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It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.
A Tale of Two Cities begins with one of the most famous lines in literature, but after experiencing Paris’ Reign of Terror through Dickens’ engrossing characters, it was those ending words that took my breath away. I listened to A Tale of Two Cities as an audiobook which I played as I commuted to work and home each day, and I was so moved by the final scenes that as soon as I got home, I took my copy of the book from the shelf and reread the last few pages just so I could feel and savor the words one more time.
So much scholarly work has been done on Charles Dickens that I’m certain there is nothing revelatory that a simple lay reader such as I could possibly say. I can, however, tell you this: If you have not yet experienced this classic novel, at least give it a try. I know Dickens is not everyone’s cup of tea, and I approached this, my very first Dickens book, with a bit of apprehension. But if I would be so bold as to create my own list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, this would surely be on it.
Lezlie
9 comments:
I have tried reading other Dickens ("Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations") and was not able to get very far, but this book I could not put down. I struggled a little with some of the language, but I loved it. This became one of my favorite books. My favorite part was the little girl at then end talking to Syndney, telling him that if her death helped her little sister, then it is worth it and she won't be afraid.
Veronica ~ OMG! That was *exactly* the part where I lost my heart to this book! It was all I could do to not start sobbing while I was driving. :-)
Lezlie
A Tale of Two Cities is by far my favorite Dickens! I love this book!
Theres a pretty good movie adaption out there too.
My mother read this book in two days while in the hospital once. It took me at least a week or more! Such a great book.
Teddy Rose ~ It seems I chose wisely for my first experience with his writing. I hope I'm not disappointed now when I get to the others! :-)
Jeane ~ This was definitely one of those audiobooks that make you actually wish for a traffic jam. :-) I can see why your mom got through it so quickly!
I love Dickens, and I find I enjoy his works most when I read them out loud or very slowly, just to savor his witty writing. I have read this one and listened to the audio, and it's great! Very emotional end. I know a lot, if not all, of his works were published in serial form in magazines. I can't help but think that his stories were like the Harry Potter frenzy of today in terms of waiting to see what the next installment would reveal.
Chain Reader ~ It very well could have been like that. I know I would have been on the edge of my seat waiting for installments on this one. Thankfully we don't have to! :-)
Lezlie
This is the one Dickens that I really love. I even did a book report/presentation in seventh grade where I pretended to be Lucy: it was lots of fun-I got to have hysterics and faint. hehe
Eva ~ No video for us? I would have loved to have seen that!
Lezlie
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