Rating: 
Summary: Slow at first, but big payoff at end
Review: I wasn't expecting to like this book at all, but I did. Like most people, I read it for school. Basically, most of a "Tale of Two Cities" builds up to the conclusion -- where all the many intricate pieces of the book fit together perfectly. The first 250 pages were extremely slow, and I admit I was tempted to skim through them. But DON'T. You'll miss alot of important - even if minor - things. Instead, I found reading Sparknotes on each chapter before I actually read the chapter was an excellent way to keep abreast of what was going on -- Dickens paragraphs are easy to get lost in. Overall they really helped me to get alot more out of the book. I thought the themes in the book were excellent, as well as the many symbols that Dickens puts in. If you read a "Tale of Two Cities" closely, there is a big payoff in the end. -- One which will leave you satisfied, and understanding why a "Tale of Two Cities" is truly a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Dickens at his best
Review: A tale of two cities is one of my favourite novels. It contains some of the best blood -chilling action and drama of classical literature. A first rate thriller with an ingeniously crafted plot abounding in twists (which are never accidental), suspense builds upon suspense leading to one of the best resolutions of one of the most terrifying climaxes I've ever read. There are certain flaws - the characters are oversimplified bromides: they lack the psychological complexity,depth,fullness and uniqueness of the characters of the other novels of Dickens.For example,Sydney Carton's character is incomplete and unconvincing (why is he wasting his intelligence , competence-and life? The author never answers.). However, Doctor Manette's (sporadic)strange,almost insane behaviour is heartbreakingly touching, bringing into full focus the consequences of the atrocities of the nobility in pre-Revolution France.
Further, Dickens has not focused explicitly on any important philosophical issue whereas, the French Revolution can provide a lot of scope for in-depth philosophical investigation and study. In a rather generalized manner he has alluded to certain aspects of the Revolution - symbolizing them in terms such as Death , Vengeance etc. and has given a profound spiritual dimension to a particular situation , referring to The Bible (which I mention later in the review) but he has not tried to give any profound analysis of any aspect.
Read Victor Hugo's " Ninety Three" and you shall understand what I mean when I say that, had Dickens integrated some significant philosophical issue of the French revolution with his story, he could have created a masterpiece of the highest order , which, "A tale.." is not (and which "Ninety Three" is).
Nevertheless, the events, in themselves, reflect an important aspect of the revolution - questioning and denouncing (implicitly) the means by which the revolution sought to bring an end to injustice and oppression. The theme of this novel, simply put, is : Love versus Hate. Set in the savage , frightening background of the French Revolution, in an atmosphere in which Bitternes, Hatred and Vengeance , as a result of years and years of oppression and exploitation by the elite, have pulverized Compassion, Justice, Reason and Humanity, where injustice is being "corrected" with greater injustice, bloodshed and cruelty, which shall triumph- Love or Hate ? Dickens shows which. One of the things I loved most about this novel is Sydney Carton's love for Lucie Manette. It is true when a great writer said that it is the great artists(that is,the great authors of world literature) have TAUGHT mankind what great love is- otherwise mankind would never know what it is. In his depiction of Carton's passionate love, Dickens equals the emotional intensity of Thomas Hardy , Victor Hugo and Ayn Rand, though he was not the kind of writer to carefully the nature of love .
Almost impossible to find, Carton's love for Lucie is what , I think, every woman would yearn for. Another aspect which made a great impact on me : I'm not a Christian and properly speaking, do not even believe in God (and still don't). But Dickens, has brought into focus, and by thus isolating it has infused with tremendous psychological, emotional and spiritual meaning a few famous words which ,in my opinion ,do not create the similar impact in The Bible itself . For the first time I understood the power and force of religion-the words have a grand sense of drama and show how religion might provide courage , hope , and a sense of uplift . The words are ( I shall never forget the in the context of this novel): I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Rating: 
Summary: Hmmm....
Review: Having read "Bleak House" and "Great Expectations" for fun, and "Hard Times" for class, and having loved all of them, I was expecting that this would be equally good. But no - I ended up bogged down in a shapeless morass of obscure minor characters and plot details. In fact, believe it or not, I ended up going through about ten pages at a time, getting frustrated, and turning it back to reread the end of the chapter "Still Knitting" (some of the finest prose I've ever seen, in spite of its origin). In short: five, ten, a hundred stars for the characterizations and the wonderful prose! Zero stars for the plot - or, more accurately, for the plot if you read it too quickly. I'm sure that it's comprehensible if you read it nice and slowly. I'm going to give it another go - maybe I'll enjoy it more this time. All I can say is, TAKE IT SLOWLY, and make sure you catch every detail; reading for meaning is most important here. Just remember that if you tear through it at fifty pages an hour, you're going to miss everything.
Rating: 
Summary: A light in the darkness of humanity.
Review: This is not only one of classics of literature, but it is a classic in Christian literature. There is no way of missing the Christian message of sacrifice, since Sydney Carton is a Christic figure who, by his death, lets the captive Charles Darnay go free. For the real obtuse, Dickens quotes the bible several times! Admittedly, one wag described a church as a gathering of hypocrites, and sadly, this may be right. Books like this help Christians spiritually get their head on straight. It is not preachy, save for the eloquence of example. Yes this is a dark book, but it burns so brightly because the characters glow. The darkness is the necessary element: the headless angels carved on dark wood, the grave robber, the wet blade of the Guillotine, and the outrages of injustice. But that is an accurate depiction of the current scheme of things, and this darkness shows the shine of the characters. The Truth is made manifest by the contrast. Carton could have remade a drunk, but he rose above and beyond himself! I read this book in High School, and was so overcome with it, I bought it, and I will never let it go!
Rating:
Summary: Blood and Wine
Review: This is possibly my favorite book. The most significant highlight which piqued my greater appreciation were the detailed and short glimpses of larger stories. Dr. Manet is my favorite character, and probably the one that I relate to most above all literary characters. This book is absolutely inspiring and makes me want to be a better writer. Charles Dickens is absolutely brilliant. His depiction of the human struggle and condition throws a spectacular look at man's psyche.
Rating:
Summary: Dicken's , Shakespare of Novels
Review: A wonderful suspense packed classic. I don't know why some
of the reviewers did not like the book. Readers must keep in mind that the intention of Dicken's in this book was that the historical events would create the story not the characters. That is why this book in a way is his most descriptive book, as far a describing or creating scenaries. So that the reader should feel and picture himself as if present during the French revolution which in itself is no less a duanting task and a work of art. Anyone who is a big
fan of classics or Dickens especially the victorian era should read this book. It contradicts some of the literary critics who accused Dicken's to have flat characters, Sydney Carton was definately not a flat character. It should be a rewarding experience to read this book for a reader of the classical mindset.
Rating:
Summary: A joy to read.
Review: Looking for a classic that you will actually "enjoy" reading? I recommend A Tale of Two Cities highly.
Rating:
Summary: The battle between good and evil
Review: On a whole Charles Dickens once again has mastered the literary aspect of a novel. The "Tale Of Two Cities" was a Filled with twists and turns and with every new chapter the plots depth deepened. Madame Defarge was a bitter women and her need for revenge was in evidence through the entire book. It struck me as a horrible thing to be so filled with hate that it would spill over to people that were so evidently pure of heart. But that is what happens when you let yourself become so blinded with hate. Sydneys Life went from a charachter of self-centered living to one of sacrifice and love for others what a woderful witness. An example of what some people think was Christ's life and death. But in the end good does prevail. Good things can and do happen, but not without a price.
Rating: 
Summary: i hate it
Review: This book was mindless dribble. i hated it. too many words. I'd like to see him keep a sentence under 1,000 words. If I turned in a paper written in that charles guy's style, i'd get an F.
Rating:
Summary: Really 3.5 stars
Review: "A Tale of Two Cities" is essentially good. I loved the plot. I especially enjoyed the ending, which was both sad and uplifting. This novel (originally a series) shows how good an author Dickens could have been. However, Dicken's style is really what costs him the 1.5 stars in my review. I dislike the amount of microscopic attention he pays to the most insignificant things. Luckily, for Dickens, this is not as egregious as it was in "Great Expectations" but its still there. I can't blame Dickens for this completely. This was basically a style forced upon him by his bosses in order to sell more newspapers. However, that fact does not mean I can just ignore it. There are also some issues with unrealistic characters. Overall, if you're a patient reader, you'll be rewarded. If not, find another author.
| 
