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A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel by Charles Dickens. The plot centers on the years leading up to the French Revolution and culminates in the Jacobin Reign of Terror. It tells the story of two men, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, who look similar but are very different in personality. Darnay is a romantic French aristocrat, while Carton is a cynical English barrister. However, the two are in love with the same woman, Lucie Manette.

Source: Dickens, C. (1859). A Tale of Two Cities. London, England: Chapman and Hall.

Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 1: The Period
A description of the time period is presented to the reader.
Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 2: The Mail
Jarvis Lorry and his fellow travelers encounter a messenger.
Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 3: The Night Shadows
Lorry takes part in a strange conversation as his fellow travelers dream.
Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 4: The Preparation
After arriving in Dover, Lorry delivers a message to Lucie Manette.
Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 5: The Wine-Shop
Lorry and Lucie visit the wineshop of Monsieur Defarge.
Book the First: Recalled to Life—Chapter 6: The Shoemaker
Lucie is reunited with her father.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 1: Five Years Later
Jerry Cruncher heads off to run an errand, while his son waits for him at Tellson's Bank.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 2: A Sight
Cruncher is sent to attend the trial of Charles Darnay.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 3: A Disappointment
A series of witnesses are called to testify against the Charles Darnay.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 4: Congratulatory
Darnay exits the courtroom and is eventually joined by Sydney Carton, whose appearance strongly resembles Darnay's.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 5: The Jackal
Stryver and Carton discuss the days proceedings over drinks. Stryver questions Carton's feelings for Lucie.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 6: Hundreds of People
Lorry discusses Lucie's suitors with Miss Pross. A story relayed from the Tower of London disturbs Dr. Manette.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 7: Monseigneur in Town
Marquis Evremonde, a guest of Monseigneur, is involved in a tragedy outside of Defarge's wine shop.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 8: Monseigneur in the Country
The Marquis arrives at his village where he treats the peasants with callous indifference.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 9: The Gorgon's Head
After receiving a visit from his nephew, Charles Darnay, the Marquis receives a painful message.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 10: Two Promises
Darnay makes an admission to Dr. Manette and asks for a promise. Dr. Manette asks for a promise in return from Darnay.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 11: A Companion Picture
Stryver discusses his feelings for Lucie with Carton.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 12: The Fellow of Delicacy
Stryver's plan to propose to Lucie comes to a sour end.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 13: The Fellow of No Delicacy
Carton laments his wasted life and makes a pledge to Lucie.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 14: The Honest Tradesman
Cruncher follows a funeral procession for Roger Cly. Cruncher is followed by his son when he revisits the grave later that night.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 15: Knitting
The "Mender of Roads" tells the story of the Marquis' assassin to Monsieur Defarge.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 16: Still Knitting
Defarge receives warning of a spy in the neighborhood. John Barsad pays a visit to Defarge's wine shop.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 17: One Night
Dr. Manette starts to put his imprisonment behind him.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 18: Nine Days
Darnay and Lucie marry and leave for their honeymoon. Dr. Manette is not well.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 19: An Opinion
Lorry and Miss Pross discuss the relapse with Dr. Manette. Steps are taken to prevent further relapses.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 20: A Plea
Lucie and Darnay are visited by Sydney Carton. Darnay makes a promise to Lucie regarding Carton.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 21: Echoing Footsteps
Lorry visits the Darnays with some unsettling news. The Defarges lead a mob into the Bastilles.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 22: The Sea Still Rises
The peasants, led by Madame Defarge, exact revenge.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 23: Fire Rises
Throughout the French countryside fires burn as the revolution spreads.
Book the Second: The Golden Thread—Chapter 24: Drawn to the Loadstone Rock
Lorry is dispatched to France. Darnay departs for Paris in an attempt to save the Marquis' groundskeeper.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 1: In Secret
Darnay is arrested after arriving in Paris and is held "in secret".
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 2: The Grindstone
Dr. Manette makes a plea to the mob to spare Darnay's life.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 3: The Shadow
Cruncher protects Lucie and Miss Pross. Madame Defarge is unwilling to assist Lucie.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 4: Calm in Storm
Dr. Manette persuades the tribunal to keep Darnay alive. A new position allows Dr. Manette to keep an eye on Darnay.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 5: The Wood-Sawyer
Lucie stands near La Force, hoping Darnay will be able to see her. Darnay will stand trial soon.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 6: Triumph
Dr. Manette testifies at Darnay's trial.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 7: A Knock at the Door
Darnay is re-arrested, having been accused by Defarge, Madame Defarge, and an unknown third party.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 8: A Hand at Cards
Miss Pross is reunited with her long lost brother. Carton comes up with a plan to help Darnay and coerces Barsad into helping him.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 9: The Game Made
Cruncher attempts to make amends for the work he has done outside of the bank. Carton wanders through the streets of Paris as he prepares for his visit with Darnay. Darnay's accusers are named in court.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 10: The Substance of the Shadow
Dr. Manette's own account of his imprisonment is read in court. Darnay's fate is sealed by the actions of his father and uncle.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 11: Dusk
Darnay is escorted back to his cell. There is little hope of compassion for the condemned Darnay.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 12: Darkness
Carton overhears Madame Defarge's plan at the wine shop. Carton helps to secure safe passage for Lucie and Dr. Manette.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 13: Fifty-Two
Carton visits Darnay before his execution.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 14: The Knitting Done
Miss Pross has one last encounter with Madame Defarge as she and Cruncher prepare to leave the city.
Book the Third: The Track of a Storm—Chapter 15: The Footsteps Die Out For Ever
Sydney Carton imagines a future far brighter than the one he is now witnessing.
  • Year Published: 1859
  • Language: English
  • Country of Origin: England
  • Readability:
    • Flesch–Kincaid Level: 9.5
  • Word Count: 144,575
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Keywords: 19th century literature, british literature, charles dickens, french revolution
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