I studied this book for my
English Literature exams at school. I loved it. It has a romantic hero with
whom I could identify! The story is set at the time of the French Revolution
and oscillates between London and Paris. Englishman Sydney Carton is instrumental
in the acquittal of alleged French spy Charles Darnay. Both are in love with
Lucie Manette but it is Charles who marries her. After the French Revolution,
Charles is sentenced to death by guillotine. Does Sydney seize his chance?
You’ll have to read the book to find out. It was written in weekly installments
for a magazine so each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger. In other words, it’s a
bit like a soap opera – but with far better characterisation. One of the
highlights of my life was striding across the old Place de la Guillotine in
Paris saying “It is a far, far better thing that I do now than I have ever
done”. Read it to find out why!
Borrow it
from the school library and read it. I dare you.
