I am not a Dickens fan.All his books (in fact , each and every page if not line) has made me cry.I personally try avoiding rereading his books(mostly in order to avoid a blotchy face and puffed eyes). But this is the first Dickens book which I actually read many times without crying too much.I actually sometimes search for it.
The book, set in midst of French revolution, is mostly remembered for its famous opening lines ’’it was the best of times, it was the worst of times’’
The book begins with the reunion of a father(assumed dead) and a daughter.Driven mad by eighteen years in the Bastille, Dr.Manette(Father) spends all of his time making shoes, a hobby he learned while in prison. His daughter Lucy cures him with her love and affection.
Now the scene shifts to a courtroom battle in which Charles Darney(the hero) is saved by a stunt by his drunkard lawyer Sidney Carton, who bears a close resemblence to the hero. Now both the lawyer and the hero fall in love with lucy.And Lucy falls in love with Charles.This attachment disturbs Dr.Manette who identifies Charles as a relative(nephew) of the cold and cruel Marquis(who is capable of running over a kid purposly!!!!!).(This is typical Dickens, afterall whats a Dicken without some cruel deed.) the Marquis was also responsible for the Doctor’s tenure in prison(another cruel story!!!) The Doctor begins to accept Charles.
But Charles must leave safe England for disturbed France.Here Charles is captured by the people and is to be tried(for being the nephew of the Marquis!!!).The doctor for the sake of his daughter rushes to his rescue along with the lawyer and his daughter. But in the court it turns out that Charles has been tried on the basis of charges laid on him by the Doctor 20 years ago!!!!Now the lawyer unable to see his beloved sad saves Charles again by sacrificing his life.
I loved this book because Dickens etches the characters and emotions so beautifully. The love and affection between the father and daughter was soo beautiful.Lucy was soo full of life and love.Each scene involving her was powerful in emotion. I felt Charles character lacked life and spirit.I would call Carton the hero.He loved Lucy and he sacrificed his life for her sake.The father is so affectionate and crazy about his daughter that he is prepared to accept Charles as his son-in-law.That must hurt because the memories connected to Charles were so terrible. Like all Dickens book emotion is the strong point here.
People who dreaded Oliver Twist and David Copperfield can safely enjoy this book because the level of suffering is much less here.Though I cried a lot, this book didn’t give me nightmares like the others did.