A Tale of Two Cities

Set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, this is one of the best-selling novels of all time.

• The Plot: The story follows several characters—most notably the French aristocrat Charles Darnay and the cynical English lawyer Sydney Carton—whose lives are swept up in the violent social upheaval of the Reign of Terror.

• Key Themes: It is a powerful exploration of resurrection, self-sacrifice, and the duality of human nature, famously opening with the line: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

• Format: This Vintage Classics edition is a portable paperback, typically around 464 pages.