Voyager

Outlander, Book 3

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 43 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Diana Gabaldon's magnificent historical saga, begun with Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber, continues with this New York Times best seller. 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. It has been 20 years since she and Jamie were forced to separate. Can she risk everything, maybe even her life, on a gamble that their love has withstood the long, rigorous test of time?

Diana Gabaldon's powerful, witty, and heroic characters lend themselves well to the rich, melodic narration accorded them by Davina Porter. Under her spell, listeners find themselves transported back through time to exciting, faraway places alive with people they would enjoy knowing.

©1993 Diana Gabaldon (P)1998 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"Triumphant....Her use of historical detail and truly adult love story confirm Gabaldon as a superior writer." (Publishers Weekly)

My favorite Gabaldon book

This is my favorite book out of this series. You have to read Outlander to understand what is going on but trust me its well worth it. The characters become like friends and you find yourself caring about them and there story while learning a great deal about Scottish history. Outstanding book.

I Agree

This was better than I expected. Let's face it, what a monumental task to write such a long book and then make it part of a series with all seven (?) of them being just as long ...and just as captivating!


The narration is outstanding as there is no question as to who is talking and what they are feeling!


I also must agree that there was just a little too much breathless sensuality in this one. I mean, I get it. They love each other, but every time (and pretty frequently for mature adults) is not like going over Niagara Falls!

Stereotypes and xenophobia run wild

This book is absolutely littered with grotesquely racist and otherwise offensive caricatures pretty much from start to finish. It’s one of the organizing principles of the book. I listened all the way through because I wanted to find out what happens, but also because I thought for sure Claire would undergo some sort of character development and realize the harm that can come from her xenophobic thinking... Well, surprise! Nope! Just as one example, Claire’s still saying/thinking things like “the little Chinese” instead of, say, “The little Chinese man.” See also the countless examples of Claire dehumanizing, belittling, and othering black people in her thoughts and actions. All. The. Way. Through. The ENTIRE. Book. And the gleeful way Davina Porter read these passages made the whole thing that much more cringe-y. If this book we’re written IN the 1760s (and not merely about the 1760s), that would be one thing. But it wasn’t. It was published in 1993. Shame on Diana Gabbaldon.

If you've read the other 2...

The first two books of this series enveloped the reader into the world of Claire and Jamie and the adventures they shared. If you've read the first two, this third installment is a must-read. Diana Gabaldon does an amazing job narrating, as always, and brings the personalities of each character to life. I definitely count myself a fan of the series.

However, it felt at times that the situations the characters encountered were a bit too numerous and over the top. (Kind of like a cartoon character that can't take 2 steps in a row without falling off a cliff or having a safe land on his head.) Also, I was expecting a bit more at the end, but don't want to say too much to spoil it for others.

7 Stars!! Brilliant!!

I now have my husband just as hooked on the saga of Jamie and Claire as I am (except I actually went out and bought the printed books to read because Audible only has the 1st three unabridged books). DO NOT try and make do with the abridged versions because they are awful. If you must wait-they will be worth it. The first 3 are for download here (about 40 hours each). They are long but you are still wanting more. My husband and I listen to a little bit every time we get in the car together (I've already listened to them all).
Davina Porter brings them all to life-you can tell who is talking without the "he said-she said" at the end of the sentances.

One thing really ticked me off!

Audio-book: Narrator – Davina Porter

Another excellent performance. However, this time I did struggle with some of the new accents/characters that were introduced. No matter how much I slowed the speed there were times I just could not understand what was being said. That’s one of the problems when listening rather than reading.


I was hesitant about continuing with the series, knowing that Jamie and Claire have been separated for twenty years. That kind of situation leads to circumstances that I’m not a fan of, and yes, that was exactly the case here and even worse! However, I trudged through the grime of it all – reminding myself that in “real” life this is pretty much what would happen…well, if anyone could travel two hundred years back in time. Once this couple are reunited and they struggle through the awkwardness of that reunion, I found myself to be a happy reader again. And oh my lord! This couple are still just as deeply involved in danger and intrigue as they ever were. When are they going to learn???

In the end, I was glad that I delved further into their story. However, I’m again in question as to whether or not to continue the next as I understand it to be Brianna’s story. Sigh. After all, I’m in this for Jamie and Claire, ya know?

Disappointment.... drudgingly long

After the first 2 books, I had high hopes for the third and was sorely disappointed. The book honestly could have ended after Claire and Jamie reconnect and I would have enjoyed it more than listening to the author seemingly throw scenario crazy after crazy scenario at the characters in order to end at the same draatic conclusion. For a series with such a large fan base, I expected better.

Couldn't love it any more

I'm not sure who I love more - Diana Gabaldon or Davina Porter.

They are perfectly suited for one another and the product of their collaboration is a treasure.

Voyager was not as enjoyable as Outlander, but I still enjoyed it immensely.

Necessary (but painful) chapter in the saga

Davina Porter is again fabulous and flawless in her reading of this book. The story itself is, however, painful for me and is my least favorite in the series. The main character falls from grace and in my opinion never recovers fully to his previous stature as a truly admirable character. I also felt that some of the plot points were contrived and several main characters were behaving in ways that were distinctly inconsistent with the characters the author had so faithfully and deeply developed in earlier books. Still, one has to endure this volume in order to get to the next one -- Drums of Autumn. And ultimately, it's worth it.

On the fence. (spoilers somewhat)

I have been liking this series, but I had a harder time with this one. The author is still long winded on subjects that don't really seem important to the storyline, so be prepared. Certain parts seem repetitive and obvious. My biggest issue is with how Claire deals with Jamie's lies, I feel like she mostly just gives up on fighting and let's him get away with a lot, but I know I'm mostly alone in this opinion. overall, I will continue with the series, but I don't know for how long.

Excellent Narration

Good story in a series of good stories, (although I found some of the love scenes going on a bit and fast-forwarded here and there but thats probably just me ;o) )and I really did enjoy lisening to it in the car. Looking forward to the next in the series. Have to make special mention of the narration - I listen to a LOT of audio books and Davina Porter is exceptionally good, easy on the ear and really captures the characters.

A roller-coaster ride

Gosh you do get your money's worth out of Diana Gabaldon's books. Over 45 hours of listening - phew! This book is a roller-coaster ride - always something happening. Jamie and Clare don't know what boring is and neither does the reader/listener. Davina Porter does another wonderful job at narrating this story. This being book 3 of the Outlander series, I did find the sex scenes a bit tiresome and wish the author would just set the scene and stop at the bedroom door although often have a chuckle at picturing the narrator sat in a recording booth expressing all this passion. I listen while walking my dog around the local park and really look forward to this hour everyday. Looking forward to book 4. By the way, I am female although my name on the review says Mr.

Diana Gabaldon in audiobook format

What a boon to have these great books in audiobook format. I have read each of the books in the series and am loving them even more in this format. The book are the best and the narrator just adds to the pleasure.

I am currently listening to voyager and I can't wait to get into the car so that I can listen to some more.

These audiobooks are definetly worth buying. There are hours of enjoyment awaiting the 'reader'.

Scotland, the Caribbean, Voodoo and a Voyage

So I guess you've read/listened to the first two books? So you KNOW how seasick Jamie gets, right? One teeny tiny channel-crossing and he's half-dead. So how does he manage a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean? (I'm not telling, just teasing!)
Following is a rough description of the book's onset, but there won't be any spoilers!

Voyager begins where book two (Dragonfly in Amber, also available here, read as well, thank goodness, by Davina Porter) has left us: right on the battlefield of Culloden. Claire is gone, and Jamie has to go on without her. The book then describes how their lives continue, and that is done in a very, very beautiful way, partly in retrospect, partly in first person's narration and partly developing.

This book is, together with book one, my favorite of all the Outlander books. It has everything: adventure, loyalty, love, drama (oh, the drama!), the incredibly detailed description of countries, sceneries and people and, yes, there may be a hint of sex here and there (turtle-soup, anyone?) and of course, there's time-travel. In no other book DG has managed to portray what is involved in traveling through space and time: The costs, but also the merits. Where in later books she loses herself in side characters, military details or rambling dialogues DG here brilliantly pushes the story, develops the characters and uses language in a way that is seriously awesome. She never loses the threads of the many story-lines, interweaves them as best as is possible and allows the reader to keep all main characters in view at all times.

And if a male readers stumbles across this review: Give it a try, why don't you? It's historically well researched, there are weapons, wars, witty bantering and it is adventurous rather than romantic. I have convinced a few male acquaintances to read it, and they were not sorry to have done so.

One of the best

Don't start this book unless you are prepared to want to read the whole series. It is wonderfully read and a real page-turner. Strong characters that you will love. Beware also when you get to book 5 because the one available at audible (as at Aug 09)is abridged and has a different narrator. A bitter disappointment.

Exhausting

How much spare time do you have? Once you start these books prepare for an emotional siege. You can't stop listening. Fire. Flood. Sleep. Cleaning, will all pass you by. As my mother used to say '... and not a child in the house washed!' This will be your story, friends will call around worried that you fell down the stairs and couldn't get to the 'phone. Prepare for all of the above and get on the Diana Gabaldon rollercoaster.

4 and a half

Loved it even if it could have done with another edit. I understand setting the scene but I would zone out at descriptive paragraphs/pages which felt that they went on slightly too long.

Aside from that the narrator was fantastic and really understood the point of inflection and a pregnant pause. Superb! Had a couple of surprising honest to goodness jaw drops as well as chuckles. Actually found myself less enamoured with Jamie surprisingly as he seemed to be less comitted to the whole soul mate premise of the books. I don't want to ruin it for anyone so won't divulge details.

Great story, fantastic narration and I will be purchasing the next in the series whilst I continue to wait on the TV series to air.

A wonderful immersion into the past...

If you could sum up Voyager in three words, what would they be?

Addictive, facinating, enjoyable

What did you like best about this story?

I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the great detail that Diana Gabaldon writes in this fourth instalment of the Outlander series. I feel transported back to a time, of which though much is known about, I will never experience first hand. I enjoyed the different points of view of the main characters. Nothing disappoints in this story and I love the continuing tale Jamie and Claire's love and the development of Briana and Roger.

Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Davina Porter does a wonderful job with all aspects of the narration, from accents, to singing, to a variety of foreign languages and difficult pronunciations. I greatly appreciate the time and effort that goes into the creation of the performances and I never feel, at any point, in the 55+ hours of narration, that the performance is tired.

Just as good, if not better!

I am so hooked on this story, and so in love with the characters so brilliantly portrayed by Diane's voice. Next one loaded ready to go.

wrong reader

I love this story.
However, the voice of the reader is wrong.
She does not suit the spirit of the characters or the story. Such a shame as Outlander is one of the greatest stories I've ever read (and listened to)