A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1859)

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" — the most famous opening line in English literature. Set against the French Revolution, this is Dickens' most dramatic and emotionally devastating novel, culminating in one of literature's greatest acts of self-sacrifice.

Historical Significance:
Dickens serialized A Tale of Two Cities in his own weekly journal, All the Year Round, from April to November 1859. It was inspired by Thomas Carlyle's The French Revolution and by Dickens' involvement in amateur theatricals — particularly The Frozen Deep by Wilkie Collins, in which Dickens played a man who sacrifices his life for his rival in love.

With approximately 200 million copies sold, it is possibly the bestselling novel of all time. Sydney Carton's final words — "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known" — are among the most quoted passages in English literature.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1859. Free to read and share.