robhughes's review
4.0
The action is split between the two European capitals that dominated the Georgian age and set in a period of social and cultural turmoil, where the political status-quo was not only challenged but ripped apart. As the opening line states "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and this is a really good book. It focuses on the nature of personal history and how it can affect the people we become. It also explores the idea that the crimes of the father are often unfairly inherited by their children; in turn we follow Charles Darnay as he tries to escape his aristocratic past and revolutionary France. This novel is a drama, a romance, an adventure and a history lesson, presented to us with Dickens usual brand of evocative descriptions, ghastly characters and carefully orchestrated plots. Excellent read.
tamaralgage1's review
5.0
For many reasons, I have given this book 5*. It was entertaining. Although difficult to understand the language/writing style of the times, the plot was interesting. In regards to learning. I have read a number of things in and around different revolutions. This story of the French Revolution is representative of what happens when the population is divided into the have and have nots. One group of people have nothing and no hope for the future while another group has everything and just doesn't care beyond their own pleasures.
A quote which means so much more now in the context of this book. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
The book begins in 1775, almost 20 years before the French Revolution which started in 1792. As the story follows the main characters in London and Paris, the concern for spies, treason, and survival are always present. I have to confess that used a Cliff Notes guide to help me understand what was happening in the beginning because I did not understand. With the aid of the guide, I quickly began to understand and got used to the language style. I am not sure I would have enjoyed the book as much without this assistance.
It's a good book. I am glad that I read it and now I know more than I did before.
A quote which means so much more now in the context of this book. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
The book begins in 1775, almost 20 years before the French Revolution which started in 1792. As the story follows the main characters in London and Paris, the concern for spies, treason, and survival are always present. I have to confess that used a Cliff Notes guide to help me understand what was happening in the beginning because I did not understand. With the aid of the guide, I quickly began to understand and got used to the language style. I am not sure I would have enjoyed the book as much without this assistance.
It's a good book. I am glad that I read it and now I know more than I did before.
envy7sins's review
4.0
It took a few chapters to finally get the hang of Charles Dickens flowery writing style. This was my first Charles Dickens book, and while it took me quite a while to get through, I really did enjoy it. The story was super interesting, and the finale left me thinking about it for days after.
anyager2's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ebenelephant's review
3.25
Didn't really get the time to read it properly, as I did so as holiday reading for my schoolwork on it. Hopefully over the course of the year I'll grow a greater appreciation for the novel, because I did actually quite enjoy it for the most part. Dickens is just quite a lot to process when you were never really motivated to read his work to begin with.
peoplecallmeteresa's review
5.0
Amazing! I am not usually one for the classics but this had me on the edge of my seat. Dickens' ability to say everything in the most descriptive and captivating way is superb. He also has a way of making a simple conversation heavy with meaning. The characters are deep and complex and the hero touches your heart.
ml_lew's review against another edition
This book confused me greatly at the beginning. (This could be because I was listening to it and couldn't easily go back and remind myself of how characters fit together.) But by the end of the book I was not only understanding what happened, but was very connected to the characters and moved by their lives.
jessicatoensing's review
I was too young to read it at the time. I was 12 and I thought I could handle the old English but I was wrong.