A Tale of Two Cities was first published as a serial in Charles Dickens’s new weekly periodical All the Year Round, from April to November 1859 in 45 chapters, which appeared over 31 weekly instalments. The 45 chapters of the novel were subdivided into three ‘books’, representing different parts of the story. Book 1 (titled Recalled to Life) contains the first 6 chapters. Book 2 (The Golden Thread) contains the next 24, and Book 3 (The Track of a Storm) contained the final 15 chapters.
You can read all of the Charles Dickens novel A Tale of Two Cities at The Circumlocution Office. Use the chapter links below to access a particular chapter. We have included some prominent quotations from the novel here.
Book 2 Chapter List.
CHAPTER 1. Five Years Later.
CHAPTER 2. A Sight.
CHAPTER 3. A Disappointment.
A loud buzz swept into the street as if the baffled blue-flies were dispersing in search of other carrion.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 3).
CHAPTER 4. Congratulatory.
I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 4).
CHAPTER 5. The Jackal.
CHAPTER 6. Hundreds of People.
CHAPTER 7. Monseigneur in Town.
It is extraordinary to me, that you people cannot take care of yourselves and your children.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 7).
CHAPTER 8. Monseigneur in the Country.
CHAPTER 9. The Gorgon’s Head.
Repression is the only lasting philosophy.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 9).
CHAPTER 10. Two Promises.
CHAPTER 11. A Companion Picture.
CHAPTER 12. The Fellow of Delicacy.
CHAPTER 13. The Fellow of No Delicacy.
You have been the last dream of my soul.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 13).
CHAPTER 14. The Honest Tradesman.
Dead as mutton, and can’t be too dead.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 14).
CHAPTER 15. Knitting.
CHAPTER 16. Still Knitting.
CHAPTER 17. One Night.
You, devoted and young, cannot fully appreciate the anxiety I have felt that your life should not be wasted.
A Tale of Two Cities (Book 2, Chapter 17).
CHAPTER 18. Nine Days.
CHAPTER 19. An Opinion.
CHAPTER 20. A Plea.
CHAPTER 21. Echoing Footsteps.
CHAPTER 22. The Sea Still Rises.
CHAPTER 23. Fire Rises.
CHAPTER 24. Drawn to the Loadstone Rock.