A Tale of Two Cities

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities is a sprawling tale of London and revolutionary Paris with a complex plot portraying the results of terror and treason, love and supreme sacrifice.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”—opening line of A Tale of Two Cities

It was the time of the French Revolution, a time of great change and great danger. It was a time when injustice was met by a lust for vengeance, and rarely was a distinction made between the innocent and the guilty. Against this tumultuous historical backdrop, Dickens’ dramatic story of adventure and courage unfolds.

Unjustly imprisoned for 18 years in the Bastille, Dr. Alexandre Manette is reunited with his daughter, the gentle Lucie Manette, and safely transported from France to England. It would seem that they could now take up the threads of their lives in peace. As fate would have it, however, the two are summoned to the Old Bailey to testify against a young Frenchman, Charles Darnay, falsely accused of treason. Strangely enough, Darnay bears an uncanny resemblance to another man in the courtroom: Sydney Carton, a dissolute barrister. It is a coincidence that saves Darnay from certain doom more than once, as the two men’s fates become intertwined with that of the Revolution.

And there is Madame Defarge, a female revolutionary who has an implacable grudge against the aristocratic Evrémonde dynasty and who knits as she watches the beheadings.

The storming of the Bastille, the death carts with their doomed human cargo, the swift drop of the blade of La Guillotine—this is the French Revolution that Charles Dickens vividly captures. Brilliantly plotted, the novel is rich in drama, romance, and heroics that culminate in a daring prison escape in the shadow of the guillotine.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Beginning and ending with some of English literature’s most famous lines, Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities thrives on tension and conflict, all set against a bloody backdrop of the French Revolution…Through the senses, Dickens transports us deeper and deeper into another era with each turn of the page. Smell the acidity of red wine as it spills on the streets and ominously stains the faces, hands, and feet of peasants who lap it up in desperation; feel the competing emotions of heartache and hope as one of Lucie’s suitors stands trial; hear the cries of the raging mob and the clangs of their weapons as they storm the Bastille; see the glint of the guillotine as it falls swiftly to its victim below. The novel’s sense of urgency and intimacy will draw you in and propel you through one of the most tumultuous times in history.” (Oprah’s Book Club)

Best of Listens, Worst of Listens

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

I love that it gave a clear view of the French Revolution and an understanding of the celebration for the people's storming of the Bastille. Dickens opening page that it was the best of times and the worst of times, gives a clear picture to the two opposing sides of this bloody history, when the good side descends into the worst of human behaviour.

It opens with the very best lines, that sum up each point along the continuum of human history. It ends with the best line of all: "It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done. It is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known."

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

It begins with one and that continues to the last line of the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Huge competition but perhaps it's the battle of equals when Miss Pross and Madame Defarge confront each other.

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

Sob!

Any additional comments?

As page one tells, this book could be written for any time in human history. The same brutality and injustice exists in our world today as it did hundreds of years ago. Dickens provides these deeds with a smattering of humour in both main and secondary characters. His wit is certainly razor-sharp.

First Zombie Novel

Any additional comments?

In my opinion this is the very first zombie apocalypse novel and the most realistic. You have to listen to it, not just because it’s a classic but because it’s so terrifyingly entertaining to experience how quickly mankind can deteriorate into hordes.

Many are obsessed with the idea of zombies. Why? Because in a way, it’s real, it happens periodically in history! I’m serious! Here is a historical fiction based in a time when people went completely insane with murderous rage and “Delivered any honest person to any guilty one”. Imagine being stuck in the middle of all that murder while trying to find your way to safety. Trying to go unnoticed in the midst of the hordes, knowing inside that not all of you will make it to the safe island away from the outbreak alive.

You may have to get past the language at first but once you get into the rhythm you will be surprised and agree with me.

A Classic

I loved the story and the perfect imagery of where it took place. The best part that I loved was and is the ending. Sad and spectacular. I absolutely loved it. Definitely recommend it.

Splendid!

A story of revenge and sacrifice, of heroes and villains, all caught up in the tumult of the French Revolution. A true classic, worthy of the title, very well performed.

A great tale indeed.

It took me several chapters to get into the story but I am so glad I persevered. This is Dickens best in my opinion and not to be missed.

A twisting tale

Where does A Tale of Two Cities rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is a interesting story written in classic Charles Dicken' s style.

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

when you found out about the twins.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lucie gets engaged.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it's better if you listen to a few chapters, think about it, and then listen a few more.

Any additional comments?

Great Classic!

Breathtaking

Stunning read - a great work - a treasure that I savored more as I listened - Bravo Mr Prebble - and thank you Charles Dickens!

Great story, fantastic narrator

A true classic and a great wonderful narration. Sometimes I thought there were more than one. Captivating indeed

If you are considering quitting, keep going

Reading the classics is often a struggle for me. The English language has changed a lot over the years. Modern novels are usually faster paced, so the classics feel slow in comparison. A Tale of Two Cities has a lot of backstory and unanswered questions through the first two sections of the book. In the third section, the pace picks up, questions are answered, and there is a payoff for the time invested reading the earlier parts. So, stick with it. I think you will enjoy the ending.

No wonder this book is a classic

I have never felt so much like I knew and understood characters from long ago. Character development is definitely Dickens’ thing.

Easily one of the best fiction books I have ever read. I’m so glad I invested the time and energy to read a book like this, where the language is not immediately accessible and you have to work at it to keep up with what’s going on.

On to David Copperfield!