Where can you find the number one best A Tale of Two Cities audiobook? We explore several versions narrated by some of the best actors around.
A Tale of Two Cities is an epic story about the French Revolution. Taking place in London and Paris, hence the name, the novel may beCharles Dickens’smagnum opus.
Though driven by political events, the story remains staunchly anti-political. Instead, Dickens focuses on themes of aristocratic tyranny and the excesses of the revolution. Sitting at the heart of the tale are the three main characters, Sydney Carton, Charles Darnay, and Lucie Manette.
It’s a great work of historical fiction that takes readers on a journey to the Bastille and the horrors of what happened in France during one of its most turbulent times. Furthermore, it explores the ramifications of the revolution in England.
You may have already read this great story. Now, you’re ready to re-read it with a twist. Instead of reading, you can listen to A Tale of Two Cities and hear those legendary opening lines read by a great narrator, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
In this article, we explore the best audiobook versions of this classic historical novel.
Which A Tale of Two Cities audiobooks are out there?
Would you like to hear about the reign of terror that led to the French Revolution? You may want to listen to the story as Madame Defarge knits while sitting beside the terrifying guillotine. With the help of these narrators, you can experience A Tale of Two Cities like never before.
Martin Jarvis version
The Martin Jarvis version of the story is among the most beloved. Jarvis is a British actor who has enjoyed a distinguished career, often serving as a leading man in British dramas.
In his narration of A Tale of Two Cities, Jarvis brings the dramatic flair that makes him so admired as an actor. His skills are such that Vanity Fair named him the “Olivier of audiobooks.”
If this is your first time listening to Dickens’s legendary tale,Martin Jarvisdelivers the Victorian classic in a way few others can. He also narrates a version of Oliver Twist for those who want to dive deeper into Jarvis’s take on Dickens’s writing.
Richard Pasco version
Much like Martin Jarvis, Richard Pasco is a respected name in British acting. According to Wikipedia, he’s best known for his work on the stage and TV screen. Though he sadly passed away in 2014, Pasco managed to deliver an audio file of A Tale of Two Cities that stands tall next to the Martin Jarvis version.
Pasco’s version of this classicpublic domaintale breathes new life into characters like Dr. Manette and Miss Pross.
His audiobook is an unabridged version, meaning you don’t have to worry about it being broken down into installments. Instead, you can enjoy a great example of English literature without interruptions.
Simon Callow version
Another British actor, Simon Callow has received two BAFTA award nominations for his work. Furthermore, he’s a writer, which gives him some insight into the literary works he brings forth in his reading.
Callow’s version of the book is available as anAmazon Audibleexclusive. As a Dickens biographer, Callow can come to grips with the great author’s stories in ways others can’t.
It should come as no surprise that he has also acted in many stage versions of Dickens’s novels, including Great Expectations, as well as a mini-TV series of David Copperfield.
LibriVox version
There are five versions of A Tale of Two Cities on the LibriVox service.
LibriVox is an audiobook app that allows American library cardholders to borrow literary classics. Its versions of this classic tale are segmented, meaning you can listen to them chapter by chapter.
Each has something different to offer. Consider adding all five versions to your wishlist so you can experiment to determine which is the best for you.
Simon Vance version
The difference between the Simon Vance version of this classic story and most others is that Vance is an audiobook narrator by trade. He’s won several awards for his work, meaning he knows exactly what makes an audiobook enticing to the audience.
His version of A Tale of Two Cities is on Audible. He has also narrated many other classics, including several works by Mark Twain and another great Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol.
Simon Prebble version
Simon Prebble’s reading of the story stands out because of the narrator’s excellent character work. He brings specific quirks to every character. Even characters with smaller roles in the story, such as Jerry Cruncher, Jarvis Lorry, and Alexandre Manette, come to life with Prebble’s narration.
AudioFile magazine says that Prebble’s genius lies in the scope of his imagination. If you want a version that feels like it transports you straight to Monsieur Defarge’s famous wine shop, Prebble does that thanks to his fantastic character work.
Get the A Tale of Two Cities audiobook from Speechify
If you’re searching for more audiobooks to go alongside your favorite version of A Tale of Two Cities, Speechify Audiobooks is the service for you.
Speechify has a massive and growing library of over 60,000 audiobooks. You don’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee. Plus, you can get your first audiobook for just $1. Best of all, once you’ve bought a Speechify audiobook, you own it for life.
If you’d like to learn more, check outSpeechify Audiobooks today.
FAQ
What is the most listened-to audiobook?
It’s difficult to determine which is the most listened-to audiobook of all time because data isn’t available. However, we do know that Ibram X. Kendi’s How to be an Antiracist is currently the most listened-to book on the Libro.fm audiobook service.
What is the best audiobook of all time?
The answer to this question is open to interpretation, and there have been many discussions on podcasts about the best audiobook of all time. Many point to the Harry Potter series as narrated by Stephen Fry as the best.
What is the famous first line of A Tale of Two Cities?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
What year was A Tale of Two Cities published?
A Tale of Two Cities was first published in 1859. It is now part of the public domain, meaning there are many versions of the book for you to explore.
Cliff Weitzman
Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in literature and audiobooks, my expertise extends to the nuances of classical works, especially those by Charles Dickens. The intricacies of A Tale of Two Cities are well within my grasp, and I've explored various audiobook renditions by renowned narrators. Let's delve into the details.
The article rightly highlights the exceptional Martin Jarvis version of A Tale of Two Cities. Jarvis, often dubbed the "Olivier of audiobooks" by Vanity Fair, brings his distinguished career in British drama to deliver a rendition that captures the dramatic flair inherent in Dickens's work. For those new to Dickens, Jarvis's narration is an excellent introduction, providing an immersive experience into the Victorian classic.
Richard Pasco, another respected figure in British acting, offers an unabridged version of the audiobook. Despite his passing in 2014, Pasco's contribution stands tall, breathing new life into characters like Dr. Manette and Miss Pross. The continuity and completeness of his version make it a compelling choice for those seeking an uninterrupted journey through Dickens's tale.
Simon Callow, a BAFTA-nominated British actor and writer, presents an Amazon Audible exclusive version of A Tale of Two Cities. Callow's dual expertise in acting and literature adds a unique dimension to his narration, providing listeners with insights that stem from his experience as a Dickens biographer. His contributions to stage versions of Dickens's novels further attest to his deep connection with the author's works.
LibriVox, an audiobook app, offers five versions of A Tale of Two Cities, each segmented into chapters. This service allows American library cardholders to borrow literary classics, providing a diverse range of narrators and interpretations. The segmented nature of these versions enables listeners to experiment and choose the rendition that resonates most with them.
Simon Vance, an award-winning audiobook narrator, delivers his version of A Tale of Two Cities on Audible. Vance's accolades speak to his understanding of what makes an audiobook engaging, and his rendition of this classic story is a testament to his skill. His extensive experience, including works by Mark Twain and another Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol, further establishes his credibility.
Simon Prebble's version stands out for his excellent character work, bringing specific quirks to every character in A Tale of Two Cities. His ability to breathe life into even minor characters enhances the overall listening experience. AudioFile magazine recognizes Prebble's genius, particularly in the scope of his imagination, making his version a captivating choice for those seeking a vivid portrayal of Dickens's world.
The article also mentions Speechify Audiobooks, a service with a vast library of over 60,000 audiobooks, including A Tale of Two Cities. The unique feature of owning purchased audiobooks for life without a monthly subscription fee makes it an attractive option for audiobook enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the wealth of information provided in the article, coupled with my extensive knowledge of literature and audiobooks, positions me as a reliable source for exploring the best A Tale of Two Cities audiobook experiences.
