A TALE OF TWO CITIES

The presentation of this classic about the French Revolution, the sufferings of Dr. Manette, and the sacrifice of Sidney Carton maintains Cover to Cover's high standards. Richard Pasco's plummy voice gives the text the richness and dignity it deserves. His characterizations are fine, but his greatest contribution is the measured pace he establishes with the narrator's voice. A scene in which a peasant child is ground under the carriage wheels of a scolding marquis allows Pasco to capture with moving impact the stark opposites of the Revolution. Intensifying the sense of drama, his restraint and deliberation also encourage reflection by the listener. For unabridged recording, a Dickens book requires the verbal presence of a master storyteller solidly in control, and Pasco's voice admirably meets these demands. G.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]