A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
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
A LibriVox Listener
Most of the readers did well but if I had had my way Andy Minter would have read the whole book. He was excellent. His reading made the scenes he read come alive for the listener.
Great novel, mixed reading
Harry Haller
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
Runnernumber5
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.
June Waters
male readers sound much better than the female for this particular story but grateful anyway. They ARE VOLUNTEERS. I thank them ALL. MUCH APPRECIATED
A LibriVox Listener
A few of the readers were very poor: mispronounced words, overly emotional. I do prefer single reader texts.
Great book
Joanne Montgomery
slightly confusing having different accents for different chapters.
A LibriVox Listener
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
ConradR
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.