Discover Charles Dickens’s epic novel of love, sacrifice, and revolution, ‘A Tale of Two Cities,’ and read the complete book online for free.
Published in 1859, A Tale of Two Cities is Charles Dickens’s great historical novel, a sweeping drama set against the violent backdrop of the French Revolution. The famous opening lines—“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”—introduce a world of stark contrasts: between London and Paris, between the aristocratic cruelty of the ancien régime and the bloody justice of the mob, and between personal redemption and public vengeance. At its heart is a love triangle involving the beautiful Lucie Manette, her father Dr. Manette (recently freed from 18 years of unjust imprisonment in the Bastille), and the two men who love her: the dissolute but noble English barrister, Sydney Carton, and the virtuous French émigré, Charles Darnay.
Dickens researched the period meticulously, and the novel pulses with the terror and chaos of the Revolution. Scenes like the storming of the Bastille, the grinding poverty of Saint Antoine, and the relentless knitting of Madame Defarge as she records names for the guillotine are unforgettable. But the novel’s true power lies in its exploration of resurrection and sacrifice. Dr. Manette is “recalled to life” from his mental prison. Sydney Carton, the novel’s most iconic character, undergoes a spiritual resurrection, finding meaning and transcendence in the ultimate act of selflessness, captured in one of literature’s most famous closing lines.
A Tale of Two Cities stands apart from Dickens’s other works in its tight, suspenseful plot and its philosophical depth. It is less a social comedy and more a profound meditation on violence, justice, and the possibility of personal transformation. Its themes of oppression, revolution, and the costs of both are timeless, ensuring its place as one of the most widely read and admired novels in the English language.
On this page, you can experience Dickens’s dramatic masterpiece. We offer the complete 1859 novel for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | A Tale of Two Cities |
| Author | Charles Dickens |
| Year of Publication | 1859 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Tragedy |
| Language | English (Original) |
| Legal Status | Public Domain |
| Format | Online Reading |
Read A Tale of Two Cities Online
Journey between London and revolutionary Paris. Begin this epic story of love and sacrifice by exploring the first chapters interactively below.
This preview introduces the contrasting worlds of the two cities, but the full, thrilling, and heart-wrenching narrative—culminating in one of literature’s greatest endings—is available in the complete novel for our subscribers.
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About A Tale of Two Cities
The novel’s structure is masterful, using parallels and doubles (cities, characters, trials) to explore its central themes of duality and resurrection.
Sydney Carton: The Redeemed Wastrel
Carton is Dickens’s most profound creation. Introduced as a brilliant but alcoholic and cynical lawyer’s assistant, he believes his life is worthless. His unrequited love for Lucie Manette becomes the catalyst for his moral awakening. His final act is not just a plot device but the triumphant culmination of his character’s arc, transforming him from a figure of despair into an icon of sacrificial love and redemption.
The French Revolution as Character
Dickens portrays the Revolution with terrifying ambivalence. He vividly depicts the causes—the horrific oppression of the peasantry by the aristocracy (exemplified by the Marquis St. Evrémonde). Yet, he also shows the Revolution devouring its own children, becoming a new kind of tyranny under the likes of Madame Defarge. The novel is a warning about the cycle of violence and the dehumanizing nature of vengeance.
Themes of Resurrection and Sacrifice
The motif of being “recalled to life” runs throughout:
- Dr. Manette: Physically and mentally resurrected from the Bastille.
- Charles Darnay: Resurrected twice from legal condemnation.
- Sydney Carton: Achieves a spiritual resurrection through his sacrifice, believing his action will ensure a future where he is “born again” in the hearts of those he saves.
Iconic Characters and Symbols
- Madame Defarge: The personification of vengeful fate, knitting the register of the condemned. She is a terrifying and compelling force of historical retribution.
- The Wine Cask: The broken cask in Saint Antoine, whose red wine stains the streets and the hands of the hungry poor, is a powerful symbol of the blood soon to be spilled.
- The Guillotine: “The sharp female newly-born,” the ultimate symbol of the Revolution’s relentless, impersonal justice.
Why Read A Tale of Two Cities Today?
Its exploration of social injustice, the psychology of revolution, and the media’s role in stirring violence feels urgently contemporary. The questions it raises about when violence is justified, and whether vengeance can ever bring peace, are perennially relevant.
As a story, it is one of the most powerfully plotted and emotionally resonant novels ever written. To read A Tale of Two Cities is to be swept up in a tide of history and humanity, to weep for its tragedies, and to be uplifted by its ultimate, transcendent message of hope born from the ultimate sacrifice.
FAQ
Can I read A Tale of Two Cities for free?
Yes, you can read the opening chapters for free via our interactive preview. Access to the complete novel requires a subscription.
Is this a typical Charles Dickens novel?
Not entirely. It has less of his usual comic relief and sprawling secondary plots. It is more focused, darker, and driven by a central historical event. However, his signature themes of social justice, redemption, and vivid characterization are all present in full force.
What is the significance of the ending?
Sydney Carton’s final thoughts—“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…”—elevate his death from tragedy to triumph. He finds purpose and peace, and his sacrifice ensures the happiness and safety of the woman he loves and her family. It is one of the most famous and moving conclusions in literature.
Is it historically accurate?
Dickens took liberties for dramatic effect, but he captured the spirit, causes, and terrifying atmosphere of the Revolution with great power. Historians credit him with shaping the English-speaking world’s perception of the event.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. Its gripping plot and short chapters make it perfect for immersive reading on any device.