Set in London and Paris at the time of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities (1859) sees the causes and effects of that great social upheaval from an essentially private point of view. Dickens's characters are fictional, their responses individual, their political activity minimal, but all are caught up in a web woven by their own activities and responsibilities, and all are drawn to the Paris of the Terror. A Tale of Two Cities is Dickens's second historical novel, which he considered 'the best story I have written'; it has his tightest and most shapely plot, and shows great narrative daring and experiment. This edition includes extensive notes on the background to the Revolution. Two appendices give variant readings and historical and fictional chronologies for the novel.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was an English novelist and social critic, born in 1812. He is best known for his vivid characters, intricate plots, and powerful social commentary. Some of his most notable works include "Oliver Twist," "Great Expectations," and "A Christmas Carol." Dickens' writing style often combined humor with pathos, and his works often highlighted the struggles of the lower classes in Victorian England.
Dickens had a profound impact on the development of the novel as a literary form, helping to popularize serial publication and bringing attention to issues of poverty, injustice, and inequality. His most famous work, "A Tale of Two Cities," is a historical novel set during the French Revolution and is considered a classic of English literature. Dickens' legacy continues to resonate today, as his works remain popular and influential in the world of literature.