A Tale of Two Cities

By Charles Dickens, 1859

If the Day of Judgment had only been ascertained to be a dress day, everybody there would have been eternally correct.

The story revolves around Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette, two characters having one step in London and Paris, the latter city being on the brink of Revolution in the opening.

All in all, I did not like “A Tale of Two Cities”. Although I think it is a novel of profound cultural importance, I think it was quite flat in terms of plot and characters compare to similar works.

1. Talking about a book we do not like is not an easy thing, but I give it a try on this point. The main reason is that I was not fully focused during my reading. Two sub-reasons: a bad display of my e-book (extra spaces and bad formatting) and my reading in public transportations solely. The second reason the plot could have been more credible with less irony. For example, Dickens mocks justice and lawyers, admittedly criticizing the big ills of his time as in Oliver Twist, but for me it spoiled the dramatic aspect of certain scenes, like the trial of Charles Darnay. As far as I know, this is exactly the opposite of The Miserables by Victor Hugo.
   

2. I would have even accused Dickens of plagiarism, but I checked out the dates recently. Indeed, The Miserables was published 3 years (1862) after A Tale of Two Cities (1859). However, let us have an insight at these similarities. Of course, there is the context of the French Revolution and the long fights in the street depicted in many pages in both novels. Besides, Dr. Manette’s rebirth after prison mimes the story of Jean Valljean/ Monsieur Madeleine, two people who found a remedy in helping the other for a better life. At last, there is this desire of social justice, a hope that the French Revolution might embody.
   

3. For me, regardless of any mutual inspiration, Charles Dickens is the British Victor Hugo. I believe it is important to read these authors to understand the cultural references of modern times. Concerning Dickens, I hope to read the rest of his works very soon. Moreover, A Tale of Two Cities has led to several film adaptations which I will l see when I have time.

Medicis