Coffee<3. I almost punched the computer screen out typing this.
Today, I shall be doing a compare/contrast book review. Both book are set during the French Revolution, although they were written in totally different styles and by different people. A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, and The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emma Orczy.
A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is arguably one of his most famous works, although it can’t possibly beat A Christmas Carol. I haven’t actually read any of his other books, so I don’t have an opinion as to if this could be considered good or bad in contrast to the others.
Born February 7th, 1812, Charles John Huffam Dickens is considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian period. He wrote nearly forty five books over his lifetime, some of which are short stories, others of which are full-blown novels. He was married to Catherine Dickens, and had six children; Charles Jr., Kate, Mary, Henry, Edward, and Dora.
A Historical Fiction, Social Criticism type book, it can be compared to a great many other books. As a Historical Fiction, it can be and is compared to literally millions of other books. There are centuries of history recorded, studied, and written about, now and long ago, as well as in the future. Social Criticism, I’m not so sure about. Plenty of books go into this category, I’m sure, but I wouldn’t know which to name. I’m quite positive that every book has some form of social criticism contained within. Every single one. People are not capable of living without contempt towards some people, ideas, beliefs, doings… It’s impossible. You cannot like everything.
A Tale Of Two Cities is a third person narration, as in an unknown character who seems to know all and see all, using words like they, them, she, he, him, etc. The theme is the ‘ever-present possibility of resurrection’ and the ‘necessity of sacrifice’. (spark notes) Dickens inserts his belief that in resurrection, rebirth, whatever you wish to call it, that we may be redone to be better, both on a personal and societal level. He seems to believe that sacrifice is necessary to achieve happiness.
The book deals with light and dark, good and bad, rich and poor… multiple contradictions that work together to seam into a beautiful story. “It was the best of times, It was the worst of times…”
It even starts with a contradiction. Two cities… a contradiction.
In 1775, one Mr. Jarvis Lorry, a Tellsons Bank official. He accompanies Lucy Manette to Paris on word that her father, who has been missing for the past 18 years, is alive. He had been unjustifiably imprisoned in the Bastille; he now lives under the care of the wine-maker Monsieur Defarge. Dr. Manette has aged quite terribly, suffering severe memory loss and spending his time making shoes in a dark room. They gather up Dr. Manette and his things, and head back to London where Lucie shall bring his health back to par. Five years later, a young Frenchman named Charles Darnay is accused of being a traitorous spy. Lucie and Dr. Manette are witnesses in his trial, as they had met him whilst traveling. They argue that he is innocent, but there is much evidence to the contrary and it is believed that he will receive the death penalty, until a proponent in the courtroom named Sydney Carton points out the similarities between himself and the accused, and the jury realizes this might be a case of mistaken identity. Darnay is pardoned. As the years pass, both Darnay and Carton fall in love with Lucie. Lucie wants nothing to with Carton, at least not in that sense, and she marries Darnay. Darnay is a French aristocrat, who has disowned his family and inheritance and now lives in London under a false name working as a tutor. His uncle is the Marquis St. Evermonde, who is known for his cruelty. Now, fast forward. Charles and Lucie have been married eleven years, and have a young daughter. Charles hears that his lackey back in France has been wrongly arrested, he sneaks back into the country to try to save him, but he is arrested as well, as he is from an aristocratic family. Lucie hears of his capture, and her, her father, their daughter, and Mr. Lorry all travel to France to retrieve him. Dr. Manette, who is well respected in France, convinces the people of his son-in-laws innocence, and Darnay is released. However, Madame Defarge has a personal vendetta against Darnay, as his uncle, the Marquis, committed multiple wrongs to her family. She causes Charles to become arrested once more, and he is sentenced to death. The story ends in a surprising twist, but I shan’t tell you that, as it’d ruin the story.
I quite enjoyed this book, although it was a bit hard to follow. Dickens was writing it for a paper (it was published in 31 installments), and he strung it out, being redundant and such, as he got paid by word. I really did like it though. It’s like a sick pleasure with me… I love the madness and the drama.
Baroness Emma Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála “Emmuska” Orczy de Orci, aka Baroness Emma Orczy, was a Hungarian born British novelist, artist, and playwright of a fairly noble origin. She was born on September 23rd, 1865, was married to Montagu Barstow, had a son named John, and died on November 12th, 1947. She wrote about forty books, many of which included the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a Historical Fiction, as well as an adventure book. Historical Fictions, like I said, can be compared to soooo many other Historical Fictions that it’s ridiculous. The same can be said for adventure stories.
A third person narrative, told by an unseen character, who just knows everything that’s going on. Theme-wise, this book is about ‘guilt vs. redemption’, ‘loyalty’, and ‘disguise’. Lady Blakeney knows her husband despises her because he thinks she convicted the St. Cyrs to die savagely, when in fact she feels quite guilty about it and she becomes determined to redeem herself and atone for her sins so he might love her once again. Percy feels guilty about not revealing his identity as the Scarlet Pimpernel to his wife, although not enough to confess it even when she confesses her guilt about the Cyr accident. Again, she feels guilt as to whether she should save her brother Armand, or the Scarlet Pimpernel, whom she considers noble and just. But when it is revealed that the Pimpernel is her husband… She has to deal with enormous amounts of guilt no matter which way she chooses. Disguise… The Scarlet Pimpernel relies on disguise heavily as he would be executed is he were simply arrested. He dresses as peasants, old Jews.. anything that might be a part of the anti-aristocrat movement, so that he might save innocent nobles from death.
This story takes place during the French Revolution, when the ‘common-folk’ of France condemned their leaders to death for being unjust to them. An Englishman, called the Scarlet Pimpernel, feels he must save these nobles, and he helps them to escape the country to safety in England. He is known as the Scarlet Pimpernel because upon escaping the French soldiers and guards, he would leave a note describing the escapade, signing it with a small red flower which the English called the Scarlet Pimpernel. French soldiers increase in numbers at the Paris gates, as the number of French aristocrats that have escaped have increased as well. One of the most popular things in France at this time is the guillotine. Huge crowds are drawn to watch the executions of French nobles. Now, as so many aristocrats are escaping, a decree is made stating that any soldiers who let nobles pass will be beheaded as well. One guard, Sergeant Bibot, is famous for his ability to catch any aristocrat, no matter how great of a disguise they have.
Lady Blakeney is a French woman married to an Englishman, and she is approached by a French agent in need of her help discovering who the Scarlet Pimpernel really is. At first she refuses. But she then learns that her brother is involved with helping the Pimpernel, and that he may be arrested and executed for his crimes against France. She agrees to help capture the Pimpernel in exchange for her brother’s safe return to England. When she learns the true identity of The Scarlet Pimpernel, she is forced to choose between her brother and the man she loves.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a book that plays with emotions, politics, romance, action, and conspiracy, twisting into an intricate web of complexities. I found it to be a good story, written quite well and fast paced without rushing things to much.
Both stories deal with the French Revolution, although different aspects of it, told from different perspectives with different ideals. Our main characters from both stories believe that the aristocrats should have a chance for freedom, as they aren’t all bad people and deserve a chance to live. One is told from the perspective of those who are emotionally involved with one charged, and their fight to save him. The other from the point of view of one who is simply sympathetic, but has the power to get them out.
Personally, I like A Tale Of Two Cities better. I thinks it’s more romantic and grabbed me more emotionally. I like the fact that its one of those stories where you have to read parts over again to get it, and like I said I like the madness that plagues them. Nothing against The Scarlet Pimpernel, it is well written and complex and all that, but I’d recommend the Dickens book over it, no doubt.
A Tale Of Two Cities deals with the more mental and emotional aspects of what was going on at the time. While The Scarlet Pimpernel deals with these subjects too, its not as obvious and I think its more political than anything. Both well written stories by great authors, both about the French Revolution, both amazing in their own way. Many similarities and differences, much to compare and much to read deeper into.
the problems not the problem 