Book Review: A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

Read May 8-17, 2025

A Tale of Two Cities is a complex story that weaves (or knits) multiple threads together in a way that becomes just predictable enough towards the end of the story, but with plenty of suspense to keep the reader engaged until the very last page. The large cast of characters is supplied with vivid, round characters, as well as simpler, flat ones, and the settings they inhabit are descriptive, thorough, imaginative, and clear. The historicity of the novel provides an exciting backdrop for the plot as well as an informative, personal air that I, for one, found exceptionally eye-opening. I obviously knew that the French had a revolution that involved 'that astonishingly violent mistress, La Guillotine,' but I never thought much about the rampant violence and fear that permeated the city of Paris during the mistress's rule. The ending of this novel -- conclusive, touching, and memorable -- was wholly unknown to me, until about 30-40 pages from the end. I began to suspect what might happen through the twists and turns that occurred in the plot, as well as dialogue leading up to the final moment.

The edition that I was lucky to find, from the Book of the Month Club, included all the original illustrations throughout the novel, which I found to be beautiful, helpful, and charming.

Due to the constant weaving of narratives that Dickens relies on to tell his Tale, I often found myself, at the beginning, struggling to identify the main plot and characters. It was only when I was about halfway through that I started to recognize the shape of the work that was being created. The artistry of the Tale, the historicity of the story, the appeal of its characters, and the almost necessity to give it another read once all the pieces are shown are what, I believe, make this novel a beloved classic.

For all reasons stated above, I give this novel 4 stars.

Thanks for reading!