Reviews

A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

andotherworlds's review against another edition

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4.0

4 // read for school

brief notes:
- Dickens' character work yet again has proven to be so lively and real
- This really meant quite a bit to me given its ties to "The Infernal Devices"; drawing connections to Will and Carton truly gave my understanding of my personal favorite literary character more depth
- Book 3 was by far the best volume
- THE LAST LINE MADE ME WANT TO CRY AHH CARTON

ell_n's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

skazhavets's review against another edition

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4.0

Quite a long book with intense plot and, as always in Dickens book, alive characters.

Events are happening around times of French Revolution, showing how scary those times were, how people lost their humanity outraged by desire of revenge. At a times, some characters are being very disturbing - rare intensity of negative character depiction in Dickens novels.

Some changes come at a very costly price. Some people are designed for making a change, but not made for living in the world after the change happens. The one who goes on war to fight for the justice, does not necessarily want any piece.

daisy_books's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense

4.5

norasteinkopf's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

elreyturco's review against another edition

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5.0

A compelling story, although told by an author that shares its liberal world vision with those whom he criticizes. It isn't hard to realize that, albeit he concedes that the French Revolution was violent and perpetrated by immoral and treacherous people, he also extolls the mob for displacing the old "high and mighty" as justifiable as any other form of political action.

Despite all these ethical issues, the book hitherto keeps the status of a "classic" that must be read and enjoyed by every reader.

musicdeepdive's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.75

Obviously the better of Dickens' two historical novels, a heavy and emotional read where any moments of levity are mere grimaces amidst a torrid social climate. One of his more economical novels pacing-wise as well, which prevents the work from getting caught up in extraneous plot detours and allows us to constantly feel that immediate excitement + terror of Revolution-era France and the lives of those involved in it. Arguably the best ending to any Dickens novel, too.

laureenreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Reading Dickens is, at the best (and worst) of times, difficult. It's a worthwhile endeavor, but man, it can be hard to get through.

alexan13's review against another edition

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5.0

This is clearly not a critical review by any means but I just need to express how completely this book consumed me. I am an ugly crying mess having finished it. Without a doubt my favorite book of the year so far.