Where to star. . . 
 I'm sure everyone knows what this is about: the French Revolution and two men who love the same girl. But to say that would be comparing a diamond to a qua 
 "A Tale of Two Cities" is a masterpiece that, like Shakespeare, is best when discovered, not forced. The book is ultimately about the sins of the father, the "mortal coil" of life and actions that doom ourselves to repetition. Unless, you take the path of the other main theme: Redemption, illustrated by Sydney Carton. 
 Dickens' purple prose aside, the narrative flows nicely, and the plight of all major characters blends well. Speaking of Shakespeare, several bits of the novel put me in mind of the bard: we have the Prospero/Miranda of Dr. Mannette and Lucy-also flavored by King Lear at times. We have Monsieur and Madame Defarge, a Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in relationship. Sydney echoes Edmund, Hamlet and many of Shakespeare's fools. So as not to bore anyone, I'll leave the rest. 
 5 stars!