A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and the ‘reign of terror’ that followed. The story takes us back and forth between London and Paris-the two cities-and revolves around the lives of Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay. Against the grim background of the guillotine, unfolds a tale of adventure and mystery, heroism and courage. We see the quintessential Dickens as he vividly portrays the trials and tribulations of the poor at the hands of the rich, before the Revolution and the mindless mayhem that follows it. This historical novel is unusual for Dickens, whose other major works are set in Victorian England.
