Sidney Carton. Fall, sacrifice, love and redemption, all the great themes of mankind and of literature (they're the same, aren't they?) wrapped up in one poor fellow riding in a tumbril. I realize we were all forced to read Tale of Two Cities in high school English, thumbscrews applied by the diligent Ms. X at the front of the class. Reading under duress does not engender affection for literature. However, I'm sure we can all get past that, given enough hours spent on our psychologist's couch.

So, if you haven't read Tale of Two Cities in a decade or two, get out your copy and dust it off.

Next week, depending on the weather and my digestion, my favorite character will probably be Sam Gamgee or Davey Burnie.