What Differences Appear In The Outlander Audiobook Edition?

For a listen to the audiobook version of Outlander, a lot changes. The basic plot remains the same but because of the medium, the experience of the story is altered. Davina Porter has been the long-time narrator of Outlander and her portrayal of Jamie and Claire is how most listeners of the book experience the two main characters. Her interpretation of Jamie is subtle but menacing at times and her Claire is modern and strong. The differences in experience of the characters between the printed page and the audiobook can be attributed to Porter’s skilled use of pace, breath and cadence. Sometimes a line of dialogue will have a ‘Snap’ to it and at others it will seem to linger on the listener’s ear. On some occasions scenes that seemed to pass quickly when read on the page are given more depth and can feel more intimate or even more dramatic. In addition to the main audiobook itself, there are sometimes extras, such as the author reading an introduction to the book, a note on how to pronounce certain words, or even information specific to the platform on which the audiobook is played that are not found in paperback editions of the book.

Much more critical, however, is the decision between an abridged audiobook and an unabridged one. The majority of commercial audiobooks today are released in their full, unabbreviated length. Thus, Outlander as an audiobook is a very, very long work indeed — all the hours of printed text read to you. There have, however, in the past, been abridged versions of the novel, as well as dramatized versions which could be performed on the radio or even on stage. I assume these would include elements of sound design and indeed a full cast, as opposed to a single reader. If you are after a more immersive, a more cinematic experience of Gabaldon’s novel, then these may be a good place to start. But if you value the author’s historical research as much as Claire’s inner monologues, then the unabridged versions by your favorite narrator will be the better choice. And that brings me to a final, subtle difference between print and audiobook — that of pronunciation.

The format of an audiobook also shapes the pacing of your reading. There are times when long descriptions of places that I would skim over in print are so beautifully read that I feel as though I am there meditatively pondering the scene. However, there are also times when I wish the narrator would hurry up as the narrator reads on and on through very long passages of exposition. Sometimes, I find myself distracted from my work or tasks as the narrator reads on and on. But, this is also why I like to listen to audiobooks on nights when I am alone or on long train rides. I am able to get so much more out of the emotional scenes of the characters as I am able to fully focus on the narrator’s tones and hearings of the characters’ voices. Most importantly, as with any long work of fiction, there are times when there are slight changes between print versions of a book and its audiobook counterpart. These are most often very minor differences in wording that a publisher may have supplied the narrator with in order to read. However, these differences are usually so minor that they will in no way affect the plot of the book as a whole. All in all, the audiobook is another treasured version of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me want to listen to it again. As a fan of oral storytelling so visceral and alive, the audiobook is definitely worth a listen.

The way time travel is dealt with in the audio is more psychological. Claire’s moments of dissociation, her memories of Frank and her comparison of different centuries are all internal and quiet moments of reflection. In audio these are whispered quietly in your ear, secrets being shared with you of Claire’s deepest doubts and fears.

The scifi aspects of Claire’s adventures are focused inward in audio rather than her exterior odyssey. Her memories of Frank, her moments of dissociation and comparisons between centuries are all presented as internal musings. This serves to highlight her loneliness and the profound weight of her circumstances. Her huge strength in the face of adversity makes her more fragile and relatable as she expresses her innermost fears and aches in whispered close-up.

Formality is highlighted when the old language is read out loud with attention to the formal structure of the sentences and to the old words used. While silently reading the old language is easily modernized by the reader, reading it out loud with attention to cadence highlights the old formal language of the period.

On the other hand, the historical atmosphere of the time is also very evident. The contrast between Claire’s modern internal monologue and the historical dialogue is very sharp and it makes the constant clash between her two worlds very palpable. Often the sci-fi element of the story is not very evident on the page, but here it is very strong.