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Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series

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"It's always two hundred years in the Highland stories...the same thing as 'Once upon a time.'"

If you're a fan of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series, welcome!  If you haven't discovered her books yet, delve in and learn more. 

IMHO, they are compelling, well-written, well-researched novels that defy categorization.  Are they time travel?  Historical romance?  Historical fiction?  The only thing I know for certain -  they are exceptional!

"Outlander: The Musical"???

Two of the latest Outlander-related items

Song of Love and Death - published in November of 2010 - is a short-story anthology with a short story by Gabaldon sharing the story of Roger MacKenzie's parents. "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" is about Jerry MacKenzie, a WW2 RAF pilot,, who goes through a stone circle to the same time period as the Outlander series. As the Amazon review notes: "Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby-no matter the cost." Sounds verra interesting!

Outlander the Musical - released in September of 2010 - is the original studio cast recording of a new Scottish musical by Mike Gibb and Kevin Walsh (Clarinda) based on the bestselling book Outlander.
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Book Eight

"Bloody Men"

An Excerpt from "Bloody Men"
Diana's blog has a brief excerpt from Book Eight - tentatively entitled "Bloody Men" (although long-time followers of Diana will recall that often the book title changes prior to publication).

Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel

Release Date: September 28, 2010

Exile is a graphic novel loosely based on Outlander. As Gabaldon notes on her website: " ...... you'll recognize many of the major events of the story, but there's a completely new storyline woven through and around them. The story is told largely from Murtagh's point of view, and he, of course, saw and knew many things that Claire didn't)"

Diana posted some artwork from the graphic novel on her blog - Click here to view the pages.
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An Echo in the Bone - Book 7 in the Outlander Series

It's Here!

Diane Gabaldon's seventh book in the Outlander Series - An Echo in the Bone - was published in September of 2009 and can be easily ordered at Amazon, or your local bookseller.

Fun Fact: Books in Print notes that An Echo in the Bone weighs in at 3+ pounds!
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What is your impression of "An Echo in the Bone"?

UK Cover for An Echo in the Bone

If you've read An Echo in the Bone, please let me know what you thought. Also, if you have additional comments on the book, please use the "Comments / Feedback" section below. Thanks!

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Some reviews of "An Echo in the Bone"

Reviews of Diana Gabaldon's latest novel have been a bit mixed. Amazon's rating is currently around 3.25 stars, and reviewers have noted that the book leaves the fate of many characters up in the air at the end of the novel. Please note there may be some SPOILERS in the reviews below.
The Romance Reader Review
" .... but consider yourself warned: there are numerous major threads left hanging at the end of this 800+ page novel. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to locate your own time-traveling mechanism to travel three or four years into the future to the release date of the next installment. "
Reviews from "Library Thing"
LibraryThing is an online service to help people catalog their books easily, and a community of 1,000,000 + readers. Currently Echo in the Bone has a 4.2 star rating here.
Barbara Martin blog
"Each time I pick up any book of the series it is like seeing old friends after a long absence to catch up on past news." A brief review of Echo in the Bone.

Visit Tartan Candles

I got a nice email a while back:

I came across your lens for Gabaldon's books and I love what you have had to say as I am a big fan as well! Her work inspired my on-line candle making business and I have created lines of candle scents based on some of my favorite books, such as Outlander.

Visit Tartan Candles to see all the lovely candles. Or jump right to the Outlander page.

Novels in the Outlander Series

Here's a quick rundown of the novels in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, their publication dates, and a brief synopsis. Click on each link below for more detailed information.
Oultlander
Outlander, published in 1991, is the 1st book in the series. (Published as Cross Stitch in the UK.) This book introduces the main characters of Claire Beauchamp Fraser and Jaime Fraser, and is set in 18th century and 20th century Scotland.
Dragonfly in Amber
Published in 1992, Dragonfly continues the story and is set in 18th century Scotland and France, and 20th century America. The plot involves the 1745 Rising and the Battle of Culloden.
Voyager
Published in December of 1993, Voyager moves the story from Scotland to America, via the West Indies.
Drums of Autumn
Published in 1997, Drums of Autumn continues the series in America, beginning with 1767 Charleston through 1770.
The Fiery Cross
Fiery Cross, published in 2001, is set in the United States and covers the pre-Revolutionary War period from 1770 to 1772.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
The 6th book in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, was published in 2005. The book begins in 1772 and carries us through to the eve of the Revolutionary War.
An Echo in the Bone
The 7th book in the series, An Echo in the Bone, was published in September of 2009, covering the first two years of the American Revolutionary War, starting in July 1776.
What's next?
Diana has indicated that the Outlander series will end in 1800 ..... and that yes, there WILL be a happy ending.

A prequel, covering the story of Jamie's parents, is under contract with no publication date set. Diana has said that the prequel will be covered in three short novellas.

Essential Websites for the Gabaldon Fan

Two great websites for the Gabaldon fan with a wealth of information! Diana's official website has a wealth of information (tour dates, publication information, articles), and she posts excerpts from forthcoming books on the site.

The Ladies of Lallybroch site is one that you could easily get addicted to. Great forums and more!
Diana Gabaldon's Website
Diana's website, full of interviews, articles, excerpts, and a great FAQ with details about various characters, plots developments and more!
Ladies of Lallybroch
"A community for admirers of the work of Diana Gabaldon." OUTSTANDING site with loads of articles and interviews, discussions of each book, historical background, etc.
Diana's Blog
Diana's profile: "I'm the author of the OUTLANDER novels--which Salon.com described as "the smartest historical sci-fi adventure/romance ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting Uncle Scrooge comic books." I'm not sure I could describe them any better. [g]"

The Outlander Series on Amazon

Amazon is a good spot to check for all the Diana Gabaldon books in hardcover, paperback, and in audiobook format. Just click on either the picture or title and you can order directly from Amazon.
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My "Outlander" thing

How a brainy guy like me wound up reading historical romance novels and loving them.

I love this 1999 article from Salon magazine, written by Gavin McNett. He talks about his initial reluctance to read Diana Gabaldon's books, and then notes:

"But then I read "Outlander" straight through -- and then its gigantic sequel. And then the two gargantuan books after that one. ... Whatever Gabaldon was aiming at in writing these weird, compelling books, it had nothing at all to do with simple genre fiction."

Click here to read the complete article.

Additional books by Diana Gabaldon

Diana has written several other books relating to, or with characters from the series, but they do not forward the central action of the Outlander series.
The Outlandish Companion
Published in 1999, the Outlandish Companion (the UK edition is titled Through the Stones) includes a full synopses of the four previous novels, a listing of characters origins, family trees, horoscopes, genealogical notations, drawings, glossary and pronunciation guide for Gaelic and foreign terms. Diana also has a section on website and online venues relating to her works.
Lord John and the Private Matter
Published in 2005, this book features Lord John Grey, a character from the Outlander Series, and is set in London in 1757. This murer mystery is the first in the Lord John series.
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
Published in August of 2007, and set in 1758. The book involves the murder of Lord John's father 17 years before, and his possible role as a Jacobite spy.
Lord John and the Hands of Devils
Published on November 27, 2007, this book has three stories: Lord John and the Hellfire Club, Lord John and the Succubus, and Lord John and the Haunted Soldier.

Outlander Books in Other Formats

eBooks.com - Download a book today.
eBook Mall
Diana Gabaldon's books available in various ebook formats (Mobipocket, Abode, Palm Reader, Microsoft Reader).
Fictionwise
Click the link above to access Diana's books available from Fictionwise eBooks.
Diana Gabaldon on Mobipocket
List of ebooks available from Mobipocket From their website: "With the Mobipocket technology you can read books on your PC, PDA or on your smartphone: Simply install the Mobipocket Reader software, download ebooks and start reading."

Great Stuff on CafePress

or "What Would Jamie Do?"

Indulge your Jamie love with great items from CafePress! I think my favorite is the WWJD (What Would Jamie Do) magnet, but the t-shirt is a close second. Enjoy!
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Diana Gabaldon Podcasts

Diana has several podcasts (audio and video files that can be downloaded and enjoyed to on portable music players, computers, mobile phones even some car audio systems) which are available by clicking here.

Outlander and Lord John books

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Outlander on Audio

Amazon has a good selection of audiobooks for the Outlander series. Please note some books have complete audio books, while others have been abridged.
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Diana Gabaldon on eBay

eBay can also be a good resource to get Diana Gabaldon Outlander books, and you will often find signed or first edition books. Click on the links below to go directly to the auction listings.
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I welcome your feedback!

  • carol Apr 4, 2012 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    Just finished Echo in the Bone and feel left hanging! What happens to Jem, Jamie and Claire, Roger and Brianna, Ian and Rachel? I hope there will be anoither book that ties this all up!
  • Chas. H.W. Talbot Jan 22, 2012 @ 6:30 pm | delete
    It would be nice to hear from someone on the topic of the characters in the Gaelic-speaking part of the Highlands (in the 1740s) being conversant in Scots. Today, native Gaelic speakers (as Jamie Fraser would have been) do not use Scots: their English, learnt in schools, is devoid of words like "ken", "dinna", "havers". Once across the Highland line, one was in a region where Scots simply was not spoken by the inhabitants.
  • Chas. H.W. Talbot Jan 22, 2012 @ 6:30 pm | delete
    It would be nice to hear from someone on the topic of the characters in the Gaelic-speaking part of the Highlands (in the 1740s) being conversant in Scots. Today, native Gaelic speakers (as Jamie Fraser would have been) do not use Scots: their English, learnt in schools, is devoid of words like "ken", "dinna", "havers". Once across the Highland line, one was in a region where Scots simply was not spoken by the inhabitants.
  • clone sister Jan 16, 2012 @ 10:31 pm | delete
    I have read all your 7 books starting with the outlander and thourghly enjoyed them., i,ve just finished ;an echo in the bone ; but I feel lost ---does Jamie and Claire get back together and will Gem be found okay ---please will you let me know if there is another book coming out to finish all the lose ends
  • Holysheepskin Jan 11, 2012 @ 9:24 am | delete
    The Outlander series is my favorite read of all time!
    Especailly the first book Outlander, after the first I got hooked, and couldn't wait for the next!
    I've read the entire series, and just received her latest book "Scottish Prisoner" for Christmas.
  • Donna Watson Nov 30, 2011 @ 9:56 pm | delete
    Please help me with the correct reading of the books of the Outlander, does it goes in a certain order???
  • rejoicemusic Dec 24, 2011 @ 10:04 am | delete
    Hi - on this lens, I have a section that shows the novels in the Outlander series, in order of their publication. Start with Outlander, then Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, then An Echo in the Bone.
  • chicklitnation Jul 26, 2011 @ 3:50 pm | delete
    Hooray! A fellow fan of The Books! I have been in love with this series ever since I (accidentally) read the second book in the series first. I re-read the series at least once a year, especially when the new book is going to be released. Can't wait!
  • KarenCookieJar Jul 17, 2011 @ 6:29 am | delete
    I'm currently working on the first book right now, it's an interesting series so far!
  • sushilkin Jul 9, 2011 @ 1:31 pm | delete
    Beautiful lens, Thanks for sharing
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rejoicemusic

IRL, I sell choral music online at www.rejoicemusic.net, but love GREAT historical fiction! Visit my lens as well! more »

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