A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens, Peter Ackroyd

Paperback, 394 pages

English language

Published March 16, 1991 by Mandarin.

ISBN:: 978-0-7493-0751-6

(168 reviews)

"And of the story itself? In some ways a dark one, filled with images of horror and destruction, of dirt and disease, of imprisonment and violent death... This is a world of enormous shadows, of the setting sun, of night; the only illumination occurs in the glare of the French Revolution itself, as if the only alternative to the darkness of despair lies in the rage and destructiveness of that event."

From Dickens by Peter Ackroyd

122 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A bizarre mix

3 stars

I read A Christmas Carol a while before Christmas last year - my first Dickens actually from the book rather than the TV! I thought it might be fun to make this author another of my Christmas traditions so chose the not-at-all seasonal A Tale Of Two Cities for this year. It turns out that I already knew the first and last sentences because they have become famous quotes: 'It was the best of times and the worst of times' and 'it is a far far better thing that I do than I have ever done'.

For me this novel was a bizarre mix of some of the best descriptive writing I have read, interspersed with some of the most oversentimental claptrap and unrealistic dialogue. If Dickens was a modern indie author, reviews would surely be scathing! The timeline jumps at the beginning felt disjointed, but the story does eventually settle into itself. I loved his evocations of the poverty-stricken districts of Paris. Also the excitement and horror of running battles during the Revolution is breathtakingly well done. That knife sharpening scene in the courtyard!

However, of the famed Dickens characters, I didn't see much sign in this book and I was completely underwhelmed by the love story! Charles Darnay is basically just bland and his dearly beloved Lucie is so saccharinely pure and Good as to be exasperating. Her only nod to a genuine personality is her rather disturbing habit of clasping men's heads to her breast at the slightest provocation. I was surprised to read in the publisher's notes that A Tale Of Two Cities is the most popular Dickens novel after Pickwick Papers. Perhaps its length has something to do with that?

Ian Channing reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The most emotionally moving book I ever read

gamer reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (The Works of Charles Dickens In Thirty-two Volumes, Volume XXI)

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This book has a lot of setup. I wanted to give up many times. I fell asleep continuously and often wondered when it gets interesting.

But then THAT part hits. Every piece of the story suddenly falls in place, like watching someone draw, and not understanding the process until the lines become shapes and objects. You see that every "boring" chapter was a set up for something. The pointless characters get fleshed out and inner-monologues from 5 chapters back clear up.

All this while wonderfully and realistically interweaving the motivations of regular people in the French revolution, their suffering, and the resulting pain they inflict on others, continuing the cycle of oppression.

There is one type of character I just barely see anymore, bombarded by Hollywood-like stories. A loser. A loser in every sense and a loser for life. This loser doesn't magically get better and achieve something to society's …

Kibrika reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (The Writings of Charles Dickens in thirty-two volumes, volume XX)

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Upon first beginning to listen to the book I found myself at first quite unable to comprehend it. I chided myself for having grown lazy with regards to the kind of language I have grown accustomed to (simple and straightforward) and proceeded to pay closer attention.

Honestly, I love the style this is written in. I understand the value in writing things in a simple and easy language, but for this, it suits. It might just be that English is not my first language, but I felt like the sentences and passages themselves were little puzzles to solve as to their meaning. And it felt fitting in a suspenseful story where I want to find out what happens next.

I hope to read more of Dickens and not only him. Somehow the way of the authors of the past for me is that I read a book or story by …

Maerman reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Ugh. Dickens.

Jamie reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

There are a few dry patches, but overall a tremendous novel with an emotional impact and some horrifying imagery of mob mentality. My only quibble beyond the occasional dull aside is, for whom, exactly, is this the 'best of times'? I was promised from the opening line the best and worst of the times but only got the latter.

Matthew M. Conroy reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Penguin Classics)

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Very, very good. There are only two Dickens novels I have not read, and this one stacks up well against all the ones I have.

Joao Trindade reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Loved the book. Epic story and a masterful writing style. A must read for everyone.

Graham Downs reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Thus, the central theme of A Tale of Two Cities.

I began reading this book in high school (Standard 8, I think), and I hated it. The language was completely foreign to me, and I didn't understand a single thing in it. I never finished it.

Now that I'm more mature, and am reading many of the old classics, I decided to give it a try again. The language is still a bit foreign, and I had a rough time getting into it and following it at times, but I'm glad I finally finished this book.

Ostensibly, the book is about the French Revolution. But I don't think it is, really. It may be set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, but it is, at its heart, a love story. And not the soppy touchy feely romantic kind of love, either. Real love. The love of a man for his friends, the love of a father and daughter, and yes, the love of a husband and wive. This book spans decades, and is about the events unfolding simultaneously in London, England, and Paris, France (hence the Two Cities) around the time of the French Revolution.

I would recommend anyone interested in history, especially Christians, to read this book, but there's something in it for everyone.

Only issue is, after reading the whole of Book The Second, I still had no idea just who, or what, the Golden Thread is! (And I still don't quite know)

Chelle reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is the first book I can ever remember clearly being moved by the characters. Also my first experience with an "anti-hero", fell in love with this book straight away.

Lynn reviewed A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Haven't read this in years, but I loved it in my teens. The image of Mme. Defarge plotting revolution as she knits is so clear I can still picture it.