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saladm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emily_gaynier's review against another edition
5.0
Wow
This novel is incredible! Don't get me wrong, I find Dickens extremely hard to read sometimes, but once I get back into the grove I can follow what he is saying.
I hate the little synopsis on the back of my copy, because I feel it gives way to much away. It hits at the end of this book and talks about things that doesn't happen until over half way through.
But I loved every character and the whole story. My favorite is Madame Defarge. I am also a knitter, so I enjoyed that bit of her character, but I also love her backstory and how blood thirsty she is.
This novel is incredible! Don't get me wrong, I find Dickens extremely hard to read sometimes, but once I get back into the grove I can follow what he is saying.
I hate the little synopsis on the back of my copy, because I feel it gives way to much away. It hits at the end of this book and talks about things that doesn't happen until over half way through.
But I loved every character and the whole story. My favorite is Madame Defarge. I am also a knitter, so I enjoyed that bit of her character, but I also love her backstory and how blood thirsty she is.
menwil0506's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
slettlune's review against another edition
4.0
What's funny is that I initially read one quarter of this book and I couldn't for the life of me get into it at all, I thought it was a lot denser and duller, less colourful than Dickens other works -- and then a year later, lacking other literary options, I try again and am absolutely smitten.
There's less of Dickens' humor, dark or otherwise, but there's all his trademark earnestness. I think this might be his finest work when it comes to effective use of themes -- death and resurrection (what a wonderful phrase it is, "recalled to life"), how the whims of the mob are constantly likened to a churning sea (with fun little asides, like how the horrible Patriot prisonkeep looks bloated like a water-logged corpse).
It's also a very dynamic novel in how its sympathies change: The civil unrest is so passionately described that in the chapters before the storming of the Bastille Dickens really did make me fall in love with the DeFarges, he made me anticipate the great social explosion, how change seemed to be in the air (not unlike our current social climate). And then those noble ideals crash down again as the mob takes over, the DeFarges become two of Dickens' most despicable villains, and the drunken lovesick Mr. Carton becomes a greater hero than even the main character ever could be.
My favourite part must be after Dr. Manette has overcome his second mental health crisis, and Mr. Lorry, who's patiently looked after him through it, asks in the most empathetic way how he can better help him if it should happen again, what his triggers are, if there are things that would speed his recovery. I'm continually blown away by just how empathetic and modern in his sensibilities Dickens truly was.
There's less of Dickens' humor, dark or otherwise, but there's all his trademark earnestness. I think this might be his finest work when it comes to effective use of themes -- death and resurrection (what a wonderful phrase it is, "recalled to life"), how the whims of the mob are constantly likened to a churning sea (with fun little asides, like how the horrible Patriot prisonkeep looks bloated like a water-logged corpse).
It's also a very dynamic novel in how its sympathies change: The civil unrest is so passionately described that in the chapters before the storming of the Bastille Dickens really did make me fall in love with the DeFarges, he made me anticipate the great social explosion, how change seemed to be in the air (not unlike our current social climate). And then those noble ideals crash down again as the mob takes over, the DeFarges become two of Dickens' most despicable villains, and the drunken lovesick Mr. Carton becomes a greater hero than even the main character ever could be.
My favourite part must be after Dr. Manette has overcome his second mental health crisis, and Mr. Lorry, who's patiently looked after him through it, asks in the most empathetic way how he can better help him if it should happen again, what his triggers are, if there are things that would speed his recovery. I'm continually blown away by just how empathetic and modern in his sensibilities Dickens truly was.
hazelgrace2411's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am definitely going to read the original version!
Favorite Quotes~
'There is a man in the world who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.' (Pg 46)
'Life is wasted unless you have done some good, won somebody's love or gratitude.' (Pg 47)
'It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.' (Pg 54)
Favorite Quotes~
'There is a man in the world who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.' (Pg 46)
'Life is wasted unless you have done some good, won somebody's love or gratitude.' (Pg 47)
'It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.' (Pg 54)
lovelykd's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
richarzo's review against another edition
2.0
I am not a big fan of Dickens so this book was hard to read. Overall the story was interesting and mysterious with all of the plot twists. I liked the plot but the writing was hard to get through.
jovotestargaryen's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25