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 narration

This was suggested to me a year ago and I just got to it about a month ago. I really enjoyed it, but still had so many questions. Huge brain fart on my part not to see if there were sequels. I’m a happy, happy boy right now knowing I only just scratched the surface of the series. This will make work FLY by.

Amazing romantic historical fiction!

I've never seen the show but decided to take a listen to the audio book after someone recommended the show to me and I was not disappointed! The narrating was incredible and the story was enthralling. I couldn't stop listening til the story was done. top notch book!

I’m sure this isn’t for everyone but damn good I loved it!

The characters are so in depth and the story line written so well I can’t wait for the next book!

Unabridged!

I have been waiting for this series to come in unabridged. For all who love romance and adventure, this series is extremely addictive. Don't be lured into getting the abridged books, they leave entire plots, people and best bits out. I highly recommend this series.

At long last...

I've literally been waiting years for the unabridged versions of the Outlander series to be available on Audible. I've read and reread all the books and heard all of the abridged versions, and there's nothing quite like hearing each word read to you by someone as talented as Davina Porter. This recording is an amazing tapestry of detail, introspection, action, romance, and fantasy that I simply can't stop listening to, even though I know the story by heart. I can only hope that Audible will soon be offering the other titles from this series in unabridged format. Also recommended: the unabridged "Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin and the unabridged "Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan.

Historical Fiction at its very best

Having read and listened to all seven of the Outlander series it's hard to know how to describe it as anything less than my favorite series of books I've ever read! As someone drawn to books about time travel, I'm often let down because of how implausible the experiences seem. But Diana Gabaldon's concept is fascinating and totally thought provoking. She presents the concept of time travel in the most intriguing way I've ever read. Her characters, both male and female are so richly drawn, the story so enthralling that you find yourself waiting with bated breath for her next installment. Her books are so incredibly well researched that it takes her years to complete each, and we are well rewarded by how historically rich each is, the writing impeccable, the dialogue (so very difficult to do by so many writers) not only diverse and believable, but funny and wise and eminently quotable always. The narrator, Davina Porter, gives the best performance I've ever heard, her Scottish accent delectable. Be careful, once you start, it is very difficult to read any other books until you've completed the series, so totally engrossing is her writing.

Get this book if you weren't raised in a convent.

There's not too much sex. It's not a cheesy romance. It's part love story, part historical fiction and part adventure with a tiny dash of sci-fi mixed in. It's funny and smart too. Seriously, I neglected my three children while listening to this series because it was so good.
And, it's narrated by the best narrator to ever read a book. The best.

Another Boring 5star Review

I have nothing original to say... Really... I am just totally blown away by Davina Porters performance of the characters I have enjoyed reading for 20 years.

I'd mot intended to buy other audio books in the series..after all I have them in hard bound print and re read the series prior to a new release, or if I'm in need of a Claire and Jamie fix.

However now I'm hooked on the audio versions and looking forward to enjoying them all.

Enough said..if you are new to audio books as I am and want a good, lomg, entertaining historical romance time travel listen then this is the place to begin.

ALREADY MISS THEM

I finished this book this morning and I'm so sad - I guess I'll have to start over.... The story is very engrossing, there were very few times in the 30+ hours of listening that I felt "get on with it" - every word was a pleasure. The reader is absolutely superb - what a great fit. Highly recommended.

Can't believe this is a must read!!!

Would you try another book from Diana Gabaldon and/or Davina Porter?

Absolutely not.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Very little.

What character would you cut from Outlander?

The main character

Any additional comments?

When this was recommended as a must read I thought it would be a great listen. However, the story line was extremely slow and the author is a lady who is extremely dissatisfied with her current love life and fantasizes about making love to large highlanders. I only say this because half of the book is devoted to her discribing love makng to a historical highlander from 200 years ago when the main charecter is already maried. Basically the plot sucks, so unless you are looking for a romance novel find another book.