A review by yogeshvk5
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

5.0

The republic of Liberty, equality, fratenrity, or death!

It is bit natural to presume that a classic, acclaimed book written in 19th century might be outdated, slow and not-so-enjoyable. But this book can put those suspicions to rest. It has a solid plot with many surprise twists at recurring intervals. It has a vast array of characters that are either likeable or admirable. All the loose ends of the story are neatly tied in the emotional conclusion.

Considering the novel was written in 1859, at times, it is a bit difficult to follow Victorian English. But it is not too much of a hassle to google few terms.

I liked the comic character called Jerry Cruncher who is shown to have whimsical notions like his wife is praying against him to the God. The British courtroom scenes are depicted with great sense of humour through his lens.

As part of setting the context, the book chronicles the cruel, insensitive reign of french nobility, through the character of an unnamed aristocrat 'Monseigneur'. There is vivid description of the ruthlessness and immoral behaviour. He is someone who is not perturbed even by the death of a child due to rash driving of his carriage.

As you can't help but feel enraged with the impoverished conditions of starved citizens and total indifference of the ruling class; the eventual explosion of anger feels inevitable. After the 1789 revolution, the same characters are shown to indulge in mob justice and guillotine gaining the centrality in the affairs of redcaps.

Just one exchange from the book is illustrative.

A little wood-sawyer, having closed his shop, was smoking his pipe at his shop-door.

“Good night, citizen,” said (a character), pausing in going by; for, the man eyed him inquisitively.

“Good night, citizen.”

“How goes the Republic?”

“You mean the Guillotine. Not ill. Sixty-three to-day. We shall mount to a hundred soon."

One would have read the history of french revolution in school. But Dickens is able to put a face on each of the main stakeholders and thus we can appreciate the volatile and dangerous situations french citizens faced during those decades.

Some unforgettable lines from this book.

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop,” returned madame (Defarge); “but don’t tell me.”

If you ever plan to read a lengthy classic English book, it is worthy to invest your time in this book.