Secrets Revealed: A Tale of Two Cities
Secrets Revealed:
LibriVox recording of A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens.
Listen to this audiobook analysis of "A Tale of Two Cities", a classic 19th-century literature masterpiece. Secrets and themes revealed in this literary analysis will enhance your understanding of this timeless novel.
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris, and his release to live in London with his daughter Lucie whom he had never met. The story is set against the conditions that led up to the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.
As Dickens's best-known work of historical fiction, A Tale of Two Cities is said to be one of the best-selling novels of all time.[2][3][4] In 2003, the novel was ranked 63rd on the BBC's The Big Read poll.[5] The novel has been adapted for film, television, radio, and the stage, and has continued to influence popular culture.
Book the First: Recalled to Life
Dickens opens the novel with a sentence that has become famous:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.[6]
Plot of the first book
In 1775, Jerry Cruncher flags down the nightly mail-coach en route from London to Dover. Cruncher is an employee of Tellson's Bank in London; he carries a message for Jarvis Lorry, one of the bank's managers. Lorry sends Jerry back with the cryptic response "Recalled to Life", referring to Alexandre Manette, a French physician who has been released from the Bastille after an 18-year imprisonment. On arrival in Dover, Lorry meets Dr. Manette's daughter Lucie and her governess, Miss Pross. Believing her father to be dead, Lucie faints at the news that he is alive. Lorry takes her to France for a reunion.
In the Paris neighbourhood of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, Dr. Manette has been given lodgings by his former servant Ernest Defarge and his wife Therese, the owners of a wine shop. Lorry and Lucie find him in a small garret where he spends much of his time distractedly and obsessively making shoes – a skill he learned in prison. Lorry and Lucie take him back to England.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread
"The Sea Still Rises", an illustration for Book 2, Chapter 22 by "Phiz"
Plot of the second book
In 1780, French émigré Charles Darnay is on trial in London for treason against the British Crown. The key witnesses against him are two British spies, John Barsad and Roger Cly. Barsad claims that he would recognise Darnay anywhere, but Darnay's lawyer points out that his colleague in court, Sydney Carton, bears a strong resemblance to the prisoner. With Barsad's testimony thus undermined, Darnay is acquitted.
In Paris, the hated and abusive Marquis St. Evrémonde orders his carriage driven recklessly fast through the crowded streets, hitting and killing a child. The Marquis throws a coin to the child's father, Gaspard, to compensate him for his loss; as the Marquis drives on, a coin is flung back into the carriage.
Charles Dickens' masterpiece, A Tale of Two Cities, is a powerful tale of revolution, sacrifice, and redemption, set against the turbulent backdrop of the French Revolution.
In Secrets Revealed: A Tale of Two Cities, immerse yourself in the intricate plot and historical context that make this novel a timeless classic. Whether you're a student looking to deepen your understanding, or simply a lover of great storytelling, this audiobook provides an insightful journey through one of Dickens' most celebrated works. Ideal for both new listeners and seasoned fans, this A Tale of Two Cities audiobook explores the themes of justice, resurrection, and the complexities of human nature.
Perfect for bedtime stories for adults or learning English through literature, this recording offers a seamless way to enjoy A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Delve into the novel’s rich narrative with this full-length audiobook, which stands among the greatest audio books of all time. Whether you’re revisiting this historical novel or exploring it for the first time, this audiobook provides a comprehensive and engaging listening experience.
Subscribe and listen to A Tale of Two Cities Audiobook to uncover the secrets and themes that have made this tale endure through generations.