The Custom of the Army

An Outlander Novella

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

London, 1759. After a high-society electric-eel party leads to a duel that ends badly, Lord John Grey feels the need to lie low for a while. Conveniently, before starting his new commission in His Majesty’s army, Lord John receives an urgent summons. An old friend from the military, Charlie Carruthers, is facing court-martial in Canada, and has called upon Lord John to serve as his character witness.

Grey voyages to the New World - a land rife with savages (many of them on his own side) and cleft by war - where he soon finds that he must defend not only his friend’s life but his own.

This novella also appears in the collection Warriors, where it is narrated by Patrick Lawlor.

©2010 Diana Gabaldon (P)2012 Recorded Books

Love this series!

The smaller works give good background and fills out the larger (insanely larger : ) story. When you really get addicted to this series- and you will- you don't want to leave this world so these works help you hold on a little longer. Say no to reality and stay in the prolific, phenomenal mind of Gabaldon!

Good but short

The story tied up a few loose ends in the Lord John series. Definitely not the direction I expected the story to go.

Lord John

Really enjoy the Lord John series, which I have managed to read/listen to not in order but that seems to be ok. Lord John himself is a fun, intelligent, complex character. This novella (?) is complete in its story but I do wish it was longer, just because I find it so entertaining and interesting with characters, British society, intermingled silliness and historical setting.

Superb storytelling

Diana is simply perfection, she’s obviously brilliant!!! I can barely construct a sentence yet Diana writes masterpieces!!

Excellent Interpretation

Would you listen to The Custom of the Army again? Why?

I would listen again because the story comes alive with this narration. This is a long series and as time goes by I want to revisit old friends and be reminded of what I've forgotten.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Custom of the Army?

John's confusion after the duel. It was very well done.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet, but I will

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Lt. Col. John Grey travels to 18th century Canada to come to the aid of his former lover and comrade in arms.

Any additional comments?

This is my first listen of a Lord John book and I just love it. Jeff Woodman is excellent; it's as if he "knows" Lord John. I'm truly enjoying it. Jeff did a particularly good reading of the duel scene, when John was confused and didn't know quite what was happening. Jeff was also very comfortable during the scene between Hal and John when Hal visits with his baby daughter. The sibling intimacy and warmth each man felt while in one another's presence coupled with the English reserve (not easy to do), while discussing a crisis came across perfectly, as did the humor.

The voices are so distinct you forget it's just one man narrating. Of course, that's the point and well done.

Brilliant

Diana fighting is never predictable and always bring it! Wonderful wordsmith , such a rare and pleasant gift!

Awesome

Loved it, Gabaldon strikes again! She really is one of the greatest. I've listened to almost all of her works on Audible, and have not been let down.

Fills in Several Blanks

The first 15 minutes alone of this short novella are worth reading. Gabaldon's ability to start her stories with a bang is one of her greatest skills. The beginning to this story rivals the first 15 minutes of The Scottish Prisoner.

Jeff Woodman has become the voice of Lord John to me. So much so that this is the single character in the Outlander series that I wish someone other than Davina Porter would narrate. And since I think the Porter and Outlander combination is pretty close to perfection, that is saying a lot.

A lot happens in a very short period of time in this piece. And by the time it is finished, a few more questions are answered and blanks are filled in about the Lord John character, his history and how he became the man he is in the Outlander series. I highly recommend it.

Great story with noble characters

Another wonderful Lord John story. The more I listen the more I appreciate Diana Gabaldon's mastery of the written word and the humanity inside all her characters. Most especially the Gray famiy. It may be short, especially for Ms Gabaldon but the story is fully formed and gives a little more insight into just what Lord John was up to while Jamie was otherwise engaged at Hellwater. Looking forward to the next story.

"Outlander Novella" is misleading

I am a huge fan of the Outlander series. This story was not bad, Diana Gabaldon is a good storyteller, but it is not an Outlander book, it belongs to the Lord John series of books. It even has the same narrator as the Lord John series, not the narrator of the Outlander books. Since I have not read the Lord John books, the story was a novella about characters I didn't know (aside from Lord John). I kept waiting for it to come around to the Outlander storyline, but it never did. I assume they called it an "Outlander" novella since that series is more popular than the Lord John series, but I feel that doing that is a misleading way to try to encourage sales.