From the Bookshelf of Reading List Completists…

Far From the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

Start date: April 1, 2018

Finish date: April 30, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: April 2018 Completest Selection
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Group Reads

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What Members Thought

Apr 10, 2018 Matthew rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, 2018, completist-book-club, classic, hoopla, library

This book can be summed up in one sentence: Bathsheba Everdene's milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

Okay - now that I am more awake - I am ready for more of a review!

I was leaning 5 stars, but something about the end brought it down to 4.

Click the spoiler for my thoughts on the ending: (view spoiler)

Many books these days are all about the love triangle. To get into the crazy love shapes that are occurring in this book. You need a degree in Advanced Geometry. What is great about each "point" of the relationship "shapes" in this story is that each represents extremes of nobility, arrogance, insanity, patheticness, immaturity, and complete disregard for how their actions affect those around them (until it is too late). Because of this, you get a lot of fascinating drama and fascinating character behavior.

"Madding Crowd" - frequently when I read a classic, I like to follow up with reading about it on Wikipedia to get some side facts and trivia. I discovered that the word "Madding" means "frenzied" and the title is actually a tongue-in-cheek joke. The book takes place in what is supposed to be a bucolic and peaceful setting "Far from the madding crowd". But, with the adventures and misadventures Bathsheba, Oak, Boldwood, Troy, and Fanny, the drama might just be crazier in the countryside!

And, speaking of tongue-in-cheek humor, I love Hardy's delivery of descriptions throughout this book. Almost every description has hints of cynicism and sarcasm. I think most people imagine this book as a drama, and it definitely has its dramatic moments, but I found myself laughing at the silly characters, their silly actions, and the silly descriptions quite a bit. Bravo, Hardy!

So, if you have been holding off on this book because you think it is a boring and stuffy classic, think again - that could not be farther from the truth. Give it a go, its pretty darn good! ...more

148 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2018 Brooklyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: great-books-groupreads-completist

So charming - had the hardest time getting into it - but then I enjoyed it very much. I kept thinking - is this same Mr Hardy who usually writes such gloomy books and poems? (though there are sad and gloomy moments). The feel for the surroundings and rituals and nature are so keen and beautifully written. The story is melodramatic but engaging - the settings anchor everything nicely. Also the role of Bathsheba is fascinating take on women’s roles of the day and the change that is to come but not ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 18, 2018 Jeff rated it really liked it

Shelves: college-for-an-old-man

Enjoyable classic indeed. Hardy gives us lush scenery and deep characters. The connection to the land is important to remember as he tackles the different relationships in the novel. Not stuffy as some other 19th century British novels, but breezy in its own way.

1 like · Like · see review