Outlander Audiobook By Diana Gabaldon cover art

Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

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Outlander

By: Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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About this listen

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series.

One of the top ten best-loved novels in America, as seen on PBS’s The Great American Read!

Unrivaled storytelling. Unforgettable characters. Rich historical detail. These are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon’s work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured the hearts of millions of fans. Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Beauchamp Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages.

Scottish Highlands, 1945. Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743.

Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of a world that threatens her life, and may shatter her heart. Marooned amid danger, passion, and violence, Claire learns her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.

©1991 Diana Gabaldon (P)2025 Recorded Books
Fantasy Historical Highlander Scotland War
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What listeners say about Outlander

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

Great story, OK narration, messed up chapter markers.

I always like listening to different narrations of the same book. While I think Kristin Atherton has a good voice for audiobook narration in general, I find that almost all of the male characters sound the same. Much like I don't care for a man reading a book to make all of the women character's voices higher pitched, I don't care for the way she tries to deepen her voice for all of the men. I'll probably continue with her versions of the books to experience the series through one narrator, but Davina Porter is an exceedingly tough act to follow as a narrator and this just doesn't quite measure up.
I don't know if it's possible to report this, but Audible messed up some chapter markers early on in the book. The Chapter 4 marker is placed halfway through Chapter 3. Because of this, the Chapter 5 marker actually marks the start of Chapter 4, and the marker for Part 2 actually marks the start of Chapter 5. the Chapter 6 marker is placed correctly at the start of Chapter 6 and they appear to be correct from then on.

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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

The story is additive

Very well written. I could see the story unfolding completely in my mind. My favorite charter besides Claire or Jamie is definitely Jenny. She is incredibly in so many ways.

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

The narrator did a amazing job!

I'm glad that they decided to redo the narration for this book. I enjoyed the tv series and wanted to listen to the source material. I'm so glad I waited for the new narrator She did an amazing job and I absolutely love her voice.

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

Great story, and performance! But Problematic “Romance” 😬

The performance was absolutely stunning! The accents, pronunciations, and slang all really made the characters feel like real Scottish highlanders come to life. The story itself was gripping and I was very enthralled in the political intrigue and danger.

But the romance is where things get… difficult. Without spoiling anything, the book contains cheating and adultery (the author “justifies” it and clearly agrees with it), dubious or questionable consent between the main couple which is treated as romantic or erotic, and worst of all, physical abuse and discipline treated as humorous and justified.

Essentially, the main heroine is saved from danger by her allies, and is then physically punished by her husband (she verbally, physically and violently resists). She is blamed for her kidnapping and putting everyone else in danger (ignoring the fact that they kidnapped her to begin with).

All in all, it is clear the author is creating wish-fulfilling scenarios for the main heroine, and treats problematic and toxic behavior as trivial and romantic. It is difficult to enjoy the romance when it is immoral and dated in so many ways.

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

Outstanding new narration

I've been an Outlander fan for years, and enjoyed the original narrations by Davina Porter. This new narration by Kristin Atherton is an absolute revelation. The characters come to life far more than they ever have before for me. The accents are spot on. The emotions are rich and nuanced. The sexy times are absolutely scorchingly hot. Highly recommend, and I can't wait for the rest of the books to come out.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I tried. Really, really wanted to like it. Tried again…..the mark was just too high to hit.

This is probably my all time fav book series…definitely in the top 3 (Gray Man and In Death being the other 2)…BUT it took me forever to get through this version because of the narration - it’s not awful…..but it’s mighty close. All the characters, especially male characters, sound the same. The narration seems really slow in parts. I changed the speed several times to try to make it better but then it’s too fast in the other parts. I could go on but what’s the point? Looks like I’ll be reading book 10 with my eyes rather than my ears….which is just so sad. Years and years ago, I read the first several books before I discovered the audible versions. I’ve since listened to the entire series so many times that I’ve lost count. As much as I loved the series in print, once Davina Porter read it to me, the characters just came to life right in front of me, solidifying this series as my all time fav and a go-to re-listen throughout the years. But I started the series in print and, I guess, I’ll finish it in print. 😭

It’s just really difficult to successfully change narrators in a series when one narrator has so efficiently, more like outstandingly, been the voices of the characters for so long. I can only think of 2 or 3 times that it worked (imo) with the 2nd narrator. Off the top of my head, Dick Hill/Scott Brick - The Jack Reacher series and C.J. Critt/Lorelei King - The Stephanie Plum series are really the only 2 that come to mind. To be fair, though, anyone following Davina Porter (or Julia Whelan) is definitely at a disadvantage and almost certainly being set up for failure.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Meh

Not finished yet but not really feeling it. Davina Porter nailed the different accents and all her characters didn’t sound the same, she really brought the story to life. What are the chances she comes out of retirement to finish the series?

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1 person found this helpful