I found it unbelievable the voice actor sounded much older than the main people's perspective and it just kept me back from sinking in to the book. she had a lovely voice and it was pleasant to listen to. I just couldn't merge the book and the voice. But it did sound like a good story, what I got through. so listen to the sample and if you like her voice give it a try!
30 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- wendy
- 10-08-14
bodice ripper posing as historical fiction
What would have made Outlander better?
not sure there was anything that would make it better, i just didn't like the interminable sex (yeah i get it, they were hot for each other) unbelievable close scrapes and escapes for Claire, and Jamie the superhero surviving beating after beating. just toooooooo much.
What could Diana Gabaldon have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
obviously lots of people really like it and the series … why should she change it for me?
What didn’t you like about Davina Porter’s performance?
Davina was fine, is was the content
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Outlander?
most of them…but particularly the escape of Claire from the prison only to land in a pit full of bodies, then get attacked by wolves, which she kills single handed (NO weapon) then gets picked up by some dude who wanted to marry Jamies mother way back when… oh dear, REALLY?!?!?!
Any additional comments?
obviously I accidentally chose a genre that i really don't like, but i did go on the many many previous reviews….almost 100% positive … so maybe its just me….
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- BookwormDownUnder
- 01-31-17
Outlander
I started my journey to read the series way back in 2004 and eagerly awaited each new book. I love the books and wanted to give audible a try. I wasn't disappointed my only bug bear is that the narrator, Davina, at times, sounded a little to "listen with mother" in the way she spoke. Her Scottish accent was god though.
This series is brilliant if you are in doubt, don't go by the BBC tv series currently out, as usual the transfer from book to tv is poor.
Our Jamie Fraser is a bear of a man, big, strong, with reddish blonde hair and if swooning was still a thing, I'd be doing a lot of it!
Claire is tall and confident and a five years older than him.
Do yourself a favour, either buy the books or download them here. I am using my monthly subscription to buy them all on audio although not sure if I can wait till next month, might have to get two a month. 😎
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Denise
- 11-10-16
A powerful story beautifully narrated.
The story alone is a wonderful mix of drama and romance, with characters that develop and grow as the story unfolds. The dialogue is rich and descriptive and down-to-earth, so the reader feels almost a part of the world Diana Gabaldon has created. I can't praise the narration by Davina Porter highly enough! She brings each individual character to life, taking on their personas, characteristics and emotions. She's not just narrating: she's performing, fleshing the characters out, enhancing their personalities and adding a whole new dimension to the story.
3 people found this helpful