Now when I started to read this book, I really did think it was written in a foreign language. Once the fantastic and famous first paragraph was finished it was the best of times, it was the worst of times......The writing left my head spinning. Once, however I got into the story in all its complexity I was totally hooked. The story: moving between dirty seedy London, to a hostile and brutal revolutionary Paris; along the way encompassing all manner of characters rich in detail, all of whom play key parts in the story as it moves to its end.
For me the character of Sydney Carton is probably one of the most heroic I have read of. His final line “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.” Moved me deeply as this drunken directionless man found a way to leave his mark by making the greatest sacrifice for the benefit of others. However even the smaller characters such as Miss Pross: whose fight in the defence of her “butterfly” with the brutal and vicious Madame Defarge is a truly gripping literary moment.
This book really is worth taking the time to read, yes it’s hard work yes it is difficult but ultimately it was the most rewarding tale of sacrifice, loyalty and devotion.
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