Virgins

An Outlander Short

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Allan Scott-Douglas

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

But Jamie's love life becomes infinitely more complicated - and dangerous - when fate brings the young men into the service of Dr. Hasdi, a Jewish gentleman who hires them to escort two priceless treasures to Paris. One is an old Torah; the other is the doctor's beautiful daughter, Rebekah, destined for an arranged marriage. Both Jamie and Ian are instantly drawn to the bride-to-be - but they might be more cautious if they had any idea who they're truly dealing with.

©2013 Diana Gabaldon (P)2016 Recorded Books

Don't expect an in depth story

I purchased this novella on audible. It's the first thing I've purchased from Diana Gabaldon that I felt did not justify the purchase price. This book won't tell you about how Ian lost his leg, got back to Lollybroch, or much of anything else. Perhaps audible should group several novellas together. In that way you wouldn't feel short changed.

please be short!

3 stars because I liked the overall story. It was, however, quite painful to listen to, as the narrator Allan, had absolutely no quality to his voice and he made Jamie sound like a disinterested old Scottish man with a brogue impediment. Ian sounded more like a girl than the actual girl in the story. I had to look at the index to make sure, hopefully, it was a short book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been able to listen to it

Not Davina Porter

I've listened to all Diana's novels and it was strange to hear another voice for Jaime....the pace was slower & no where near the humor in others...only reason I liked was because I know characters so well...nice to hear more about Ian though

Sweet story but

The reader makes Jaime sound like a grunting Neanderthal. The story was ok, but lacking something. Perhaps it was just the reader. He really didn't seem to capture Jaime well at all.

Not the best

I'm a huge Outlander fan but this story was not the best. It was very boring compared to the other stories written by Diana Galaldon.

Could not finish this book!

Would you try another book from Diana Gabaldon and/or Allan Scott-Douglas?

Diana Gabaldon is a fantastic author and I have listened to the entire series of outlander books.

Would you be willing to try another book from Diana Gabaldon? Why or why not?

Absolutley! Assuming it was narrated by Davina porter. I gave the overall and story three stars but I imagine if it was read by Davina - and I finished it I would rate it higher.

Would you be willing to try another one of Allan Scott-Douglas’s performances?

yes... I think so. I believe that part of the turn off of this book was the obnoxious accent the narrator spoke in. But I would be willing to listen to something that was not narrated in a Scottish accent.

Do you think Virgins needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no. it is a follow-up / side-story book to begin with so I think its fine as is.

Any additional comments?

Please re-record this book with Davina!!

More Jamie Fraser! What's not to love?

It's got everything you would expect from Diana Gabaldon.
Great characters, battle scenes, humor, and OK maybe not as much romance as we've come to expect.
But that was clear from the title.
I really loved seeing Jamie and Ian interact together.
In the other books it is mentioned, but I just really liked seen them having an adventure together and seeing Ian when he was still able to fight.
Of course all of the main books in the series should definitely be read in order but I think even someone who is not familiar with the series would enjoy this book.
I absolutely loved the narrator as well.
I searched but unfortunately this seems to be the only book on audible that he has narrated.
I look forward to more work from him as well.
And did I mention, more Jamie Fraser?

Like visiting old friends.

It was great to sit and visit a spell with the younger Jaime and Ian.

Diana captures perfectly the atmosphere of being on the edge of self discovery and growth not only in the exploration of love, but also in the inevitability of loss that is often its flip side.

But as always Jaime though injured physically and emotionally rose to the challenge, with Ian his right hand man backing him all the way.
It was good to here Jaime's skeptical, "em-eh" again.

The narrator did and excellent job with the content presentation and the accents.

What a loverly serendipitous way to start the Memorial Day weekend.

I would recommend this book to all who soldier on through life's varied challenges, not giving in or giving up until we give it our all.

I selected the 5* rating because, I felt quite encapsulated in Jaime's world and experience as the story unfold.

A true Outlander story

Outlander fans won't be disappointed in this short story. Storyline bridges Exile, Outlander and DIA. Reader was excellent. I loved his Ian. His Jaime voice was a little heavier than Jaime in my head or the female reader of the OL novels, but he intoned Jaime well. Diana Gabaldon wrote fewer lines for Jaime dialogue in this novella and it makes Jaime seem a little less eloquent and thoughtful than he usually is. When I reflected on this it was clear that Jaime spends a great deal more time listening in the story and thus says less.

A Wonderful Glimpse into Jamie and Ian's Past

As always, Diana didn't disappoint! This story was like a piece of See's Candy enjoyed in during the quiet hours after putting the kid's to bed. It was short, but a fun glimpse into Jamie and Ian's younger years.

A good short for Gabaldon fans

I liked the narrator's Scots accent, which fitted the characters well. If you love Diana Gabaldon's other books, this will not disappoint, but if you haven't read them, this may be confusing to some.

Awfully disappointing.

I'm a huge Outlander fan and was delighted to discover the novellas. However I now see them as moneyspinners. None that I have listened to live up to the authors standard and it seems as though she just churns them out.
I may have enjoyed reading them more, especially as this narrator is so bloody awful.
Why he chose to make use a Northern Irish accent when the protagonist is a Scottish highlander beggars belief.the entire production team are at fault and I assume the author heard it before its release. No accent is better than a wrong one. Perhaps they believe that no one will notice.

Story telling is so important

Why didn't Davina Porter tell the story?
After getting so used to her and the voices for each character I found this hard to follow.
Didn't enjoy this 😔

I just couldn’t get into it

Whereas I get sucked into most Audible books, I just couldn’t get into this one - it’s finished without me being able to really tell you what the story was.

Outlander

Wasn't sure whether this was required reading before Cross stitch or just a basic introduction of characters.

Huge fondness for these characters

Diana has not disappointed. if you love the Outlander series this is a must read/listen.

Before the series

I really enjoyed listening to Jamie's & Ians time away in France, this is not ever highlighted really especially in the TV show.

Very good

It was a interesting story and held my interest, I feel that I know the characters quite well.

like the guy reading it better than others

up to now ive only listened to full books so I'm now playing catch up with the short storys and am enjoying the different readers very much

Another brilliant Outlander back story

This is another Outlander back story with a younger Jamie and Ian. I love all the extra stories with the other characters and how they intertwine along with the main novels which are mainly Jamie and Claire (which have to be said are my favourites) . The performance is excellent and a genuine Scottish accent always helps 😊. Would love for Diana Gabaldon to write more of them.