Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion
This topic is about
Far From the Madding Crowd
Old School Classics, Pre-1915
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Far from the Madding Crowd -No Spoilers Revisit Read
Hello all, this is my first ever book read together as part of an online group. I started a little earlier, in October as I am a bit slow with my reading, I am still relatively new to the book and getting to know the characters five chapters in. I had to get rid of a few distractions, so now Thomas Hardy has my full attention. I might need a little prompting, hope there's a lively discussion so the notifications emails keep me on track. I am a little old fashioned, so some of the antics of the youngsters in the novels do irritate I somedays but I am learning not to get so involved.
Welcome to your first ever group read! I hope you enjoy it. Is this your first Hardy, or have you read any of his other work? I only started reading his books last year and I think this was the one I started with. I find that Hardy's writing style takes some getting used to, I need to slow my pace of reading down with him, but now I know what to expect. I won't be re-reading, but I'll look forward to the discussions and join in with my thoughts on the spoiler thread as we go along. Saad, there might be more in depth discussion on the spoiler thread once everyone gets started, but beware if you haven't yet finished the book.
Mod
I read this book last spring. I'm looking forward to seeing what this group thinks of it!
I've wanted to read this and will probably use this as the push I needed to do so.But why are the various free Kindle versions of this so different in page length? Some are mid-200s and some are 400+. Is it illustrations or what; anyone have any idea?
I'm not sure why they're different lengths, though just looking at the paperback versions, it seems to average about 400 pages in length, so it's not the shortest book. The kindle differences are usually down to formatting or illustrations, but it's hard to tell without seeing them all. As long as they aren't abridged versions, any of them should be suitable to read.
James wrote: "I've wanted to read this and will probably use this as the push I needed to do so.But why are the various free Kindle versions of this so different in page length? Some are mid-200s and some are 4..."
The Kindle classics can really vary in length because they take their page counts from different paper editions and sometimes those paper editions are self-published and use minuscule fonts.
My quick trick is to see if it's synced to a Audio edition. If it is and if that audio edition is unabridged, then it must be the full book. Amazon never links an abridged Kindle book to an unabridged audio - they might be listed under the same grouping, but it won't be marked as Whispersync enabled.
(You can actually go down to the publication details below, copy the ISBN used for the page counts, then use the Look Inside feature on that specific edition to check out the font sizes/page formatting, etc... that usually explains the varying page count, but is more time consuming and not really worthwhile if all you care about is abridged/unabridged.)
I've been looking forward to reading this one. This is my first Thomas Hardy book. I'm only a couple of chapters in, as I was distracted by issues with Overdrive last night. But so far, I'm enjoying his style.And I agree, Pink. I've really had to slow down my pace with him.
This will be my first Hardy and my first read with this group. I'm looking forward to both!
This is also my first book to be read as part of an online group and after joining Goodreads. I am more than half way through it and enjoy it very much. I had not heard about the book before (although I am somehwat familiar with Thomas Hardy), so thank you Group for recommending and introducing me to the book. Next in line is Madame Bovary which I read many many years ago. I will not read Truman Capote this time as I read In cold Blood just a few months ago - however I may join the discussions anyway.
Good luck to those reading Hardy for the first time. I hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think on the spoiler thread :)
I have barely gotten started so far, having a lot going on this week and weekend. Also, I read rather slowly so I will probably be behind for awhile. I read the introduction and was very annoyed that the whole thing is a major spoiler. The second paragraph without warning revealed the ending. What a bummer! I have read Hardy before, three, I believe, but two of them were quite awhile ago. But, I have wanted to read this one for awhile so I am happy to have this group give me the motivation to get started on it.
That's a bummer but I'm grateful for the heads up.
Bobbie wrote: "I read the introduction and was very annoyed that the whole thing is a major spoiler. ..."I never read intros to classics anymore. Most of them assume that you either don't care about spoilers or have read the book before.
Melanti wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "I read the introduction and was very annoyed that the whole thing is a major spoiler. ..."I never read intros to classics anymore. Most of them assume that you either don't care ab..."
Same here, as they almost always give away the plot. Now I read them afterwards, where they should be!
Pink wrote: "Melanti wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "I read the introduction and was very annoyed that the whole thing is a major spoiler. ..."I never read intros to classics anymore. Most of them assume that you eith..."
I've also learned this lesson. But I still think it's not very thoughtful of the publisher to put spoilers in a foreword.
Anyway, I've also ordered a copy of this one so I will be joining in somewhere later this month as I want to get on with LotR first. This will also be my first Hardy.
Thanks, I've learned my lesson. I will definitely stop reading the forewords ahead of the book from now on (especially with classics). Often with classics, I already know the plot so it doesn't really matter, but in this case, I did not.
I've only read one book by Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and that was five or six years ago when I was in college. But I loved it! It and Bleak House are my favorite books I was ever assigned to read.That being said, I'm really excited about reading this book. I think Hardy's writing style is...lovely. That's the best description I can give him.
I prefer to visually read my books, but I have so many to read this month that I decided to borrow an audio version of this from the library. I must say that I am really enjoying it. It's read by Jamie Parker, if any one else is looking for an audio version to try.
The version of Notre Dame de Paris that I read (Oxford World's Classics edition) had a note before the Introduction telling you that it shouldn't be read without knowing what the book's plot was.I thought that was pretty cool since I've been burned too many times now by spoiler-y Introductions that I also read them at the end.
Celeste wrote: "I've only read one book by Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and that was five or six years ago when I was in college. But I loved it! It and Bleak House are my fav..."Anybody who loves Tess and Bleak House is a secret twin of mine. Maybe not related by blood, but definitely by literature!
Literary siblings unite! I hate that I missed the Bleak House group read. I'd like to re-read both that and Tess, but I just have such a large TBR list that I don't know when I'll be able to get to them.
But it's wonderful to find people who love the same classics I love. It makes me happy.
My 4th Hardy...yes, Tess was definetely wonderful!I've also got an audio book, but sadly there are so many other things to do...
This is my third Hardy and not before time! I really love his writing. Dickens is, and probably always will be first. Close seconds are Hardy and Trollope. Indeed they are almost tied first!I am doing a combination of audio and reading for this book. I also chose Jamie Parker, Celeste! I love the timbre of his voice. His characterisations are great too. It's funny, on a first listening to a little of the sample, I thought that the first couple of lines were too slow and deliberate. Also there were other good ones from which to choose. So I read several reviews and decided to listen to their advice and also my gut instinct. He is a fabulous narrator!
I'm glad you're liking him, Hillary! He has a wonderful voice. It fits the story really well.
Absolutely, Celeste. I hope that he has done other audios. Superb!
This is my second Hardy, but Tess is my favourite book, so I'm really excited about this push to read it! Hardy is usually a spring read for me, but I really wanted to participate in a group read with this group, as I never have before! I'm only about thirty pages in but so far I'm enjoying it. The characters are very interesting (and, so far, quite different from Tess, which is also refreshing).
Finished the book yesterday. Thank you again for the recommendation, as it was my first Hardy. I have not read Tess but I have it, so that's the next one based on all recommendations her and my experience with Hardy.
Made it through our very busy weekend, our 50th anniversary, and now am ready to read. I got started last night and I believe I am going to enjoy it. The book is a very old paperback I had tucked away so it is trying to fall apart already. I will hold it together to read then recycle it.
Happy belated 50th anniversary, Bobbie!
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary, Bobbie!! What an awesome accomplishment.
Mod
Happy anniversary Bobbie!Wow!
Thanks to everyone!
Well, considering the spoilers...I've seen the movie :'DI've also read the introduction just to check if they made the movie properly \:'D/ - no surprises for me, I guess...
But since this book was circulating endlesly around Goodreads, and I've already read the first chapter, there is no going back now :)
For those who are interested in Hardy's time and region, there's a quite nice book, now out of print but available quite affordably second hand (abebooks lists a copy in good condition for $3.48 with free shipping). Title is Thomas Hardy's England. It's primarily a book of period photographs of the England he wrote about with text about his life and the lives of the people he knew and wrote about. Not a biography as such, but an enjoyable book to browse in.There are many good biographies, but one I can recommend is Claire Tomalin's. Thomas Hardy
While today Hardy is known mostly for his novels, he considered himself first as a poet. Palgrave has published a quite nice volume of his complete poetry, edited by James Gibson, a well known Hardy scholar.
The Complete Poems
I should also add that Hardy wrote quite a few short stories many of which are well worth reading.
Hope that you had a wonderful 50th anniversary, Bobbie!!
Started this on the serial reader, so it will take a little bit.
I've only just started this today and I believe this will be a slow read for me. The language seems challenging for a non-native English speaker. But I have a feeling I'll really like this book.
Yes the language is quite difficult. The ideas they represent aren't always clear cut. Goes with the territory.
I agree that Hardy is rather slow and difficult in places but I am enjoying the story. I am not a fast reader anyway, so it is taking me awhile but I believe it is worth it.
This was my first Hardy also, first read last year and I really liked it! As Pink said, he takes a little getting used to, but I love the way he writes. Not sure if cadence is the right word but there is something rhythmical and/or lyrical about his writing that just grabs me. Hoping everyone is enjoying it!
I just finished 'Return of the native', which was my first Hardy, and I really enjoyed it! Even if I read it in french, as Hardy's litterary style is quite rich and my english vocabulary is too poor...So I'll try to begin today 'Far from the madding crowd', and hope this will be as good as the 'Return of the native'!
Good luck, I think if you enjoyed Return of the Native, you'll probably enjoy Far from the Madding Crowd as well :)
I'm also slowly advancing and really enjoying my first Hardy.
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This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on May 1, 2022.
This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.
Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page
The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted
Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)
Books mentioned in this topic
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (other topics)The Return of the Native (other topics)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (other topics)
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (other topics)
Anna Karenina (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Thomas Hardy (other topics)Thomas Hardy (other topics)
Please use this thread for general, spoiler free discussion of Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
If you wish to discuss the plot in more detail, then please use the spoiler thread here
If you would like a free copy of the book, here are some links for online, kindle and audio versions:
Project Gutenberg
Amazon.uk
Amazon.com
Librivox (There are two versions to chose from)
Happy reading!