A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is set in London and Paris before the French Revolution and follows banker Jarvis Lorry and Lucie Manette as they rescue her imprisoned father, Dr. Manette, and bring him to England. Years later, Lucie's fiancé Charles Darnay returns to France to help an innocent man and is arrested. The melancholic lawyer Sydney Carton, who loves Lucie, devises a daring plan to save Darnay from execution. The novel contains themes of imprisonment, revolution, and sacrifice.

Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities is praised for its vivid portrayal of the French Revolution and profound character development, especially of Sydney Carton. However, some readers find the plot slow and convoluted. Its timeless themes of sacrifice and redemption resonate strongly, despite occasional criticism of its melodramatic moments.

A reader who enjoys historical dramas with rich character development and social commentary would appreciate A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Fans of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo or War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, drawn to the exploration of societal upheaval and personal redemption, would find this novel compelling.

Mysterious / Dark / Melancholic / Contemplative / Challenging

- A Tale of Two Cities was first published in 1859 and is one of Charles Dickens's best-selling novels, with over 200 million copies sold, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
- The opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," is one of the most famous lines in English literature and often quoted to highlight contradictions or dualities.
- Dickens originally published A Tale of Two Cities in weekly installments in his literary magazine "All the Year Round," from April to November 1859, which was a common practice for authors during that time.

**Sydney Carton**  
Sydney Carton is an English lawyer who serves as one of the attorneys defending Charles Darnay during his trial at the Old Bailey. He resembles Darnay closely and leverages this likeness to cast doubt on the testimony of key witnesses. Despite devising the strategy to save Darnay, Carton lets his partner Stryver present it in court, allowing Stryver to take the credit. Carton presents himself as lazy and unprofessional, often appearing apathetic and sarcastic.

**Charles Darnay (Charles Evrémonde)**  
Charles Darnay is a young, noble Frenchman residing in England at his introduction in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He initially appears as a prisoner accused of treason. Darnay is compassionate and hardworking, having rejected his aristocratic family’s title and inheritance due to their mistreatment of the lower class, aiming to build his own career instead.

**Lucie Manette**  
Lucie Manette, in *A Tale of Two Cities*, is the daughter of Doctor Manette. Raised in England after losing her mother, Lucie learns as a teenager that her father, believed dead, has been released from the Bastille. Her compassion and devotion help restore her father’s mental health after his long imprisonment.

**Miss Pross**  
Miss Pross is Lucie Manette’s devoted maid, having served her since childhood in *A Tale of Two Cities*. She is loyal and protective, often showing fierce devotion to Lucie despite her own blunt demeanor and lack of delicacy.

**Mr. Stryver**  
Mr. Stryver, an English lawyer in *A Tale of Two Cities*, works alongside Sydney Carton to defend Charles Darnay. Ambitious but lacking in legal skill, Stryver presents the arguments in court while relying heavily on Carton’s behind-the-scenes work.

**John Barsad (Solomon Pross)**  
John Barsad, also known as Solomon Pross, is a crafty spy and brother to Miss Pross in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He initially testifies against Charles Darnay, eventually becoming involved in espionage activities during the French Revolution.

**Little Lucie**  
Little Lucie is the young daughter of Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay in *A Tale of Two Cities*. Her innocent admiration for Sydney Carton suggests her ability to perceive his intrinsic nobility.

**The Seamstress**  
The seamstress is a brief yet poignant character in *A Tale of Two Cities*. She is a young woman executed alongside Sydney Carton and provides him comfort in their final moments. 

**The Marquis St. Evrémonde**  
The Marquis St. Evrémonde, mentioned in *A Tale of Two Cities*, is Charles Darnay’s uncle and a representative of the cruel French aristocracy who attempts to have his nephew implicated in a treason charge.

**Gabelle**  
Gabelle is a servant of the Evrémonde family, working as a tax collector in *A Tale of Two Cities*. His request for assistance leads Charles Darnay back to France, triggering the subsequent events of the narrative.

**Roger Cly**  
Roger Cly is a spy and conman in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He appears as a witness against Charles Darnay during Darnay's treason trial.

Charles Dickens

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore A Tale of Two Cities and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

A Tale of Two Cities Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

 “Recalled to Life”

Book 1, Chapters 1-3

A Tale of Two Cities Book 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Book 1: “Recalled to Life”

Book 1, Chapters 4-6

A Tale of Two Cities Book 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Book 2: “The Golden Thread”

Book 2, Chapters 1-3

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 4-6

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 7-9

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 10-13

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 10-13 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 14-16

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 14-16 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 17-20

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 21-24

A Tale of Two Cities Book 2, Chapters 21-24 Summary & Analysis

Book 3: “The Track of a Storm”

Book 3, Chapters 1-5

A Tale of Two Cities Book 3, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Book 3, Chapters 6-9

A Tale of Two Cities Book 3, Chapters 6-9 Summary & Analysis

Book 3, Chapters 10-12

A Tale of Two Cities Book 3, Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Book 3, Chapters 13-15

A Tale of Two Cities Book 3, Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

A Tale of Two Cities Character Analysis

theme

Themes

A Tale of Two Cities Themes

Symbols & Motifs

A Tale of Two Cities Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

A Tale of Two Cities Important Quotes

Vocabulary

A Tale of Two Cities Vocabulary

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

A Tale of Two Cities Essay Topics

Quiz

A Tale of Two Cities Quiz

A Tale of Two Cities

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read A Tale of Two Cities?

Reading Age

Book Details