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Leslie's Reviews > A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities
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** spoiler alert **
Most satisfying ending in the English language.
Yes, the last line is a classic ("It is a far, far better thing ..."), concluding, in astonishingly concise language (for Dickens), the peace and redemption of the story's most poignant romantic hero. But this novel delivers such a gratifying experience because there are, in fact, many characters who cover significant emotional ground in their journey to love one woman as best they can.
Lucie's father battles his way back from madness under the gentle protection of his daughter. Lucie's childhood nursemaid evolves from a comical stereotype to an embattled force to be reckoned with. Lucie's husband's well-meaning (if bland) noblesse oblige culminates in -- not his hoped-for heroic moment, but a moment of quiet dignity that is most moving for its humility. Even Lucie's banker reaches dizzying heights of heroic accomplishment when Dickens appoints the quiet businessman the vehicle for an entire family's escape from the guillotine.
It is true that Lucie herself engages the reader less than her brutal counterpart -- the broken but terrifying Madame Defarge -- is able to, as modern readers are less moved by the swooning heroines who populate the period's "literature of sensibility." But we can certainly respond to Dickens' powerful and vivid claim: love is not only what makes us human, it is what allows us to be, at times, superhuman.
And when Sydney Carton, in equal parts love and despair, tells Lucie that "there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you" ... ?
I go to pieces. Every damn time.
Yes, the last line is a classic ("It is a far, far better thing ..."), concluding, in astonishingly concise language (for Dickens), the peace and redemption of the story's most poignant romantic hero. But this novel delivers such a gratifying experience because there are, in fact, many characters who cover significant emotional ground in their journey to love one woman as best they can.
Lucie's father battles his way back from madness under the gentle protection of his daughter. Lucie's childhood nursemaid evolves from a comical stereotype to an embattled force to be reckoned with. Lucie's husband's well-meaning (if bland) noblesse oblige culminates in -- not his hoped-for heroic moment, but a moment of quiet dignity that is most moving for its humility. Even Lucie's banker reaches dizzying heights of heroic accomplishment when Dickens appoints the quiet businessman the vehicle for an entire family's escape from the guillotine.
It is true that Lucie herself engages the reader less than her brutal counterpart -- the broken but terrifying Madame Defarge -- is able to, as modern readers are less moved by the swooning heroines who populate the period's "literature of sensibility." But we can certainly respond to Dickens' powerful and vivid claim: love is not only what makes us human, it is what allows us to be, at times, superhuman.
And when Sydney Carton, in equal parts love and despair, tells Lucie that "there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you" ... ?
I go to pieces. Every damn time.
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Finished Reading
February 9, 2008
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Daniel
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rated it 5 stars
May 22, 2009 11:34AM
It has a truly great ending as well as a great beginning. I enjoyed everything in between too!
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I have just finished reading this magnificent novel for the first time ever (and I do have a feeling I need to re-read it at least once to be able to fully grasp its beauty, intensity and message), so I cannot write a real review myself, but wanted to say YES on your words about Sydney Carton. What a character. This book made me weep twice, and every time it was his doing.
"A life you love." Guh.
I had a hard time reading the book due to language barrier I guess. Not that it's in English, it's "English", with long sentences and all. Dickens described the people, the setting and the general mood in excellent clarity. Sydney Carton's character is the best I have seen/read or have known so far. When his character was introduced, I got the feeling that he is capable of doing something great for others. To learn that he did that much for Lucie made me weep.
Excellent review, thank you.
I really like what you said about love. "love is not only what makes us human, it is what allows us to be, at times, superhuman". this will give a place to my quote book. thanks=))
I disagree, but I did not like the ending, which was copied in Hair. But the book was very good.
Would you mind hiding your review? I'm sure I'm not the only person who hasn't read this yet, and I wasn't expecting to find a review that gives away end.
I couldn't agree more - Sydney Carton remains remain the guy who most eaily can melt my heart and make me swooon. That's the power of words and beautiful actions (in contrast to all those possesive alpha-males we see in YA lit)
Oh, now I really love the idea of that contrast. Sydney absolutely prostrates himself ... to an extent that my students occasionally find distasteful. I hadn't thought of it in quite those terms before (anti-alpha, etc.).Though he is quite commanding in book three ...
An Awesome Edition....
madame defarge is evil...Sidney carton is the savior of all...I find myself wondering why I learned more honest truths of history from fiction than from textbooks.
While some of Dicken's characters may be caricatures his view of the world never is. There are so many grey areas, ironies and paradoxes in A Tale of Two Cities that a discussion of human motivations relating to that story alone could go on ad infinitum.
I can understand how modern females might find Lucy rather cloying because today we admire strength, independence and a feisty spirit in women. Today's heroines are often the forces of action in a story, rather than people to whom things happen.. However, I think she shows strength of character in devotion to first her father and then her husband. She remains strong for them no matter what the circumstances. This strength takes integrity and real love and that is never old-fashioned, Dickens describes her as the"golden thread" that binds them. Modern women should not dismiss that idea of binding family and friends through the power of caring. It is a very real force.
I keep re-reading this book. The end never gets dull, if you can make it there.
Yes.I think Sydney Carton is the best character I have ever read and I can't stop thinking of him now.He will never die in my heart.He's the symbol of pure love.He's clever but never try to bring himself any happiness.Maybe it is not a proper way to live,but I love him just because of his difference.It is probably a way to show his kindness and lovely personality.I don't know why I love his every action and word so much.There are too many reasons.(I am just a middle school student in China so I can't speak English very well.I've tried my best to say something about Sydney Carton in English,but there are still many things I cannot say.)
You said wonderful things! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. This is the best thing I've read all week!
wasn't the language quite difficlt ? flamboyant and fairly complex ?
