A Tale of Two Cities


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 1545 reviews)

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a historical novel by Charles Dickens; it is moreover a moral novel strongly concerned with themes of guilt, shame, redemption and patriotism.

The plot centers on the years leading up to French Revolution and culminates in the Jacobin Reign of Terror. It tells the story of two men, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, who look very alike but are entirely different in character.(Summary from Wikipedia) (14 hr 59 min)

Chapters

I.I: The Period 6:49 Read by Michael Sirois
I.II: The Mail 14:53 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
I.III: The Night Shadows 12:07 Read by Chip
I.IV: The Preparation 29:57 Read by Chip
I.V: The Wineshop 26:23 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
I.VI: The Shoemaker 23:42 Read by Jamey Osborne
II.I: Five Years Later 14:19 Read by Zale Schafer (Rose May Chamberlin Memorial Foundat
II.II: A Sight 17:55 Read by Chip
II.III: A Disappointment 36:14 Read by Chip
II.IV: Congratulatory 17:33 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
II.V: The Jackal 14:30 Read by Chip
II.VI: Hundreds of People 26:20 Read by Tora
II.VII: Monseigneur in Town 22:40 Read by Kristin LeMoine
II.VIII: Monseigneur in the Country 13:37 Read by Chip
II.IX: The Gorgon's Head 27:44 Read by Nocturna
II.X: Two Promises 21:07 Read by Susan Denney
II.XI: A Companion Picture 7:53 Read by Kevin McAsh
II.XII: The Fellow of Delicacy 14:46 Read by Kevin McAsh
II.XIII: The Fellow of no Delicacy 18:18 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
II.XIV: The Honest Tradesman 24:56 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.XV: Knitting 26:16 Read by Betsie Bush
II.XVI: Still Knitting 30:34 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
II.XVII: One Night 11:53 Read by Patrick
II.XVIII: Nine Days 16:57 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
II.XIX: An Opinion 21:09 Read by Chip
II.XX: A Plea 7:25 Read by KentF
II.XXI: Echoing Footsteps 26:18 Read by Zale Schafer (Rose May Chamberlin Memorial Foundat
II.XXII: The Sea Still Rises 13:01 Read by Zale Schafer (Rose May Chamberlin Memorial Foundat
II.XXIII: Fire Rises 19:51 Read by Peter Eastman
II.XXIV: Drawn to the Loadstone Rock 30:00 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.I: In Secret 26:31 Read by Marian Brown
III.II: The Grindstone 14:44 Read by Tora
III.III: The Shadow 12:44 Read by Patrick
III.IV: Calm in Storm 15:02 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.V: The Woodsawyer 16:43 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.VI: Triumph 17:29 Read by Nocturna
III.VII: A Knock at the Door 11:45 Read by Tora
III.VIII: A Hand at Cards 30:26 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
III.IX: The Game Made 27:45 Read by Tora
III.X: The Substance of the Shadow 35:49 Read by Michael Sirois
III.XI: Dusk 9:15 Read by Deborah Clark
III.XII: Darkness 19:30 Read by Deborah Clark
III.XIII: Fiftytwo 23:52 Read by Caroline Morse
III.XIV: The Knitting Done 28:16 Read by Moira Fogarty
III.XV: The Footsteps Die Out For Ever 14:37 Read by Michael Sirois

Reviews

Great novel, mixed reading


(4 stars)

The story is every bit as good as I had always heard. Most of the readers are good, and none terrible. One thing I fail to understand, though, is how some readers consistently mispronounce words. I understand that they are volunteers, and not everyone could do as well as even the mediocre readers, but I wish every one who records a book or chapter would read each section through at least once before recording and look up the correct pronunciation for any words that aren't familiar. Still, to those reviewers who complained about there being so many different readers, yes, it's distracting and sometimes disappointing--but where do you expect Librivox to find enough people who will volunteer to read 800 pages out loud, let alone do it like a practiced professional?

Superb Classic


(5 stars)

The book is wonderful as we’ve all come to expect the pen of Charles Dickens to produce. The reading was good. Only one or two chapters were read with some static interference and it was difficult to understand. 95% was read clearly and brilliantly, giving life and character to each word.


(4 stars)

male readers sound much better than the female for this particular story but grateful anyway. They ARE VOLUNTEERS. I thank them ALL. MUCH APPRECIATED


(3 stars)

A few of the readers were very poor: mispronounced words, overly emotional. I do prefer single reader texts.

Great book


(4 stars)

slightly confusing having different accents for different chapters.


(2.5 stars)

This 8s 5e first time I have “read” this book...and upon learning the Charles Dickens was paid by the word...I understand d now why he repeated so many phrases and sentences. But being able to catch the essence of what .lives was like for those embroiled in the unrest of the French Revolution brings a whole new respect for the authors that recorded it. It is a very long read, and hard to follow at times, but well worth it in the end. Thank you to all the readers that enable others to hear these stories. May you continue to offer such a wonderful service

Fascinating glimpse of the French Revolution


(4 stars)

I found the story quite gripping in places, though in others far too long winded for this era. Wonderful descriptive passages gave a feel of 'being there'. As a book I would have become bored, but in audio I was rewarded for my patience. Most of the Readers were very good, bar one too fast, one too over emphasized and one too breathy - for my taste. That said, 'I take my hat off' to them all for giving their time freely.

this is what passes for a classic?


(3 stars)

this book is super boring. also unless you're not going to understand the story just by listening to the audiobook, you'll need to read the cliffnotes to understand the plot. I don't know how this became a classic. as for the readers, they were fine. no complaints there.