Dr. Manette is released from the Bastille after years of unlawful incarceration. He is restored to health by his daughter, Lucie, and they live happily in England. Lucie is courted by a young man calling himself Charles Darnay to hide to his noble family name. When the French Revolution takes hold of Paris, Charles Darnay returns to help an old servant who is in trouble, and he is embroiled in the violence of the revolution. Lucie and Dr. Manette travel from London to Paris, but the tides of the revolution are stronger than they imagine.

This is such a brilliant book! There are so many layers to the story, and it is fascinating to see how each thread of the story comes together. The characters are all connected to each other through Dr. Manette himself, and it's lovely to see how they are all so protective of him.

Although there are a lot of characters moving and operating in different spheres, every little thread comes back around in the end for a very satisfactory ending. Each character's storyline is brought to a conclusion. Even the tiniest minor plotline has a resolution.

Dickens has such a powerful writing style that every scene transports you to another time and place. Each character has such an emotional pull that it is impossible to read with dry eyes. There are such moments of triumph that I was joyfully punching the air with my fist when certain characters have a major breakthrough!

Dickens covers so many different themes in this book. He is well-known for his constant commentary on social justice, painting deeply pathetic pictures of the poor in need of help. In this book, he attacks the injustices and foolishness of the courts of the French Revolution, and how corrupt they were from the beginning. He describes the ferocity of the crowds thirsting for blood at the foot of the guillotine, but he also denounces the nobility for their cruelty to the poor. In the midst of all that evil, the Manette family are like a shining light of kindness and decency.

Dr. Manette is a pathetic weak figure for most of the book. He is mentally weak, physically weak, but his love for his family is strong. His own particular kind of inner strength becomes apparent in new ways throughout the story.

Lucie Manette is a gentle character. She is devoted to her father, creating an atmosphere of affection in their home that attracts their friends as well. Like her father, she has hidden reservoirs of emotional strength that buoy her up during difficult times.

Charles Darnay is the very soul of honor. He will do the right thing even if it means putting his own life at risk. He is loyal and true to the very last.

Sydney Carton is perhaps one of the best anti-hero characters ever written. He wastes his life gambling and drinking, but in his heart he longs for something more meaningful.

Madame Defarge is one of the scariest villains in all of Dickens. She is so cruel and calculating. She has no mercy or pity for anyone in her lust for violence.

There are two of the secondary characters that I really love. Miss Pross is Lucie's maid, and she is adorable and just wonderful! She is so fierce in her protection of Lucie.
I love Mr. Lorry, the Manette's family friend. His funny manners had me laughing sometimes.

This entire book is complete genius from start to finish, and I adore every word of it!