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  • Outlander

  • Outlander, Book 1
  • Written by: Diana Gabaldon
  • Narrated by: Davina Porter
  • Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,384 ratings)

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Outlander

Written by: Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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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.

What the critics say

"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)

Editorial Review

Discover what listeners have been raving about and dive into the epic saga that is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander is the first book in a series of fantastic historical fiction that blends real-life history with mythical and magical themes. This first novel follows the main character British nurse Claire Randall on her travels in the Scottish Highlands, where she falls through time after encountering ancient standing stones on Fraser’s Ridge. She is immediately thrown into the hectic world of 18th Century Scotland and forced to adapt quickly to assimilate and - hopefully - find her way home again. From the highlands to old-world North Carolina, the storyline is a twisting and turning adventure of war, romance - in the rugged yet kind Jamie Fraser- destiny, and fate, which will capture you from the start and not let go until the very end. Genre blending and unique, Gabaldon weaves aspects of love stories with history and time travel and adventure for an exciting and highly entertaining story.

Davina Porter narrates the audiobook version, which brings the epic story to life in a new way. She has narrated over 400 audiobooks in her time, including several classics, and she brings her wealth of experience to this reading for a stunning performance. She was awarded the AudioFile Golden Voice narrator for this series. Her attention to small details and nuances in the story makes for a beautiful audio experience, whether you’re familiar with the series or hearing it for the first time. Fans of the story can enjoy more of Gabaldon’s world in the Lord John Grey companion novels.

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You can never have enough romance in your life. If there isn't enough in the real world, there's always an entire history of romance novels to get lost in, from the Victorian stylings of Jane Austen (who doesn't dream of Mr. Darcy?) to contemporary romance authors like Talia Hibbert After all, who doesn't love a good swoon from time to time? You can't beat a good love story, and there are many reasons why television and cinema are filled with their adaptations.

What listeners say about Outlander

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Don't be tricked

This is an out of date 'bodice ripper' that is endlessly long and the narrator makes the heroine sound like a shrew. The only reason this book rose out of the ashes of time is because Netflix decided to make a series from it. Not worth a good credit.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love this book!

The story is AMAZING!! The narrator's tone and story telling is wonderful. At first I didn't care for the narrator's voice (it sounded a little too grand mother like) but it kind of grow on me and I ended up liking it.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Better than expected but containing one fatal flaw

3.5*
I wasn’t aware this was anything more than historical romance, so was pleasantly surprised that it was such a hybrid. More historical accuracy than I’d expected as well. Touches on Scottish mythology and superstitions, has jailbreaks and rebel Scotts and political intrigue. Of course, sex and sexuality, and gender roles are central—to its benefit and detriment.

This would have been an easy 4 stars for me if it didn’t rely so heavily on the presence of sexual assault. Especially in the first three quarters of the novel. Seems like anytime Claire screws up she’s threatened with rape from all sides. Even backstory of other characters involve rape.

It’s very preoccupied with it, and I guess because it sets up the main sort of stakes as to whether or not Claire will be with her “real” husband or her Scottish one, the stakes are also sexualized? It just made me desensitizing toward the issue and felt incredibly lazy as it went on. The fact that men were threatened with it as well mildly breaks from the trope I suppose, but come on.

Not sure if I’ll continue with the series or not. Might give the show a chance instead.

*Spoiler warning*
The largest gripe I have, though, is Randall himself and the homophobia. Randall is revealed to essentially just be an evil gay also in love with Jamie. The contrasts between Randall as an ancestor and Claire’s husband is maybe semi interesting?

Men reacting to power dynamics and war differently. But there’s certainly no positive depictions of gay men and uhh she was spirited away on magical rocks that are not even historically present, so saying it’s all for historical accuracy is bs. Especially when she herself is challenging gender roles and expectations and Jamie seemingly seems written to break stereotypes of how a male love interest might be depicted.

The Duke is also always laughed at and the subject of open ridicule and he empowers Randall to do as he does. Extremely suspect and bumped down my rating because it hampered my enjoyment.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I started by watching the series on tv. And seen it on audible so it wasn’t hard to Devi’s I had to listen to the book and OMG! The narrator does such an amazing job it makes you feel as tho you are right there with the characters ! Sooooo strongly recommend!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Most Wordy Book ever

I will not waste more time on this series. So many words to say the same thing over and over. This is a romance novel at its worst with a bit of history thrown in. I really don't know why it is rated so highly.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story. Frustrating narration.

Story is great but the narrator mispronounces almost every Gaelic word / name. Listening to her pronounce plaid as played, Laoighaire as Leer, Geillis as Geelee, dunn as done and so on and so forth. It gets old quickly.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal!!! A Truly Epic Journey

I simply couldn't stand to put this down. I was hanging on every word. The relationship and undying love for one and other that develops between Claire and Jamie is so romantically exquisite but not unbelievable. It even encouraged me to strive to improve my marriage and regain the passionate love we used to have.

This book touched on every human emotion. I didn't simply read/ listen to it, I experienced this book.

The only thing that remotely bothered me was the was how the narrator used two different pronunciations for both Geillis Duncan and Laoghaire McKensie. I found that to be a little distracting.

All and all, I can't wait for the following series!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars

couldn't get past the narrator

The story may be good but the narrator turned me off. Too formal and stuffy.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

love outlander

awesome story, one of my favorite series have read all the books already and enjoyed being able to listen again on the go, didnt love the performance mostly based on the mispronunciation of some Gaelic words but overall very enjoyable

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

atrocious

There must only have been one option available but even then, to ruin an entire series with that vile voice and infantile accents is crazy.

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2 people found this helpful