Book – Tale of Two Cities

Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1859) – Travelling from London to Paris at the time of the French Revolution, Dr. Manette is released after 18 years in prison.  He is returned to the daughter he never knew with his mind badly broken by his imprisonment.  She falls in love with a French nobleman (Darnay) who chose to leave France and his inheritance behind.  When a devoted servant calls on him for help once the Revolution makes its turn into the Terror.  Darnay returns but is caught in the vengeful plans of the very people who imprisoned Dr. Manette.  A clever plot and a supreme sacrifice will be required to bring him home.

I was very nearly crippled on Dickens by the very first book of his I read.  A friend had recommended “The Pickwick Papers” and I read it.  And hated it.  It was the kind of book that felt like I had to finish, first, as a favor to my friend; and second, as a feat unto itself.  Once you’ve invested that much time into a book, it just feels like you have to push through.  I never enjoy those books.

A couple years ago, I eased back into Dickens by way of “A Christmas Carol“.  I enjoyed it so much, I decided to give the Boz another try.  “A Tale of Two Cities” landed in my lap one day and got the nod.

Here is a better representation of Dickens’s skill as an author (Pickwick was his first novel).  While his literal translations of French phrases makes for some awkward reading at times, the story is excellent.  He shows the reasons for the beginning of the French Revolution.  Dickens was a devoted supporter of the poor and marginalized of his time, and the book is consistent with those views.  He also shows how things change when any kind of reason disappears, and the mob is left in charge.  Madame DeFarges will stop at nothing to achieve her revenge, even extending it to people who have done nothing to her but are connected to those who did.

The ending is worthy of a classic Hollywood movie (there are at least 6 film versions of the story).  The problem is that it would be so easy to overplay the nobility and sacrifice that is made in the name of love.  Being something of a romantic at heart, I loved the ending.

I’m not sure how many novels can claim that their first and finals lines are as well known as “A Tale of Two Cities”.  It begins with: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” and closes with “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…”

On the whole, I think I’ll probably try a little more Dickens in the future.

Why You Will Like It – A tale of love and honor and twisted justice.  All topped off with an exciting and heroic ending.

Rating – **** Recommended