A Far Better Rest
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 First edition cover | |
| Author | Susanne Alleyn |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genres | |
| Publisher | Soho Press |
Publication date | July 1, 2000 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 353 |
| ISBN | 978-1-569-47197-5 |
A Far Better Rest is a 2000 historical novel by American author Susanne Alleyn. It is Alleyn's debut novel, and was first published in July 2000 in the United States by Soho Press. The book is a retelling of Charles Dickens' 1859 historical novel, A Tale of Two Cities from Sydney Carton's perspective, which includes details of Carton's life missing from the original.[1][2]
Sydney Carton was born in England to a wealthy English merchant and his French wife. He relocates to Paris to study art, and meets a French nobleman, Charles Darnay from a family tarnished by scandal. Sydney notices that Charles appears to be Sydney's look-alike. When Sydney announces to his family that his is to marry a woman of little wealth, his father disinherits him. Sydney returns to London where his father forces him to study law. But disillusioned and depressed, Sydney turns to whoring and debauchery. Sydney meets Lucie Manette, and quickly falls in love with her kindness and beauty, but keeps his feelings for her a secret. He manages to become a lawyer and finds himself representing Charles, who is now living in England and is accused of treason. The charges against Charles are found to be fabricated, and he is acquitted. Charles marries Lucie, and a despondent Sydney returns to Paris, where he becomes involved in French politics and witnesses the events of the French Revolution. Later Sydney learns that Charles' family history crossed paths with his own, and that Sydney and Charles are first cousins.