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uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Police brutality, and Death of parent
lakmus's review against another edition
4.0
I humbly propose we supplement the endless adaptations of Austen with some freshly televised Dickens – this would make a /dope/ period drama. With emphasis on drama, because boy does it have some good plot-twists.
I decided I'm going to treat the main leads (Lucie and Charles) as stand-ins for abstract ideal humans, rather than "duhovnye ovcy", pardon my Russian, because that is the only explanation I have for this peculiar phenomenon. I highly doubt, given the wide array of otherwise very real and colourful and delightfully flawed humans, that Dickens is mysteriously unable to write an interesting noblewoman (or nobleman, for that matter, because Charles Darnay is not much better tbh), and chose this bland cutout of A Lady and A Gentleman from some 19th century magazine on purpose.
I'm sure this has some social/historical/political context that I cannot pick up on; similarly for other various literary devices, allusions, etc, but I don't particularly care. It's Dickens and so is first of all entertaining, even if a little hard to read because of the more flexible grammar than is used now and the random obscure words.
I decided I'm going to treat the main leads (Lucie and Charles) as stand-ins for abstract ideal humans, rather than "duhovnye ovcy", pardon my Russian, because that is the only explanation I have for this peculiar phenomenon. I highly doubt, given the wide array of otherwise very real and colourful and delightfully flawed humans, that Dickens is mysteriously unable to write an interesting noblewoman (or nobleman, for that matter, because Charles Darnay is not much better tbh), and chose this bland cutout of A Lady and A Gentleman from some 19th century magazine on purpose.
I'm sure this has some social/historical/political context that I cannot pick up on; similarly for other various literary devices, allusions, etc, but I don't particularly care. It's Dickens and so is first of all entertaining, even if a little hard to read because of the more flexible grammar than is used now and the random obscure words.
poppysmic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
hjswinford's review against another edition
5.0
I am reminded by this book how much I LOVE Dickens. Having just finished the last page and set the book aside, I still am covered with goosebumps and slightly breathless. What do we have today that can compare to writing like this? Not much, my friend. Not much.
respectabiggle7's review against another edition
5.0
I have two absolute favorites that I have read over and over (close to 7 times now). "A Tale of Two Cities" would be one of these books. This novel is set during the French Revolution and takes place in both France and England. At first glance it is a historic novel or a love-story, but upon further inspection, one shall see that this deeply gripping novel is an exploration of the darkest and most horrible emotions and actions of humanity. It is a tale of two cities, but it is more a tale of two sides of the human psyche... one beautiful the other hideous beyond belief.
vparker's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
patsmith139's review against another edition
5.0
I struggled through the first few chapters. I love Dickens and thought I had finally found a dud. But as things progressed I was sucked in and the final few chapters are some of the most breathtaking and suspenseful I can remember reading. As ever with Dickens, there are some truly memorable characters; Sydney Carton & Madame Defarge stand out, but I also loved Mr Lorry, Jerry Cruncher and Miss Prosse. In many of his novels Dickens gives us a suffering, angelic female and we have one of the most long suffering and angelic of all in A Tale of Two Cities but these ladies are not his forte. Madame Defarge, by contrast, is a masterpiece. Made twisted and bitter by past wrongs she is terrifying in her quest for vengeance. And I think I fell in love with Sydney at the end; I will admit my eyes were slightly damp. I think I will need to read this book again in a few years....
grantj00's review against another edition
4.0
Took me a while to ramp up to the prose of the novel. In addition, by publishing the book in a periodical one chapter at a time, made the story feel over embellished at times. I love that in the end he was able to wrap everything back up though. Although some parts like Cruncher digging up bodies seemed like a forced tie-in and inconsequential to the story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great story, has a lot of great themes such as private vs public imprisonment, but it just wasn’t 5* for me
kmthomas06's review against another edition
5.0
Sigh....Sidney Carton....stupid Lucy and that idiot Darnay - I mean seriously, doesn't a girl like the one who'd give his life for you better usually? Still, Dickens at his best when he tackles the French Revolution. If you're looking for an even better read, skip the first book and go right to the second. You don't miss anything and that's the good part anyway.