With the new semester in full swing and my forty-five minute commute in full effect I chose a new novel to listen to while stuck behind drivers going ten below the speed limit.
Novel: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Originally published as a serial in the newspaper, chapter by chapter in 1859, it follows the lives of people living in London, and Paris. Spanning the time of the French Revolution it entwines around the lives of both Enslighmen and Frenchmen.
Disclaimer: I won't get too much into the details of the plot. After all, no one likes a Spoiler.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Darnay: The Marquis Evremonde
A man who changed his name and left France because of the injustices done by his aristocratic family. He chose to live in England as a teacher, only returning to France to help another man in need.
Sydney Carton
A man who prefers to drink his life away, with no real prospects of life. He works with Stryver in the law offices and helped acquit Darnay when he was first accused of treason in the British courts. Darnay was left off due to the striking resemblance between him and Carton. Throughout the novel he transfers from a negligent drunk and scoundrel to that of a man surpassing Darnay in qualities.
Doctor Manette
A brilliant physician. When he was younger he helped an aristocrat and was rewarded with 18 years in the Bastille. While there he learns to make shoes to pass the time he's imprisoned. When finally reunited with his daughter, he proves to be a kind, loving father.
Lucie Manette
A French woman who grew up in England, raised as a ward of Tellson's Bank. She is the archetype of compassion in the novel, the basis of all the good things that come about. She is referred to as the "Golden Thread" (though that could be an allusion to her hair color as well). Her love is shown as a transformative power to those who meet her: her father turning from a man without hope to one who lives and laughs; and Sydney Carton, who goes from scoundrel to hero.
Monsieur Defarge
The man who used to be a servant to Doctor Manette, and took care of him after his release from the Bastille. He is the owner of a wine shop, intelligent and committed to the revolutionary. He is a compassionate man, turned leader in the revolution. His wife sees his compassion as weakness.
Madame Defarge
The wife of Monsieur Defarge, she is far more blood thirsty for the aristocracy. She knits the entire novel, knitting the names of those who must die for the revolutionary cause. She is unrelenting in her thirst for blood.
Jarvis Lorry
The businessman from Tellson's Bank who helped Doctor Manette and Lucie first reunite. He is a bachelor with a strong moral sense. He has a good, honest heart and proves trustworthy and loyal. He is a personal friend to the Manette family.
Jerry Cruncher
An odd-jobs man for Tellson's bank. He is seen as a short-tempered, superstitous, and uneducated man (in the book sense). His main job is as a "Resurrection-Man" - someone who digs up dead bodies and sells them to scientists. He is shown as a good man throughout the novel, though at odds with some of the other characters.
Miss Pross
The woman who raised Lucie. She is the epitome of an English woman: brusque, though, and fiercely loyal. She personifies order and loyalty.
With a long list of characters, this novel delves deep into the world of Revolutionary France. Taking a more layman view of the events that changed the French government. This novel has every character you'd want in a story.
At the time it was written, Charles Dickens was paid by the word, making this a tedious read. Listening to it in the car while traveling made it easier - and the world came alive. I do intend to re-read this at some point in the future.
If you're looking for a good read (not quick!) then pick up a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities".
What are you reading this month? Leave a comment and let's discuss books!
