Sample
  • A Tale of Two Cities [Recorded Books]

  • By: Charles Dickens
  • Narrated by: Frank Muller
  • Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,466 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

A Tale of Two Cities [Recorded Books]

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Frank Muller
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial reviews

Among the most talented and influential voices to grace the audiobook format, Shakespearean actor Frank Muller delivers an electric performance of a story that demands it. Urgency and tumult seem to bellow forth from the indefatigable Muller as he untangles the web of conflict that drives Dickens' historical epic. The French aristocracy’s self-satisfied arrogance is set in contrast with the outraged militance of the downtrodden peasantry. Muller gives a unique voice to each member of the warring classes while nevertheless betraying the selfish motives that bind them all. Dickens' competing lovers, the aristocratic Charles Darnay and his jealous doppelgänger, Sydney Carton, are by turn endowed with desperate passion and tender selflessness as they grapple with historical forces beyond their control.

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.

What listeners say about A Tale of Two Cities [Recorded Books]

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    746
  • 4 Stars
    367
  • 3 Stars
    188
  • 2 Stars
    93
  • 1 Stars
    72
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    491
  • 4 Stars
    215
  • 3 Stars
    112
  • 2 Stars
    47
  • 1 Stars
    42
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    510
  • 4 Stars
    220
  • 3 Stars
    101
  • 2 Stars
    41
  • 1 Stars
    27

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Loved this book and the narrator was fantastic! I decided to listen to some classic novels and this is one of the ones I chose and it was amazing! Never knew much about Charles Dickens but now I'm a huge fan.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the greatest stories ever told

Between Muller’s narration and Dicken’s impeccable prose, this is a standout achievement. Highly recommended and heartwarming.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Doesn't get much better

Frank M reads this classics like no one else. Wonderful classic Dickens performed by the master, Highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A classic read of a classic novel.

Muller's narration is a true, true treasure. He made this novel really come to life. I cannot overstate how wonderful Muller's narration is, or the depth of emotion expressed by Dickens in this novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't turn it off!

The second in my quest for the classics. How could I have never read this book? It actually brought tears to my eyes several times. It is a classic that we all know the opening line "It was the best of times..." and the closing line "It is a far better thing I do.." The story of a family, tightly interwoven with the horrors that led up to and followed the French Revolution. Dickens brings out the blood and death and poverty and hatred, while intermingling it with love and joy and hope. I am off to a roaring start with 2 excellent audiobooks so far.
It is read by Frederick Douglas, and I can't wait to hear other works he has read. He is an excellent narrator and had distinct voices for each character. His French accent was wonderful, and even the women were believable.
If you are on a quest, as I am, to read the classics of great literature, then do not leave this book out. Unabridged is the way to go.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Poor audio

I returned the book and got the one with Simon Prebble as the narrator. I saw Frank Muller was on the Audible HOF list, but this recording is very poor. His deep voice makes this strong English accent impossible to understand, even with the bass at zero in my car.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The most perfect reading...

The most beautiful, haunting, perfect reading of my favorite novel. It will break your heart. Rest in peace, Frank Muller 💔

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dickens and Muller Both At Their Best

So good I listened to it twice, back to back. First time I've ever done that.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Great

Terrific story complemented by a very good narration. I found it very compelling how the history of such a violent event as the French Revolution could be brought to life through just a handful of characters. I loved how the characters interacted with other characters representing something so vast as the anger of the masses.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Just As I Remember

I think this particular recording needs to be re-recorded. By today's standards, it is rustic and hard to hear clearly in some places. Other than that, it is just the same as I remember it from high school. Like the Heart of Darkness by Conrad, it is hard to get through because of the bleakness of the era in which the story takes place, yet it is a time that should never be forgotten. That's why this book should never be forgotten. It was written in a time much closer to the actual events and presents a clearer picture because of it. I'm still glad I bought it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!