A Tale of Two Cities

by

Read by Bob Neufeld

English · 15h 5m · Historical Fiction, Literary Criticism

4.7 (973 reviews)

A Tale of Two Cities is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature. The novel depicts the plight of the French peasantry demoralized by the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, the corresponding brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution, and many unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same time period. It follows the lives of several protagonists through these events. The 45-chapter novel was published in 31 weekly instalments in Dickens' new literary periodical titled All the Year Round. From April 1859 to November 1859, Dickens also republished the chapters as eight monthly sections in green covers. Dickens' previous novels had appeared only as monthly instalments. The first weekly instalment of A Tale of Two Cities ran in the first issue of All the Year Round on 30 April 1859. The last ran thirty weeks later, on 26 November. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Reviews

Very well read. Thank you.


(5 stars)

Exhausting work. Totally drained, moved, and edified. Thanks to "Revolutions" podcast for prompting me to come experience this intensely significant, masterfully crafted tale illuminating the historic essence of the French Revolution. Headed back to the podcast to continue with the history of the era and the event.

Bravo from Borneo


(5 stars)

Bravo! Bravo! A truly momentous book, gripping and moving to the end. Chapeau to Bob Neufeld for his sublime reading and by consequence making this book such a fabulous and stirring experience. Dickens' brilliance lies in the way he spends time in developing a plethora of characters in tremendous detail, replete with their own individual stories and often pedestrian and mundane circumstances. This is accomplished quite separate from the main thrust of the plot line. Then, like chess pieces, he moves them into place, each to play their part in the story. This book best optimises this approach and it is a joy to see how each character eventually reveals their role in in the plot. It's breathtaking, moving and an edifying experience to behold.

Wow, a truly inspiring book


(5 stars)

Thank you Bob Neufeld for reading this book. Mr. Neufeld put life and personality into each character which I appreciate. Such a classic book that I did not appreciate as a young person but admire today. What makes this even more impressive is that the brutal French Revolution DID happen and may have had people just like those in the book involved. It made me think again of how people can lose their humanity in wars or trauma. Charles Dickens had a clear understanding of how good and evil can rule the human spirit. A great book.


(5 stars)

The man who reads this book is outstanding in his oratory skills. Sidney Carton, the Man least among the characters, but the greatest of heroes. The ending moved me emotionally.

Great Book, Perfect Reading


(5 stars)

The book itself, I think, requires no commentary. It is an essential classic. Bob Neufeld delivers a perfect rendition.

Amazing!


(5 stars)

A wonderful reading of this masterpiece that stirs the heart and mind to all that is good. It has been 25 years since I first read and I plan to not let it be so long next time. Thank you, reader! The only improvement could have been if the sections within chapters were each listed separately. I adjusted the speed to a slightly slower pace--Dickens's writing and imagery is so rich it requires more time and thought for me to absorb.


(3 stars)

Good reading and very good story BUT the recording randomly repeats itself in places jumping at times a couple of minutes back and at other times all the way back to the beginning of the chapter. And this isn't a technical glitch as the countdown on the recording continues as if nothing happened. Sadly, i won't finish listening to the book as not having read it before i cannot trust the recording to be in the correct order and complete.

It was the best of reviews, it was the worst of reviews


(4.5 stars)

First of all, this book is read superbly! My congratulations to Mr. Neufeld on a great job! The book, of course, is an absolute classic. Of course, as with nearly all older books, we have outdated elements, but they are easily overlooked, at least in this one. Again, incredibly read by Mr. Neufeld, one of my favorites on LibriVox! Best for ages 13+