Outlander Audiobook By Diana Gabaldon cover art

Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

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Outlander

By: Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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About this listen

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.
Fantasy Fantasy Essentials Historical Romance Romance Essentials Series Essentials Top 100 Essentials Fiction Heartfelt Feel-Good Tearjerking
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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)

Featured Article: The Best Women Narrators to Listen to Right Now


One of the biggest questions listeners have when it comes to approaching a new audiobook is whether or not they'll enjoy the narration style. This is understandable, as audiobooks are at least a few hours long (with many clocking in at 20 hours long—or more!), and sticking with one person's voice for that time period can feel like a big commitment. We rounded up some of the best female narrators with a robust list of audiobooks under their belts.

What listeners say about Outlander

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Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    60,746
  • 4 Stars
    10,674
  • 3 Stars
    4,150
  • 2 Stars
    1,994
  • 1 Stars
    1,686
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    56,157
  • 4 Stars
    7,535
  • 3 Stars
    2,256
  • 2 Stars
    679
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    3,388
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A Review for Males

This book was written by a woman for women. About 15% of this book is graphic romance from the woman's perspective. Men listening to these sections will find the discussion extremely boring if not nausiating. These sections are not pornography, but by being graphic and explicit, come close enough to be annoying. During these sessions, the book becomes a Harlequin Romance, and the main character becomes Fabio-like. This greatly distracts from the story-line and will drive many males away from the book.

So why did I give this book a 4 star rating? Because the rest of the story is compelling, the reader is excellent, and the characters have depth and realism during the non-Fabio moments. The author takes pains to be historically accurate, and if one has visiting Scotland, the descriptions are enjoyable and vivid.

Be warned, however, that this is not science fiction. Time travel is a mechanism, not a concept in this book. As the author herself admitted at her website, this happened by accident, and she simply went along with it. So dont get this book if the goal is to explore the ramifications and paradoxes of time travel. Such topics are explored superficially in the second book, and ignored here.

If one wants a great time travel story, I recommend To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis.

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456 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

Good choice for a "first listen"

I downloaded this book because it showed up on the "great first listens" list. The plot seemed intriguing, so I bought it. I didn't realize it was part of a series. I hate getting hooked into those, and would have avoided it, had I known. But now I'm hooked. Gabaldon is a fabulous writer. Her breadth of knowledge of her subject matter is impressive, and her style of prose is impeccable. I will be listeing to the rest of this rather lengthy series (darn it . . .).

A huge part of the reason I was hooked is because of the fabulous narrator, Davina Porter. As her name suggests, she is truly "divine" as a narrator. I have heard none better, although I do have to admit I get a little chuckle out of her trying to do an American accent. I can't imagine anyone having the hardest time with that dialect. It is a very minor distraction, though. I basically love listening to her.

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7 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

I am on the fourth book now

Be afraid, be very afraid, this series can be very addicting. You will learn to love the relationship between the main characters, and the narrator, truly brings this story to life. Not for young listeners.

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6 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

One of the Best Stories.....Ever!

This is one of the best well written books I have listen to and it is in my top all time favorites.

I was so skeptical when I first started the story and told myself, I probably would not like it and would only listen to the first book just to see what all the hype was about. Wow, I lied to myself! Just like a Lay's potato chip, I just can't have one and will be starting the next book in the series soon as well as watching the series.

Absolutely amazing!!!!

5+Stars

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5 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

Fascinating!

I'm typically a reader of mysteries and science fiction so I wasn't sure that I would get into this book. I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The story itself is a fascinating look into the past and how people lived their lives. The narrator does a fantastic job with accents and gender.

The book starts out a little slow and a bit like a drama novel but since is over 30 hours long I gave it chance. My own experience told me that for a large book there is often a longer set up and that was the case here. Because you are soon thrown into a world that is so foreign it was important to get a sense of who the protagonist is before her world is turned upside down.

Once I was into the story I was so hooked. I wanted to listen all weekend long. And I mostly did. I listened while doing virtually everything that wouldn't pull my concentration away from the story because I didn't want to miss a minute of it. I listen with a little JBL speaker when I am at home and don't need earbuds so I just set it up near me and go about my chores or just kick back in a chair and let the story take me away.

I'm anxiously awaiting my new credits so I can buy the next book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Now a fan!

I do not particulary care for time travel novels. A friend of mine begged me to try this book. I was hooked from the very beginning. Gabaldon writes an excellent story with great descriptions of the Scottish Highlanders. And the characters are sooo captivating. They become part of your life. I cannot say enough about this series. You've just got to read it to see what I mean.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I have greatly enjoyed this audiobook. I can't wait to listen to the next one in the series

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite novels, and a terrific reader!

This audiobook is one of my favorite readings, and worth a repeat listening. Davina Porter's wonderful performance really improves an already-marvellous story of time travel and adventure in eighteenth-century Scotland. Outstanding!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great listen !

Overall a great listen. The storyline captured attention right to the end. Only criticism were the sometimes lengthy love scenes - generally portrayed with written sensitivity but sometimes too long and too frequent! Yes - the main characters are deeply in love ... But sometimes it was -sigh- "not again"

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Addictive and memorable -- from a skeptic

I was disinclined to like this book. A long epic saga involving (ugh) time travel? Not for me! But I gave it a listen and was hooked within the first hour. Davina Porter is a talented reader -- her voicing of Jamie is so convincing you'll forget a woman is speaking. The Scottish brogues are fabulous -- I found myself thinking and dreaming in a Scottish accent! The story is riveting, romantic, historical, well-researched, well-written, suspenseful, and deeply moving. The scenery is richly painted and the characters are complex, deeply drawn and well developed, and people you will not likely forget. This is NOT your typical trashy romance novel, so be prepared for a real read.

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2 people found this helpful