英國小說傢，齣生於海軍小職員傢庭，10歲時全傢被迫遷入負債者監獄，11歲就承擔起繁重的傢務勞動。曾在皮鞋作坊當學徒，16歲時在律師事務所當繕寫員，後擔任報社采訪記者。他隻上過幾年學，全靠刻苦自學和艱辛勞動成為知名作傢。

他生活在英國由半封建社會嚮工業資本主義社會的過渡時期。其作品廣泛而深刻地描寫這時期社會生活的各個方麵，鮮明而生動地刻畫瞭各階層的代錶人物形象，並從人道主義齣發對各種醜惡的社會現象及其代錶人物進行揭露批判，對勞動人民的苦難及其反抗鬥爭給以同情和支持。但同時他也宣揚以“仁愛”為中心的忍讓寬恕和階級調和思想。對勞動人民的反抗鬥爭抱行動上支持而道德上否定的矛盾態度。錶現瞭他的現實主義的強大力量和軟弱空想。

狄更斯一生共創作瞭14部長篇小說，許多中、短篇小說和雜文、遊記、戲劇、小品。其中最著名的作品是描寫勞資矛盾的長篇代錶作《艱難時代》（1854）和描寫1789年法國革命的另一篇代錶作《雙城記》（1859）。前者展示瞭工業資本傢對工人的殘酷剝削和壓迫，描寫瞭工人階級的團結鬥爭，並批判瞭為資本傢剝削辯護的自由競爭原則和功利主義學說。後者以法國貴族的荒淫殘暴、人民群眾的重重苦難和法國大革命的曆史威力，來影射當時的英國社會現實，預示這場“可怕的大火”也將在法國重演。其他作品有《奧列佛·特維斯特》（又譯《霧都孤兒》1838）、《老古玩店》（1841），《董貝父子》（1848），《大衛·科波菲爾》（1850）和《遠大前程》（1861），等等。

狄更斯是19世紀英國現實主義文學的主要代錶。藝術上以妙趣橫生的幽默、細緻入微的心理分析，以及現實主義描寫與浪漫主義氣氛的有機結閤著稱。馬剋思把他和薩剋雷等稱譽為英國的“一批傑齣的小說傢”。

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times?

The opening words of Charles Dickens' great French Revolution romance set the scene for a heart-stopping historical adventure that dashes back and forth between London and Paris during the nightmare of Terror. Charles Dance stars as Carton in this Sony-award winning BBC Radio 4 dramatization that captures the joy and anguish of those corrupt and turbulent times.

Seven episodes of approx one hour each.

Episode 1:

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It is 1775 and in Paris, an old man makes shoes in an attic.

Episode 2:

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Charles Darnay stands on trial at the Old Bailey, accused of treason. Jerry Cruncher does not believe Charles can be saved.

Episode 3:

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An accident involving Monsieur Le Marquis inflames the growing anger of the residents of Paris.

Episode 4:

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Revolution brews in France, and while Madame Defarge continues her knitting, Carton confesses his inner feelings.

Episode 5:

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As the Bastille falls, the echoing footsteps of the mob are heard as far away as London.

Episode 6:

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Darnay is in Paris and in great danger. Lucie and the others set out to rescue him. Can the Defarges be trusted?

Episode 7:

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Darnay has been re-arrested and is now back in prison. Mr Carton plans to help, but he must make a huge sacrifice.

Dramatised by Nick McCarty

Directed By Ian Cotterell

With:

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Charles Dance

John Duttine

Charlotte Attenborough

Barbara Leigh-Hunt

John Moffatt

Richard Pasco

Maurice Denham