Let’s go back. This book took me a few months to read for my English class. School is out, yet I haven’t done anything for this novel. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens was not the easiest book I’ve ever read. I won’t lie, online synopses really helped me out in the understanding portion as I read through it. While it wasn’t an easy book to read, it was by no means bad. 

A Tale of Two Cities is a reflection Charles Dickens writes about on the French Revolution as a warning to those in his period. Almost written in a way to stop history from completely repeating itself. It focuses on the Manette family and their story through trauma and hardships, new found romances and family drama. We meet plenty of characters along the way; those directly involved in the French Revolution and people who are victims to the violence. Dickens sets the stage a few years before the revolution, establishing various relationships and connections that affect all the cast in one way or another. The result of violence and loss, made to make the readers uncomfortable, are beautifully crafted to warn and caution society. 

Dickens writes in a way that elongates the ideas he is trying to express as he sprinkles in colorful vocabulary to make it even more confusing for the everyday reader. However, once you figure out what he is talking about and the main point of what is happening, the story becomes much more enjoyable. The whole plot of the novel is like one big mystery. We all know it leads up to the Revolution, but how could a family and group of friends from London get involved with something happening in France? How are these characters important to the story? I really loved how all my questions were answered by the end of the novel, many of which answered throughout the chapters. And thinking back, I find it even more interesting and intriguing how Dickens had written this novel; releasing one chapter at a time like some TV show with weekly episodes. Dickens released its chapters serially, once a week, to keep readers on the hook, ready and waiting for the next “episode” to find out what happens to their beloved characters. 

All the characters Dickens carefully crafted managed to create an impact on me. Every single one had an important role to play, some more than others, yet they all managed to build from each other and grow into even more impressive people that audiences can feel for and connect to. A fan favorite (for me and for many) was Sydney Carton. He started off as someone your parents would tell you to stay away from, the neighborhood drunk and overall not the best person. What’s worse, is that he knew that. Such an emotionally depressing character was not what I expected and I didn’t know what to expect from him. So many I knew loved this character, including my English teacher. But in the beginning, I had nothing to love about him. But Dickens was fantastic in character development. All characters had their own shining moments, but Sydney just happens to have one of the largest and most dynamic developments in the story. By the end of the book, I discovered a grip he had on my heart as I ended my read with him. His story left me shocked and gaping as I was left to wonder about the rest of the cast. 

Dickens may not be the easiest author to read from. I must say his diction and syntax are not for the weak. However, he writes a very compelling narrative and builds such meaningful characters. I would recommend this novel to others, with a little hesitance. This wasn’t for everybody. I happened to enjoy it, although I struggled a bit; but others may be wanting an easier, less overwhelming read. But if you don’t mind the challenge, I think that this would be a great historical fiction novel to read. 

-Nicole R.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.