A Tale of Two Cities

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever, give it a chance
Review: Apparently, if I take the word of all the high school students out there, I was lucky that I wasn't forced to read A Tale of Two Cities during my adolescence. (I was forced to endure The Hound of the Baskervilles, which has made me hate Sherlock Holmes to this day). Anyhow, I read T2C a few years back by choice and kept getting reprimanded for taking long breaks at work because I was so wrapped up in the story. Don't resist the story because of the length (at 370 pages, it's actually pretty short) or because of Dickens' penchant for wordy sentences (you think that's tough, give Faulkner a try). Give yourself over to the story, the history, the characters, and you'll find a rewarding experience. And if you can find it, check out the Cliff Notes satire, Jump Off The Cliff Notes, which features a killer parody of T2C--and, of course, it helps if you've read the source. As an introduction to English Literature I'd reccommend T2C or The Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Opening
Review: Despite the amount of boredom I recieved from this book, I was very intrgued and amazed on how well written the first sentence (In this case it is so long that it is a paragraph) of A Tale of Two Cities was written. Charles Dickens seemed to sum up the whole theme of France and England with a great amount of symbolism and style.

Rating:
Summary: GrEaT!
Review: I was assigned this book for freshman english. Most books assigned in school are BORING and LONG. However, though this was lengthy, it was an excellent book. The plot is SO well written. If you have to read a book by Dickens, this is the one. =) Oh yeah - I think it is way better than "Great Expectations". The sacrifices made are so sad, but sweet.

Rating:
Summary: This is the best book I have ever read
Review: I read A Tale of Two Cities last year in the 7th Grade. At times it was a bit confusing, but I still feel it was a marvelous book. Dickens really cpatures the horror of the french revolution. I recommend this book to anyone and thank my Language teacher, Ms. Brandies, for making me read it.

Rating:
Summary: too long
Review: i thought this book was way to long, and very confusing. I think it is a good story, but i just don't feel like reading a 2 page long sentence.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Books I ever Read
Review: This book is great, Dicken's views of society are extrodinary, and uterly real in present day.

Rating:
Summary: A Tale of True Love
Review: A Tale of Two Cities is a masterpiece to say the least. Charles Dickens's characters in the book are wonderful. The settings and time period made for a wonderful backdrop for this classic story. Sydney Carton is a charater that no matter who you are in life you can relate to. From the richest person to to poorest person, we've all experienced loss and heartbreak. Dicken's portrayal of Sydney's love is one that very few writers can ever fully express in a character.

Rating:
Summary: History with a confusing twist
Review: A Tale of Two cities is a very enjoyable book, but can also be very confusing. The first time I read a Tale of Two Cities was in eigth grade for English class. I didn't really understand it, but it was required. I reread it this year for a World Studies book review. I actually understood most of it and it turned out to be a good and interesting book. The characters became real in my head, instead of just being a fictional character some old man made up. The events really decorated the story and showed how real those times were. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good historical fiction book, and is willing to take time to understand what they are reading.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!
Review: I just finished reading this book. I thought it was incredible. Dickens has more talent in being able to paint a picture than any other author I've come across (Hemingway is close). In this masterpiece, Dickens doesn't waste a word; he brings the reader gradually up a hill of information and intrigue; then, all of a sudden, the story explodes at a thousand miles an hour, as he ties every chapter into an ending worthy of fireworks, and he leaves the reader blissfully stunned. A Tale of Two Cities is truly spectacular!!!

Rating:
Summary: A good story, but . . .
Review: A TALE OF TWO CITIES is far too wordy. What Dickens could have said in a line, he turned into a page. But if you like that kind of stuff, go for it. I found myself scanning the pages and I still didn't miss much.