• A Tale of Two Cities [Naxos]

  • By: Charles Dickens
  • Narrated by: Anton Lesser
  • Length: 14 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (255 ratings)

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A Tale of Two Cities [Naxos]  By  cover art

A Tale of Two Cities [Naxos]

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Anton Lesser
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Publisher's summary

"It was the best of times and the worst of times." In one of the most famous openings of any novel, Dickens masterfully presents the turmoil of the French Revolution, which is the backdrop for a novel of love, patience, hope, and self-sacrifice. This version is read by Anton Lesser, whose award-winning Dickens recordings in their abridged form has now resulted in the opportunity to read the full unabridged text. His singular characterizations led to him being chosen by Peter Ackroyd to play Dickens himself in the major TV account of the writer.

Public Domain (P)2005 Naxos Audiobooks Ltd.

What listeners say about A Tale of Two Cities [Naxos]

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Exquisite

When Anton Lesser and DIckens come together it is a gift. Even if you know this story, even if you have read it, you will rediscover it through the brilliance of this superlative actor who breathes life into each character with such passion and specificity that you are sure he must be channeling the spirit of each one. He illuminates Dickens. Toward the end my heart was pounding even though I knew the outcome. How is this possible? Because of Anton Lesser.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

I couldn't agree with the previous reviewer more. Anton Lesser channels Dickens in his reading of this story. The different characters come to life under his skillful narration. When Jerry Cruncher was defending his "other job" to Mr. Lorry I was open-mouthed in admiration.

This book was required reading for me in high school and I resented it until I found, to my amazement, that I really liked it. That was too many years ago to count. I've re-read it since and now I've listened to this wonderful version. This is a book for the ages. It's a far, far better thing.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Absolutely Remarkable!

The performance makes an already wonderful story even more remarkable. The reader switches between male and female voices with such ease that the listener forgets that only one person is reading. It is a long, 19th century novel, but it was easily digested in this format. I was extremely impressed and hated when it ended. If Academy Awards were presented for book reading, Anton Lesser would be a shoe-in to win.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • GH
  • 05-11-12

Classic Home Run

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, already have. I read this book in high school and just was not mature enough to appreciate it. When I listened to it, I forget that the first line and the last line of the novel are among the most famous in literature history. You just have to listen to this book; you’ll fall in love with dickens over again and buy more of his books for listening.

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7 people found this helpful

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

The first time I've ever shopped by narrator...

When I decided to listen to this masterpiece on audio, I knew that it had to be delivered by the right narrator. I have listened to many audiobooks, over a period of decades, but I have never shopped for an audiobook based on the narrator before.

I looked at all the options on Audible (I think there were more than a dozen), and started by reading the reviews that mentioned narrators, by which process I managed to weed out several options. I listened to samples of the remaining options, and finally for my short list I listened to samples of other works read by those narrators. I ended up choosing - from a handful of excellent options - this version read by Anton Lesser, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment of the listening experience.

As many other reviewers have mentioned, I am still choked up right now from hearing the final chapter, and all the more because this narrator allowed me to feel fully immersed in the story through his clear, accurate pronunciations and his exceptional and wholly consistent characterizations of the amazing and colourful characters in this epic story.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Excellent performance of a great classic

I read this in high school and again in my 20s and really loved it then. But it is a whole new experience to listen to it. And Anton Lesser's superb performance is a tour de force - he is a one-man Dickens band, easily moving between the voices of old and young men and women of different classes and backgrounds. This is the second of his Dickens' performances I have purchased - the other was "Little Dorritt" - and I am impressed by his ability to sweep me along with his own excitement in the story. Just a great listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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

I may not be the first to say this

But I LOVED this book! I struggled through it in high school, but hearing Anton Lesser read it gave it a whole new dimension.

I think I would listen to it again. Great story, great characters, and funny British understatement.

Think I will listen to all the “Lesser” Dickens.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Masterful Narration

What made the experience of listening to A Tale of Two Cities the most enjoyable?

Listening to DIckens is a special experience. I've switched between the written word and Audible as I've moved through the book, and I've newly appreciated how much I enjoy being read to, especially by someone as masterful as this narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

While I've read other Dickens, I'd never gotten around to A Tale of Two Cities and its a wonderful story of the French Revolution.

What about Anton Lesser’s performance did you like?

He captures the voices, the cadence, and the emotion. It's not "read," it is "performed."

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2 people found this helpful

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

Loved every word

One of my favorite Dickens novels. Extraordinary story, marvellous narrator. Highly recommend this edition.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

This is the one!

OK there is about 20 different variations and readers of this book but this is the one! The narrator, Anton Lester, is an artist with his pretrial of characters. Good timing, vocalization overall an excellent recording. Oh yes, that story is stellar by all accounts.

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2 people found this helpful