A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, published in 1859, is a masterwork of storytelling, an intense historical novel set during the onset of the French Revolution that sheds light on the dangers of unbridled revolt. The story begins with an introduction to a cast of a vast array of characters including Mr. Lorry, Doctor Manette, his daughter, Lucie, Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, Mr. Cruncher, Mr. and Mrs. Defarge, etc., which sets the stage for the relentlessly paced second half of the novel.
The two cities in the title, if you’re wondering, refer to London and Paris–two locations in which the main characters: Doctor Manette, his daughter, Lucie, Charles Darney, Mr. Lorry, etc., travel to and from during the French Revolution. The story begins with Mr. Lorry, in his coach, receiving a message which reads “Recalled to Life.” At first, you might be perplexed by it (as I was), but as the story takes shape, you learn that Mr. Lorry works for a bank called Tellson, and he is the ward of Lucie, whose mother had passed away, and whose father was recently discovered in Paris after it was assumed he had perished.
Mr. Lorry and Lucie go to Paris, and sneak Doctor Manette out of the top floor of the wine-shop that belongs to Defarge. Because Doctor Manette had been imprisoned for ten years in Bastille, something there (or prior) had traumatized him to the effect where he isn’t fully cognizant of what’s going on. Later, after his rescue, we meet Sydney Carton, a lawyer with misgivings about his own life, who defends a man named Charles Darney, a frenchman accused of being a spy against England.
Therein sets in motion the story (at least the first half) where Lucie falls in love with Charles Darnay, they marry, and Mr. Lorry and Ms. Pross help mend Doctor Manette’s past trauma (in which he copes by shoemaking), whereas in France, the Defarges carefully and secretly plot their revolt against the aristocracy with the peoples of Saint Antione, who have been crushed under the aristocracy’s oppression (shown in one particular scene, where a nobleman named Marquis St. Evremonde runs over a victim with his carriage and throws a gold coin out as if that were consolation).
In the second half of the story, years have past, and the French Revolution has taken off with the guillotine (“La Guillotine” in the novel), which is used mercilessly against anyone who opposes the Republic. Since Charles Darnay, who is now a French teacher in England, is the nephew of Marquis St. Evremonde (aforementioned), and the château which he inherited is now burned down, with its custodian, the servant, Gabelle, taken into prison (La Force), Gabelle writes to him, beseeching that he come to France and clear his name.
But with Charles Darnay now living a quiet life with his wife, Lucie, and their young child (also named Lucie), he is reluctant to return to France (especially to the prison where Gabelle is kept), but feeling an obligation to save an innocent man’s life, he surreptitiously departs. After stealthily riding to the place where Gabelle is kept, he is found out, and is arrested on the spot, since he has ties to the aristocracy (due to his uncle, who is now deceased).
This sets in motion what can be called a rescue mission to free Charles Darnay from prison before he becomes the next victim of the guillotine under the leadership of the Defarges. Doctor Manette, his daughter, Ms. Pross (their housekeeper), Mr. Lorry, etc. all arrive in France, hiding from the vengeful mob as countless people are arrested, charged, and tried for execution under the guillotine.
The second half of the novel is so riveting and grim that is a far cry from the warmth and charm of A Christmas Carol, also by the same author. Without revealing any spoilers, this book is a masterpiece, whose story bridges all the characters together in nuanced ways, touching on numerous themes about friendship, revenge, oppression, sacrifice, etc., so much so, that it well deserves the label masterpiece. It is a cautionary tale of the extremes of revolutionary fervor and how far it can be carried out, sweeping up innocent people in its midst. It’s a story whose messages resonate deeply throughout, with characters that portray virtues as well as flaws, that by the end, the last lines will echo in your mind like sage advice to live by and remember.
Fallton Havenstonne 