A Tale of Two Cities [Recorded Books]

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." So begins this classic, one of the most beloved novels of all time. Charles Dickens brings the French Revolution to life through such vivid characters as Charles Darnay, the Old Doctor, Sydney Carton and Lucy Manette. The action peaks with the storming of the Bastille, the dreaded symbol of government authority. And the blade of La Guillotine falls again...

(P)1986 by Recorded Books, Inc.

6 Stars! In every way!

From the rich description to the eloquent language to the heartbreaking story of Charles Dickens’ and sensational performance by Frank Muller, I would give this book my first 6 stars ever!

🏃🏻‍♀️ Plot and pace: I cannot believe this story said so much in such a short time. The plot twined and twisted brilliantly so many times, yet the pace made me live every moment to the fullest that I was left breathless.

🗺 Setting: I expected to be drowned in the sad and gory details of this terrible time of the French revolution, yet the justification and resolution were so clear as to provide a balanced view of this almost necessary evil. This makes it an absolutely relevant gem of literature for all generations to come.

💑 Characters: While all the characters appealed to my mind and senses, none hold my heart so fully as Sydney Carton. I wished with all my soul to help him, to know why and how he had become this way, but suffice it to say... “I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul.”

I enjoyed the book

the book started off slow and confusing. but the last 7 or 8 chapters became more suspenseful. I enjoyed the book. I only listened because I wanted to complete the books from high school that I didn't actually read. it was a sad ending. and im not sure why Cotton was willing to sacrifice himself and be beheaded. the author made it seem as if he was tricked. I'm a little confused. the narrator voice impressions were not differing enough to separate characters.

Dickens and women

The young pretty women are always just sickeningly sweet. But there were two older women who were striking in different ways in this book. This is far superior to David Copperfield for instance.

Download high quality

If you are downloading this audiobook choose the highest quality available. The reader is very good but the accent and voices cannot be understood unless you choose a high quality format (3 or 4).

About the book itself, what can one say about Dickens. Although the thought occurs; if Dicken's Tale was being published for the first time today, would it be significantly edited? After all, when was the last time you read an author that took 3 paragraphs to explain that a man was wearing a blue hat.

Naturally they are 3 excellent paragraphs with metaphors galore. And I have to believe that much of the rambling helps to create the characters. Especially when I think about the last Dickens book I read, I don't remember the story nearly as much as the characters.

unforgettable

I first read this book in high-school, or should I say I first 'tried' to read this book in high-school. My young mind was unprepared, mostly because it had no patience for victorian-stlye long-winded descriptives of everything. Listening to it was a completely different experience. It's wonderful to listen to a narration from a reader who distiguishes the characters with his voice, and also understands the nuances necessary in what each character is saying. This is much easier than reading it first, then trying to figure out what the intent was.
These characters were unforgettable, and this work will now be with me forever. If it's true that a book absorbed becomes part of your soul, then I would highly recommend this book to anybody. Dickens is fabulous, and I look forward to downloading more of his books in the future. Thanks Audible, for making this classical author more accessible to this reader/listener!

Loved this book

One of the best books I have ever read. I started it years ago and couldn't get into it. Now, after learning a lot more about the French Revolution, I got it. Dickens is hard to beat as an author - so beautifully written! But the moral of the story is just so powerful. I recommend this to everyone who has any idea about the Fr. Rev., and if you don't, find out so you can enjoy this book. It is a classic for a reason.

I love Frank Muller, one of the best narrators out there. But I also have this book read by Martin Jarvis who is also very good, and actually has a little lighter quality to his voice, which is sometimes helpful in this rather dark novel..

Most Beautiful Story Ever Told

I thought I knew this story, but hearing it in it's entirety was an absolute delight. It tears at your heart while inspiring your mind. The narrator did a great job with the voices, but seemed a little monotone and steady during the description of things in a way that sometimes made it hard to follow.

Occasionally lost

I was occasionally lost while listenibg to this story, sometimes it was hard to understand the narrator. Often it was difficult to keep track of the characters but in the end ot all made sense. It is such a beautiful story and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Great story and narrated so well.

What did you love best about A Tale of Two Cities?

The narration of Frank Muller was wonderful with French and English accents that brought the story to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Tale of Two Cities?

The twists and turns the story takes at the end!

Have you listened to any of Frank Muller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No... this was the first one, but I do have Great Expectations to listen to next.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was so well read.

A must read for all ages.

What more is there for me to say. Read it at school, again when older but it was marvellous to have it read to me by such a marvellous narrator. Thank you for the opportunity.