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)

Good choice for a "first listen"

I downloaded this book because it showed up on the "great first listens" list. The plot seemed intriguing, so I bought it. I didn't realize it was part of a series. I hate getting hooked into those, and would have avoided it, had I known. But now I'm hooked. Gabaldon is a fabulous writer. Her breadth of knowledge of her subject matter is impressive, and her style of prose is impeccable. I will be listeing to the rest of this rather lengthy series (darn it . . .).

A huge part of the reason I was hooked is because of the fabulous narrator, Davina Porter. As her name suggests, she is truly "divine" as a narrator. I have heard none better, although I do have to admit I get a little chuckle out of her trying to do an American accent. I can't imagine anyone having the hardest time with that dialect. It is a very minor distraction, though. I basically love listening to her.

I am on the fourth book now

Be afraid, be very afraid, this series can be very addicting. You will learn to love the relationship between the main characters, and the narrator, truly brings this story to life. Not for young listeners.

One of the Best Stories.....Ever!

This is one of the best well written books I have listen to and it is in my top all time favorites.

I was so skeptical when I first started the story and told myself, I probably would not like it and would only listen to the first book just to see what all the hype was about. Wow, I lied to myself! Just like a Lay's potato chip, I just can't have one and will be starting the next book in the series soon as well as watching the series.

Absolutely amazing!!!!

5+Stars

Fascinating!

I'm typically a reader of mysteries and science fiction so I wasn't sure that I would get into this book. I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The story itself is a fascinating look into the past and how people lived their lives. The narrator does a fantastic job with accents and gender.

The book starts out a little slow and a bit like a drama novel but since is over 30 hours long I gave it chance. My own experience told me that for a large book there is often a longer set up and that was the case here. Because you are soon thrown into a world that is so foreign it was important to get a sense of who the protagonist is before her world is turned upside down.

Once I was into the story I was so hooked. I wanted to listen all weekend long. And I mostly did. I listened while doing virtually everything that wouldn't pull my concentration away from the story because I didn't want to miss a minute of it. I listen with a little JBL speaker when I am at home and don't need earbuds so I just set it up near me and go about my chores or just kick back in a chair and let the story take me away.

I'm anxiously awaiting my new credits so I can buy the next book.

Now a fan!

I do not particulary care for time travel novels. A friend of mine begged me to try this book. I was hooked from the very beginning. Gabaldon writes an excellent story with great descriptions of the Scottish Highlanders. And the characters are sooo captivating. They become part of your life. I cannot say enough about this series. You've just got to read it to see what I mean.

Excellent

I have greatly enjoyed this audiobook. I can't wait to listen to the next one in the series

One of my favorite novels, and a terrific reader!

This audiobook is one of my favorite readings, and worth a repeat listening. Davina Porter's wonderful performance really improves an already-marvellous story of time travel and adventure in eighteenth-century Scotland. Outstanding!

Great listen !

Overall a great listen. The storyline captured attention right to the end. Only criticism were the sometimes lengthy love scenes - generally portrayed with written sensitivity but sometimes too long and too frequent! Yes - the main characters are deeply in love ... But sometimes it was -sigh- "not again"

Addictive and memorable -- from a skeptic

I was disinclined to like this book. A long epic saga involving (ugh) time travel? Not for me! But I gave it a listen and was hooked within the first hour. Davina Porter is a talented reader -- her voicing of Jamie is so convincing you'll forget a woman is speaking. The Scottish brogues are fabulous -- I found myself thinking and dreaming in a Scottish accent! The story is riveting, romantic, historical, well-researched, well-written, suspenseful, and deeply moving. The scenery is richly painted and the characters are complex, deeply drawn and well developed, and people you will not likely forget. This is NOT your typical trashy romance novel, so be prepared for a real read.

Enjoyable over and over

I've read Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series three times each and now am delighting in the pleasure of listening to them come alive. Can't wait to listen to Dragonfly in Amber