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challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After reading this book, it’s obvious why it is considered a classic. There are so many themes and ideas that are still relevant today. I really enjoyed my reading experience with this one—I sank into the historical aspect, learned a lot, and immersed myself in its beautiful language.
•
The language/literary devices in this book are masterfully done! The descriptions are incredible, and the use of metaphor woven throughout the entire story blew me away. The language truly captures the human experience and demonstrates what life was like in France during this time period. I was very impressed with how the storylines of the various characters slowly come together over the course of the story (especially with them starting seemingly so far apart). My inner English major was so, so happy🤓
•
Character development is such a big thing for me. Unfortunately, many of the characters in this book are more of “stock characters.” However, Sydney Carton’s transformation from a secondary character to the focal point of this book is very well done and something I didn’t see coming (I went into this book completely blind).
•
Check out what I’m reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
•
The language/literary devices in this book are masterfully done! The descriptions are incredible, and the use of metaphor woven throughout the entire story blew me away. The language truly captures the human experience and demonstrates what life was like in France during this time period. I was very impressed with how the storylines of the various characters slowly come together over the course of the story (especially with them starting seemingly so far apart). My inner English major was so, so happy🤓
•
Character development is such a big thing for me. Unfortunately, many of the characters in this book are more of “stock characters.” However, Sydney Carton’s transformation from a secondary character to the focal point of this book is very well done and something I didn’t see coming (I went into this book completely blind).
•
Check out what I’m reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
The tale of two cities is a book you could not read in one sitting. It requires a lot of stops, pauses and rereading. But as I progress, in the story, I was reminded that it is not called a classic for no reason. Charles dickens without a doubt haungtingly depicts the violence and cruelty of french evolution and how easily the oppressed could be the oppressor. However as violence and greed for power is a nature of a man, it is also the man instinct to love and care. And with that I hope as Sydney Carton, find in his heart the peace and love that we all find the courage to forgo our hate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Classism
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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:
Yes
This book gave a good insight into the French Revoultion
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Trafficking
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief
Moderate: Violence
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
A Tale of Two Cities has a slow start and a tendency to flag between scenes set in France. per usual with Dickens, the colorful cast of characters make wading through a slow plot and dense language worth it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Rape
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Until I read this book, I could speak lightly of the French Revolution and “la guillotine,” but no more. Its horrors feel much too real now, and closer in the best way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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:
Yes
I decided to read this book because I bought a poster with 100 books to read in your life. This is book twenty-five on the poster. As with most classics, I kind of struggled with this, but I understood the storyline this time.
After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. These are the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, becomes enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil roads of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.
I enjoyed how this book was split into three stories with one side being in France, one being in England and then book three being where all hell breaks loose. I enjoyed the humour and the side characters within this book. They were all so interesting and managed to keep me hooked. Even though it’s got a lot of dark themes, I was also intrigued into the mystery whether the characters were going to survive. The character development between the main characters was another strong point, I went from questioning if these two were even going to be able to get out of the town and by the end they were so badass. I have read two books from Charles Dickens, he seems to have this way of making a journey from start to finish, there was no questions for me to ask, everything was wrapped up in a bow.
Even though this book was under 300 pages, it felt like it was 900 pages. I am going to assume it’s because of the language and the classic feel to it, but it felt like pulling teeth to get this book finished. Plus, with the obvious political tone and the representation of all female characters being in the kitchen or just staying at home, was driving me nuts but again it was the time when the book was written.
Overall, I was surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did due to how I do with classics, however I'm not going to have my hopes up because the next one on the list is Crime and Punishment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Death of parent