Book Cover of A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

Its immortal opening lines, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." set the stage for a sweeping narrative that combines drama, glory, honor, history, romance, brutality, sacrifice and resurrection. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is one of the most widely read and famous works of historical fiction in the English language. Dickens had recently launched his magazine All the Year Round in 1859. In the same year, he began featuring A Tale of Two Cities in 31 weekly installments in his new magazine. The book was eventually combined into a single copy and split into three major sections as it is presented today. In this epic tale of love and tragedy set during the turbulent times of the French Revolution in 1789, the motif of two's appears constantly as opposing sides of the same coin. London and Paris are the two cities, Sidney Carton and Charles Darnay are the two heroes, Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge are the pure and evil women respectively, and these along with shadows and darkness, sacrifice and dishonor, brutality and spirituality form the recurring dual motifs in the novel. Sidney Carton, a young, debauched and dissolute English barrister defends a young French aristocrat Charles Darnay accused of treason in London. The two bear a striking resemblance to each other. Lucie Manette, a lovely young French girl and her father Dr. Manette, who had suffered under the atrocities of the nobility in France, now live a quiet life in London. Charles and Lucie are in love, but Sidney Carton also falls in love with her. Meanwhile in France, the storm of revolution is about to break. A wine store owner and Dr. Manette's former servant, Monsieur Defarge, leads the revolutionaries. His wife, Madame Defarge is a vicious woman who revels in cruelty. She too has suffered under the aristocratic regime and now seeks to destroy all those who persecuted her. Charles Darnay returns to Paris to rescue an old servant of his who has been captured by the revolutionaries. He is captured by the rebels and condemned to be executed by guillotine. The story then takes several dramatic twists and turns before reaching its final and most unexpected conclusion. As one of the most exciting and deeply moving stories penned by a brilliant and gifted story teller, A Tale of Two Cities is indeed a riveting and unforgettable experience for readers of all ages.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1859

Authors

Charles Dickens image

Charles Dickens created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on 7 February 18...

Books by Charles Dickens

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Liliecrona's Home Cover image

Liliecrona's Home by Selma Lagerlof

This novel tells the story of Maia Lisa, a young woman who is tormented by her wicked stepmother. Despite the abuse she endures, Maia Lisa remains str...

The Crossing Cover image

The Crossing by Winston Churchill

This is a compelling historical novel that takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the American Revolution. Published in 1904, this captivat...

Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 1: Desrues Cover image

Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 1: Desrues by Alexandre Dumas

'Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 1: Desrues' by Alexandre Dumas delves into the life and crimes of Antoine-François Desrues, a man who meticulously cr...

呐喊 (Call to Arms) Cover image

呐喊 (Call to Arms) by Xun Lu

"Call to Arms" is a collection of fourteen short stories written by Lu Xun, one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese literature. The stor...

With Her in Ourland Cover image

With Her in Ourland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that delves into the depths of societal norms and challenges the very fabric of a seemingly perfect utopi...

Idols Cover image

Idols by William John Locke

In the wake of a tragic accident, four lives become irrevocably intertwined in a complex web of love, deceit, and sacrifice. "Idols" explores the comp...

Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself Cover image

Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself by Josiah Henson

Josiah Henson's autobiography, which became the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' chronicles his harrowing journey from sla...

Damon and Delia Cover image

Damon and Delia by William Godwin

In a world where love is often dictated by social status and wealth, Damon and Delia by William Godwin dares to defy convention and explore the depths...

Salambó Cover image

Salambó by Gustave Flaubert

Salambó, hija del poderoso general cartaginés Amílcar, se encuentra en el centro de una historia de amor, guerra y sacrificio. Matho, líder de los mer...

Little Dorrit Cover image

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit is a novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in serial form between 1855 and 1857. The story features Amy Dorrit, youngest child...

Reviews for A Tale of Two Cities

ALL REVIEWS: Really Favorable (2)

Melchizedek

Posted: 1 year ago

Recommended

Different Era

Thought provoking

Umer T.

Posted: 2 years ago

Recommended