"A Tale of Two Cities" is a historical novel by Charles Dickens set before and during the French Revolution. It contrasts life in London and Paris, focusing on themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the effects of social injustice. The story follows characters like Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a dissolute English lawyer, whose lives intertwine amid the turmoil of the era. The novel opens with the famous line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," highlighting the stark differences between the two cities. As the revolution unfolds, the characters face moral dilemmas and personal transformations, ultimately leading to acts of bravery and redemption.