Outlander

Outlander, Book 1

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

#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

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.

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.

Kristin’s version is WONDERFUL!!

Outlander is my favorite book series of all time and I enjoy Davina‘s version but listening to Kristin‘s new version was like being able to listen to the story again for the first time. She does an incredible job! Highly recommend!

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.

Rape Trigger warning would have been nice..

The story was nice until I got to the end chapters.. please know that there is rape in this novel and I wish that there was a warning beforehand… definitely could have done without that part.

Chapter 25

Oh! That’s so many things I believe I would’ve said and done differently in this situation, in this chapter! So much more. Possibly the only thing I would’ve changed in the book so far. So much emotion! And confusion. It’s not a good book unless it evokes deep emotion for characters and situations that are fantasy! 5 stars without a doubt. I have to go to bed and process before I continue. This book is a roller coaster, one I’m glad to be on.

I love the new narration!

I was very skeptical about the new narrator, but I think she did a great job! I have listened to this book 3 times previously and I noticed more details this time. I loved Davina's narration as well, but I thought this was very refreshing and I found her voice to be relaxing.

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.

The second-best reading of Outlander available, but still well done

I am a huge fan of the Outlander series of books, and I have to admit I consider Davina Porter the "gold standard" of narrators; I will listen to just about anything she reads and I was really sad that she was not coming out of retirement to read the final Outlander book. That said, I thought Kristin Atherton did a good job. I found her non-dialogue narration a bit flat, but she does great dialogue and very good accents. These books are huge and have to be a challenge to narrate, so they chose well for the next generation.

I love the way she reads!

I loved this version so much! I have listened to Davina Porter forever. I’m telling you Kristen’s read hits differently in a really good way!