Reviews

Before starting to read this book, sit back, reflect on the knowledge you already have about the French Revolution and the 18th century in general and be prepared to get all of that destroyed with some of the most brutal, crushing, and saddening literature you will probably ever read.

Two Cities, two families, two mind sets, two histories. The conflict between the Defarge family (living in Paris and representing France) and the Manette family (living in London and representing England and foreigner in general) is constantly evolving throughout decades before and after the Revolution. But can you really talk about an actual ending of the French Revolution? The obvious answer after reading this novel is no, a no that is relevant at least for the next few generations that had the bad luck of having to live in a dread and chaotic anarchy which isn’t saturated with any extent of brutality that is there to offer.

The art of Dickens’ storytelling is a landslide ahead of most books, the point of view in which the plot is told changes dynamically in almost every chapter, thus it is difficult to figure out one main protagonist. Much rather you always have to be aware of the central motives of misery, mischief and the power of women which relates to each and every character. To emphasize the latter aspect the roles of Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge are the most focal ones, two female figures which basically take us on a rollercoaster ride of sympathy and act as a mirror to society in showing us what love and hate can bring out of each one of us.

Dickens leaves me with a lot to think about and has completely revolutionized my opinion and knowledge about certainly one of the darkest chapters in European history. So I guess as long as this book is read and talked about the French Revolution will never cease to be relevant.

"[...] the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate [...]"

fairlylocaltrashdragon's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

jkonersease's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

autumnal54's review against another edition

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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

5.0

claireestellle's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

wyatt1004's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

arytaco's review against another edition

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emotional informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

“A Tale of Two Cities” is both expansive and personal, and epic and minimalist. The cast of characters is small, but their effects are wide-ranging. Set amidst the terror of the French Revolution, a love-triangle, a former prisoner and others are drawn into the chaos, backed by Charles Dickens’ detailed writing and multi-faceted paragraphs. However, his pacing is uneven and he struggles to generate suspense; the pieces are present, but the puzzle is incomplete. Worthy of its classic reputation, but not quite the seamless tale that one might expect. (Note the use of doubles: two cities, two Lucies, two identities of the Spy and Charles, two sentences for Charles, etc.)

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