I have read a few of Charles Dickens novels - despite not particularly liking his brand of style of plots. A sort of melancholy and depression sets in, reading his novels.
The best of the lot, however, is Tale of Two Cities. It starts on the right note, setting a perspective to the historical events that took place in the 18th-19th century...the now oft-quoted ’’It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’’ is quoted thus because it reflects how times were then.
Tightly woven with this history is the lives of Sidney Carton, Charles Darnay, Lucy, her father...
What makes this book stand apart is the character of Sidney. Without him, the novel would have been average. But, this wastrel and drunkard shows remarkable depth of character, not only in sacrificing his life for his love...but even as he approaches his death. Though I would love to wax eloquent here, that would mean revealing the plot.
Throughout the novel, the contrasts between the various characters is beautifully projected. On the one hand you have the almost perfect Darnay, and on the other, Carton. you have Lucy, who is all love, and Madame Defarge, who shows a uniquely hard disposition. You have the heartless nobles, the poor who suffer; and then by a twist of fate - heartless poor and the trapped and helpless noblemen.
All know how bloody the Revolution turned. This book particularly places these developments in true light with no fuzzing over.
It is a serious read...but very sensitive and beautifully written.