The year is 1775, and social ills plague both France and England. Jerry Cruncher, an odd-job man who works for Tellson's Bank, stops the Dover mail-coach with an urgent message for Jarvis Lorry. The message instructs Lorry to wait at Dover for a young woman, and Lorry responds with the cryptic words, "Recalled to Life." At Dover, Lorry is met by Lucie Manette, a young orphan whose father, a once-eminent doctor whom she supposed dead, has been discovered in France. Lorry escorts Lucie to Paris, where they meet Defarge, a ...
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The year is 1775, and social ills plague both France and England. Jerry Cruncher, an odd-job man who works for Tellson's Bank, stops the Dover mail-coach with an urgent message for Jarvis Lorry. The message instructs Lorry to wait at Dover for a young woman, and Lorry responds with the cryptic words, "Recalled to Life." At Dover, Lorry is met by Lucie Manette, a young orphan whose father, a once-eminent doctor whom she supposed dead, has been discovered in France. Lorry escorts Lucie to Paris, where they meet Defarge, a former servant of Doctor Manette, who has kept Manette safe in a garret. Driven mad by eighteen years in the Bastille, Manette spends all of his time making shoes, a hobby he learned while in prison. Lorry assures Lucie that her love and devotion can recall her father to life, and indeed they do. The year is now 1780. Charles Darnay stands accused of treason against the English crown. A bombastic lawyer named Stryver pleads Darnay's case, but it is not until his drunk, good-for-nothing colleague, Sydney Carton, assists him that the court acquits Darnay. Carton clinches his argument by pointing out that he himself bears an uncanny resemblance to the defendant, which undermines the prosecution's case for unmistakably identifying Darnay as the spy the authorities spotted. Lucie and Doctor Manette watched the court proceedings, and that night, Carton escorts Darnay to a tavern and asks how it feels to receive the sympathy of a woman like Lucie. Carton despises and resents Darnay because he reminds him of all that he himself has given up and might have been.
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One of Charles Dickens' most captivating books is A Tale of Two Cities, a tale of revolution, retaliation, and sacrifice. It narrates the tale of a family that is endangered by horrible past events and is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. After being wrongfully detained in the Bastille for eighteen years, Dr. Manette is eventually freed and reunited with his daughter Lucie, who was raised in London despite having French ancestry. Charles Darnay, who has given up wealth and status in France due to his political beliefs, wins Lucie over with his love. Darnay returns to Paris during the revolution to assist an elderly family servant, but he is quickly arrested due to the crimes his relatives have committed.
I had also reviewed this book on shabd.in too
Marilynne B
Mar 15, 2013
This book was a gift that I sent to my Great Grand kids.
FanOfTimeLifeBooks
Aug 20, 2010
Love and Sacrifice During the French Revolution
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical romance set before and during the French Revolution. English author Charles Dickens (1812-1870) has woven together an intricate plot, memorable characters, and vivid imagery to create a great story set during tumultuous times. Dickens has also captured the sense of desperation and resentment felt by the French people before and during the French Revolution. In sum, A Tale of Two Cities is a gripping book about love, sacrifice, and unselfishness. Highly recommended.
cigarcamel
May 28, 2009
Love the small Classic hardcover
This was one of the Barnes & Noble Classics in a small hardcover. Great size and nice book.
As for the story, its OK but no classic in my book.
PeachTea
Mar 14, 2009
It is.
It is amazing, it is powerful, it is beautiful. It is daunting, it is worth it. It is incredible. From Sydney to Lucie, the charactres shine. The plot is occasionally difficult to follow, but not in a I Am So Lost sort of way. A definite need-to-read.