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Tuesday, December 03, 2013

A Tale of Two Cities :: RtK Classics Book Club DECEMBER

Reading to Know - Book ClubYesterday it was noted that we are now officially into December. And that means we are on our last book club read for the year! This month a few brave souls are coming together to tackle A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. When I first married my husband Jonathan he mentioned that this was one of his favorite books. I had never read it (because I did not like Dickens then). For eight years now I've been saying "I'll read it one day." Well, looks like this is the month! My day with Dickens has come.

Jonathan is leading this month's discussion which is exciting for me at any rate! Here are is opening thoughts on A Tale of Two Cities.

*****

Carrie invited me to select a title and join the lineup of book club hosts this year, and my choice was Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities. I
was probably about 13 when I initially read this, and it was my first
foray into serious literature that I can recall (although up to that
point I'd spent many contented hours in the "Juvenile" section of our
library.) It rocked my world, and I proceeded to spend the next
several years devouring all the Dickens, Hugo, Dumas, Scott, etc. that
I could lay my hands on.

Anyway, not having read A Tale Of Two Cities since then, I'm looking
forward to revisiting it and seeing what I think of it now that a few
decades have gone by. While it is now December and our Christmas tree
is already up, this book admittedly is not really the sort that lends
itself to mistletoe and eggnog, but, in the end, is still deeply
satisfying. At least, that's what I recall of it!

If you don't have a copy of the book handy, Amazon's distributing the
e-reader version for free (not that I would ever dream of bringing an
e-reader into our house, but... I hear others put them to good use.)
http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Two-Cities-Charles-Dickens-ebook/dp/B004EHZXVQ

6 comments:

Stephanie said...

I found a copy on our shelves and am excited to dig in. Last year's A Christmas Carol was my first time reading Dickens so I'm looking forward to another of his works.

(And I can't wait to hear what all we are reading next year!!!)

Monica said...

I think I am going to have to read along this month! (I will put aside I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and pick this one up!) My daughter (17) said she didn't care much for it. I am hoping your opinion of it is the truer one! :) Better get started!

Barbara H. said...

I am in! This is one of my favorite novels as well, though it took me a few attempts before I could finish it years ago. Once I did finish it, I loved it and immediately reread it.

Diary of an Autodidact said...

I read this one not too long ago, and December is a ridiculously busy month for me, so I am sitting this one out.

However, this is a great book, and I highly recommend it. It has arguably the most memorable opening and closing lines in all of literature, and a theme of sacrifice for the good of others.

I look forward to the discussion!

Annette Whipple said...

I am going to try to read this! I thoroughly enjoyed A Christmas Carol last year...but didn't enjoy Pip in Great Expectations in high school.

Cassandra said...

I am going to try to read it! I'm not fond of Dickens (didn't like Bleak House), but my husband has read and liked A Tale of Two Cities.

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