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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
Book one: Horrible, seriously i was dreading reading it
Book two: mid…idk it was just setting the stage for book 3 and it was just so long. some chapters were good, some weren’t
book three: FIRE. SHIT WENT DOWN, I CRIED. SO GOOOD.
was it worth read? Idk, maybe if we didn’t have quizzes/tests on it
Book one: Horrible, seriously i was dreading reading it
Book two: mid…idk it was just setting the stage for book 3 and it was just so long. some chapters were good, some weren’t
book three: FIRE. SHIT WENT DOWN, I CRIED. SO GOOOD.
was it worth read? Idk, maybe if we didn’t have quizzes/tests on it
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My feelings towards this book are certainly complex, comparative to the other literature I have read thus far. As my first venture into the writings of Dickens, I am quite conflicted on several things, whilst also finding great beauty in the work as a whole.
Dickens’ incredibly verbose prose was initially quite suffocating, and I do feel as if this is a common complaint made against his works, but it is something that one can certainly become accustomed to. With his rich syntax and verbiage comes a great many use of literary devices of extreme effectiveness. The consistent usages of patterns such as repetition and brilliant metaphors and similes were blissful to enjoy. One favourite of mine was the presentation of the mobs of the French Revolution as tides and waves. The utilisation of nature in these metaphors is a great boon of Dickens, it seems, and I love how it was used to strengthen the emotional impacts of the book.
Furthermore, the parallels between characters and scenes were also magnificent. The comparisons between scenes or events at the end and beginning of the story, the parallels in actions of characters in the titular two cities, etc., were all sublime to read. The two parallels in particular that enticed me were those of Darnay/Carton and Lucie/Madame Defarge, which were both masterfully employed to further the conveyance of the book’s criticisms of social issues of the time. However, I do feel as if the characters, overall, were not the most deep with a few exceptions. Carton and Doctor Manette are the two outlying characters with the most characterisation, and while these two are fascinating to analyse, I feel as if the rest of the cast could also have benefitted from such development. However, majority of the other characters are also symbolic of ideals and motives, so I may accept such, but simply would have preferred otherwise.
Overall, I found myself quite dreary while reading the first half or two thirds of the book. The pacing of the book significantly increases in the final third, and I feel as if it is by the far the strongest and most cohesive in terms of narrative. The more defined direction of the story and interactions between the characters of the two cities were incredibly well-written and enjoyable, but I found the sections leading into such, somewhat dull to read.
Finally, I feel as if Dickens was incredibly eloquent in his portrayals of this historical period. In conjunction with his various literary apparatuses, was able to convey the chaos and violence of the French Revolution with stunning aptitude, and I quite enjoyed how he established settings and scenes.
Overall, a lovely story, if not rather slow for half or so of the narrative. The character relationships and overarching narrative were captivating, and the social commentary was interesting to decipher as well. Would recommend.
Dickens’ incredibly verbose prose was initially quite suffocating, and I do feel as if this is a common complaint made against his works, but it is something that one can certainly become accustomed to. With his rich syntax and verbiage comes a great many use of literary devices of extreme effectiveness. The consistent usages of patterns such as repetition and brilliant metaphors and similes were blissful to enjoy. One favourite of mine was the presentation of the mobs of the French Revolution as tides and waves. The utilisation of nature in these metaphors is a great boon of Dickens, it seems, and I love how it was used to strengthen the emotional impacts of the book.
Furthermore, the parallels between characters and scenes were also magnificent. The comparisons between scenes or events at the end and beginning of the story, the parallels in actions of characters in the titular two cities, etc., were all sublime to read. The two parallels in particular that enticed me were those of Darnay/Carton and Lucie/Madame Defarge, which were both masterfully employed to further the conveyance of the book’s criticisms of social issues of the time. However, I do feel as if the characters, overall, were not the most deep with a few exceptions. Carton and Doctor Manette are the two outlying characters with the most characterisation, and while these two are fascinating to analyse, I feel as if the rest of the cast could also have benefitted from such development. However, majority of the other characters are also symbolic of ideals and motives, so I may accept such, but simply would have preferred otherwise.
Overall, I found myself quite dreary while reading the first half or two thirds of the book. The pacing of the book significantly increases in the final third, and I feel as if it is by the far the strongest and most cohesive in terms of narrative. The more defined direction of the story and interactions between the characters of the two cities were incredibly well-written and enjoyable, but I found the sections leading into such, somewhat dull to read.
Finally, I feel as if Dickens was incredibly eloquent in his portrayals of this historical period. In conjunction with his various literary apparatuses, was able to convey the chaos and violence of the French Revolution with stunning aptitude, and I quite enjoyed how he established settings and scenes.
Overall, a lovely story, if not rather slow for half or so of the narrative. The character relationships and overarching narrative were captivating, and the social commentary was interesting to decipher as well. Would recommend.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another beautifully written work by Dickens, this is not the sort of thing you can listen to at 1.7x speed. I managed to get this one narrated by Anton Lesser, who was excellent, as always.
Even more so than Great Expectations, this book is absolutely packed with quick historical references. I had a good time on this site afterwards, learning about some of the references in the first couple chapters. https://dickens.stanford.edu/tale/print_issue1_gloss.html
It is hard to say whether I simply wasn't in the mood, or if the book really was worse, but I certainly enjoyed myself less in this novel than in Great Expectations. It is true that it moves at a faster pace, covers an interesting subject matter, and has an engaging plot. However, as with Great Expectations, I often found all the character connections to be rather contrived, and some key elements to be rather predictable.
Overall I think this is a 3.5 on enjoyment rounded up to a 4 by virtue of the writing and the fact that I probably would recommend it to someone wanting to read some 1800s works.
Even more so than Great Expectations, this book is absolutely packed with quick historical references. I had a good time on this site afterwards, learning about some of the references in the first couple chapters. https://dickens.stanford.edu/tale/print_issue1_gloss.html
It is hard to say whether I simply wasn't in the mood, or if the book really was worse, but I certainly enjoyed myself less in this novel than in Great Expectations. It is true that it moves at a faster pace, covers an interesting subject matter, and has an engaging plot. However, as with Great Expectations, I often found all the character connections to be rather contrived, and some key elements to be rather predictable.
Overall I think this is a 3.5 on enjoyment rounded up to a 4 by virtue of the writing and the fact that I probably would recommend it to someone wanting to read some 1800s works.
dark
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
WE LOVE STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS (my queen madam defarge)
While I felt that this story started off slow, or perhaps it just took me a while to get into it, I did find myself very intrigued by the plot and all the various characters involved in this violent and confusing time of the Reign of Terror. I don't read many stories set during this time period, so it was great getting this perspective.
In many respects a great book - great story and intriguing scenes. At certain points though you wonder whether the passage is really relevant to the story.
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The popularity and love of the crowd is as inconstant as the weather, in a revolution, as always, innocents die along with the guilty.