A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
“A Tale of Two Cities” is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1859. Set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, it explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the contrast between social classes.
The novel opens with the famous line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” which sets the tone for the story. It introduces the reader to London and Paris, the two cities central to the narrative.
The story follows the lives of several characters, including Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who renounces his family’s wealth and privilege to live in England; Dr. Alexandre Manette, a former prisoner of the Bastille who is released after eighteen years of unjust imprisonment; Lucie Manette, Dr. Manette’s devoted daughter; and Sydney Carton, a dissipated English lawyer who bears a striking physical resemblance to Darnay.