Lori’s
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(group member since Mar 09, 2014)
Lori’s
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from the Far From The Madding Crowd *group read* group.
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Boldwood went completely nuts! I wonder what he would have been like if she married him? I'm sure he would have driven her crazy.
Ten days late here, but did anyone else finish? Curious on what people thought of the ending? Do you think Bathsheba learned her lesson in the end? Did she deserve Gabriel?
I kinda of loved that she had to come to him in the end. Also wonder how happy they would have been if she had married him from the start? I think they would have been miserable because she was so shallow.
Also curious whether she gave up some of her independence/control of the farm to him when they were married? I almost think she was at the point where she was glad to not be the person in charge of everything.
Their love story always interests me because I get infuriated that he loves her when she is so mean. What a patient and forgiving person Gabriel is.
He is such a total loser!
Well Bathsheba has herself in a fine pickle! She finally found someone with an ego as big as hers to marry! Really hard to feel bad for her when you read her excuse for marrying him. As usual, Gabriel saves the day with the hay ricks when everyone is passed out drunk. I have to believe that this is a turning point for Bathsheba...to see what kind of man she has married and what kind of man she has NOT married.
What a horrible ending for Fanny Robin. I don't know how Troy can stand there and profess his love after the way he treated her. I feel sure he knew she was pregnant.
Glad that Bathsheba has learned a lesson (hope she has learned a lesson), but what a harsh way to learn it.
Good comparison! Troy is very Wickham! I think she unleashed a monster in Boldwood.
Anybody else still trudging along?! Here are some of the things I marked in these chapters.
LOVE how Bathsheeba brought the whole Boldwood thing on herself and then is so smug about him watching her at the market, only to be tormented by him. So typical that she wants the attention, but doesn't stop to consider other people's feelings in the matter.
Also loved Gabriel's talk with her about not acting like a "praiseworthy" woman. She deserved all that she heard from him. This woman cannot stand to face the truth. I wonder if Gabriel doesn't hate himself a little bit for loving her?
Bathsheba meeting Sgt Troy. You just now she's about to get a big dose of her own medicine. I always want to know why neither Gabriel or Boldwood told her about the letter from Fanny Robin? Do you think they were trying to save Fanny's reputation by assuming Troy had jilted her?
That's interesting about the eavesdropping. I never really thought about it, but we are definitely seeing the story through his eyes, even though it's not written in first person.
I'm sure it can be argued either way. The dog was a threat to any sheep he was around. I certainly doubt anyone in a farming community would have taken it off his hands, being a liability to everyone's flocks. It's horribly sad, especially for us who are used to animals as pets. I just don't have a good alternative in my head for what he could have done. Ideas?
That whole sheep situation was really sad. How far we've come in attitudes about animals. How many times in these older books have I read about people drowning kittens?! Ugh. As hard as it is to understand, I don't think he shot the dog out of malice, just necessity.
So I just finished section 1. Looking through the notes I marked....Bathsheba looking at herself in the mirror while she's sitting in the wagon, and her attitude toward Gabriel when he paid her way for the gatekeeper. Isn't it just the way it is that guys seem to like girls who treat them meanly? I'll never get that!
Also, the marriage proposal. This woman is so thirsty for attention, she wants a proposal, but doesn't really want the marriage! You can almost see her internal mental battle over settling, or waiting for something "better" to come along. Not sure what her idea of better is.
The section after the fire where Gabriel goes to the pub with all the other workers, is kind of slow, but I guess he feels the need to introduce everyone. Hearing about Bathsheba's parents definitely gives us some insight into why she may be so obsessed with her looks and have fears of marriage. Sounds like her dad was not the best husband.
Also love the way Thomas Hardy gives you character insight by just their name alone. (Oak, Bathsheba, Boldwood) One of my favorites is Laban Tall, who he continuously refers to as "Sarah Tall's husband". I think we know who wears the pants in that family!
Ok, I'm an idiot and there are two pages to these discussions threads. First week is actually on page 2, and that's why you can't see it when you look at the group. It will bump up after we post.
Hey girls! I know we all don't know each other, so here's a thread if you want to pop in and say hi before we start discussing. Obviously, I'm Lori and I'm a book fanatic :)
Hope everyone enjoys reading this one.
Sorry, I just realized I didn't add the first week's discussion thread. Fixed it!
Everybody obsessed with Tatiana and Alexander!! It's understandable. #BookCrack
These are just guidelines. I know some people will finish sooner!
Discuss Chapter XLV "Troy's Romanticism" through LVII "A Foggy Night and Morning.."
Discuss Chapter XXXII "Night-Horses Training" through Chapter XLIV "Under A Tree-Reaction"
Discuss Chapter XV-"A Morning Meeting" through Chapter XXXI "Blame-Fury"
Discuss Chapter I "Description of Farmer Oak" through Chapter XIV "Effect of The Letter-Sunrise"
