logo

118 pages 3 hours read

A Tale of Two Cities

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1859

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1859
Book Details
Pages

314

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris And London • 1770s

Theme
Publication Year

1859

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is set in London and Paris before the French Revolution and follows banker Jarvis Lorry and Lucie Manette as they rescue her imprisoned father, Dr. Manette, and bring him to England. Years later, Lucie's fiancé Charles Darnay returns to France to help an innocent man and is arrested. The melancholic lawyer Sydney Carton, who loves Lucie, devises a daring plan to save Darnay from execution. The novel contains themes of imprisonment, revolution, and sacrifice.

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Contemplative

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.2

998,642 ratings

68%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities is praised for its vivid portrayal of the French Revolution and profound character development, especially of Sydney Carton. However, some readers find the plot slow and convoluted. Its timeless themes of sacrifice and redemption resonate strongly, despite occasional criticism of its melodramatic moments.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Tale of Two Cities?

A reader who enjoys historical dramas with rich character development and social commentary would appreciate A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Fans of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo or War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, drawn to the exploration of societal upheaval and personal redemption, would find this novel compelling.

4.2

998,642 ratings

68%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Character List

Sydney Carton

Sydney Carton is an English lawyer who serves as one of the attorneys defending Charles Darnay during his trial at the Old Bailey. He resembles Darnay closely and leverages this likeness to cast doubt on the testimony of key witnesses. Despite devising the strategy to save Darnay, Carton lets his partner Stryver present it in court, allowing Stryver to take the credit. Carton presents himself as lazy and unprofessional, often appearing apathetic and sarcastic.

Charles Darnay is a young, noble Frenchman residing in England at his introduction in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He initially appears as a prisoner accused of treason. Darnay is compassionate and hardworking, having rejected his aristocratic family’s title and inheritance due to their mistreatment of the lower class, aiming to build his own career instead.

Lucie Manette, in *A Tale of Two Cities*, is the daughter of Doctor Manette. Raised in England after losing her mother, Lucie learns as a teenager that her father, believed dead, has been released from the Bastille. Her compassion and devotion help restore her father’s mental health after his long imprisonment.

Miss Pross is Lucie Manette’s devoted maid, having served her since childhood in *A Tale of Two Cities*. She is loyal and protective, often showing fierce devotion to Lucie despite her own blunt demeanor and lack of delicacy.

Mr. Stryver, an English lawyer in *A Tale of Two Cities*, works alongside Sydney Carton to defend Charles Darnay. Ambitious but lacking in legal skill, Stryver presents the arguments in court while relying heavily on Carton’s behind-the-scenes work.

John Barsad, also known as Solomon Pross, is a crafty spy and brother to Miss Pross in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He initially testifies against Charles Darnay, eventually becoming involved in espionage activities during the French Revolution.

Little Lucie is the young daughter of Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay in *A Tale of Two Cities*. Her innocent admiration for Sydney Carton suggests her ability to perceive his intrinsic nobility.

The seamstress is a brief yet poignant character in *A Tale of Two Cities*. She is a young woman executed alongside Sydney Carton and provides him comfort in their final moments.

The Marquis St. Evrémonde, mentioned in *A Tale of Two Cities*, is Charles Darnay’s uncle and a representative of the cruel French aristocracy who attempts to have his nephew implicated in a treason charge.

Gabelle is a servant of the Evrémonde family, working as a tax collector in *A Tale of Two Cities*. His request for assistance leads Charles Darnay back to France, triggering the subsequent events of the narrative.

Roger Cly is a spy and conman in *A Tale of Two Cities*. He appears as a witness against Charles Darnay during Darnay's treason trial.

Book Details
Pages

314

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris And London • 1770s

Theme
Publication Year

1859

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.