Outlander

By Diana Gabaldon

Book Overview

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

This special twentieth-anniversary edition features an original essay, a new map, and more.

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. between fidelity and desire--and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440423201
• ISBN13: 9780440423201
• Release Date: July 2011
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 688 Pages
• Weight: 2.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorite book series

I am currently working on the third book in this series and I can't get enough. T

4 stars

OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon I have avoided reading this for forever because there are nine books (at way over 700+ pages each!) with a tenth in the works. However, I do love a challenge. This time of year calls for settling into lengthy novels. So, I figured now was as good a time as any to start the series. Firstly, this was an epic and intricately crafted story. I enjoyed the historical information about Scotland in the 18th century. The author did a great job at world building, incorporating historical context, and making the fantasy (time travel) believable. There are lot of characters to keep track of. I think it would have been helpful to have a character list at the beginning. In any case, once the story got going, it was easy enough to follow. As for the romance, I liked it for what it was. Claire and Jaime are an interesting duo. I enjoyed their banter, and the way their relationship developed. While I feel there was a lot more “spice” than necessary, I expected it. And poor Jaime! All that awful torture and trauma he endured —oof! Definitely check trigger warnings. Overall, this was a great start for the series. I was sucked into the story and was left wanting more. Looking forward to the next book! [ Note : I have absolutely no regrets listening to the audiobook in tandem. Excellent narration by Davina Porter. Loved hearing the Gaelic words/phrases — what a beautiful language! ] Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Favorite series

Fav

Love this series!

I started reading this years ago, but never finished the series, so I started over. Gabaldon grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. You’ll fall in love with Jamie, and their story will consume you.

Outlander

I love this book and decided instead of borrowing from the library all the time that I would buy it. What I received was the right book, but a very OLD version of it. Nothing what I expected at all.

Condition not very good

Love the story! The condition of the book is purchased was supposed to be very good. It was not.

Loved this book

Loved this book. It follows the series well but filled in lots of gaps the show wasn't able to. I like this period of history it's one of my favorites. I plan on getting the entire series to.

Best book series I have ever read

These books have everything. Romance, drama, thriller, adventure, history, fantasy all wrapped into one perfect package that is the outlander series. Book one will get you hooked and you’ll be so happy you read them :)

Love this series!

Love this book, couldn’t put it down! Watched the series first, but so love the book even more.

Love the series

Outlander is an amazing series to start .... I habe watched every episode of Outlander and it does not compare to the books... I feel more involved and in love with both jamie and Claire.... it's hard to put down the series I feel so connected to both of them

I watch the TV series but I did read the book years ago I like the book very much to how much I reme

I can't to read this book

The Outlander-a review

Good read and I am glad to have read this book. Great condition and timely service.

Awesome ✨

One of my favorite stories!!! The book came in perfect time and was in good condition

Book

Arrived on time Good book

Excellent Read!!

Absolutely loved reading after watching the series!! SO much more detail in the book!

Arrived in good condition

I was glad to receive the book, however, it was not what I expected!

Love & War

I recently started watching Outlander and wanted to try the books to see if they were as good as the show! I love both! The books are much more detailed on certain things. They’re also long and some parts are drawn out but they’re still great so far. The show did a great job capturing the books! Be prepared for a rollercoaster of adventure when reading Outlander!

Very descriptive and enjoyable.

The book is very well written with each character being unique and distinct from the others. I absolutely love the story line and I think the author is a bit genius for have Claire from 1945 instead of present day.

Favorite Romance Book Ever

I'm telling you, if you like period pieces and romance GET THIS BOOK. (also watch the show, it's so good)

Absolutely MARVELOUS

The emotions and details put into this story and it's characters is brilliant. One of the best reads for someone who loves an adventurous romance!

Great series

Awesome series. Can get a little overwhelming to read at times, but is mostly enjoyable!

So much scenery

It helped me follow along knowing the story line from the TV series, and being able to pick out just a few differences overall. I loved it! The TV series holds very true to the first book, except for a few minor differences.

Fantastic story!

I’ve read this book a couple of times already! Diana Gabaldon is an excellent writer and I love the love story between Jamie and Claire! And the historical bits are super accurate!

Wonderful!

I absolutely loved it!!

Hooked!

I’m am now a devoted fan of Diana. I couldn’t put this book down. I ordered the series & can’t wait for the last book to be written to add to my collection! I am waiting until I finish the books, then i will watch the show. Looking forward to her new series as well.

Loved this book!! Reading the 2nd book in the series now & it too is so good!!! And the TV series is fabulous as well.

Not a Romance - but an amazing adventure

I have read the entire series from Outlander(thanks for pointing out that Cross Stitch was the same, thought I found another one!) through A Breathe of Snow and Ashes at least 3 times now. The comments from the 2 star are very sad indeed. Perhaps they should have taken the time to read the entire book/series and then would understand that scene was consistant with the era and NEVER happened again! I also think you should understand that this series has been mis-labeled as a romance. It is much more than that - its an adventure! Its about their lives and how they just seem to fall into the craziest predicaments. I can hardly wait for the next installment. I check Gabaldon's site constantly in anticipation of the next one.

Emotionally Satisfying

To clarify further from other reviews, this version of Outlander was also published in Australia which is where I purchased a copy. Cross Stitch takes you on the most unbelievable rollercoaster road as far as your emotions are concerned. I think I cried about 7 times at various different points throughout the book, sometimes from joy and other times from sadness. It is a fierce and passionate love story as well as being an accurate interpretation of life in the 1700 & 1900's, with many historical references throughout. The main character Claire is a strong, intelligent and sometimes feisty woman who is very lovable. She's married to Frank Randall in the year 1945 and manages to go back in time to the year 1743 in which she meets Frank's sinister ancestor Captain Black Jack Randall and flees into the arms of a few Scottish clansmen. That's when the real story begins! What really impressed me about this book was Gabaldon's realistic interpretation of the historical events of England and Scotland and the way in which she paints the world the characters live in. It ignited a passion in me to learn more about the times for that particular era which no other book I've read has been able to do. Having never been to the UK, I find myself wanting to visit the Scottish highlands and see for myself the landscapes that she painted so vividly in my mind and to visit their forts and castles. Cross Stitch is a highly satisfying book, which gets my hearty vote of 5 out of 5!

...And I don't even LIKE "romance" novels!...

I put off reading this book, even though it was highly recommended by a friend. I didn't have the heart to tell her that "romance novels" weren't my cup of tea- never mind some far-fetched paranormal historical romance. I could have not been more wrong!I loved this book. I mean, I REALLY loved this book. It was absolutely packed with adventure, passion, thievery, witchcraft, heart-stopping suspense, love, war, escape, buggery, revenge, even some wolves were in there for good measure! Diana writes with spirited intelligence, heart, and humour. Her charcaters are full of life and will live on long after you close the cover, and pop it back onto the shelf, and to my delight, the love scenes are written with imagination and freshness- no ridiculous "he touched her quivering milky bosoms" here. The research for factual information in this superb novel is first-rate, and meticulous, which makes this book an even greater pleasure to read. If you are someone who prefers to read literary fiction over any other genres, as I do, all I can say to you is PUT YOUR PREJUDICES ASIDE AND TRY THIS BOOK. I'm sorry I didn't read it sooner! It truly is the work of an excellent, and extremely talented storyteller and writer, all my "book snob" friends will be getting a copy for Christmas,and I can't wait to dig into the others in the series!