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A Breath of Snow and Ashes Audiobook
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(4.00) - 39,972 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A worldwide sensation with more than 12 million copies in print, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series has produced #1 best-selling novels and earned a fiercely devoted fan base. Another spellbinding entry in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the privilege, although some might call it a burden, of knowing that war cannot be avoided. Claire has told him that the colonies will unite and rebel, and the result will be independence, with all British loyalists either dead or exiled. And there is an additional problem. Claire has discovered a newspaper clipping from 1776 that tells of Jamie's death. With its epic scope, historical details, and sweeping romance, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is everything Gabaldon's fans love and more.
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"Having seen the TV Series of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Books 1 & 2, and having listened to Books 3, 4 & 5 while waiting for these books to be released on TV, I had to continue this wonderful saga with her Book 6 – A Breath of Snow & Ashes. I love the way Diana's Scottish/ C18th English/Colonial American humour, intrigue, pathos & empathy is brought to life in Davina's audio performance. I find the story enthralling & enchanting as Diana's web-like connections both within & between Chapters, Sections & Books both fill-out & surprise me from the Plot Summaries that I have already read of all the Books (up to No. 8). This confirmed my decision of how much I needed to get these audiobooks in order to find some approximation of the TV Series' version of Book 1 & 2. I both can't wait & dearly hope that the visualisations of Books 3-8 will encompass the settings, characters, actions & emotions revealed in the audiobooks in their TV series that drew me in so inextricably with the first 2 Books' TV series."
— Thomas (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A whopping 980 pages of action-packed escapism. It also has surprisingly melancholy and insightful views on the experience of growing old and dealing with the losses that entails….One of the things that sets Gabaldon apart from other romance writers is exhaustive research of the times in which her characters live, so evident in her attention to period detail….Plot lines and stand-alone yarns are expertly woven together with the overall theme of impending doom and the question of predetermination.”
— Toronto Star -
“Another rousing historical-science-fiction-romance novel to savor…For fans, this book is another slam-dunk hit. It’s a massive, long-lasting source of entertainment.”
— Montreal Gazette -
“From the first book in this series, readers have taken Claire and Jamie into their hearts and eagerly anticipated each chapter in their saga. Gabaldon’s brilliant use of an accurate historical backdrop, combined with the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by her characters, adds extraordinary emotional depth and a broad scope. No fan will be disappointed. Gabaldon plays on their emotions with the skill of a virtuoso storyteller who never fails to fascinate or surprise.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) -
“Anyone who has gotten this far in Gabaldon’s popular Outlander saga knows to expect loads of steamy sex, kidnappings, medical miracles, and gritty period details. Breath‘s 900-plus pages don’t disappoint. With the threat of the American Revolution looming, 20th-century time traveler Claire Fraser and her 18th-century Scottish husband, Jamie, must finally choose sides and prepare for war…Enemies both old and new add to the continuing drama of the Fraser family’s survival in the hinterlands of North Carolina. Gabaldon’s enjoyable formula works, even if it’s taken five previous novels and a few thousand pages to get to the year 1776. Essential for every fiction collection.”
— Library Journal -
“After waiting nearly four years since The Fiery Cross, readers will find every expectation fulfilled in the sixth book of the popular Outlander series. Gabaldon shines as she unfolds the continuing story of the Frasers, heartbreakingly heroic highlander Jamie and his time-traveling wife Clare…[in a] compulsively readable mix of authentically set historical fiction and completely satisfying romance…This vivid and haunting novel, therefore, brings an aching sadness, but it is balanced with sheer joy, revelation, and solace. The large scope of the novel allows Gabaldon to do what she does best, paint in exquisite detail the lives of her characters. Gabaldon’s ability to invoke the heroic and the harrowing writ large, while also creating moments where you dare not take a breath for fear of missing something tiny and fine, is her hallmark. For it is in describing the sound of rain on the roof, Jamie’s injured hand, or the understanding between father and daughter that the world of the novel comes alive and offers readers an enthralling experience.”
— Booklist -
“Time travel, romance, and historical fiction combine to bring to life eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire…What happens to Jamie and Claire and the lives that intertwine with theirs is an exciting adventure through a tumultuous time where traitors are heroes and supporters are outcasts. Davina Porter does an excellent job as narrator, spanning characters with ease and skill. Gabaldon’s fans will not be disappointed…Highly recommended for all public library popular fiction collections.”
— Library Journal (audio review) -
“The intensely loyal fans of the Outlander series will devour this sixth installment. Diana Gabaldon delivers both an exciting plot and lovely fine detail; reader Davina Porter provides sensational narration. It’s a relief to hear Jamie Fraser’s Scottish and Gaelic dialogue, rather than struggle with mental pronunciation. Porter shines in Claire Fraser’s chapters of first-person narrative, portraying a warm and wise middle-aged beauty with steely determination and courage—an unusual combination in the eighteenth century but not in her native twentieth century. As Jamie strives to maintain peace in his North Carolina settlement, he tries to ignore Claire’s knowledge that the American Revolution is about to begin and he must choose sides. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award. A 2006 Audie Award winner.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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Winner of the 2006 Audie Award for Best Solo Narration--Female
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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Finalist for the 2005 RT Award for Best Historical Paranormal/Fantasy
A Breath of Snow and Ashes Listener Reviews
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" The narration is easy to follow and engaging. I hadn't realized there were two narrators in this audiobook until writing the review. "
— BHD, 2/5/2024 -
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Beatrix Vad, 9/13/2022
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Sandy Lee-Osoborn, 5/29/2022
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zena, 4/20/2022
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Donna McD, 12/12/2021
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" The narrator's voice for male characters was annoying. "
— Bimini518, 11/18/2021 -
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SUSAN BURDETT, 12/30/2020
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" I loved it just like all the outlander books. "
— Sandie771 , 6/13/2020 -
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Karen Williams, 6/10/2020
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Mackenzie, 12/25/2019
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" I have listened to all the books. In my opinion that is the best way to enjoy these amazing novels. The narrator is THE BEST! It is such a great way to escape into Jamie and Claire's world. I tried reading them and it wrecked my life because I couldn't put them down. Listening is the way to go because I can still get stuff done while listening to my favorite story. "
— Marcie, 10/26/2019 -
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jill Wurzbacher, 10/1/2019
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" I dream of going to Scotland to marry my love, my Scottish hunk....i love all the characters in these books!!! thank you for making an audio, I can do my housework ect as I listen. "
— Amy, 9/18/2018 -
" Story continues to draw you in and include you in it. Like Gabaldon's more positive picture of the nearly forgotten Native Americans in American history. Thank you, Diana. "
— Summer, 8/18/2018 -
" This is the 7th book in the Diana Gabaldon series Outlander. If you want US.history and pirates and romance and of course time travel. You get mad in parts. Sad in parts. And happy! Suprised and boy do I mean suprised! Join the awesome world of Outlander! The first book is "Outlander". Get it!! "
— Cindy Emery, 6/27/2018 -
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Amanda McClure, 5/8/2018
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Ulrike Broniecki, 2/19/2018
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" As the books go and the characters develop, I am amazed each time I read a book. There are only two that I thought were slightly lacking in 'captivity', but this book was by far the best in the series - even better the then first one where Claire and Jaime met and fall in love. Brianna and Rodger, Ian, the Bug's....all the characters....so well developed in this book. It was not all espionage or medical terms. It was about the people....I am hoping the next one is just a good! "
— Selina, 1/19/2018 -
" This series is hard to put down, you have to have more! A great Love story. "
— Jade, 5/21/2017 -
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rebecca, 4/14/2017
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Michael, 1/8/2017
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Jessica McKinney, 1/1/2017
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theron shamgochian, 11/19/2016
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Deborah Vathis, 6/12/2016
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Rosie Ruiz, 10/31/2014
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" This was my favorite of the series so far. I loved the ending. "
— Cindy, 2/12/2014 -
" I have loved the entire series so far and my expectation is that this will be an excellent book. "
— Donna, 2/12/2014 -
" as wonderful as always....hard to put down and harder to release when the end came.... "
— Diane, 2/8/2014 -
" Without a doubt, one of my favorites of the series! "
— Michelle, 1/16/2014 -
" This book is absolutely the Best book in the whole series , well, other than the first that got me hooked on the Outlander series. So much happens in this story and so many questions that were left from the other books are answered. I still love how Claire and Jamie are so much in love and how their love overcomes everything that happens to them. I truely enjoyed this book and would love to read this story again! "
— Paula, 1/15/2014 -
" 1000 pages of the most entertaining, at times heart wrenching, and yet without a doubt a passionate spell bounding story no one could ever have imagined! Apparently this is a series of seven volumes and I happened to begin on the sixth volume which left me in wanting to have started at the beginning! You will not be disappointed...it is a great read! I give it two thumbs up! "
— Cheryl, 1/12/2014 -
" Whew! Took a bit of time to read these 980 pages, stopping to read other book in between... but I found this book much improved from the last & really enjoyed it. "
— Leslie, 1/2/2014 -
" I thought this one dragged just a little near the beginning, but once I got into it, I could not put it down. "
— Echo, 12/31/2013 -
" I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others because of the time period but there's one more book after it and I will give it a try. "
— Andrea, 12/14/2013 -
" Learned quite a bit about the American Revolution. A lot of plot lines are wrapped up by the end, but I'm already on to the 7th and Final Book immediately An Echo In the Bone . "
— Marquina, 11/27/2013 -
" I just have one question. Where's my Jamie??? "
— Kerry, 10/28/2013 -
" I think I made the mistake of reading this series one-after-the-other and I got to a point where I just didn't care what happened to these people any more. I'll be returning to it someday. "
— Deb, 10/28/2013 -
" This was the 6th book of the series, and I will read the next one! I just never tire of the characters in these books. "
— Barb, 10/25/2013 -
" I love her books but STRUGGLED to get through this one.. "
— Pamela, 7/25/2013 -
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Heather Cleland, 6/30/2013
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Lindsay Bruce, 5/22/2013
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" Still loving her books - have to check out the next one! "
— Diane, 12/16/2012 -
" Just when you think the series is over after 15 years of loving every word written in Mrs. Gabaldon's wonderful tales of Jamie and Claire, the thrill of knowing the tale continues right into The American Revolution. "
— Terrie, 8/25/2012 -
" One of my 3 favorites in the series. I loved the 2 simultaneous stories of Mom/ Da and Brianna and Roger. Very well delivered with wonderful imagery! I won't ruin it but I can still vividly picture the snow! "
— Nicola, 7/12/2012 -
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Gloria Swaine, 5/29/2012
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" Another tedious book. I wish she would cut her books by two-thirds! Love the story lines, but not all the detail. "
— Pia, 4/24/2012 -
" I love this series. Simple as that. Each book passes the time so quickly. "
— Annette, 4/9/2012 -
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pcollums, 12/29/2011
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" I was just at a loss when this book ended. I listened to it on audio and I felt like I was missing some friends when it was done. I'm ordering the next book ASAP. "
— Bekki, 11/15/2011 -
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Tiffany Curran, 9/28/2011
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" Left a lot to be desired. Can't wait for the next book in the series! "
— Angela, 9/6/2011 -
" I did love the series, mainly for the wonderful main characters. That said, these books are way too long and detailed - half the size for each book would have sufficed... "
— Yve, 8/16/2011 -
" Sill love it. Thank you DG. "
— Dawn, 5/9/2011
About Diana Gabaldon
Rebecca Lowman is an actress and audiobook narrator who has won numerous Earphones Awards. She has starred in numerous television shows, including Law & Order, Big Love, NCIS, and Grey’s Anatomy, among many others. She earned her MFA from Columbia University.
About the Narrators
Geraldine James, OBE, is a four-time BAFTA TV Award nominee who was also nominated for a Tony Award for her role in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. She has appeared in such notable films as Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, among many others.
Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.