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 wayin 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) was an English writer, novelist, and social critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time, having written some of the most famous works in the English language, such as A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist. His works have been translated into more than 100 languages, and his stories have been adapted into countless plays, films, and television shows. Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England, and lived in London for much of his life. He was the second of eight children and had a difficult childhood. He was forced to leave school at the age of twelve and start working at a factory to help support his family. Despite his difficult circumstances, Dickens was an avid reader and a talented writer. He began publishing his works in 1833, and quickly gained fame and popularity. Throughout his career, Dickens wrote some of the most influential works of the 19th century, exploring themes of morality, poverty, and social justice. He was also an outspoken critic of Victorian-era injustices, particularly those experienced by the poor. His works were often seen as critiques of the social and political issues of his time. Dickens' popularity has endured over the years and his works are still widely read today. His novels have been adapted and re-imagined countless times, and his characters and stories have become part of the English literary canon. He is remembered as one of the most influential authors of all time, and his works have shaped generations of readers.