☯Emily ’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2011)

☯Emily ’s comments from the Classics for Beginners group.

Info about shepherd's huts and an opportunity to stay in one: http://southdownsforum.ning.com/forum... and https://www.mulberrycottages.com/cott...

Michelle wrote: "Just starting (Chpt. 6). I wondered about the word madding also Emily so thanks for the explanation. I wonder about a lot of the words since as pointed out above they are antiquated. I did find ..."

We certainly can picture each character clearly, even the dogs.

RebeccaS wrote: "Has anyone found out what "the madding crowd" means?"

This is what one source says it comes from: http://dictionary.reference.com/brows...

I used to think it was a maddening crowd that surrounded Bathsheba, until I realized it was madding crowd. I have no idea what that is.

RebeccaS wrote: "I agree that this book seems to be moving rather slowly. So far we haven't met many characters at all.

Through Chapter 8

[spoilers removed]"

I'm in chapter 6. Life in a farming community probably progresses slowly, just like the events in the book. There are occasional life shattering events followed by many days of monotony.

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Henry wrote: "I read chapter 1 and started on two. Hardy is a master of intricate description. I was amused with Gabriel's watch."

Not much left to the imagination there!

I've read this before, ..."

I wondered if the name Gabriel Oak also has significance. Both Gabriel and Oak bring strong images to mind.

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Thanks Nina and Henry :)
This has been a fantastic discussion. It's deepened my understanding of the era and of the book.
So, again - thank-you Henry for facilitating such a great discussion and th..."

I just started reading Far from the Madding Crowd. Are you ready to lead it?

Henry, you did a great job in leading this discussion!

Welcome Matt and Kris! You are both welcome to join our discussion in June when we read Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. Read it before you see the movie! Matt, many of our readers listen to the books instead of actually reading them. Would that be easier for you?

Thanks for your organization skills!

Thanks! This is very helpful.

RebeccaS wrote: "I just finished and I must say that was one of the strangest endings to a book I've read in a long time. I understand that he's trying to show that Rose of Sharon is giving life even though [spoil..."

So did it leave you with a sense of hope or despair?

I know few adults of my children's generation who are interested in home ownership. It is too much work for them!

This is the thread for May's selection by John Steinbeck.

You can also take courses on Shakespeare and many other subjects at FutureLearn. Their website and upcoming courses is here: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/u.... I have taken three free courses about Shakespearean works over the past nine months. I don't see any right now, but new courses are added or rerun on a regular basis.

Welcome, Ayunda!

If you don't mind, I can handle the tri-monthly nominations, polls, etc.

This thread is for discussing chapter 46-67. This would also be the section for discussing the book as a whole.

All comments concerning chapters 31-45 should be included in this section.

This section is for discussing chapters 16-30.