Reflections on A Tale of Two Cities | Mega Dickens Readalong
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- #Dickensalong
In which I discuss my thoughts on A Tale of Two Citites . . .
Spoilers from 28m37s
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens: / 1953.a_tale_of_two_cities
The audiobook I’m listening to is narrated by Simon Callow: www.audible.co...
The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas: / 7126.the_count_of_mont...
Self-Help, Samuel Smiles: www.gutenberg....
Knitting and the French Revolution: lithub.com/on-...
More about the Mega Dickens Readalong
Discorder server: / discord
Mega Dickens Readalong Video Playlist: • The Mega Dickens Reada...
The Schedule
The Pickwick Papers, 1837: October and November 2022
Oliver Twist, 1838: December 2022
Nicholas Nickleby, 1839: January and February 2023
The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841: March 2023
Barnaby Rudge, 1841: April and May 2023
Martin Chuzzlewit, 1844: June and July 2023
Dombey and Son, 1848: August and September 2023
David Copperfield, 1850: October and November 2023
Bleak House, 1853: December 2023 and January 2024
Hard Times, 1854: February 2024
Little Dorrit, 1855: March and April 2024
A Tale of Two Cities, 1859: May 2024
Great Expectations, 1861: June 2024
Our Mutual Friend, 1865: July and August 2024
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 1870: September 2024
My Novels
The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst
Bookshop.org (UK affiliate link): uk.bookshop.or...
Waterstones (UK): tinyurl.com/2j...
Amazon (UK): tinyurl.com/39...
Blackwells (best for international): tinyurl.com/4w...
Goodreads: tinyurl.com/y2...
The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
Bookshop.org (UK affiliate link): uk.bookshop.or...
Waterstones (UK): tinyurl.com/49...
Amazon (UK): tinyurl.com/yc...
US order links: bit.ly/Hartwoo...
Canada order links: bit.ly/Hartwoo...
Goodreads: tinyurl.com/59...
Ways to Support My Channel
1. Subscribe and keep watching my videos!
2. Support me on Patreon: tinyurl.com/yb...
3. Give me a tip with SuperThanks (the button to the right beneath the video)
4. Buy my novels or take them out of the library
5. Buy something with one of my affiliate links:
-Bookshop.org: uk.bookshop.or...
-Bruu Tea: www.bruutea.co...
General Links
My website: tinyurl.com/4c...
Patreon: tinyurl.com/yb...
X: x.com/katiejlu...
Instagram: tinyurl.com/39...
Threads: tinyurl.com/4h...
Facebook: tinyurl.com/48...
Goodreads: tinyurl.com/mt...
Email: katie.booksandthings@gmail.com
![ว้าว!ลุงบีมแบกทองมารับขวัญหลานกันยกบ้าน [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.49 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Osihq1OAs-4/mqdefault.jpg)
I loved this book! I also loved Barnaby Rudge . I would have loathed Lucy in any Dickens we’ve read so far, but in this one there was always something happening that distracted me from her. This was my first time reading it and I was very engaged with the plot and was constantly surprised by the revelations. I will definitely be re-reading it in the future. Thanks Katie!
A very well put-together review, Katie. I especially liked your description of the prose as poetic and inspired by French writers--so true. I think that's why I have a harder time with ATOTC. Despite the fantastic ending, the scene that stood out for me on this audiobook re-read, was the scene where Mr Lorry asks Dr Manette for advice on an anonymous "case." This came off so emotional on audio (Simon Vance) and I think it really deepens Dr Manette's character as well as Lorry's. They are my two favorite characters, and feel the most rounded besides Carton. What I appreciate in this book is the very tight construction and Dickens' ability to expertly weave his story within the details of the real events--he rarely fudges or changes the events to suit his story. I loved Barnaby Rudge, but I think within the historical context it wandered and did go on a bit long. It had a serious feel to it as well--the only "comical" character I remember in that one is Barnaby's crow!
Oh yes, I love that scene very much, too!
I'm glad you encouraged me to read A Tale of Two Cities! I agree Lucie and Darney aren't well-drawn, but I also feel like they aren't the main focus of the story, just the pivot around which everything else occurs. They are both French and English, so they can't be the stand-in for either side when they represent a 'whole'. I really appreciated the exploration of Dr Manette's trauma, but also the (non-spoilery) side hustle of Mr Cruncher!
I did not read this with you but I read it for the first time two years ago and I had a lot of the same thoughts. I thought it had one of the best endings, not only Dickens, but of any book I have read. Yet, I could not give it a 5 star rating.
This was the first Dickens I read (after CC) and it really slowed my monentum because I just felt so unconnected. I did love the ending but I had a hard time grasping on to it. I've had much better luck with his other books!
A Tale of Two Cities was my first Dickens read and I have soft spot for. I do agree most of characters are lacking in development and I wish it had been longer.
I read A Tale of Two Cities last year, it was my third Dickens after The Pickwyck Papers and Nicholas Nickleby and I absolutely loved it. It was actually my favourite read of 2023. I think Lucy's little development may be on purpose to show that every life, even the little ones, deserve the sacrifice Sidney is doing at the end... maybe? A stronger heroine would have been better for the novel but perhaps Dickens is saying "look, even a dull person like this deserves to be saved from a miserable life caused by injustice". I don't know what I'm saying, I just loved this novel 😅
At the same time, I realise after listening your review, that I forgot many details of the story. I should reread it soon!
Thank you Katie!
A very comprehensive review of a gem of a novel! There are fantastic moments in this work that you have alluded to but I also loved scenes like the spilling of the wine casket that the poor gorged on which was symbolic of the blood of the aristocrats that they would also gorge on, the destruction and burial of Dr Manette's workbench by Mr Lorry and Miss Pross, the latter's climactic battle with Madame Defarge, and of course Sydney and the seamstress' final moments courageously facing the brutality of their fate. By the way Katie how many servants do you require to feed you chocolate?😂
Thank you for being a responsible driver and not listening to the end of A Tale of Two Cities while driving. 😅
On the whole, I agree with all of your points about the problems with this book, but since it was my first read, the good outweighed the bad.
I'm so over the portrayal of pretty, young women by most Victorian male authors. I mean, Lucy is just another pretty face that's barely legal. She can't be expected to have thoughts! It makes me so sad to think that's how so many men view young, pretty women.
The ending was wonderful. I wish it was a little less hinted at prior to, so it was more of a shock when we got there. But it was beautiful, and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read classics.
I think I also struggle with the fact that, with the time that passes over the course of the novel, Lucy must be in her mid-30s I think by the end, but she still sort of reads as very young, and it's just a bit off for me.
@@katiejlumsden good point!
In the classic American situation-comedy series, Cheers, Dr. Frazier Crane decides to share A Tale of Two Cities with the barflies - who at times have serious discussions on topics like the Coyote's ability to return from mountain falls while chasing the Roadrunner, and his bizarre Acme kits - but quickly realizes to hold their attention it is necessary to adapt the Dickens novel with the addition of Apache attack helicopters, and the like.
Barnaby Rudge and Our Mutual Friend are the only ones I haven't read yet. The Tale I vaguely remember as well. Haven't got a clue how it ends, so you've got me intrigued there.
And yeh The Count of Monte Cristo is great 👋🏻
The Count of Monte Cristo is SO good. And Our Mutual Friend is my favourite Dickens, so I highly recommend it.
The Count of Monte Cristo is SO good. And Our Mutual Friend is my favourite Dickens, so I highly recommend it.
I adore Dickens, but I loathed this book. I'm much more character-centered than plot-centered. I read this when I was a young adult, and I wonder what my reaction would be to it now. You're half-tempting me to give it another look, but also half-confirming that I should never look at it again. 🤷🏻♀️
I think you have summed up why I love Tale of Two Cities, but can't get on board for Dickens' other works (I know, I am sorry... Honestly, I have tried! 🙈).
Sydney Carton is one of my all-time favourite characters, he just breaks my heart. And I agree about the rest of the characters. I love Miss Pross and Mr. Lorry, and yes, Lucy and Darnay are more than a little "meh"!
Nice review! 😊
It's just a very different Dickens!
🫖
I guess I must be dead inside, because the ending did nothing for me 😮😅