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)

Amazing characters descriptions and plot

I found the story a little difficult to follow at times but the author does a wonderful job weaving mysterious parts of the story into a satisfying whole.
Dickens incredible descriptions of each of the characters was so well done as to place in my mind portrait like photographs of each of them.
The author uses the masterful ability he had with words to describe the plight of the downtrodden and the stone hearted ones that put them in their plight.
The narrator was fantastic and enjoyable listening experience! Like a delicious piece of pizza to my palate was his vocal performance to my ear.
I highly recommend this audio version of Charles Dickens classic.

Great reading of a classic

Excellent reading by Simon Vance (must be an actor). He had great character voice distinction and tempo. The story itself is a classic so I won’t comment much other than it does start slow and is a bit tough to piece together initially when listening. Also, keeping track of characters is more difficult when listening but this is probably the best, or one of the best, renditions available.

Excellent narration of a marvelous story

Well deserving of enduring praise. Very thought provoking. Surprisingly relevant to modern times. Let's hope we learn from history rather than having to repeat it.

Intriguing story, excellent narration

This is the third Charles Dickens book that I've read (so far) and it is my favourite. Whether it's because of the story, which brings the turbulent times surrounding the French Revolution to life with heart and humanity, or because of the audiobook's excellent narration - or a bit of both - I really found a gem with this book, which had been on my TBL list for the longest of times. I'm looking forward to more Charles Dickens books read by other excellent narrators now!

oh Dickens...

1) this is obviously a great classic and given that it concerned the French Revolution, I wasn't about to skip it.

2) with all the talk of dystopian literature today, the idea of a book that confronts dystopia and ultimately finds redemption within it, and points out that suffering always comes and goes is rather appealing.

3) the melodrama of the story is fun and this is probably the most enjoyable Dickens novel I have read.

4) that said...the tone and characters are so simpering as to be cringeworthy. Sydney Carton wins for most realistic character, and he's the only one who is truly dynamic. I find a lot about Victorian England fascinating, but...gah.

if you want to try Dickens, start here. he's just not my guy, apparently.

Dickens is amazing,

I just love it although it was a bit wordy. I thought the narrator was excellent and of course I would hardly dare to criticize Dickens. I mean a tale of two cities is such a classic it would take a lot of nerve to criticize it deep meaning was touching and inspiring.

Classic I never read...Glad I listened!

Excellent story, and clever writing, I see why Charles Dickens is a classic novel it.

Another Classic Finally Off My List

A Tale of Two Cities is a book that's Sat on my to read pile for years and years and years. Somehow I've never gotten past it's famous beginning. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in deed.
Clearly the fault was in me since Simon Vance brought this book to life for me. I couldn't put the story down and even found myself stay in up past two on one night because I just needed 'one more chapter' that turned into one more and one more and one more and so the night went.
This one is a classic for a reason and I don't know how I missed out on it for so long.

Classic classical

Great listen, feel bad I never read such a classic. I 'll listen to it again.

Charles Dickens at his best

I have enjoyed both the performance & the performer. Great price. you should enjoy it too.