From the Bookshelf of Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)…

Far From the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

Start date: May 1, 2022

Finish date: May 31, 2020

Why we're reading this: May 2022 Revisit the Shelf Group Read

November 2016 Old School Group Read
[close] May 2022 Revisit the Shelf Group Read

November 2016 Old School Group Read

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Jul 18, 2014 Franky rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, the-easy-challenge, classics

Although Hardy tends to write novels that have a somber and somewhat tragic feel, I tend to always find myself going back to them. His novels go much beyond their plot and storyline, and they have a thought-provoking message about life’s consequences or human suffering that one can always take away. And this one is probably less depressing than Tess of the D’Urbervilles or The Mayor of Casterbridge.

As the novel’s title suggests, the setting takes place in the rural countryside, which seems to Although Hardy tends to write novels that have a somber and somewhat tragic feel, I tend to always find myself going back to them. His novels go much beyond their plot and storyline, and they have a thought-provoking message about life’s consequences or human suffering that one can always take away. And this one is probably less depressing than Tess of the D’Urbervilles or The Mayor of Casterbridge.

As the novel’s title suggests, the setting takes place in the rural countryside, which seems to be a staple of Hardy’s writings.

I admit I had a difficult time deciphering what exactly the point was through the first part of Far From the Madding Crowd. At first, the novel appears to be a Wessex, 1800s version of The Dating Game, with the three bachelors—Gabriel, Troy, Boldwood—each trying their hand at a marriage proposal with Bathsheba Everdeene (gotta give Hardy credit for his character names). During much of this wooing and courting, we really get to see the first parts of exactly who Bathsheba is: independent, strong-willed, stubborn. Her three courters couldn’t be any different in character or the way they handle themselves. Gabriel Oak, the novel’s true protagonist, in instantly in love with Bathsheba at the beginning of the story, but once rejected by her, moves on (even though he admits he still loves her). Boldwood, given a “MARRY ME” prank Valentine card from an “anonymous” (Bathsheba) woman, becomes instantly obsessed with Bathsheba and won’t let go. And Captain Troy, a soldier who has another girl on the side, is more concerned with physical and reckless love than emotional love.

There’s quite a bit of exposition in the first half of the book, and, truth be told, it may try a reader’s patience at points, but it is quite essential for the second half, where the various character subplots and conflict to those subplots come into play and things get moving. One element that Hardy seems to examine through these characters is how individuals react to difficult circumstances or trials in life. Each of the main characters is presented with some form of emotional difficulty, and we can see their weakness and/or strengths in how they react and take on this trial.

Another angle to Far From the Madding Crowd is in its examination of what love is, or in some cases, isn’t. Each of the suitors has a different perspective and expectation of love and what marriage should be. Sometimes faulty perspectives and expectations distort what should be a truer picture. And Bathsheba, well, she is in the center of this, a bit in the dark and in constant internal conflict within herself. Hardy makes a point to make these characters learn, in some cases suffering to gain a better perspective.

Altogether the plot comes around nicely in the second half of the book, at a much quicker pace and where the main characters’ fates come into focus and converge.

I really enjoyed this one, probably more so than the aforementioned Tess of the D’Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge.

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Jul 22, 2016 Dr. Vipin Behari Goyal rated it it was amazing

In “Far From the Madding Crowd” Bathsheba also had three suitors and she also makes a wrong decision. Isabel is educated aristocrate girl from US while Bathsheba is from the countryside of England called Wessex. Isabel selects Gilbert Osmond and Bathsheba opts for Sergeant Troy as their life partners. Osmond and Troy were already having an affair with the women of low stature, Merle and Fenny respectively.

What women look for in a man? Why a prudent pretty girl would make a wrong choice? No, they ...more

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Dec 03, 2015 Debra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Lovely, charming, and at times, inspiring. Having watched the recent movie version, I was inspired to pick up the book. It's a rare experience when I can love a book so much after having seen the movies! It says a lot for the book. What shines in the book that is lacking in the movies are the wonderful secondary characters. Their lifestyle, their conversation, and their foibles. Another aspect of the book that was wondrous was the sweet faith and faithfulness of Gabriel and his rare heart. Not s ...more

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