BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

A Tale of Two Cities
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities Paperback - 2003

by Charles Dickens; Richard Maxwell (Editor); Introduction by Richard Maxwell

Add to wish list

Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Richard Maxwell.

About this book

Written by Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel that follows Manette, a French doctor imprisoned for 18 long years in Paris’s Bastille. Following his release, he goes to live in London with his daughter Lucie, who had never met him and believed him to be dead. Set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, A Tale of Two Cities is a fictitious story that falls both into the historical and adventure genres. The famous book is one of the bestselling novels of all time, both for the atmosphere that Dickens’ creates and the tension he weaves. Full of love and brutality, A Tale of Two Cities exposes the highs and lows of humanity. 

Summary

After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille the aging Dr Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are all drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror and soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

Reader reviews for A Tale of Two Cities

From the publisher

Charles Dickens's classic historical novel of the French Revolution

A Tale of Two Cities portrays a world on fire, split between Paris and London during the brutal and bloody events of the French Revolution. After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille the aging Dr Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There, two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are all drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror and soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

This edition uses the text as it appeared in its first serial publication in 1859 to convey the full scope of Dickens's vision, and includes the original illustrations by H.K. Browne ('Phiz'). Richard Maxwell's introduction discusses the intricate interweaving of epic drama with personal tragedy.

Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

First edition identification

A Tale of Two Cities was first published in 31 weekly installments in a journal called All the Year Round between April and November of 1859, and published in a book form in the same year. The publisher of the first book edition was Chapman and Hall, based in London. Original illustrations were done by H. K. Browne on 16 plates inserted into the book. The first edition is a hardcover, octavo book with maroon cloth covers. However, some first editions have had the binding refurbished. A key way to identify first editions of A Tale of Two Cities is that page 213 is misnumbered as “113.” Additionally, affectionately is misspelled as “affetcionately” on line 12, page 134. Finally, the signature “b” is present on the list of plate illustrations.

Details

  • Title A Tale of Two Cities
  • Author Charles Dickens; Richard Maxwell (Editor); Introduction by Richard Maxwell
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 544
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Classics, London
  • Publication date 2003-05-27
  • Features Bibliography, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780141439600 / 0141439602
  • Weight 0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.1 in (19.56 x 12.95 x 2.79 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 710
  • Category Literature - Classics / Criticism
  • Library of Congress subjects Historical fiction, War stories
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2003270053
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Landport, Portsea, England. He died in Kent on June 9, 1870. The second of eight children of a family continually plagued by debt, the young Dickens came to know not only hunger and privation, but also the horror of the infamous debtors' prison and the evils of child labor. A turn of fortune in the shape of a legacy brought release from the nightmare of prison and "slave" factories and afforded Dickens the opportunity of two years' formal schooling at Wellington House Academy. He worked as an attorney's clerk and newspaper reporter until his Sketches by Boz (1836) and The Pickwick Papers (1837) brought him the amazing and instant success that was to be his for the remainder of his life. In later years, the pressure of serial writing, editorial duties, lectures, and social commitments led to his separation from Catherine Hogarth after twenty-three years of marriage. It also hastened his death at the age of fifty-eight, when he was characteristically engaged in a multitude of work.

Richard Maxwell teaches in the Comparative Literature & English departments at Yale.

More Copies for Sale

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$1.78
NZ$7.12 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 5/27/2003 12:00:01 A. paperback. Good. 1.2598 in x 7.7953 in x 5.0787 in.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$1.78
NZ$7.12 Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Good Condition
Edition
[ Edition: Reprint ]
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$7.44
NZ$7.58 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
[ Edition: Reprint ]. Good Condition. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: SOME ] [ Writing: SOME ] Publisher: Penguin Classics Pub Date: 5/27/2003 Binding: Paperback Pages: 544
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$7.44
NZ$7.58 Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$8.90
NZ$5.35 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 5/27/2003 12:00:01 A. paperback. Good. 1.2598 in x 7.7953 in x 5.0787 in. Used books may not include access codes or one time use codes. Proven Seller with Excellent Customer Service. Choose expedited shipping and get it FAST.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$8.90
NZ$5.35 Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$8.90
NZ$7.12 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$8.90
NZ$7.12 Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens; Richard Maxwell

  • Used
  • Acceptable
Condition
Acceptable
Edition
Reissue
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$10.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics. Reissue. Acceptable. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$10.72
Free Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
19
Seller
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 2003. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
30
Seller
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 2003. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
3
Seller
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 2003. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$12.09
Free Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens; Richard Maxwell

  • Used
  • Very good
Condition
Very good
Edition
Updated and REV ed.
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
2
Seller
Item price
NZ$12.43
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Classics. Updated and REV ed.. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$12.43
Free Delivery to USA
A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)
Stock photo: cover may vary

A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics)

by Charles Dickens

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Edition
Reissue
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780141439600 / 0141439602
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
NZ$15.59
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin, 2003-05-27. Reissue. paperback. Used: Good. 5.04x1.14x7.72. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
NZ$15.59
Free Delivery to USA