The novel begins with the famous opening lines, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," which sets the tone for the story. The novel is divided into three books, each focusing on a different phase of the story.The first book, "Recalled to Life," introduces the reader to the main characters and establishes the setting. The second book, "The Golden Thread," follows the story of Charles Darnay, his love interest Lucie Manette, and her father Dr. Manette, as they navigate the turbulent events leading up to the revolution. The third book, "The Track of a Storm," brings the story to a climactic conclusion with the events of the revolution and the consequences of the characters' actions.