I got the version narrated by Frank Muller; it was fabulous!! I had started to read a hardcopy and had trouble getting past the archaic writing style. However, Mr. Muller got me totally engrossed and, of course, I ended up loving the book.

I am a fan of Dickens, and enjoy his writing. WARNING: This is listed as a ‘kid’s’ book. It is not. This book has an intricate adult story line. There is slaughter of hundreds, blood running in the streets, dead bodies being mutilated and their heads placed on pikes, and extensive use of the guillotine. There is death of a child by illness, death of a child by accident, murder, and revenge. There is also great love and sacrifice. Even though the words used are not vulgar, crude, or obscene, it still dos not make this a kid’s book. It is an adult book, with a powerful story.

There are times when I avoid anything labeled a classic because they often don't live up to the hype. I was more apprehensive about this book because I've heard it referred to so often as well as some of its famous quotes, even worse in this case because I even know the opening line without ever having read it: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Even Capt. Kirk opened a famous Star Trek scene with this line.

After this first sentence was done, the "ho hum" thought that flashed through my mind quickly melted away as the opening continued with an eloquence I had not expected. This alone won't make a 13 hour audiobook enjoyable but by the time I got to the "meat" of the book, the characters had drawn me in.

Some areas of the book are in fact, so long-winded that you wonder where the author could possibly be going with all this detail. What I love about that--which surprises even me--is that the author has a way of sneaking something critical into all that detail that doesn't hit you for a second or two. Then after it sinks in, you have this feeling like he just snuck up on you silently, then whacked you with the sledgehammer hiding behind his back. He got me with that several times.

That is the genius of this book. The characters keep you too interested to stop reading while Dickens keeps lulling you into peaceful states of mind by describing tranquil scenes, then he pounds you with that hammer while your guard is down. Brilliant.

I should also mention, the narration was among the best I've heard so far. Creates a truly immersive experience.

I never get tired of this story. One to listen to over and over.

A great listen. Dickens writes a fascinating window into a facinating time in history and the events are enlivened and given scale by the characters he draws. Like all Dicken's work, there is a lot of scene setting and build up but the wait is worthwhile.

The narration is clear and the characterisation is kept at the level where it assists understanding rather than getting in the way.

A very educational and enjoyable listen.