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A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

Charles Dickens's classic historical novel of the French Revolution

A Tale of Two Cities portrays a world on fire, split between Paris and London during the brutal and bloody events of the French Revolution. After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille the aging Dr Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There, two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are all drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror and soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

This edition uses the text as it appeared in its first serial publication in 1859 to convey the full scope of Dickens's vision, and includes the original illustrations by H.K. Browne ('Phiz'). Richard Maxwell's introduction discusses the intricate interweaving of epic drama with personal tragedy.

Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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Published May 27, 2003

544 pages

Average rating: 6.82

33 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Graham Richards
Mar 04, 2025
Such a classic! Incredible storytelling about such a dark time.
abookwanderer
Oct 09, 2025
4/10 stars
2.5 stars I enjoyed the last few chapters, but what a long journey it was to get there. I was disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more because Great Expectations was a memorable book for me.
Astacianna
Sep 30, 2025
10/10 stars
My first favorite book. Charles Dickens drew me in.
Cheryl Wiltshire
Sep 27, 2025
6/10 stars
Finally read this book after many times of reading the first page or two and putting it aside. It was slow going at first and after the first couple hundred of pages I thought it was finally the end when I realised there were still four hundred left to go. Once I got past those pages I was used to the language and the style of writing and the kinda chopping back and forth between characters. Had no idea what this book was about. It turned out to be good but took. Lot of trudging through at the start. When I understood the earlier pages set a background for the characters it was easier. And a beautiful story. Just hard going and if I hadn't been determined I may have set it aside yet again. I also read it as an ebook which made the length less overwhelming.
Kul109
Apr 19, 2025
9/10 stars
First time reading a Dickens - unless you count A Christmas Carol. A lot of parallels and symbolism everywhere.

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