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A review by argamnials
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
My first foray into literature about the revolution, and I think it will be hard to beat. It damns and sympathizes with the revolution all in one breath, and gives it the credit due as the most alive time in history (for most), while not saying away from its frenzied bloodlust.
The characters are excellently written - Sydney Carton is one of my new favorite characters in literature, as is Madame Defarge. Mr. Lorry is a fantastic foil to the passion of those two, with the English sensibility turned to 10. I do think that Dickens does what most writers of the 18th and 19th centuries do, which is to exalt some characters to pure virtue - it works sometimes better than others, and in this case Dr. Manette and Lucy are both infallible. It creates good tension with the forces outside of their control, but also makes them feel just like set pieces, although set pieces around which a fantastic story are told.
Carton's sacrifice at the end was so beautiful, especially against his arm length proclamation of love earlier in the book. His ride to the guillotine in the arms of, to the reader, an absolute stranger, was one of my favorite bits of fiction I've ever read. So impactful, cried real hard.
Only taking away quarter star, due to the Manette's (Lucy especially) feeling 1 dimensional. Contrasting with the other characters, she just felt like a character who was an object for love, who was interesting only in that she's sad and beautiful.
4.75 stars for me - a book that has lasted in memory for all this time for a reason.
Beware of furiously knitting women.
The characters are excellently written - Sydney Carton is one of my new favorite characters in literature, as is Madame Defarge. Mr. Lorry is a fantastic foil to the passion of those two, with the English sensibility turned to 10. I do think that Dickens does what most writers of the 18th and 19th centuries do, which is to exalt some characters to pure virtue - it works sometimes better than others, and in this case Dr. Manette and Lucy are both infallible. It creates good tension with the forces outside of their control, but also makes them feel just like set pieces, although set pieces around which a fantastic story are told.
Only taking away quarter star, due to the Manette's (Lucy especially) feeling 1 dimensional. Contrasting with the other characters, she just felt like a character who was an object for love, who was interesting only in that she's sad and beautiful.
4.75 stars for me - a book that has lasted in memory for all this time for a reason.
Beware of furiously knitting women.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence