Tale of Two Cities

I approached this with some trepidation. My only previous positive experience of Dickens has been the more child-focused - Oliver Twist (finished it, not overwhelmed, easy to read because I knew the story and - hanging head in shame - had seen the musical), and A Christmas Carol (likewise, knew the story, and it only takes about 10 minutes to read - definitely more impressed by this). The only "grown-up" Dickens that I'd attempted was Nicholas Nickleby. Now, there are very few books which have defeated me - as I read so quickly I tend to plough through to the end even if I'm really not enjoying what I'm reading. However, NN has defeated me not once, not twice, but three times - I think on the third attempt I even got past half way, and then realised that I just didn't care enough to make it through to the end. This left me with a bit of a Dickens hangover, and I have been kind of ignoring his works on this list in the vain hope that they'd go away and I wouldn't have to read them. That clearly isn't going to happen, and I realised that if I didn't start making headway I would get to the end of the list with just Shakespeare, Ulysses, and a pile of Dickens - a depressing few months' reading!

So, A Tale of Two Cities. One of the interesting things about reading on a Kindle is that you don't get to read the blurb on the back of the book - I didn't bother reading it when I downloaded it, as I knew I had to read it anyway, and so started reading this with absolutely no idea of what it was about. This is quite reluctant praise, but I have to say that it has entirely transformed my opinion of Dickens - I really didn't think that was possible! ToTC is set in the period of the French Revolution, and takes place across Paris and London. First and foremost, it is a cracking story. It did take me a little while to get into it, but as the revolutionary action really kicked off, it gained momentum and completely gripped me. There were unexpected twists and turns, peril, love stories (requited and unrequited), long-held grudges...brilliant, and all set against the context of a historical period that I know a little about, but not a great deal, so I felt that I was learning too. Always a bonus. I think that part of the reason I found it so gripping was, knowing nothing about it, after the initial period in Paris, when the action moved back to London, it appeared to be settling down into genteel 18th century life, with minor excitements such as marriage and (greatly understated) childbirth, and I prepared to lose interest. So, when it actually then plunged back into the danger and excitement of revolutionary Paris and la Sainte Guillotine, it definitely drew me back in.

The characters were also well-realised. Miss Pross and Mr Cruncher bring the element of comedy (particularly towards the end as they plan their escape, and as Miss Pross faces off with Madame Defarge), and Madame Defarge presents a fantastic image as she grimly listens, and knits the names of the enemies of the revolution into her coded woollen register of people to be punished. Minor characters such as the Vengeance add colour and interest. One interesting facet, in terms of characterisation, is that the "main" characters - Lucie and Charles - are fairly one-dimensional. They are worthy, and good, and act honourably, and Lucie faints at every appropriate juncture. The story revolves around them, but in actual fact it is the characters of Mr Lorry, Sydney Carton, Dr Manette and the Defarges who come to life, hold the story together, and move it forward. I don't know whether this is in some way reflecting the social order at the time, where those who were traditionally in charge lost control and were reliant on their "inferiors" for their lives - or, it may just be that I have no patience for the 18th century "good wife" kind of character, who is passive, quiet and good!

On getting to the end, I can see why the first third of the book, which seems to meander around talking about peasants and villages, is important, so it is definitely worth getting through, as the remainder is a more than adequate reward!

So, I didn't think I'd ever say this, but - I would definitely recommend reading this!

As a bit of light relief, I took a mid-novel break from a ToTC to read The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, which I had for Christmas. Based in the American South in the 60s, it explores the relationship between white women and the black women they employ to run their homes. Please read this - it's brilliant. It's really easy to read, but at the same time well-written and has great substance. The implicit and explicit racism of the society explored will make you angry, but it's not written in that "righteous indignation" tone which can sometimes make books feel too "worthy" to enjoy - it is simply placed before you as part of the novel, and you are left to form your own opinion. I won't go into the detail of the story, as I think it's all best discovered as you go along, but do take my word for it - I can't recommend it highly enough as a relaxing but engaging read!