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)

I'm an addict

I was skeptical at first, my fiance picked this book for me and after reading the description, I wasn't eager to listen. I even teased him a bit about the time travel element.

After exhausting my credits for the month, I grudgingly started Outlander and I am so happy I did! Oh my goodness! I could not believe how much I loved the book. I was drawn into this amazing story and the lives of all the characters. Diana Gabaldon paints a wonderful picture and Davina Porter is a fabulous narrator. I love that you know who is speaking before she even tells you.

I have listened to all 7 books without stopping to take a breath in between. Having just finished the last book in the series, I feel a little empty, like something is missing. I have been trying to pick a new book, but I feel a bit like I am cheating on Jamie and Claire.

My fiance, needless to say has been enjoying my addiction and has not missed an opportunity to say "I told you so!".

Fun book, Great Narrator

This is the author's first book, and I'd say she has natural talent for writing fiction. The time travel is fun. The Scottish clan is fun. The descriptions of sex are great. I like women with a big appetite for sex, so I like this author and her main character.

The narrator is excellent.

I'll probably continue with the series. I've read that the series gets more gripping as it goes on, and that will probably sway me.

Take the time - it's worth it.

This book was a little tough to climb into but once you are in ... you are taken back in time with a group of characters that you fall in love with over and over again.

a bit disappointing

Where does Outlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like time travel and some fantasy novels, but felt that this one could have made better use of the genre. For me it was only a little better than mediocre.

Would you recommend Outlander to your friends? Why or why not?

No. It is well crafted but I found some long passages to be tedious and disturbing. How can you manage to be tedious and disturbing at the same time?!

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the parts that described scenes of Highland life, especially the festive occasions. I also enjoyed the parts about herbcraft.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the contrast between how Claire felt about Frank and how she felt about Jamie.

Any additional comments?

If I'd been reading and not listening to this book I would have skipped through many pages, specifically the many long descriptions of floggings and other torture. I felt the love scenes were unnecessarily drawn out too. It's well written in other respects but these flaws make it hard for me to understand why it is such a popular book.

Great series

I got hooked on this series, and my husband did too. It had enough adventure, romance, magic, history, and comedy to keep us entertained. I really got into the whole story, and suffered, laughed, and fought along with the characters. I love reading (or listening) to books, and this is one of my very favorites. Loved the characters.

The Most Wonderful Start To The Best Series Ever

Anyone who is a fan of 'Outlander' knows it's magic. In fact, fans from all over the world are addicted to Jamie and Claire, who start out their long lasting time traveling relationship in Diana Gabaldon's first book, 'Outlander.' I would venture to say that there isn't another book quite like it. We have time travel, history, research, romance, torture, war- and most of all unforgettable characters that true fans will not only relish and enjoy- but they become part of a person's mind. I think about these characters every day of my life.

Outlander provides us with the introduction to Claire, a woman in the 1940s who's been a nurse in the war. One day she and her husband visit Scotland and she touches some standing stones, and finds herself thrown back to the 1740s! Claire meets Jamie, a ruthless, rugged highlander who she is betrothed to- even though she is a 'Sasanach' or an English Woman. While Claire desperately tries to get back to the stones to go back to her own time zone, a romantic, passionate and loving relationship with she and her 'new' husband ensues- so she is torn by wanting to return to her own time, and spending eternity with what may her true soul mate.

This book is not just a romance, it's historical fiction at it's finest, with every compelling literary compromise involved. This is not just a book- it's something that will stay with you forever, and you won't quickly forget Jaime, Claire, and their adventures in the 18th century. Gabaldon is brilliant, and Davina Porter does an amazing job with the narration. This book is a must-listen or read for anyone who loves a great fiction novel with memorable characters and big teeth.

5 stars, hands down. One of the best books I've read/listened to in my life.

-Wendi

Very long story that I finished but won’t be continuing the series

I started this book a few years ago, but couldn’t get into it. Then I saw the first season of the TV show and decided to try it again. The book and show follow each other pretty well, but the book was so long! It was like the author just kept writing and writing with no end in site. I have listened to 30+ hour books before and have never had a problem. The story was a bit drawn out and the whole rape part was just weird. Not going to dive into this serious but I may check back into the TV show.

An absolute gem

If you liked Pillars of the Earth and its sequel, you will love Outlander. I devoured the first, and am now on the 4th installment. I think I'm going to get 5th and 6th books in the series though because the audio books for those are abridged and it was a different narrator. I don't know how anyone could do a better job of narrating than Davina Porter.

Back in time

Loved it once I got into it. Starts slow but hang in there it gets better and better. This is a story full of romance and adventure. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns. This book is over 30 hours long and we'll worth a credit. It is also a series and I look forward to starting book 2. If you can get through the first 2-3 hours then you will be hooked. I highly recommend this book.

Amazing!

Where does Outlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This has to be one of my absolute favorites.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Her ability to change between accents, to bring emotion to each and make you feel that you are listening to the actual people talking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh, if only I could have!

Any additional comments?

This was a total 5 star........ could have been 6.