A Tale of Two Cities

 

***1/2

PG-13?

{L} {SM/V}

Could Recommend

I read this years ago and remember really liking it.

Then, I forgot the whole story.

Last month, my son was in a stage production called The Secret of Madame Defarge.

It was pretty dark and sad.  I had started rereading this book at the same time I saw the play and was curious to see how true to the book the performance was.  It ended up being pretty much taken right from the novel.  Very bloodthirsty, dark and sad.  However, the whole redeeming twist at the end of the story was not in the production, which was focused on Madame Defarge, so that made the book a little easier to swallow than the performance :)

I will not deny that it absolutely is a classic and does teach some good lessons.

There were one or two instances of the Lord's name taken in vain {Language} and with it being the French Revolution, there is much bloodshed so I gave the rating of {Subject Matter}/{Violence}.

I did find this was not one of Dicken's easiest narratives to follow (let's just say I was really glad I had just seen a stage adaptation so I was familiar with what was going on).  Aside from these things I could recommend reading it to someone who is willing to look past the dark stain of blood.

Bleak House

 

****

strong PG 

{BSt} {L} {SM}

Easily Recommend

First, let me address this cover!  Isn't it beautiful?  I ordered this specific one from Amazon and when it came in a soft mailer, and was therefore, a little beaten up, I attempted to return it and receive a new one.  It was one of those rare occasions when you are given a refund and told to not return the item.  I decided I could live with a few bumps and bends :)  Also, just to clarify, this is the unabridged version.

I don't think I've ever before given a book with so many counts against it an "easily recommend".

However, this is Charles Dickens.  The Backstory {BSt} is not presented in detail, nor glorified, the Language {L} is pretty much the Lord's name used in the British way (which I still don't appreciate, but for some silly reason, is more acceptable in my mind than an American author using it) and finally, the Subject Matter {SM} is just heavy...Victorian London...

I have to say that I did watch the BBC miniseries (2005), which I also recommend, which inspired me to read the book.  Knowing the storyline beforehand was immensely helpful to me in understanding what was going on in the book.  I thought repeatedly how if I was going blind into reading it that I was sure to have been very confused.

That said, I love the storyline...all the side plots and interesting characters...there are so many!

It is a deep and meaningful book that your mind continues to dwell upon long after the fact.

It did take me several months to read as I was in and out of it and reading other books along the way, but I am glad I pushed through all 649 pages :)

If you have the time to devote to this one and don't mind some heaviness, it is a beautiful book and I highly recommend it!