A Tale of Two Cities [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

I feel that this book is not viewed as being one of the top tier of Dickens works due to the fact that it is thrust upon grade 9 students as an introduction to literary classics and, being so, its impact and overall cultural power has become diluted due to the audience that initially received it. It is not in regards to the content of the work itself. The intellectual abilities of students of this educational level are not able to understand the historical era, appreciate the fluent descriptive nature of the writing nor to comprehend the literary nuances that the author presents. In sum, it starts out with a less than average evaluation, by a less than receptive audience, and never fully recovers from it. A similar writing that undergoes an equally unfair youth-driven summary is that of `Silas Marner'.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. etc...." Dickens in his introductory remarks clearly lays out the tone for the rest of his historical novel; everything that is presented has two different and opposing definitions depending solely on how one views life's occurrences. What appears to be a revolution to overcome decades of elitist oppression to some, appears to be a retaliatory blood bath to others and who the people that appear to be the heroes of a just and timely uprising to some, appear to be no more than blood thirsty criminals to others. The contrast that Dickens verbally paints for us goes that much deeper; the calm and serene life in England vs. the agitated emotional level of Paris, the significant differences between the French and English Tellson Banks operations, and the respect of the ruling elite of London for the utter disdain for Paris's monsignors. Couple these contrasts with Dickens's literary description of the guttural smells and aromas of death and revenge, the pathos and vengeance felt throughout Paris and the contrasting peace and calm experienced in London and you have a novel that highlights the dichotomy that life was during this era. The dividing line to how one viewed life was simply from where you viewed it. The English Channel was the line of demarcation and it solely depended on which side of it one resided to determine how one defined life itself.

"It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done. etc...." Dickens closes his tale in the same manner in which he began it; contrasting definitions. Sidney Carton, the drudgery of mankind who overdrinks, sells his soul to the highest paying litigant and resides in the gutters of society is the man who sacrifices himself for all that is pure, loving and honorable in life. He gives up his life such that the woman from whom he experiences unrequited love may go on and obtain the life that he realizes that he would never have.

No, this is not the tale we thought it was when we were forced to absorb its contents during our early high school years. But, yet, the overall opinions regarding this historical novel reflect our early formed and juvenile opinions. This, instead, is one of Charles Dickens most powerful and engrossing tales of human existence, belonging to not only a tier#1 level of Dickens's novels but a tier #1 level of all English literature.

It is always the best of times. It is always the worst of times......

I will never, the rest of my life forget these two sentences. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...." and at closing "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."

Wow, this is not your usual Dickens. No quirky characters with strange names and laugh out loud moments, just a darn good story -- the story of two cities, London and Paris. It is difficult to put the plot into words, but when the book begins you are in London at the time of the American revolution and spies (or suspected spies) abound, and the story eventually switches to France prior to and during the French revolution.

Dickens does a marvelous job (as always) of building his story one step at a time and slowly peeling back the layers one at a time. This is not a put down and pick it up a week later kind of a book, it is very intense and complicated and you have to pay close attention. I was just floored at how he sucked me in with his descriptions of the mobs, terror and the madness of the revolution leading you to a nail biting finish. I admit to holding my breath during those last few pages!

Highly recommended, and well worth the time to discover (or rediscover) an old classic.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES, by Charles Dickens, is without a doubt one of the great classics of literature. Set in the time of the French Revolution, an unsuspecting Frenchman, Charles Darnay, is thrown into the middle of the revolution as a victim of the vengeance of the revolutionaries. His life is saved only through the hidden kindness of a comrade. This book is an excellent account of the kinds of things that happened in France during the late 1700's. It is truly a soap opera for its time with love, heartbreak, mystery, and joy which is what makes this book one you should definitely read. Also try BARK OF THE DOGWOOD for a jaw-dropping and riveting read.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 304 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Charles Dickens - A Tale of Two Cities
At times confusing, Dickens writes in time and space jumps. This allows for certain advantages, but on the flip side, the novel is difficult to begin enjoying. Read more

Published on Aug 12 2009 by Martin Chayer

5.0 out of 5 stars Freakin Awesome!
This book is, like, wicked awesome and stuff! Everything is there: romance, drama, suspense, comedy and drama. Dickers writes a mean novel about the French Revolution. Read more

Published on April 18 2008 by Joel Cormier

5.0 out of 5 stars The most unforgettable opening and closing sentences ever found in a book!
I will never, the rest of my life forget these two sentences. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.... Read more

Published on Feb 25 2008 by Misfit

5.0 out of 5 stars Of the three
Of the three books I've read lately, this one is the best. The other two were John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," and "The Bark of the Dogwood" by Jackson... Read more

Published on July 7 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Retelling!
This book is for anyone who ever tried to have a deeper understanding of A Tale of Two Cities without great success. I will use this book for my ESOL students. Read more

Published on July 4 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
I read this book in 8th grade, and I couldn't put it down. I read it all in one sitting because I enjoyed it so much. Read more

Published on Jun 20 2004 by Charles N. Hayward

5.0 out of 5 stars See my suggestion for a subtitle at end of review.
One of the great mysteries of 19th century literature is how this book got this name. A subtitle might help. Read more

Published on Jun 15 2004 by Ted Magnuson

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
Of all the Dickens novels, this one is his best. OLIVER TWIST or DAVID COPPERFIELD are great--don't get me wrong, but A TALE is by far the most interesting. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves its Title as a Classic
I chose this book to read as I recovered from surgery. I figured if there was ever a time when I would have the patience for a Victorian book that has been dubbed a classic by... Read more

Published on May 27 2004 by Adam Shah

4.0 out of 5 stars all you would expect from Charles Dickens, and more
I have been reading this book for a long long time, and I can truthfully say that it is the most difficult book that I have ever read. Read more

Published on May 27 2004 by Dewey Tse Jr.

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 304 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!