Big Books of 2026
Far From the Madding Crowd

Questions About Far From the Madding Crowd

by Thomas Hardy

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Far From the Madding Crowd, please sign up.

Answered Questions (18)

Why Madding? Not maddening? Just old English?
Keith Burnette Hardy took the title from Thomas Gray's poem Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751).

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife
Their sober wishe…moreHardy took the title from Thomas Gray's poem Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751).

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray;
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.

"Madding" means "frenzied" here.

Lucasta Miller points out that the title is an ironic literary joke as Gray is idealising the noiselessness and sequestered calm whereas Hardy "disrupts the idyll, and not just by introducing the sound and fury of an extreme plot ... he is out to subvert his readers' complacency".(less)
flag
Would someone how enjoys romantic 19th century lit IE Jane Austen the Bronte sisters like this?
Jendela Tryst I absolutely loved it. I usually avoid Hardy because his books are often terribly dark, but this was written early in his career, I believe when he st…moreI absolutely loved it. I usually avoid Hardy because his books are often terribly dark, but this was written early in his career, I believe when he still had some hope left. It is extremely ahead of its time with a spirited and intelligent female protagonist.(less)
flag
How old was Bathsheba Everdene when Gabriel Oak first met her? I am still unclear of her age. I put at between 18 and 20 years of age. I have seen different ages. At the end of the version of the book that I read, she was 23 and half years of age.
Rick My copy; 1937 Oxford University Press edited by Carl J. Weber has a calendar of events at the end which states:
1841: Birth of Oak
1845: Birth of Troy
18…moreMy copy; 1937 Oxford University Press edited by Carl J. Weber has a calendar of events at the end which states:
1841: Birth of Oak
1845: Birth of Troy
1849: Birth of Bathsheba
1869: Dec 20th; the story begins.
Oak-28, Troy-24, Bathsheba-20; plus the months of since their birth-month
1873: Jan; Oak-31 & Bathsheba-23 plus the months of since their birth-month(less)
flag
So please don't laugh, but I am interested in starting to read older "classic" book.. I have a hard time understanding the language. So my question is, is this book hard to read?
Stephanie I've started reading the ebook and no I actually understand it very well. Better than Jane Austen's books for sure. :) …moreI've started reading the ebook and no I actually understand it very well. Better than Jane Austen's books for sure. :) (less)
flag
Is there any particular version of the book that's better than the others? (i.e. the Signet classics version, or bantam books version?)
Rick I would recommend the 1937, Oxford University Press addition Edited by Carl J. Weber. This version contains many notes by Weber explaining word and ph…moreI would recommend the 1937, Oxford University Press addition Edited by Carl J. Weber. This version contains many notes by Weber explaining word and phrase meanings throughout the book. They are invaluable.(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more