Its a serious tale that Dickens likens to the times in which it was written ... where many convicts were taken to the guillotine in the public square. Lucie Manette becomes acquainted with her father (Dr. Manette) who is insane after spending her whole lifetime in prison. Two look-alike men (Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton) are in love with Lucie and one gives his life for the other because of his love for her. Madade Defarge knits code into her work to hide away the words of spies. From the 1st well-known sentence to the last, this is an intense read.

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Dickens at his best. I love this book about the epic struggle and rebellion during the French Revolution. It's a great story about sacrifice and love.

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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,..." And so begins this classic story set during the French Revolution. Our hero, Charles Darnay, receives a letter that begs him to come back to France. He is sent to prison and shall be executed by guillotine. Will he be pardoned, or shall Lucy Manette (his wife) be particularly disappointed about what that day shall bring? The character that I disliked the most was Madame Defarge. I thought that she was a mean-spirited witch. But this book was a very riveting read. It really makes you wonder whether Charles shall survive.

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This is definitely a carefully crafted setting of historical proportion. I like the story, and enjoy reading his works. The story line is telling; it describes in great details the scenes, environments, characters establishment and vulnerabilities, and delves deeply into the human condition. I had to read this slowly, as if I read it fast, the story would get away from me. Don't know if that is something that happens with Dickens readers or not. A definite classic.

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Classic love story against the backdrop of the French Revolution.

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Deals with the French revolution, where the monarchy was overthrown by a massive revolt of the common people. Timely reading in view of the turmoil in Egypt, Libya, and elsewhere. Also an excellent story for mature readers.

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A classic that deserves its status. I love this story.

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Not much to say but...it is a classic must read!

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What can I say about A Tale of Two Cities? It's the work of a master, and it shows. I adore this book... it's one of Dickens' best, and that is saying a lot.

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A classic, wonderful book for strong readers.

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This was a book club read. Dickens always has a way of bogging me down at the beginning, but he always comes through at the end. The way he can tie the story together is amazing. It's a great classic read that should be in everyone's repetoire.

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One of my favorite Dickens'. Complex plot, but not so much that you can't follow it. Historical events mixed in with the fictional storyline lend reality to the tale. You'll find love, hatred, heroism, heartbreaking self-sacrifice, and, of course, romance. This book is worth a read. :)

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Possibly the best fiction book I have ever read, A Tale of Two Cities is a fabulous story set during the chaotic and bloody time of the French revolution. If you can persevere past the first few chapters than you will be unable to put it down.

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In writing this magnificent tale of London and Paris in the bloody days of the French revolution, Carles Dickins won himself the greatest popularity any novelist has ever known. For he told a thrilling story, filled with suspense and a swift narrative, and he peopled that story with entrancing characters. Their superb adventures have made this one of the most exciting novels of all time.

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This was the first of Dickens' works that I've read (December 2008). Up until now I've held a caricature of the Dickens' novel in my mind from the books I've seen on film. I have to admit, I didn't find the dark, drab tale of poverty and aristocratic oppression that I've seen in other films (e.g. Nicholas Nickleby, A Christmas Carol, etc). The story takes place in the "Two Cities" of London and Revolutionary Paris, and follows a mixed French/English family seeking to escape the oppression of the French Revolution. I was surprised to be taught so much about the excesses of the more extreme of the Revolutionary parties, the Jacobins (portrayed by Mr. and Madame DeFarge). Dickens clearly intended to communicate the cruel character of those that overthrew the French monarchy and aristocracy in the name of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death". The plot of the tragic hero of the novel, Sydney Carton represents a type of the sacrificing hero, finding its archetype in Christ, and much imitated elsewhere in literature. This is what I most appreciated about the novel; Dickens is earnest to embody his disapproval of the Leninist idea that the best government is that ruled by a group of idealists with unlimited authority to preserve their ideals by censoring or exterminating evidence of contrary thinking. In addition, he was a very biblically literate man (certainly by today's standards), and the metaphor that Sydney Carton provides of the afflicted figure moved by his unselfish love to lay his life down for a friend resonates with the Holy Spirit's presence in me, who loves find well-told stories that communicate glimpses of the character and role of Christ; a theme that has been implanted in us by virtue of our creation in the image of God Himself.

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