Charles Dickens 
Tale of Two Cities 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . Set before and during the French Revolution in the cities of Paris and London, A Tale of Two Cities tells the story of Dr Manettes release from imprisonment in the Bastille and his reunion with daughter, Lucie. A French aristocrat Darnay and English lawyer Carton compete in their love for Lucie and the ensuing tale plays out against the menacing backdrop of the French Revolution and the shadow of the guillotine.