Customer Reviews

A Tale of Two Cities

5 star:		(157)
4 star:		(61)
3 star:		(38)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

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.

Charles Dickens' genius is clearly displayed in this excellent work. His characters are multifaceted and complex. The time that he spends describing the physical characteristics, habits, education and social/life background of each character are all necessary to the plot. By the end you will identify with them as real people and more. Dickens' use of a story within a story at the end adds a fascinating twist.

However, I do not recommend this book for those who seek instant gratification, or for those who require a unidirectional plot. There are many instances where Mr. Dickens leads his reader down what could be construed as a dark alley or a dead end. Read on. You will be rewarded.

DON'T MISS THIS ONE

RJ

Even after many centuries, a classic novel can still be read, understood and charm a wide audience. For it teaches the reader about life and death, society and history through a magnificent story. "A Tale of Two Cities", written in 1859, is one of those classics.

This magnificent story begins a year before the American Independence and several years before the French Revolution. As only Dickens can, he breathes life into the most bizarre, comical and memorable characters... such as Madame Defarge, Miss Pross, Jerry Cruncher and a slew of others. But in the midst of these people, the light shines on the few characters on which the story hence revolves. About Lucie Manette who has a true and beautiful heart that affects everyone around her and her aristocratic husband Charles Darnay, an ambitious man of French blood. Dr. Manette who after surviving 18 years in jail overcomes his weakness to rescue another. The light shines strongly upon Sydney Carton... a man who doesn't seem very redeemable in the beginning but who has a heart of gold who is capable of the greatest sacrifice of all for the woman he loves. It is these people whom Dickens chose to give life to during the grim and bloody French Revolution.

This novel is one of my most favorite of Dickens' novels. The hero and the heroine are rather complex and admirable characters. However, they are not necessarily the ones that win the sympathy and the heart of the reader... but suprisingly (and pleasantly) to the most unexpected of Dickens' character. On another note, the novel starts with a famous and recognizable opening line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." and ends with a very memorable line, "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." To which I give great credit to the novel by Mr. Dickens.

I first read this book over fifteen years ago and it says something about the potency of the story that I (who am usually bad at remembering names) can still rattle off the characters' names -- Sidney Carton, Doctor and Lucy Mannette, Charles Darnay, Madame DeFarge ... I began reading the book sitting outside on a hot summer day, but was soon actually feeling cold as I was drawn into the freezing rain and mud of the openning scene on the Dover Mail coach. This book has it all: romance and tragedy, mystery and history, revolutionary atrocities and courtroom drama, not to mention both openning and closing lines which are unforgettable and famous (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ...). It's a book that truly transports you to another time, one of history's most terrible and frightening, as well as one of its most idealistic and noble. A word to all those kids who had to read it for school and gave it bad reviews: there is something about having to ! read a book for school that makes you hate it. Don't let that throw you. Read it again ten years from now, after you've had a chance to experience life (both the good and bad stuff) a bit more, after you've learned a bit more history so you can understand all the book's allusions, and when you (and this time not your teacher) are really in the mood to read, and you'll see why this book is considered one of the truly great classics.

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 McCrae. Both those books were excellent, but nothing compares to this Dicken's classic. Set during the French Revolution, it strongly reminded me of Hugo's "Les Miserable." I do have to admit that it took me a while to get used to the style of Dickens after not having read him for a while. Still, this is a classic book that you must read.

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. One is reading A Tale of Two Cities and finds it quite a chore. When I read this retelling I also got more out of the story than I had before. I highly recommend these retold stories.

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. It's a wonderful book, and wonderfully written with many plot turns that keep you interested and wanting more.

One of the great mysteries of 19th century literature is how this book got this name. A subtitle might help. Yes, certainly, for the most part, the action in this book takes place in either London or Paris and the contrast between English mercantile society and the French Reign of Terror could not be more extreme. It is a story of contrasts on many levels, it is a tale of marvelous coincidence and psychological insight. The biggest coincidence is the physical resemblance between the noble Charles Darney and the self destructive Sidney Carton. Do you see the contrast? More contrasts? The abusive French aristocracy...Oh, the Evermonds are despicable to the nth degree, and Madame Defarge of the Jacquerie (peasantry)--who bears the biggest grudge in two centuries of literature. Dickens has done an excellent job of showing people from all walks of life interacting, of painting the landscape of the times and telling a very gripping story. As for psychologically insights, consider Sidney Carton...a case study in depression as Dr. Manette exemplifies PTSD. I have seen the video, listened to the tape and read the book. The tape is especially noteworthy as Dickens frequently read his work to make sure he got the rhythms of speech just so. Well, I promised to offer a subtitle. It's somewhat unweildy but here goes: How about-The Reign of Terror, Temple Bar and Lucy in the sky with Diamonds?