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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...'

About the Author

Charles Dickens was born in Hampshire on February 7, 1812. His father was a clerk in the navy pay office, who was well paid but often ended up in financial troubles. When Dickens was twelve years old he was send to work in a shoe polish factory because his family had been taken to the debtors' prison. Fagin is named after a boy Dickens disliked at the factory. His career as a writer of fiction started in 1833 when his short stories and essays began to appear in periodicals. The Pickwick Papers, his first commercial success, was published in 1836. In the same year he married the daughter of his friend George Hogarth, Catherine Hogarth. The serialisation of Oliver Twist began in 1837 while The Pickwick Papers was still running. Many other novels followed and The Old Curiosity Shop brought Dickens international fame and he became a celebrity in America as well as Britain. He separated from his wife in 1858. Charles Dickens died on 9 June 1870, leaving his last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Reviews

It is really one of his best. There are passages so spattered with violence and blood that you look out for the red blotches on the page in front of you...brilliantly plotted
*Daily Telegraph*

Dickens's story of love, espionage and Anglo-French relations
*Scotsman*

When I was very much younger I used to think that A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens was the most wonderful book in all the world. I was particularly moved by Sydney Carton dying in the place of Charles Evremonde and thought this was a wonderful act but, in fact, of course in later years if you read it, it becomes an incredibly selfish act
*Independent*

Dickens writes about Parisian and London society with such grittiness and truth, you become immersed
*Anne Charleston (Madge from Neighbours!!)*

Dickens's magnificent account of the revolution and one of his best (and shortest) novels
*Observer*

Gr 9 Up-Charles Dickens's classic tale of one family's suffering during the French Revolution is brought to life in this audio adaptation. The voice of Audie Award-winning narrator Simon Vance sets the tone for the characters and creates the Dickensesqe mood of the times when the rich and the poor were far apart and no one was exempt from the ensuing wrath during the Revolution. Vance's stone varies from soothing to animated while creating different voices for the characters and using appropriate accents. A bonus feature on the last CD is an e-book in pdf format that can be printed or used as a read-along while listening to the audio. This easily navigated feature would be particularly helpful for struggling readers.-Jeana Actkinson, Bridgeport High School, TX Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

It is really one of his best. There are passages so spattered with violence and blood that you look out for the red blotches on the page in front of you...brilliantly plotted -- A.N. Wilson * Daily Telegraph *
Dickens's story of love, espionage and Anglo-French relations * Scotsman *
When I was very much younger I used to think that A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens was the most wonderful book in all the world. I was particularly moved by Sydney Carton dying in the place of Charles Evremonde and thought this was a wonderful act but, in fact, of course in later years if you read it, it becomes an incredibly selfish act -- Anne Widdecombe * Independent *
Dickens writes about Parisian and London society with such grittiness and truth, you become immersed -- Anne Charleston (Madge from Neighbours!!)
Dickens's magnificent account of the revolution and one of his best (and shortest) novels * Observer *