Outlander (book series) explained

Outlander
Books:
Author:Diana Gabaldon
Country:United States
Language:English
Genre:Historical fiction
Fantasy
Publisher:Delacorte Press
Pub Date:June 1, 1991–present
Media Type:Print (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]

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

See main article: The Exile: An Outlander 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

See main article: 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]

Frazer Hines, who played McCrimmon, appears in an episode of the first season of the television series Outlander.[34]

Characters

See main article: List of Outlander 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] [35] [36]

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] [36] The song was recorded with vocals by Rebecca Robbins.[15] [36]

Television series

See main article: Outlander (TV series). In June 2013, Starz ordered 16 episodes of a television adaptation, and production began in October 2013 in Scotland.[37] 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.[38] On May 9, 2018, Starz renewed the series for a fifth and sixth season.[39] Further renewals for seventh and eighth seasons were announced in early 2021 and late 2022 respectively.[40] [41]

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.[41]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: June 18, 2016 . Jennifer Vineyard . Diana Gabaldon on Why Outlander Isn't Really a Romance and Writing Her First Episode . . January 20, 2021 . January 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125102554/https://www.vulture.com/2016/06/diana-gabaldon-outlander-isnt-really-a-romance.html . live .
  2. Web site: The Outlander Series. Diana Gabaldon. 17 February 2020. May 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518003221/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/. live.
  3. Sollosi. Mary. Outlander books to end with 10th novel, says Diana Gabaldon. Entertainment Weekly. October 30, 2016. February 16, 2020. February 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200216191909/https://ew.com/article/2016/10/30/diana-gabaldon-last-outlander-novel/. live.
  4. Web site: BEES (Book 9) Publication Date!. Diana Gabaldon. 25 April 2021. April 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210425071943/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2021/04/bees-book-9-publication-date/. live.
  5. News: Hughes . Sarah . Outlander: Is this the new Game of Thrones? . . Independent Digital News & Media Limited . August 24, 2014 . August 14, 2019 . August 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170815210941/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/outlander-is-this-the-new-game-of-thrones-9685662.html . live .
  6. Web site: Official site: Lord John Grey Series . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012004959/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/lord-john-grey/. DianaGabaldon.com . October 12, 2013. October 29, 2013.
  7. Web site: Official site: Chronology of the Outlander Series . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012161942/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/chronology-of-the-outlander-series/ . DianaGabaldon.com . October 12, 2013. October 29, 2013.
  8. Web site: Starz's Outlander Gets First Poster, Premiere Date . Philiana . Ng . . May 8, 2014 . June 14, 2014 . August 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810033018/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/outlander-premiere-date-poster-revealed-702417 . live .
  9. Outlander renewed for second season . Entertainment Weekly . James . Hibberd . August 15, 2014 . August 15, 2014 . January 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150118183114/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/08/15/outlander-renewed-second-season/ . live .
  10. Web site: The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel . Casey . Brienza . GraphicNovelReporter.com . September 21, 2010 . September 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140924062923/http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/reviews/the-exile-an-outlander-graphic-novel . September 24, 2014 . dead .
  11. Web site: Fiction Book Review: The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel . . August 23, 2010 . September 16, 2014 . September 24, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041117/http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-345-50538-5 . live .
  12. Web site: Official site: The Exile (graphic novel) . DianaGabaldon.com . September 16, 2014 . December 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231101251/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/the-exile-graphic-novel/ . live .
  13. Web site: PROGRESS! OUTLANDER:The Musical now on Amazon! . DianaGabaldon.com . September 26, 2010 . July 30, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808030221/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2010/09/progress-outlanderthe-musical-now-on-amazon/ . live .
  14. Web site: Outlander the Musical . DianaGabaldon.com . October 26, 2013 . July 30, 2014 . June 27, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627104453/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/misc/outlander-the-musical/ . live .
  15. Web site: Stage Tube: First Listen of Jill Santoriello's Outlander Musical . BroadwayWorld.com . July 16, 2012 . July 30, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808034122/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-First-Listen-of-Jill-Santoriellos-OUTLANDER-Musical-20120716#.U9hYSVZU10g . live .
  16. Web site: Official site: Written in My Own Heart's Blood . DianaGabaldon.com . February 9, 2014 . June 10, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140209075921/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/written_in_my_own_hearts_blood/ . mdy-all .
  17. Web site: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander series) . Gabaldon . Diana . DianaGabaldon.com . July 2, 2019 . July 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160713080303/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/book-nine-outlander-series/ . live .
  18. Web site: Official site: A Trail of Fire. DianaGabaldon.com. September 16, 2014. October 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131013174212/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/short-fiction/a-trail-of-fire/. live.
  19. Web site: Official site: "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" . DianaGabaldon.com . April 18, 2013 . September 16, 2014 . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415173305/http://dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/short-fiction/songs-of-love-and-death/ . live .
  20. Web site: Songs of Love and Death edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208165054/http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2010/01/toc_songs_of_love_and_death_edited_by_george_rr_martin_and_gardner_dozois/ . SF Signal. John . DeNardo . January 14, 2010 . September 18, 2014. February 8, 2012.
  21. Web site: Fiction Affliction: Diagnosing November Releases in Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance . Suzanne . Johnson . Tor.com . October 27, 2010 . September 18, 2014 . April 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150409105933/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/10/fiction-affliction-diagnosing-november-releases-in-urban-fantasy-a-paranormal-romance . live .
  22. Web site: Pocket Releases Songs of Love and Death . GeorgeRRMartin.com . November 24, 2010 . September 18, 2014 . August 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230802203604/https://georgerrmartin.com/pocket-releases-songs-of-love-death/ . live .
  23. Web site: Not A Blog: Love. Death. Sex. Heartbreak. . GRRM.livejournal.com . March 31, 2010 . September 18, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150214161048/http://grrm.livejournal.com/143800.html . February 14, 2015 . mdy-all .
  24. Web site: Official site: The Space Between (Novella) . DianaGabaldon.com . November 20, 2013 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103114213/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/writing/the-outlander/short-fiction/the-space-between/ . live .
  25. Web site: Official site: Virgins (Dangerous Women) . DianaGabaldon.com . December 7, 2013 . September 18, 2014 . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415173307/http://dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/short-fiction/virgins/ . live .
  26. Web site: Dangerous Women Arrives on Tor.com . July 24, 2013 . November 19, 2013 . Tor.com . April 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150409074511/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/07/dangerous-women-tor-excerpts . live .
  27. Web site: Fiction Book Review: Dangerous Women by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois . Publishers Weekly . October 7, 2013 . November 23, 2013 . June 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627010714/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7653-3206-6 . live .
  28. Web site: Martin . George R. R. . George R. R. Martin . Not A Blog: A Dangerous Delivery . GRRM.livejournal.com . January 23, 2013 . 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. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130125162256/http://grrm.livejournal.com/310198.html . January 25, 2013 . mdy-all .
  29. Web site: Virgins: An Outlander Novella . . November 18, 2016 . November 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161119115809/http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/247665/virgins-an-outlander-novella-by-diana-gabaldon/9781101882528/ . live .
  30. Web site: Official site: The Outlandish Companion – Volume One . DianaGabaldon.com . January 3, 2017 . January 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121120745/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/outlandish-companion-volume-one/ . live .
  31. Web site: Official site: The Outlandish Companion – Volume Two . DianaGabaldon.com . January 4, 2017 . January 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121120740/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/outlandish-companion-vol-two/ . live .
  32. Web site: The Outlandish Companion, Volume Two. Goodreads. June 12, 2016. June 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603004603/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24974121-the-outlandish-companion-volume-two. live.
  33. Web site: FAQ: About the Books . Gabaldon . Diana . Diana Gabaldon . DianaGabaldon.com . 20 August 2014 . December 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042559/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/resources/faq/faq-about-the-books/#choosescotland . live .
  34. News: Ross . Robyn . August 19, 2014 . Exclusive: Doctor Who Alum to Guest-Star on Outlander . . September 17, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150121045032/http://www.tvguide.com/news/outlander-frazer-hines-1085670/ . January 21, 2015 . live .
  35. Web site: OUTLANDER: The Musical is now on iTUNES! . DianaGabaldon.com . October 15, 2011 . July 30, 2014 . August 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808025128/http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2011/10/outlander-the-musical-is-now-on-itunes/ . live .
  36. Web site: Outlander: The Musical (Official website). July 30, 2014. July 30, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100730083421/http://www.outlanderthemusical.com/. live.
  37. News: Outlander Greenlighted To Series By Starz . Nellie . Andreeva . . June 1, 2013 . July 31, 2014 . August 7, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140807131220/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/outlander-greenlighted-to-series-by-starz/ . live .
  38. Web site: Outlander Renewed for Seasons 3 and 4 . Laura . Prudom . . June 1, 2016 . June 1, 2016 . June 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602080031/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/outlander-season-3-renewal-season-4-renewed-1201786745/ . live .
  39. Web site: Outlander Renewed for Seasons 5 and 6, Plus: See First Season 4 Photos. Roots. Kimberly. TVLine. May 9, 2018. May 9, 2018. May 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180510020651/http://tvline.com/2018/05/09/outlander-renewed-seasons-5-6-photos-starz/. live.
  40. Web site: Outlander Season 6 Will Return in March 2022, Reveals Diana Gabaldon. Collider. Maggie. Bocella. November 22, 2021. November 23, 2021. November 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123020130/https://collider.com/outlander-season-6-release-date-starz/. live.
  41. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . Outlander Renewed For Eighth & Final Season; Starz Greenlights Prequel Series Blood Of My Blood . . January 19, 2023 . January 19, 2023 . January 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119170916/https://deadline.com/2023/01/outlander-renewed-eighth-final-season-prequel-series-blood-of-my-blood-greenlit-starz-1235227359/ . live .

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