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Original poster

A Tale Of Two Cities, Four Month Read Along. (Title edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

285 replies

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 03/01/2026 11:24

Welcome to a 6 month read along of Dicken’s 12th novel A Tale of Two Cities
We will be reading it using the following format, and discussing the chapters on the first day of the following month: (So January chapters discussed from 1st Feb onwards etc)

A Tale of Two Cities

6-Month Read-Along Calendar

Start: 1 January 2026
Finish: 30 June 2026

🗓️
JANUARY 2026

Book the First: Recalled to Life
(Chapters 1–7)

✔ Book the First complete

🗓️
FEBRUARY 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 1–6)

🗓️
MARCH 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 7–12)

✔ Midway through Book the Second

🗓️
APRIL 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 13–18)

🗓️
MAY 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 19–24)

✔ Book the Second complete

🗓️
JUNE 2026

Book the Third: The Track of a Storm
(Chapters 1–15)

✔ Novel complete

I know very little about this book other than its set in revolutionary Paris and London, let’s hope it’s a goodie!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
26
HelenaWilson · 04/01/2026 16:20

The classic film version of this (Dirk Bogarde - who needs any other version?) is available on YouTube. But probably better to watch after reading, to recognise where the film differs from the book.

It's a good Dickens to start with because it's relatively short and has quite a lot of plot and changes of scene.

And what is possibly the most famous Dickens quote, near the end.

I think I still have the small hardback edition - Everyman or Nelson, I think - that my mother bought in the 1940s. As all of Dickens is out of copyright, there will be free versions to download on Project Gutenberg and elsewhere.

MrsALambert · 04/01/2026 12:43

Advocodo · 04/01/2026 09:57

May I ask what was your 1st Dickens you just read please? I want to start reading Charles Dickens.

Show quote history

It was Great Expectations which wasn’t the shortest one to start with! I taught year 9 English last year and we studied and extract and looked at a clip from the film which piqued my interest.

Forgotwhatimdoing · 04/01/2026 12:41

Oh can I join in? I loved that book as a young teen but I’ve forgotten it completely. Studying Hard Times and Great Expectations in school destroyed my fledgling love of Dickens. I happened on the Noiser podcast episode of A Christmas Carol over Christmas and was inspired to put A Tale of Two Cities in my 2026 reading pile, so now I will move it towards the top.

ChessieFL · 04/01/2026 12:34

I agree A Christmas Carol is the best place to start, then either David Copperfield or Great Expectations. Oliver Twist might be another good option as you’re probably already fairly familiar with the story from the musical.

Advocodo · 04/01/2026 12:04

nowanearlyNicemum · 04/01/2026 10:13

@Advocodo your question wasn't directed at me but personally I would recommend A Christmas Carol if you're still in the festive vibe. Then, if you're ready to attack something longer my favourite is David Copperfield.

Would be interested to hear others' opinions...

Thank you so much.

nowanearlyNicemum · 04/01/2026 10:13

@Advocodo your question wasn't directed at me but personally I would recommend A Christmas Carol if you're still in the festive vibe. Then, if you're ready to attack something longer my favourite is David Copperfield.

Would be interested to hear others' opinions...

Advocodo · 04/01/2026 09:57

MrsALambert · 03/01/2026 13:21

I’d like to give this a go. I read my first Dicken’s last year which I enjoyed but would like to have others to discuss with

May I ask what was your 1st Dickens you just read please? I want to start reading Charles Dickens.

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 04/01/2026 09:49

Sounds like a good system @Troubledwords, often I get to the discussion day on read alongs and only have a vague impression of what I liked or disliked. I’m going to have to be more disciplined in this instance.

OP posts:
Troubledwords · 04/01/2026 09:15

I'm in, I have the book, and I'll find a bookmark and notebook so I don't forget what I thought of the chapters

Summerbaby81 · 04/01/2026 08:01

I am in : )

TremendousThirst · 04/01/2026 01:14

I’d like to join! I’ve watched many a readalong from afar but never joined. I’ve also never gotten through any Dickens other than A Christmas Carol - made it halfway through Bleak House in the pandemic, but that’s it. Looking forward to the thread!

cassandre · 03/01/2026 21:23

Thanks @DesdamonasHandkerchief ! Yeah, the start of my relationship with DH was catastrophically messy but I should ditch the guilt now! Especially given that DH's ex has been in a long-term relationship herself for decades now and has DC of her own.

Young love can be so intense 😳

ThePoshUns · 03/01/2026 20:40

It seems that I’ve had it on my kindle since 2011, so now maybe a good time to read it!

ThePoshUns · 03/01/2026 20:36

I would like to give this a go. I used to be a voracious reader but now just doom scroll for fun.

Benvenuto · 03/01/2026 19:25

I’d like to join - will go very well with Les Miserables
readalong.

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 03/01/2026 18:33

Oh yes @cassandre, definitely invest in a new copy, you don’t need that emotional baggage every time you pick up the book!
Although I think you can ditch the guilt after 30 years. All’s fair in love and war and all that 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
cassandre · 03/01/2026 17:12

Thanks so much @DesdamonasHandkerchief , I'm in!

I have read this before, but it was a long time ago, and it was one of my favourite Dickens. I don't remember it well at all, apart from one hugely tear-jerking event. And of course the iconic, knitting Mme Defarge. (DH and I have a whatsapp group chat with a couple of very snarky friends, and one friend named the chat 'Tricoteuses' in honour of Mme Defarge). But no spoilers I promise!

I need to buy a new copy because I've just checked our bookshelves and the only copy we own is a vintage one given to DH by his ex, with an inscription. It was a very acrimonious split between DH and the ex (I was sort of the other woman, a role which I still feel rather ashamed about 30 years later) so I need a new, neutral copy without a history.

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 03/01/2026 16:53

BestIsWest · 03/01/2026 14:13

Thanks @DesdamonasHandkerchief. I started it on Kindle a few years back but got distracted. Is Audible acceptable?

Oh God yes, I usually have a freebie Kindle addition and an Audible version going for Dickens, helps me power through when I’m not able to physically read.

OP posts:
NotWavingButReading · 03/01/2026 16:34

nowanearlyNicemum · 03/01/2026 16:31

Oooooh, yes please! Now, just need to locate the copy I know I have.... somewhere...

I just got a Kindle copy for 14p.

nowanearlyNicemum · 03/01/2026 16:31

Oooooh, yes please! Now, just need to locate the copy I know I have.... somewhere...

NotWavingButReading · 03/01/2026 16:01

I'd like to give it a go. I've never done a read along but it looks more manageable than a book group. I don't have fond memories of Dickens from school but I have never tried to read him as an adult.

InTheCludgie · 03/01/2026 15:58

Checking in! @BestIsWest I hope Audible is acceptable for the readalongs, I'm listening to Les Mis instead of actually reading 🙈

TimeforaGandT · 03/01/2026 14:15

Joining! Thank you....

BestIsWest · 03/01/2026 14:13

Thanks @DesdamonasHandkerchief. I started it on Kindle a few years back but got distracted. Is Audible acceptable?

Terpsichore · 03/01/2026 14:00

‘It was the best of threads, it was…..er, not the other thing’ 😂

Thanks for doing this, @DesdamonasHandkerchief, I’m in!