A Tale of Two Cities

Considered a classic and required reading in many high schools, this Dickens novel is more romantic than many of his other works. There are plenty of plot twists and action along with stick to your ribs characters. Like many a Dickens story, it is great to read to kids. Haven't read it? Most culturally literate people have. Even if you haven't, I'm certain you have heard it...more

Considered a classic and required reading in many high schools, this Dickens novel is more romantic than many of his other works. There are plenty of plot twists and action along with stick to your ribs characters. Like many a Dickens story, it is great to read to kids. Haven't read it? Most culturally literate people have. Even if you haven't, I'm certain you have heard it quoted. "It was the best of times of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom..." and "It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done..." Oh yes, don't miss the Revolution along the way.   hide

Read this in 10th grade. Loved it even though I had to read it. Lots of good imagery: "Knitting, Knitting, Knitting." A great story set in the context of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. Dickens was paid by the word, so fair warning. You could cut out about a third of the words and it would still be a great book. Maybe better. Remember they didn't have television back then, so maybe...more

Read this in 10th grade. Loved it even though I had to read it. Lots of good imagery: "Knitting, Knitting, Knitting." A great story set in the context of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. Dickens was paid by the word, so fair warning. You could cut out about a third of the words and it would still be a great book. Maybe better. Remember they didn't have television back then, so maybe OK that the descriptions seem ponderously long.   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

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

"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

A classic but not my preferred reading.

This was my first, and so far only, Dickens book I've read, but it stands out as one of my favorite works of literature. Dickens sets himself apart from other writers of the Victorian era (the Brontes, Austen, Joyce, etc.) by his flair for mixing drama and wit. His prose sparkles with flavor. The section where he describes the French nobleman taking his chocolate is laugh-out-loud material, and...more

This was my first, and so far only, Dickens book I've read, but it stands out as one of my favorite works of literature. Dickens sets himself apart from other writers of the Victorian era (the Brontes, Austen, Joyce, etc.) by his flair for mixing drama and wit. His prose sparkles with flavor. The section where he describes the French nobleman taking his chocolate is laugh-out-loud material, and his numerous asides and slight syntactical jabs bring levity to an otherwise deeply emotional read. The main characters shine in their nobility; they're easy people to look up to, if at times a bit inhuman. Syndey Carton is probably the most enticing character, and the only one who seems to struggle with sincere internal conflict, making him the most-likely fixing point of the reader's empathy. It's a thick book, so prepare to invest some time into it, because it's definitely worth the effort.   hide

This is my favourite Dickens, and I love Dickens at the moment, so that's saying something. This has the lot, love, violence, adventure, redemption - all set against a back drop of a vividly described, very bloody French revolution. This would make a superb adaptation for TV - as it touches on so many genres that would appeal. The latter half of the book I just couldn't put down...more

This is my favourite Dickens, and I love Dickens at the moment, so that's saying something. This has the lot, love, violence, adventure, redemption - all set against a back drop of a vividly described, very bloody French revolution. This would make a superb adaptation for TV - as it touches on so many genres that would appeal. The latter half of the book I just couldn't put down - and it rattled through, and even made me well up at one point. Love it. This has to my favourite Dickens. I found it absolutely thrilling, especially towards the end. I am a big fan of Dickens - but this has it all, love, violence, revenge, thrills, redemption all set against the back drop of a vividly described French revolution. This would make a great adaptation for TV - it has the lot. Highly recommended.   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 ;-)