A Tale of Two Cities [Tantor]

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

This novel provides a highly charged examination of human suffering and human sacrifice, private experience and public history, during the French Revolution.

A Tale of Two Cities is one of Charles Dickens's most exciting novels. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, it tells the story of a family threatened by the terrible events of the past. Doctor Manette was wrongly imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years without trial by the aristocratic authorities. Finally released, he is reunited with his daughter, Lucie, who despite her French ancestry has been brought up in London. Lucie falls in love with Charles Darnay, another expatriate, who has abandoned wealth and a title in France because of his political convictions. When revolution breaks out in Paris, Darnay returns to the city to help an old family servant, but there he is arrested because of the crimes committed by his relations. His wife, Lucie, their young daughter, and her aged father follow him across the channel, thus putting all their lives in danger.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

Charles Dickens's classic of the French Revolution is expertly dramatized by Simon Vance. It's also a grand romance. Charles Darnay, the French émigré who relinquishes his title in disgust at the poverty wrought upon the peasants by the titled class, and Sydney Carton, the world-weary drunken London barrister, both love Lucie, the daughter of the unjustly imprisoned Dr. Alexandre Manette. Vance will have listeners weeping as Carton greets Madame Guillotine with some of the most famous lines in literature. Carton's depression and ultimate redemption are crystal clear; Madame Defarge, with her clicking knitting needles, takes on appropriate menace; and Jarvis Lorry, the reliable "man of business," loves Lucie as if she were his daughter." (AudioFile magazine)

classic and fabulous

this book is a classic take of sadness and upheaval. The story of the innocence lost during a revolution.

Great, but a little different

Unlike many of Dickens' books, A Tale of Two Cities does not focus as much on character development (with perhaps one exception) as it does on the overall plot. The characters are remarkable, but the focus of the story deals more with their context within the French Revolution. This makes it a little less enjoyable as an audio book.

Excellent

I agree with the other reviewers that the beginning is slow and hard to keep attention. However, it is vastly worth it.

In the beginning, Dickens creates these two seeming very different stories and character groups so far away. Then, the light the rest of the book they intertwinings become increasingly more illuminated. So brilliant. I wished I wouldn’t have payed closer attention to the beginning details! I will definitely listen again to this story for that very purpose.

The ending is so exquisite. Please listen, you will not be disappointed!!

Classic Reign of Terror Historical Fiction

While this takes about a third to really get going, this is an excellent example of historical fiction. "A Tale of Two Cities" takes place leading up to and during the French Revolution, set in London and Paris and focusing on a French and English family as they struggle to survive persecution and imprisonment during the Reign of Terror.

The scenes that are about personal family and social relations were not my favorite. I kind of wanted to just skip those parts, and I wonder if I would have bore the dialogue portions differently if I had read this in print instead of listening to an audiobook version. I do think the narration by Simon Vance was done well, except for his ridiculous voices for women, but there weren’t a lot of female characters, so that didn’t ruin the experience.

My favorite sections were when the tensions of the city boiled over into action and rebellion. The descriptions of mob mentality but also the inevitability of people rising up against oppression are done so well. I can definitely see people reading this and then Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" in a course that studies the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars from a literary perspective.

This isn't one of my favorite classics, but I am really glad I read this. I respect its importance to English literature, and probably to how the Reign of Terror and French Revolution has been popularized and remembered for generations. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in Charles Dickens’ body of work, this time in history, and especially in literary depictions of that history.

This! Is why Dickens’ novels are classics.

Classic historical fiction in that you can live through historical events vicariously through the eyes of fictionalized characters who are fleshed out by a master. The narrator is one of my favorites. His performance helps to easily distinguish between the characters. Audible is the only way to read the classics. I spend many pleasant hours hiking while reading a classic.

Truly One of the Greats

I did not know what to expect. I have not read much of Dickens and figured I should culture myself. It is now one of my favorite books of all time. I literally felt my soul be moved, especially at the end, and it gives great insight into the French revolution. Highly recommend.

Truly a Classic

"A Tale of Two Cities" is the best selling book of all time and Charles Dickens is easily one of the world's most iconic writers. Add the great narration that we've come to expect from Simon Vance and you have an Audible Classic that one will thoroughly enjoy.

Charles Dickens did a great job when he wrote this book and the sales of book over time does tell you why. This is one of those timeless classics that you can't help but enjoy. The pace of the book itself languishes a bit and will not be appreciated by everyone. The slower pace however is used with good effect as it is used to set up the book pretty well. If you're a fan of good imagery, it is painted very well in these 'slow' moments. When the pace does pick up however, it picks up fast and extremely well with a lot of exciting action.

The novel talks about the plight of the French commons brought upon by the French ruling class, the subsequent revolution and then the often times senseless revenge the French commons take on the former French ruling class. Parallel to this is also mentioned life in London during the same period. It follows the lives of several protagonists through these events.

Simon Vance does a very great job bringing life to the story. I found myself enjoying his narration quite well. This book had a relatively large cast and and the way he was able to bring life to each individual character is impressive to say the least.

Great narration for a great old english tale

What disappointed you about A Tale of Two Cities?

Not disappointed at all in any way. Once this is your type of title, you will enjoy.

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

The opening description. I am a fan of good, simple poetry.

What didn’t you like about Simon Vance’s performance?

Excellent! In my book of favorite narrator's (up there with Roy Dotrice - Game of Thrones Series).

What character would you cut from A Tale of Two Cities?

Hmm, objectively, none. Each tale has its own set of characters and character development, which contributes to a whole. At least from my limited POV.

Any additional comments?

Wish the book was longer! Reading and listening was an awesome experience with this title!

A job well done

Would you listen to A Tale of Two Cities [Tantor] again? Why?

Yes, I would. There were some parts that I had a hard time understanding, so I would rewind and listen again. This was my first experience with Dickens (besides A Christmas Carol) and it was beyond enjoyable. I believe that I'll revisit this book in the future not only for another listen but to read it as well.

What other book might you compare A Tale of Two Cities [Tantor] to and why?

I'm not sure what else to compare it to! It was a fantastic story of courage, wrong-doing, sacrifice, hardship and love

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did a fantastic job with the narration. I wouldn't have been able to pronounce all of the French names and words so it was really nice hearing him say them. It was very smooth.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were a couple of times where I found myself chuckling and I never cried but I definitely felt some sorrow for the characters.

Any additional comments?

This was a fantastic book and I would say that I'm officially a fan of Dickens. I'll definitely be revisiting A Tale of Two Cities and his other works as well. I would definitely give this book a chance.

Great narration of a great book

Simon Vance does a great job narrating this wonderful book. The madness of crowds is scary, whether it's occupy Wall Street or the French Revolution.