Hey there! It just occurred that I should add my latest classics read to the challenge update, and this time I was inspired to read this book because I read The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. Will and Tessa adore this book, and make several references and quotes to it, so I decided to read it and see for myself if it was worth the adoration. I can honestly say that it was one of the best literary decisions I ever made!
A Tale of Two Cities is a classic by good old Charles Dickens, perhaps more famous for Oliver Twist and the like. Written in Victorian times, the book itself is a historical novel for it's day, telling a story set in the era of the French Revolution in the century before Dickens time! So there you have it; Victorians enjoyed historical novels too!
The two cities in the title are London and Paris; the latter being far more turbulent than the former. We follow the story of a group of main characters, whose lives are completely changed by the events of the French Revolution in ways that will change everything forever. There is Dr Manette (slightly insane due to imprisonment in the Bastille, but a good man who was believed to be dead by his daughter), Lucie Manette (the Dr's daughter who all her life has been cared for by a Miss Pross after thinking she was an orphan all those years), Mr Lorry (the good friend of the Manette's who generally aids and assists them), Charles Darnay (the mysterious Frenchman who was on trial, but was found innocent by his amazing lawyer) and Sydney Carton (the amazing lawyer who seems dark and forbidding.)
Along with several other significant characters, the story of these peoples lives spreads out over the book, changed and affected by the growing unease in France. After marriages, murders, love in vain and unswerving loyalty, the revolution finally kicks in, tearing apart France with the help of the horrific Guillotine.
The plot twists and surprises are so amazing and so shocking that you will, like me, wonder how such an amazing book could have been written in the Victorian era! I cannot describe the plot in any further detail, for fear of giving away seriously crucial information and ruining it for anyone who wants to read, but I cannot say enough how truly amazing and moving this book was. I cried; a lot.
Also, for a little bit of fun whilst reading, look out for where the word 'damn' has been written as
'd--m' because it was an awful swear word in Victorian times. Heehee!
If you're wondering 'should I read this classic' I say YES!!!! It gets a full fabulous five stars from me, and a plea that you read and comment with whether you enjoyed it or not. NOTE: Sydney Carton has since been added to my list of best book characters EVER, so why don't you see if he makes your list? Happy reading, from RedHead :)
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I didn't even know this existed til infernal devices, wish I'd read it before so I could have appreciated the links between will and sydney carton- very clever of cassandra clare
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