BOOK REVIEW ON

‘A TALE OF TWO CITIES’

BYCHARLES DICKENS

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• Written in 1859 in London by Charles Dickens

• One of the greatest literary achievements of the author

• Genres: Historical Fiction

• Type of work: Novel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Full name: Charles John Huffam Dickens

Editor of a weekly Journal; Writer of 15 novels and 100s of short stories and non-fiction articles

Known for his humor, satire and keen observation power

Notable Works: The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, etc.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Set up location: London, Paris and outskirts; prior to, and during the French Revolution

Time: 1775- 1793

Elements: History, Romance and Action

Tone: Sentimental, sympathetic, sarcastic, horrified, grim

STYLE OF NARRATION

Third person narration presumably the author himself

The shade of each character is brilliantly justified

The story successfully leaves a soft mark even after being full of violence, cruelty and pain

Omniscient approach- historical context in amalgamation with bold characterization

CHARACTERS

Protagonists: Charles DarnaySydney Carton

Other characters:Alexander ManetteLucie Manette Jarvis LorryMadam Defarge

STORYLINE

Swings back and forth between Paris and London

Reunion of father and daughter

Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton and Lucie

Darnay is lured back to France; gets Imprisonment

Carton takes over his imprisonment

Receives death smiling

BASIC UNDERSTANDING

Significant plot

Very readable

British and French culture revelation

Antagonist turns to be a protagonist

A story of sacrifice

OBSERVATIONS

Dramatic description of scenes

Apt explanation of condition of France

Although the story started up with the base of French Revolution but it was later unfolded as a love story

OBSERVATIONS

Justice with the characters of Lucie, Carton and Darnay

Dickens perfectly blended the elements of pain, cruelty, love, hatred and suspense

Realistic depiction of the French Revolution

THANK YOU