A Tale of Two Cities

First published in 1859, “A Tale of Two Cities” is a historical novel by Charles Dickens. Set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, it tells the story of the 18-year-long imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris of French Doctor Manette, as well as his release and subsequent life in London with his daughter Lucie—whom he had previously not met. “A Tale of Two Cities” is Dickens’ best-known work of historical fiction and is commonly cited as being the best-selling novel of all time. Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812–1870) was an English writer and social critic famous for having created some of the world's most well-known fictional characters. His works became unprecedentedly popular during his life, and today he is commonly regarded as the greatest Victorian-era novelist. Although perhaps better known for such works as “Oliver Twist” or “A Christmas Carol”, Dickens first gained success with the 1836 serial publication of “The Pickwick Papers”, which turned him almost overnight into an international literary celebrity thanks to his humour, satire, and astute observations concerning society and character. This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from “Appreciations and Criticisms of the Works of Charles Dickens” by G. K. Chesterton.