A Tale of Two Cities

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." One of the most well-known pieces of literature to date, and it's still absolutely magical. The story of two men, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, who look very similar but are in fact very different. Both are in love with Lucie Manette. The story follows the trials of these characters, leading up to Darnay being imprisoned for being an...more

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." One of the most well-known pieces of literature to date, and it's still absolutely magical. The story of two men, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, who look very similar but are in fact very different. Both are in love with Lucie Manette. The story follows the trials of these characters, leading up to Darnay being imprisoned for being an aristocrat, a traitor, and an emigrant. After many more events and playing of games, Darnay is eventually sent to execution. On the day of his execution, Carton visits Darnay and, because of his love for Lucie and friendship for Darnay, offers to switch places with him. Following that the most exciting part of the novel (probably the last hundred pages or so) are absolutely epic. The novel ends beautifully with Carton's death. Dickens once again weaves a beautifully moral message in the text and questions patriotism, guilt, hope, shame, and ultimately, redemption in a positively riveting way. "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known." ~ Sydney Carton, last lines I actually read this book when i was in my 7th grade or so,and looooved it eversince.specially the ending i remember memorizing it as it is sooo touchy.   hide

In my humble opinion quite simply the best novel by the best author of the nineteenth century. I know many don't rate it in comparison to his other works, but for me it is a superb thriller, a historical novel, a political tract and a superb treatise on humanity. Many novels have memorable opening lines. Many have memorable closing lines. This is the only one I know which has both. If you...more

In my humble opinion quite simply the best novel by the best author of the nineteenth century. I know many don't rate it in comparison to his other works, but for me it is a superb thriller, a historical novel, a political tract and a superb treatise on humanity. Many novels have memorable opening lines. Many have memorable closing lines. This is the only one I know which has both. If you need reminded "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and "It is a far greater thing that I do now than I have evr done before. It is a far, far gretaer rest I go to now than I have evr known before" Sheer poetry. If you have never read it give yourself a treat and buy it NOW   hide

Felt it best to notch up a Dickens for Book Club seeing as it was his 200th birthday recently. A very rewarding re-read of a classic and still has the best closing line ever in fiction - in my opinion ;-)

A classic but not my preferred reading.

A Tale of Two Cities is a moral novel strongly concerned with themes of resurrection, imprisonment, revolution, shame, redemption, social injustice, self-sacrifice, and patriotism. It is one of Dickens's only two ventures into historical fiction (Barnaby Rudge is the other one). The novel has fewer characters and sub-plots than typical for Dickens. The author's primary source was The French...more

A Tale of Two Cities is a moral novel strongly concerned with themes of resurrection, imprisonment, revolution, shame, redemption, social injustice, self-sacrifice, and patriotism. It is one of Dickens's only two ventures into historical fiction (Barnaby Rudge is the other one). The novel has fewer characters and sub-plots than typical for Dickens. The author's primary source was The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle: Dickens wrote in his Preface to Tale that "no one can hope to add anything to the philosophy of Mr CARLYLE'S wonderful book"[11] Carlyle's view that history cycles through destruction and resurrection was an important influence on the novel, illustrated especially well by the life and death of Sydney Carton.The novel covers a period between 1757 and 1793, up to the middle period of the French Revolution.The novel is primarily a great story. Originally published as a serial novel in a newspaper, its installments often both begin and end with great drama and mystery. Dickens' take on the French Revolution is balanced: he describes the atrocities committed by both sides.The two cities referred to in the title are London and Paris. Pairs and doublings (of people, places, etc.) fill the novel.   hide

This is one of my favorite Dickens' novels..."it was the best of times...it was the worst of times..."

A Tale of Two Cities occupies a central place in the canon of Charles Dickens's works. This novel of the French Revolution was originally serialized in the author's own periodical All the Year Round. Weekly publication of chapters 1-3 of Book 1 began on April 30, 1859. In an innovative move, Dickens simultaneously released installments of the novel on a monthly basis, beginning with all of Book 1...more

A Tale of Two Cities occupies a central place in the canon of Charles Dickens's works. This novel of the French Revolution was originally serialized in the author's own periodical All the Year Round. Weekly publication of chapters 1-3 of Book 1 began on April 30, 1859. In an innovative move, Dickens simultaneously released installments of the novel on a monthly basis, beginning with all of Book 1 in June and concluding with the last eight chapters of Book 3 in December. Dickens took advantage of the novel's serial publication to experiment with characterization, plot, and theme. He described the work in a letter to his friend John Forster, cited in Rudi Glancy's A Tale of Two Cities: Dickens's Revolutionary Novel, as "a picturesque story rising in every chapter, with characters true to nature, but whom the story should express more than they should express themselves by dialogue." The novel that emerged from his experimentation is now regarded as one of Dickens's most popular and most innovative works.   hide

Truly a classic!

I have read this book several times due to schooling and each time I wonder how Dickens has become known as a great author. His writing style is pathetic, and wordy I wouldn't recommend reading this or any other of his books unless you have so much time you want to waste hours.... This book was painfully slow. Just another example of the hack that Charles Dickens actually was. The man was paid...more

I have read this book several times due to schooling and each time I wonder how Dickens has become known as a great author. His writing style is pathetic, and wordy I wouldn't recommend reading this or any other of his books unless you have so much time you want to waste hours.... This book was painfully slow. Just another example of the hack that Charles Dickens actually was. The man was paid by the word so used hundreds where one well though out and chosen word would have sufficed. The as always the story line is good it is the writing that is hideous.   hide