A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £2.99–£11.99 Hardback • £9.99–£62.90 CD-Audio • £9.99
Bookshop
Format • £5.69–£21.84
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1542
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • Published: 1868-01-01
  • Formats: 112
  • Reviews: 3

Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities' is a sweeping historical novel that masterfully captures the chaos and brutality of the French Revolution. Originally published in 31 weekly installments, this novel has become a staple in literature, adapted numerous times for film and serving as a rite of passage for many students. The story follows the lives of Sydney Carton, a disillusioned lawyer, and Charles Darnay, an aristocrat, as their paths cross and collide in a tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. This digital copy, carefully scanned by Google, is part of an initiative to make the world's books discoverable online. The text has been meticulously reviewed to ensure accuracy and readability across various devices, making this classic novel accessible to readers everywhere.

Reviews
Gallifreyan Ramblings · 2021-02-11
beautiful 4.50

The novel is praised for its beautiful storytelling and its exploration of love and loyalty during the French Revolution. It is seen as a timeless tale that resonates with readers.

The reviewer highlights the novel's ability to weave a beautiful story of love and loyalty amidst the chaos of the French Revolution. They appreciate the depth of the characters and the emotional impact of the narrative. The reviewer finds the novel to be a timeless tale that continues to resonate with readers, showcasing Dickens' mastery of storytelling. They also note the novel's exploration of themes such as sacrifice and redemption, which add layers of complexity to the story.

Quick quotes

    A Tale of Two Cities is a beautiful story of two lovers and their circle of loyal friends and family in the time of the French Revolution.

    The novel is a timeless tale that resonates with readers.

    Dickens' mastery of storytelling is evident in this novel.

Greenish Bookshelf · 2020-04-08
compelling 4.25

The novel is praised for its compelling characters and complex plots that surprise and engage the reader. It is seen as a tale of revolution, resurrection, and love.

The reviewer from Greenish Bookshelf highlights the compelling characters and complex plots that make A Tale of Two Cities a captivating read. They appreciate how Dickens weaves together themes of revolution, resurrection, and love, creating a narrative that surprises and engages the reader. The reviewer also notes the emotional depth of the story, praising Dickens' ability to create characters that resonate with readers and evoke a range of emotions.

Quick quotes

    It is a compelling tale of revolution, resurrection, and love.

    Dickens creates compelling characters and complex plots that surprised me and kept me engaged.

    The novel is a captivating read that evokes a range of emotions.

The Guardian · 2012-09-15
finest 4.75

The novel is described as one of Dickens' finest works, balancing intimate character studies with epic historical events. It is seen as a powerful exploration of love and revolution.

The reviewer from The Guardian considers A Tale of Two Cities to be one of Dickens' finest works, praising its ability to balance intimate character studies with the epic scale of historical events. They highlight the novel's powerful exploration of love and revolution, noting how Dickens masterfully intertwines personal stories with the broader context of the French Revolution. The reviewer also appreciates the novel's emotional depth and its ability to evoke a sense of both intimacy and grandeur.

Quick quotes

    Dickens's tale of love and revolution in London and Paris is among his finest, both intimate and epic in scale.

    The novel masterfully intertwines personal stories with the broader context of the French Revolution.

    A Tale of Two Cities is a powerful exploration of love and revolution.

Appears in Lists