I am very excited that there will be a new Diana Gabaldon book in the Outlander series in just two months. I decided that I needed to have a quick refresher on the series. Therefore I chose to listen to the abridged versions of the books as read by Geraldine James.Outlander is one of my all time favorite novels, and it is very hard to define. It is a time travel, romance, adventure, and historical fiction story. Gabaldon writes in fantastic detail with great characters and story. My only sadness is that one her books ever have to end.
Outlander is the story of Claire Randell. She is a 1940’s British nurse that is in Scotland on her second honeymoon with her husband Frank. They are together again after a long separation during WWII. When Claire is wandering the countryside, she touches a standing stone that sends her back to 1740’s Scotland. There she meets up with various characters and is taken back to the stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. She helps out a wounded young Scot named James Frasier. Jamie is a tall, redheaded, handsome man. I will say that I find him one of the “sexiest” men in literature. Much adventure ensues. Claire is forced to marry Jamie to save herself and finds herself torn between her love for her "future husband" Frank and current husband Jamie.
The CDs leave a lot out as they are only six CDs versus the 30 or so for the entire unabridged version. There were odd gaps at times, but it was still a great story. The music was rather cheesy. Ms. Brooks does a great job with the readings and the accents. This set of abriged CDs is in no way better than the original book, but it is good for a refresher on events.
I had never listened to an audio book yet that had descriptive “love scenes.” I was working and listening to the book at the kitchen table one night. My husband walked in and heard “’OHHH,’ she moaned” and was like “WHAT are you listening too?” I tried to explain it was one of my favorite novels of all time, but he remains skeptical!!
If you have never read Outlander, I highly recommend it.
Outlander is a great book... as is the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteI've read it several times and it never disappoints.
I met Diana Gabaldon years ago when I worked at a bookstore. She was nice enough to send (pre home computers) typed pages of Dragonfly in Amber while she was writing it :o)
Kathy - that is SUPER cool. I wish I could meet Diana Gabaldon (and work in a bookstore!). I often wish I lived in the Southwest as it seems like she is at a lot of events down there (since she lives there), but she is never in Wisconsin:-( I LOVE Outlander! I'm trying to figure out how to get my book club to read it. It is excellent, but people seemed turned off by the size.
ReplyDeleteAny ideas on how to sell it besides my telling them it is one of my favorite books ever? :-)
Outlander sounds great. Thanks to your review, I'll be on the lookout for a copy.
ReplyDeleteI can't count how many people I've recommended it to. I think the size is not the only turn off. I think, because it's classified "romance", which it is...but, as you know, it's SO much more...a lot of readers bypass it.
ReplyDeleteGood news, though, it's been around a long time and those of us who love are still talking about. She must have done something right :o)
Suko - I'm glad that I've helped someone to want to read Outlander. It is a fantastic book.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I think you are right, the size and romance classification do turn people off. I am sure my husband would love it, but he thinks it is a "romance." If only he knew how much action, adventure, etc. is in it!
outlander is my most favorite of the series. it is what has inspired me to someday visit scotland.
ReplyDeleteIf you like the OUTLANDER books, please take a moment to visit my blog, Outlandish Observations, where you can find the latest news and information on Diana Gabaldon's books.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you haven't already read the series, I would highly recommend them! :-)
Karen Henry
P.S. If you've only listened to the abridged versions of the OUTLANDER audiobooks, you are doing yourself a huge disservice! The UNABRIDGED versions, read by Davina Porter, are wonderful, and well worth listening to.
ReplyDeleteKaren Henry
This first book in the Claire & Jamie Fraser series cements the readers interest almost immediately, despite the rather strange concept of time-travel thru stone circles. Reading the story in the first person thru Claire's eyes was also unusual, but can't detract from the shear enjoyment of watching these two characters find eachother. From post-war forties Scotland to pre 1745 Highland uprising, the story takes you on a tour of the north of Scotland that will endear the Highlands to you forever.
ReplyDeleteClaire finds herself depositted in the midst of fueding clans, corrupt redcoats, and meeting up with the most captivating and unexpected hero ever created. Jamie is everything your typical romantic hero steriotype is not, and how refreshing that is. And he just gets better with age, like an historical Sean Connery.