A Tale of Two Cities

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Julian Rhind-Tutt, star of Green Wing, also known for his roles in The Madness of King George and Tomb Raider. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Richard Maxwell.

After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille the aging Dr Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are all drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror and soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

©1859 Charles Dickens (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Excellent Listen

The voice acting was soothing to listen to, and the book was amazing. Charles Dickens work was well-represented.

Breathtaking

Dickens can portray beautiful and horrible in words, in a way that seems impossible. To me he’s the Mozart of language. The reader of this audio book did justice to the words that took my breath away!

Great book, great performance.

An engaging story that deserves its reputation. The performance is very entertaining and admirable. .

Excelente novela

Me encantó. Describe el entorno y el comportamiento humano posterior a la revolución francesa

It's good, but I just can't

We all know that Charles Dickens is one of the Greats. A Tale of Two Cities is a classic. The narration was great. So I'm taking responsibility for the fact that I can't listen to these kinds of works anymore, The plot is slow to develop, and it's necessary. The angst...I just can't do that. There is enough drama in my life without angst. So, if you can put yourself in the mindset of a period when authors were paid by the word, you will love it. It is truly a great work.

Fabulous

Beautiful, tragic story of love and self-sacrifice. Charles Dickens is a masterful weaver of words.

Wonderful Dickens!

I’ve always wanted to read and never had before. Loved listening on audible. I laughed. I cried. Would definitely recommend everyone read this wonderful tale of love and war.

Intimate Peek into the Revolution

The only other Dickens I was familiar with was A Christmas Carol. Likewise with that novella, I went in bracing myself for a chore of literature that I felt obligated to expose myself to and just as with A Christmas Carol I came out a devout fan of the book and the beautiful way that Dickens writes.

I was entirely ignorant of the plot and mostly ignorant of the cultural events it surrounds itself on, but never felt lost or struggled to push through. Each chapter I was enchanted and awaiting the next stage in our characters' story.
There was a very short adjustment period for the language used, but that was quickly overcome and I was able to settle into the 18th century and visualize the society on the brink of collapse.

The performance itself is well done. Clear and articulate well paced reading, with no weird audio issues throughout the entire runtime.

Note that this version includes an hour long introduction/analysis (to be listened to after completing the plot) to complete your experience.

Tremendous!

The narration is superbly done. Dickens weaves a tale with memorable characters and moments of suspense and delight.

Best novel of all time

Julian Rhind-tutt is a most remarkable reader and actor - though I have read this novel many times, he breathed new life into this amazing piece of literature. Bravo! I am a professor and I recommend his version to all my students.