“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ATOTC, is Charles Dickens 1859’s classic work of literature set around the French Revolution towards the end of 18th Century. Story keeps moving between Paris and London – 2 cities in the title – covering a thrilling tale of Love, Hate, Romance, Compassion and Sacrifice.
ATOTC is Dickens’s one of the most loved work, infact it won’t be erroneous to call it one of the most loved work of literature of any time, with over 200 million of its copies sold since its first publication. No list of Greats could be complete without ATOTC’s name among them. So, what makes it such an impactful book? What made it defy time and become an eternal phenomenon; managing to be one the most loved Love Story of all time?
I remember reading ATOTC in short abridged format during my school days. It’s one of those books whose reminiscence remained with me during all those years. So, when I began reading ATOTC, I kind of knew the plot distantly. But as with all classic works, its only after re-reading ATOTC that I realized how much more it has to offer other than the unforgettable Love story it has at its core. It’s those aspects of this book that makes it Classic among Classics.
Hmm. Plot. Let me try to give it a try: Dr Manette, a victim of injustice, after painstaking imprisonment of 18 years is recalled to Life in Paris; with the help of his loving and caring daughter Lucie finds his way back into normal life. They move to London and settles there. With time Lucie grows up to be a woman of immense beauty and character. She finds the love of her life in Charles Darney, a French Aristocrat, who loves her immensely as well.
Then there is Sydney Carton, another lover and admirer of Lucie, who under the bond of her love is ready to make any sacrifice, which he promises to her. With passage of time, Lucie and Charles have children and it’s a nice and charming family Manette’s possess, surrounded by many well-wishers.
But as French Revolution commences in France under the Reign of Terror, revolutionary starts to kill and imprison – to be executed later - the nobles and upper class people. Charles Darney who travels to Paris to help a friend in need gets arrested and is put in prison. Dr. Manette being a well-known former prisoner and a victim of the aristocratic rule is well respected figure among new rulers.
He is doing all he can to save Darney but odds are well against them. Will Dr. Manette succeed in impressing the jury and save Darney from a sure death at guillotine? What role Sydney Carton and Jarvis Lorry has to play to save Darney and what sacrifices they make? That I leave for you to find in the book.
Well, what I just covered doesn’t even constitute the mere gist of the plot but you must understand my helpless, it’s a hard plot to cover in short.
Going by Dickens standard ATOTC has quite a lesser number of characters, but unforgettable they are, nonetheless. There is Dr Alexander Manette- a calm and composed man, but with is a haunting past which keep visiting him time and time again to trouble him as well as the reader; Lucie Manette - most loveable, a perfect lady in every sense. Everyone loves her; she’s the Golden Thread that binds all other characters in this tale; Charles Darney – an honest and charming gentleman, who leaves his ancestral fortune in Paris - considering it to be earned out of tyranny of poor’s - and settles in London where he falls in love with Lucie.
Chapter where Darney asks Dr Manette for Lucie’s hand in marriage, is really memorable; Sydney Carton – a silent and mysterious character, other lover and admirer of Lucie who’s ready to sacrifice his life for her. He remains in shadow for almost 3/4th length book, but it’s this character that ultimately rises above all, and wins your heart, with the way he brilliantly arranges for Darney’s escape from sure shot death; Jarvis Lorry – a man of business, as he calls himself but infact the one very emotionally attached to Manette’s.
He’s a dear and loyal friend; who is like a protective shadow for the family and plays an important part throughout. Miss Pross – a woman of strong character; first governess of Lucie and then Housemaid, is an interesting character and along with Jerry Cruncher brings in a little bit of Humor in otherwise solemn tale; Monsieur and Madame Defarge – are well portrayed - first in light humor and later in brutal negative shades. In the initial part they help Dr Manette in escaping from Paris, but turns out to be the antagonists towards the end, providing the much needed face of the Evil, esp. Madame Defarge.
Yes, ATOTC has a brilliant plot with exceptional characters mentioned earlier. But, what makes it a work of great historical value is its coverage of French Revolution. Story is very masterly woven around this historic event by Dicken. I had very little knowledge of French Revolution – what caused it and what were its outcomes – but after reading ATOTC one surely can say that he knows quite a bit about that important chapter of history.
ATOTC is a medium sized book with close to 300 pages of length(one that I read, number pages may vary between different publications). Writing style is simple but somewhat of old style, so it takes some time to get adjusted to. Narrative in unidirectional and is very descriptive, as Dickens works usually are. At times, you’ll find descriptions a bit too much resulting in loss of interest/grip on the readers - esp. in the intermediary chapters.
Of the 3 Books that this Novel is divided into: Book 1 – Recalled to Life, perfectly sets the stage covering the parts where Mr. Lorry and Lucie travels to Paris to bring Dr. Manette to London. It thrills, and succeeds in building the interest enough for reader to go all the way and read it till the end. Book 2 – The Golden Thread - forms the part where the plots builds up; its bit slow and relatively less gripping. All major characters are introduced in this one.
Also it covers in bits and pieces what lead to Revolution in France. Lots of incidents are covered in this part which kind of seems to be loose ends to the plot, but they are very aptly linked to the main plot towards the end. Book 3 – The Track of a Storm - forms the most interesting as well as the important part of the tale. It all happens in Paris, during the times of revolutions. It’s the best part of the book.
Finally, I will say that ATOTC is a book that deserves to be read by all. Reason could be: Its strong and loving characters of the likes of Dr. Manette and Sydney Carton; brilliant and captivating plot with narrative having a strong hold throughout; or the way it aptly covers the French Revolution, masterly weaving the plot around it. It is a must read book. I know most of us have already read, number of times, but if not, do yourself a favor: Read this ‘Classic among Classics.’
Strongly Recommended.
Here is ending with one the best quotes from the book(Rest in comments Section):
“For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything. If my career were of that better kind that there was any opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you. Try to hold me in your mind, at some quiet times, as ardent and sincere in this one thing.
The time will come, the time will not be long in coming, when new ties will be formed about you-ties that will bind you yet more tenderly and strongly to the home you so adorn-the dearest ties that will ever grace and gladden you. O Miss Manette, when the little picture of a happy father’s face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!*”
PYAR HUMEIN PHIR MILAAEGA.