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Rick Kastelein asked this question about A Tale of Two Cities:
I just tried this book yesterday, and barely came trough the first 30 pages. I didnt exactly know who said what, and what there was said. Is it true that this book may be quite a work to read? That i just should try again in som years? Or do you have any tips on how to read this book in a nice way? :)
Matt Schumake "A Tale of Two Cities" is about the French Revolution (~1789~). To readers in London, 1859, it was relatively recent history. They would have had much…more"A Tale of Two Cities" is about the French Revolution (~1789~). To readers in London, 1859, it was relatively recent history. They would have had much more context to understand the book. For someone outside of Europe in 2018, it might require a bit more research before diving in.

I recommend looking up a documentary on Youtube to gain a good understanding of the French Revolution. You may also want to read an edition with good footnotes that can explain certain events that Dickens references. Dickens used "The French Revolution: A History" by Thomas Carlyle as one of his primary sources. It might be worth paging through that book as well.

I just finished "A Tale of Two Cities" and thoroughly enjoyed it. The beginning is kind of slow going, as Dickens takes his time to get readers invested in the characters, but the time is well worth it, as the last third really gets intense, and the characters are caught up in the midst of the revolution.

I hope this advice is helpful to you as you read next time. It really is a worthwhile book, one that will certainly be at the top of my list for years to come.(less)
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A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
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