A Tale of Two CitiesOne of Dickens's most haunting novels, A Tale of Two Cities has, since its first serial publication in 1859, continued to exert a grip on the popular imagination. The two cities of the title -- a lethal, vengeful Paris during the French Revolution and a leafy, tranquil London -- are only one of the novel's stark dichotomies, which are continued as Syndey Carton and Charles Darnay are drawn toward their separate destinies -- their lives touched by the same woman. In his absorbing Introduction, Richard Maxwell discusses the novel's intricate design, in which Dickens magnificently interweaves epic drama with personal tragedy. Comparing it to Thomas Carlyle's French Revolution and Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Maxwell argues that A Tale of Two Cities "stands as Dickens's most memorable effort to see a world in a very small space; a work short by its nature ... yet curiously at its ease among giants". |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alexandre Manette answer asked Barnaby Rudge Barsad Bastille breast brother brother Solomon carriage Charles Darnay château child citizen coach Conciergerie corner court-yard cried Cruncher dark daughter dead dear death Defarge's Dickens Doctor Manette door dreadful Ellen Ternan Evrémonde eyes face father fountain France French Frozen Deep Gabelle gentleman Guillotine hair hand head heart honour hope horses hour husband Jacques Three knew knitting light live looked Lorry's Lucie Lucie Manette Madame Defarge manner mender of roads mind Miss Manette Miss Pross Monseigneur Monsieur Defarge Monsieur the Marquis never night Old Bailey Paris passed poor prisoner returned Saint Antoine seen shadow stone stood stopped streets Stryver Sydney Carton tell Tellson's things took tumbrils turned Vengeance voice walked wife window wine wine-shop woman words Young Jerry