Which is better?? A Tale of Two Cities or Pride and Prejudice?

Question

I have to do a book review for my history class and I just was wondering which book, A Tale of Two Cities or Pride and Prejudice would be better to read. They both seem interesting but I was just wondering from anyone who has read one of them or both. Thanks.

Answer 1

Without a doubt.. Pride & Prejudice..

Enjoy

Answer 2

I read A Tale of Two Cities while travelling between Paris and London.



I think that Dickens is propped up by sentimentalists and revisionists.



There are other great novelists from the 19th century whose works are more relevant in the 21st century.



Whenever I read Dickens I find that the reasons for appreciating his works have diminished with time. Certain contemporary authors do a better job dwelling on, and revealing human failing and heroism under difficult circumstances. Many 19th century authors, particularly the Russians do a better job of exploring 19th century reality.



I felt that even Oscar Wilde's portrayal of life and death in 19th century England was more compelling, or at least relevant to me, than Dickens.



On the other hand, I loved Pride and Prejudice. I think a great novelist can achieve a sense of timelessness in different ways. Firstly, the author can capture an age, exquisitely draw a contemporary audience into their examined society. Secondly, an author can explore a universal human experience or expression, and by so doing help readers better understand themselves. Thirdly, in the case of Austen, an author can tell a story with both compelling conflict and an optimistic, but earnest resolution.



Austen's finale in Pride and Prejudice should be ridiculous, but her characters rise above any contextual analysis that should ground them. The critical, or pessimistic reader, in his/her attempts to denigrate the ending ends up feeling petty, and childish.



I loved Pride and Prejudice and would highly recommend it. The serial movie available through A&E is also well done.

Answer 3

I would bet that many have read and would write about Pride and Prejudice so if I were you, I would read and write about A Tale of Two Cities because I want people to know about this great book too besides Pride and Prejudice. But anyway, like you said, both are interesting and it's really up to your personal choice to write whichever you want. All the best!

Answer 4

I have read both, and I am particular to Dickens, so I would recommend A Tale of Two Cities. I was not impressed with Pride and Prejudice the book, althought I did like the movie.

Answer 5

Well, I haven't read Tale of Two Cities, but Pride and Prejudice is next to my most favourite book of all time. It's pretty easy to understand but you have to pay a little attention because of the old style of language and Austen's tendancy to use long run-on, but grammatically correct, sentences. There's lots to discuss and think about in the book. Hope you pick whichever you feel is better.

Answer 6

A Tale of Two Cities

Answer 7

i personaly prefered Pride and Prejudice. a could seem to get into a tale of two cities for some reason. but i loved Pride And Prejudice.

Answer 8

My personal favourite is " Pride and Prejudice " because it is more character based. Austen was a keen observer of people who came into narrow social sphere but she did not focus on the political and historical events occurring in the broader world.

Dickens was a superb master of characters and characterisation but he also allowed the wider world to impact on his characters. So, if that appeals to you more, read " A Tale of Two Cities."

Answer 9

It's been years since high school, during which time I read both books....and I can honestly say that A Tale of Two Cities is one of the most amazing stories I've ever read...there's so much in there (provided you can cope with the Dickensian style)....the story of an anguished country in chaos, young love, addiction and depression, the love of a father for his child, and an amazing sacrifice for innocent, unrequited love....

I still have crush on Mr. Cartin....

Answer 10

Pride and prejudice has some really interesting issues on the breaking of the female and social class boundaries!

Answer 11

Ooo, tough choice, they are both excellent. You should read both of them someday, otherwise you are just robbing yourself! But for now I'd suggest starting with Pride & Prejudice. It's a little easier to read, so you'll be able to focus more on the story and less on deciphering the convoluted sentences and archaic vocabulary. You'll be able to relate to it more immediately, and therefore be able to spend more time analyzing it and be able to create a better book review.

Answer 12

Personally, I'd choose Tale of Two Cities. They are both great books, but unless you've read and liked Jane Austen before, you might find it a little slow and dated. Dickens is a wonderful, funny, exciting storyteller, and more people tend to enjoy him.

Answer 13

Pride and Predjudice. I think it has issues that girls tend to be able to identify with better. A Tale of 2 Cities is a bit boring...

Answer 14

Neither is better as far as writing goes... They are both classics for a reason. Different in subject matter mostly... It comes down to preference really.



I have always found Austin to be too girly and protected... She was a notorious editor of her own work and fussed over just about everything... It shows in her writing. Even in writing about an independent woman, (maybe because of the times?) it still comes across as forced and girly to me.



Now Dickens... He was full of staire and wit and loved the macabre... He immersed himself into the streets of London and knew his characters very well... he started off submitting to newspapers so the editing that was done was not fussy but necessary to the substance of the entire work.



I prefer real things to pomp and circumstance. Dickens was real and dark and exploited the total scope of humanity in it's best and worst moments... To me, Austin just took dictation in social situations and jotted down what she experienced. Snobbery, scandal, liasons and junk that a real intellect is only interested in for it's decadence. Maybe there was a strong lesson for women in there somewhere but who cares really... Dickens was down and dirty.



I suppose this just comes down to men and woman... As I honestly can't see a dude getting into pride and prej... I think the only man that would get into it is the sensitive intellectual type either that or keira knightly's *** in the film?



Dickens all the way! He is a pleasure to read. Although I wouldn't go directly to him over other things... He is not my favorite but counted among them.

Answer 15

A Tale of Two Cities is my personal favorite. I've only read it once but I liked it immensly when I did read it.

Answer 16

I've read both, and for history, I would personally choose the Dickens. I think it encompasses more the sweep of historical events and shows as much of the personal effect of those events as P&P, but is a more interesting story.

Answer 17

Pride and the Prejudice definetly :)

Answer 18

There is not problem!! watch both stories in dvd's is more EZ than read Two bigger and bored books.