Historical · Classics
A Tale of Two Cities
Bestseller: about 200 million copies (estimate)Set between London and Paris in the years leading up to and through the French Revolution, this novel follows a wrongly accused man, the woman he loves, and a worn-out lawyer who looks strikingly like him.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1859
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 476
- Format
- Part of Oxford Bookworms
Read this if you want a classic with a famous opening, a sweeping historical backdrop and a final act that lands hard.
Skip this if you dislike Victorian prose, long sentences or a slow first half before the plot tightens.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about A Tale of Two Cities
- What is A Tale of Two Cities about?
- Set between London and Paris in the years leading up to and through the French Revolution, this novel follows a wrongly accused man, the woman he loves, and a worn-out lawyer who looks strikingly like him.
- Who should read A Tale of Two Cities?
- Read it if you want a classic with a famous opening, a sweeping historical backdrop and a final act that lands hard. Skip it if you dislike Victorian prose, long sentences or a slow first half before the plot tightens.
- How long and how fast is A Tale of Two Cities?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 476 pages, first published in 1859.
- Does A Tale of Two Cities have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow A Tale of Two Cities for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Tale of Two Cities; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after A Tale of Two Cities?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Les Misérables, The Count of Monte Cristo, Wolf Hall.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved A Tale of Two Cities
-
Les Misérables
Another large-hearted tale of revolutionary France where mercy and sacrifice matter as much as the politics.
-
The Count of Monte Cristo
Also set in a turbulent France, with a faster, more plot-driven pace and plenty of satisfying reversals.
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Wolf Hall Shows another world coming apart through political upheaval, told in a more modern, sharp-edged voice.
Historical
