A Tale of Two Cities

A new edition of A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens's classic 1859 historical novel, set in London and Paris during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror. Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities is centered on Dr. Manette, as he is released from eighteen years of imprisonment as a political prisoner in the Bastille and his reunion with his daughter, Lucie Manette, who has found sanctuary in England. Their lives become intertwined with two men they meet in England, the exiled French aristocrat, Charles Darnay, and a disreputable by brilliant English lawyer, Sydney Carton, both of whom fall in love with Lucie. From their relative safety in London, they soon find themselves drawn back to Paris, which is at the height of the Reign of Terror and poses more danger to them than ever. Dickens' best-known work of historical fiction, A Tale of Two Cities is one of the best-selling novels of all time, and regularly is ranked among the greatest novels ever written -- a "must-read" for all lovers of classic literature. The novel has been adapted for film, television, radio, and the stage, and continues to have an enormous influence on popular culture. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is regarded by many as the finest novelist of the Victorian era. His works were among the most popular in his own day and continue to be widely read, not just as the best examples of 19th century British literature but as enduring classics with indelible characters beloved by modern audiences. Among his most notable works were, The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. His novels and novellas are often ranked among the "greatest" or "most important" English-language novels ever written -- "must-reads" for all lovers of classic literature -- and he continues to be considered to be one of the greatest novelists of all time.