Outlander (book series)

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Outlander
Outlander-1991 1st Edition cover.jpg
Original cover of Outlander (1991), the first novel in the series
Author Diana Gabaldon
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Historical fiction
Fantasy
Publisher Delacorte Press
PublishedJune 1, 1991–present
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Audiobook
Followed by Lord John series

Outlander is a series of historical fantasy novels by American author Diana Gabaldon. [1] Gabaldon began the first volume of the series, Outlander , in the late 1980s, and it was published in 1991. [2] She has published nine out of a planned ten volumes. [3] The ninth novel in the series, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, was released on November 23, 2021. [4]

Contents

The Outlander series focuses on 20th-century British nurse Claire Randall, who time travels to 18th-century Scotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. The books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide as of 2021. [5]

Among the many derived works are two short stories, three novellas, a novel series featuring recurring secondary character Lord John Grey, a graphic novel, a musical, and a television series. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Publishing history

Outlander novel series

Novels

  1. Outlander (1991) (published in the UK, New Zealand and Australia as Cross Stitch)
  2. Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
  3. Voyager (1993)
  4. Drums of Autumn (1996)
  5. The Fiery Cross (2001)
  6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
  7. An Echo in the Bone (2009)
  8. Written in My Own Heart's Blood (2014) [16]
  9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021) [17]

Audiobooks

The Outlander series has been released in unabridged (read by Davina Porter), and abridged audiobooks (read by Geraldine James). Several of the Lord John books have been released in audiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.

Novellas and short stories

Graphic novel

In 2010, Gabaldon adapted the first third of Outlander into a graphic novel, illustrated by Hoang Nguyen. [10] [11] [12]

Lord John series

The Lord John series is a sequence of novels and shorter works that center on Lord John Grey, a recurring secondary character from the Outlander novels. The spin-off series consists of five novellas and three novels, which all take place between 1756 and 1761, during the events of Gabaldon's Voyager. [6] [7] They can be generally categorized as historical mysteries, and the three novels are shorter and focus on fewer plot threads than the main Outlander books. [7] Several of the Lord John books have been released in audiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.

Other

Inspiration

Gabaldon was inspired by the Doctor Who character Jamie McCrimmon to set her series in Jacobite Scotland, and to name its protagonist Jamie. [33]

This character wore a kilt, which I thought rather fetching, and demonstrated—in this particular episode—a form of pigheaded male gallantry that I've always found endearing: the strong urge on the part of a man to protect a woman, even though he may realize that she's plainly capable of looking after herself. [34]

Frazer Hines, who played McCrimmon, appears in an episode of the first season of the television series Outlander . [35]

Characters

Core characters include:

Musical

In 2010, a 14-song cycle based on Outlander was released under the title Outlander: The Musical. [13] With music by Kevin Walsh and lyrics by Mike Gibb, the project was approved by Gabaldon after Gibb had approached the author in Scotland with the idea to adapt her novel into a stage production. [14] As Gabaldon recalled, "I laughed and said, 'That’s the screwiest idea I’ve heard yet – go ahead.' So they did, and the results were stunning." [14] Though the stage production remains in development, [14] the 14-song cycle is available on CD from Amazon.com and for download on iTunes. [13] [36] [37]

In 2012, Broadway composer Jill Santoriello began collaborating with Gibb and Walsh on the project, writing the music and cowriting the lyrics with Gibb for a new song called "One More Time." [15] [37] The song was recorded with vocals by Rebecca Robbins. [15] [37]

Television series

In June 2013, Starz ordered 16 episodes of a television adaptation, and production began in October 2013 in Scotland. [38] The series premiered in the US on August 9, 2014 with Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan starring as Claire and Jamie. [8] It was picked up for a second season on August 15, 2014, [9] and for a third and fourth season on June 1, 2016. [39] On May 9, 2018, Starz renewed the series for a fifth and sixth season. [40] Further renewals for seventh and eighth seasons were announced in early 2021 and late 2022 respectively. [41] [42]

In January 2023, Starz greenlighted a 10-episode prequel series, Blood of My Blood, based on Jamie's parents. Gabaldon will be an executive producer. [42]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie McCrimmon</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

James Robert McCrimmon, usually simply called Jamie, is a fictional character played by Frazer Hines in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. A piper of the Clan MacLeod who lived in 18th-century Scotland, he was a companion of the Second Doctor and a regular in the programme from 1966 to 1969. The spelling of his surname varies from one script to another; it is alternately rendered as Macrimmon and McCrimmond. Jamie appeared in 20 stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana Gabaldon</span> American author (born 1952)

Diana J. Gabaldon is an American author, known for the Outlander series of novels. Her books merge multiple genres, featuring elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure and science fiction/fantasy. A television adaptation of the Outlander novels premiered on Starz in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frazer Hines</span> English actor

Frazer Simpson Frederick Hines is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor and appeared in A King in New York (1957) with Charlie Chaplin. He later played Jamie McCrimmon in Doctor Who, appearing in more episodes than any other companion. He was a regular in the series alongside Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor between 1966 and 1969, and made guest appearances in the 1980s stories The Five Doctors and The Two Doctors. He also had a long-running role as Joe Sugden in Emmerdale Farm between 1972 and 1994.

<i>Outlander</i> (novel) 1991 novel by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander is a historical fantasy novel by American writer Diana Gabaldon, first published in 1991. Initially set around the time of the Second World War, it focuses on nurse Claire Beauchamp, who travels through time to 18th-century Scotland, where she finds adventure and romance with the dashing Jamie Fraser. It is the first novel in the Outlander series, which is set to comprise ten books, nine of which have already been published. The television adaptation of the series premiered on Starz in the US on August 9, 2014.

<i>Dragonfly in Amber</i> 1992 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber is the second book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century nurse Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy. This installment chronicles Claire and Jamie's efforts to prevent the Jacobite rising that Claire knows will end disastrously for the Scots.

<i>Drums of Autumn</i> 1996 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

Drums of Autumn is the fourth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure, and fantasy.

<i>The Fiery Cross</i> (novel) 2001 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

The Fiery Cross is the fifth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time-travelling 20th-century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.

<i>A Breath of Snow and Ashes</i> 2005 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is the sixth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Heughan</span> Scottish actor

Sam Roland Heughan is a Scottish actor, producer, author, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his starring role as Jamie Fraser in the Starz drama series Outlander (2014–present) for which he has won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor and the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television, and received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord John Grey (character)</span> Fictional LGBT character created by Diana Gabaldon

Lord John William Grey is a fictional character created by Diana Gabaldon. He is a recurring secondary character in Gabaldon's Outlander series of novels, and the main character of the Lord John series of historical mystery novels and novellas. Secretly homosexual "in a time when that particular predilection could get one hanged", the character has been called "one of the most complex and interesting" of the hundreds of characters in Gabaldon's Outlander novels.

<i>An Echo in the Bone</i> 2009 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.

<i>The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel</i>

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel is a 2010 graphic novel based on Diana Gabaldon's 1991 novel Outlander. Written by Gabaldon with artwork by Hoang Nguyen, the work adapts the first third of Outlander. The Outlander series incorporates elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.

<i>Outlander</i> (TV series) 2014-present British-American drama television series

Outlander is a historical drama television series based on the Outlander novel series by Diana Gabaldon. Developed by Ronald D. Moore, the show premiered on August 9, 2014, on Starz. It stars Caitríona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former Second World War military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743. There she encounters, falls in love with and marries a dashing Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser, a tacksman of Gabaldon's fictionalized version of Clan Fraser of Lovat. Here, Claire becomes embroiled in the Jacobite rising.

<i>Lord John</i> series Mystery novels by Diana Gabaldon

The Lord John series is a sequence of historical mystery novels and shorter works written by Diana Gabaldon that center on Lord John Grey, a recurring secondary character in the author's Outlander series. Secretly homosexual "in a time when that particular predilection could get one hanged," the character has been called "one of the most complex and interesting" of the hundreds of characters in Gabaldon's Outlander novels. Starting with the 1998 novella Lord John and the Hellfire Club, the Lord John spin-off series currently consists of six novellas and three novels.

<i>Written in My Own Hearts Blood</i> 2014 "Outlander" novel by Diana Gabaldon

Written in My Own Heart's Blood is the eighth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.

<i>Past Poisons</i>

Past Poisons: An Ellis Peters Memorial Anthology of Historical Crime is a 1998 British anthology of historical mystery short stories and novellas, edited by Maxim Jakubowski. The collection is named for novelist Ellis Peters, whose Cadfael Chronicles (1977–1994) are generally credited for popularizing the combined genre of historical fiction and mystery fiction that would become known as historical mystery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Fraser (character)</span> Fictional character in the Outlander series

Claire Beauchamp is a fictional character in the Outlander series of multi-genre novels by American author Diana Gabaldon, and its television adaptation. In the series, Claire is a married World War II nurse visiting Scotland who finds herself transported from 1945 back to 1743. There she finds adventure, war and romance with the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. Smart, stubborn and willful, Claire uses her wits, practical medical skills and knowledge of the future to survive in the 18th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Fraser (character)</span> Fictional character in Outlander series

James "Jamie" Fraser is a fictional character in the Outlander series of multi-genre novels by American author Diana Gabaldon, and its television adaptation. In the series, married World War II nurse Claire Randall is visiting Scotland when she is transported through time from 1945 back to 1743. There she finds adventure, war and romance with the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser, a member of Gabaldon's fictionalized Clan Fraser of Lovat. Jamie also appears in two novels in the Lord John series of historical mysteries, and in the 2013 novella Virgins.

References

  1. ↑ Jennifer Vineyard (June 18, 2016). "Diana Gabaldon on Why Outlander Isn't Really a Romance and Writing Her First Episode". Vulture.com . Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ "The Outlander Series". Diana Gabaldon. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. ↑ Sollosi, Mary (October 30, 2016). "Outlander books to end with 10th novel, says Diana Gabaldon". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  4. ↑ "BEES (Book 9) Publication Date!". Diana Gabaldon. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  5. ↑ Hughes, Sarah (August 24, 2014). "Outlander: Is this the new Game of Thrones?". The Independent . Independent Digital News & Media Limited. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Official site: Lord John Grey Series". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Official site: Chronology of the Outlander Series". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Ng, Philiana (May 8, 2014). "Starz's Outlander Gets First Poster, Premiere Date". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  9. 1 2 Hibberd, James (August 15, 2014). "Outlander renewed for second season". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Brienza, Casey (September 21, 2010). "The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel". GraphicNovelReporter.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Fiction Book Review: The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel". Publishers Weekly . August 23, 2010. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Official site: The Exile (graphic novel)". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  13. 1 2 3 "PROGRESS! OUTLANDER:The Musical now on Amazon!". DianaGabaldon.com. September 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Outlander the Musical". DianaGabaldon.com. October 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 "Stage Tube: First Listen of Jill Santoriello's Outlander Musical". BroadwayWorld.com. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Official site: Written in My Own Heart's Blood". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  17. ↑ Gabaldon, Diana. "Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander series)". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Official site: A Trail of Fire". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Official site: "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows"". DianaGabaldon.com. April 18, 2013. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  20. ↑ DeNardo, John (January 14, 2010). "Songs of Love and Death edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois". SF Signal . Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ Johnson, Suzanne (October 27, 2010). "Fiction Affliction: Diagnosing November Releases in Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance". Tor.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Pocket Releases Songs of Love and Death". GeorgeRRMartin.com. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Not A Blog: Love. Death. Sex. Heartbreak". GRRM.livejournal.com. March 31, 2010. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Official site: The Space Between (Novella)". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  25. 1 2 "Official site: Virgins (Dangerous Women)". DianaGabaldon.com. December 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Dangerous Women Arrives on Tor.com". Tor.com. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  27. 1 2 "Fiction Book Review: Dangerous Women by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois". Publishers Weekly. October 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  28. 1 2 Martin, George R. R. (January 23, 2013). "Not A Blog: A Dangerous Delivery". GRRM.livejournal.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013. For those who like to lose themselves in long stories, the Brandon Sanderson story, the Diana Gabaldon story, the Caroline Spector story, and my Princess and Queen are novellas.
  29. ↑ "Virgins: An Outlander Novella". Penguin Books. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Official site: The Outlandish Companion – Volume One". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Official site: The Outlandish Companion – Volume Two". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  32. ↑ "The Outlandish Companion, Volume Two". Goodreads. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  33. ↑ Gabaldon, Diana. "FAQ: About the Books". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  34. ↑ Gabaldon, Diana (1999). "Prologue from The Outlandish Companion, p. xvii–xxix". DianaGabaldon.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  35. ↑ Ross, Robyn (August 19, 2014). "Exclusive: Doctor Who Alum to Guest-Star on Outlander". TV Guide . Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  36. ↑ "OUTLANDER: The Musical is now on iTUNES!". DianaGabaldon.com. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  37. 1 2 3 "Outlander: The Musical (Official website)". Archived from the original on July 30, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  38. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 1, 2013). "Outlander Greenlighted To Series By Starz". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  39. ↑ Prudom, Laura (June 1, 2016). "Outlander Renewed for Seasons 3 and 4". Variety . Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  40. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (May 9, 2018). "Outlander Renewed for Seasons 5 and 6, Plus: See First Season 4 Photos". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  41. ↑ Bocella, Maggie (November 22, 2021). "Outlander Season 6 Will Return in March 2022, Reveals Diana Gabaldon". Collider . Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  42. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (January 19, 2023). "Outlander Renewed For Eighth & Final Season; Starz Greenlights Prequel Series Blood Of My Blood". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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