Far From the Madding Crowd - Buddy Read

[Betsy]

Hello all. This is a buddy read for Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd. Happy reading!

[Tr1sha]

Thank you, Betsy.
Welcome to those who plan to read this book. I aim to start reading it tomorrow (Monday 20 April). I suggest that when making comments about the book we all start our comment with the chapter number(s) that we are commenting on. That way people can choose to look or not, depending on how much we have each read. The chapters are fairly short, so there may be a few chapters to discuss at the same time.

[Tr1sha]

Background information:

I don’t know where other members live, or if you are familiar with this or other books by Thomas Hardy. For those not in the UK, you may find the English a little strange at first. Don’t worry about understanding every word, especially when you start reading. The writing uses some old-fashioned terms & also some dialect. The more you read, the easier it will become.

Hardy writes about an area he called Wessex, in South West England. The story is set mainly in the modern county of Dorset. You will recognise it if you watched the modern drama “Broadchurch” on television. Remember the beach with the towering golden cliffs in the credits? Those cliffs feature in this book. For me, that’s a very special place where I spent wonderful holidays years ago. That beach is where I read various books by Hardy for the first time. Reading his books now takes me right there again, even though I’m actually in London!

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

Hi folks
Betsy thanks for setting this up.

I am using the Norton Critical edition, so I paid extra for the chance to know extra stuff.
I have finished the The forward and the preface so get to say that the term Wessex as a place on the map in Victorian times is something Hardy invented.

Are we to be reading at ourown pace?


I think the map is by Hardy
The source page may contain spoilers:
https://the-toast.net/2016/01/12/an-a...
An Annotated Map Of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex

[Tr1sha]

I don’t know who drew this map, but anyone could do it. All the places named in Hardy’s books are real places, renamed by him. You just need a modern map & a list that compares the place names. For example, Casterbridge is Dorchester in real life, Port Bredy is Bridport, Budmouth is Weymouth, Sandbourne is Bournemouth, etc. When you get to know the area you realise just how clever he was in creating his place names.

Reading pace? I guess everyone will be different, depending on other commitments. I suggest we should try to read 15-20 chapters a week so we complete it in a month or less. (57 chapters, but most are short.) We can easily adapt this if we find the pace is too slow or too fast for those who are reading.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

The only reason why I attribute this to Hardy is that he did make and include maps at some point. As for a one for one match up, In his preface he indicates that he moves some places around, Perhaps not so much that it would be visible at this scale
.
Not sure it matters, but I like maps and Nabokov among others are adamant that readers also have to know the geography of the novel.
(Not sure I agree, but it was fun to have a big name to throw at a small point.:
15 chapters per week?
Sorry now I am in numbers mode, just skip this part:
15 chapters is the book in 3.8 weeks . My copy is right at 300 pages so that is 79 pages per week about 11 per day. Then again i have another 170 pages but that is my fault and some of that is other manuscript versions, I gotta like it a lot to go deep into those

Seems reasonable. I gotta read some of the text first, but otherwise seems doable

As for today, I have a review to write first but maybe by bed time, I will know.

[Renee]

I hope to join. I don't have a copy of the book. I will join when the library reopens

[Tr1sha]

Renee wrote: "I hope to join. I don't have a copy of the book. I will join when the library reopens"

Thanks, Renee. It will be good if you can join at some point - & you can always add to the comments later if you want.

[Tr1sha]

I hope others who also expressed interest will join in. My suggestion for the amount to read (message 5) was only a suggestion for initial guidance. It’s probably best if everyone reads at their own pace. I hope this can be a relaxed, enjoyable read.

[Renee]

Thank you for organizing this. I have wanted to read this for a long time. I get so much more from a book when I discuss it.

[Betsy]

Renee, do you have an eReader? I know that the Open Library have a copy you can download onto your reader: https://openlibrary.org./books/OL5244...
And I'm sure Overdrive/Libby will have a copy too.
I understand if you'd rather a physical copy: I think you've all heard often enough that I really despise eBooks, but during these crazy times we're living it is harder to get paperbacks.

[Tr1sha]

Thanks for these useful suggestions, Betsy. You may find a free Kindle edition from Amazon too - there’s a free version on AmazonUK, but availability may be different according to copyright laws in some countries.

[Betsy]

Awesome, Trisha. I've also been using Audible since they've made titles free to listen to. So cool! I don't listen to audiobooks but it has helped spark an interest in Wuthering Heights, and so I'm trying that again on the eReader.

[Renee]

Betsey I have read books on my phone. The problem with that for me is I usually do it when I am ill. I have Lupus. When I have a flare it aggravates my psoriatic arthritis making books heavy and painful to hold. I like many others with chronic conditions am prone to depression. The way the world is right now is causing me to battle the demon depression. I think I associate reading on my kindle or tablet with being sick. I pick it up and the clouds starts to envelope me. So I have been searching every nook and cranny of y house for physicals books to read. Maybe when this is over I will pick up my kindle again .

[Tr1sha]

Renee wrote: "Betsey I have read books on my phone. The problem with that for me is I usually do it when I am ill. I have Lupus. When I have a flare it aggravates my psoriatic arthritis making books heavy and pa..."

That must be very difficult, Renee. Don’t worry, read whatever you want. We can read this book together at some other time if that works better for you. Nothing in our lives is normal right now. I gave up on reading classics today, just needed to read something easy. But I didn’t get far with it! So much boring time & I’m reading less than usual as I can’t settle to anything. Keep in touch when you can, I hope we can share this, or a different book if you prefer, once the current situation improves.

[Nikita]

I hope you don't mind me joining when everyone is ready, as I have been meaning to read this for a long time - however, every time I get round to it, I accidentally buy 10 more books to read before it. Trisha, I understand about giving up, I have only recently gotten back into the whole reading thing again, and I decided to read two books straight after eachother. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy reading either of them, so I think I've been a bit reluctant to pick up another book in case of me not enjoying it again. I'm happy to wait of course, I'm taking a mini-break at the moment with everything happening. Hope everyone is as well as can be.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Trisha wrote: "Renee wrote: "Betsey I have read books on my phone. The problem with that for me is I usually do it when I am ill. I have Lupus. When I have a flare it aggravates my psoriatic arthritis making book..."

I am not reading as much either. Not sure how heavy this story is or of the writing style which will determine how well Iam able to get into this.

[Tr1sha]

Nikita wrote: "I hope you don't mind me joining when everyone is ready, as I have been meaning to read this for a long time - however, every time I get round to it, I accidentally buy 10 more books to read before..."

Of course not, Nikita - you are very welcome to join in. We are only just starting this week. Don’t worry if you find the first few pages difficult, it will get easier! It’s good to share books, an incentive to continue reading sometimes & interesting to discuss them.

[Tr1sha]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Renee wrote: "Betsey I have read books on my phone. The problem with that for me is I usually do it when I am ill. I have Lupus. When I have a flare it aggravates my psoriatic arthri..."

Joanna, I think this book seems difficult when reading the first few pages. Don’t be put off, skim through the first bit & it suddenly gets much easier. It’s more readable once characters are talking to each other.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

While buddy readers gather their copies and their thoughts, I have been reading into the background material that came with my copy. In the essay: Puddletown into Weatherbury: The Genesis of Wessex by Michael Millgate he describes the historic regions of what Hardy christens as Wessex – technically re christens.

Quoting from the essay:
Speaking of Dorset as ”The very last county in England whose sacred soil was broken by a railroad…” and later quoting a review of The Madding Crowd:
R. H. Hutton of the Spectator argues that the Dorset Laborer is “ in a different stage of civilization” from readers of the Examiner ,” is no fool in his own line, but rather very shrewd , racy and wise, full of practical knowledge of all natural things and of considerable powers of thought. Words are now and then lacking to him in which to clothe thought, for the vocabulary of those who live apart from books is everywhere constricted…”

The image I get is of a good hearted, hard-working people somewhat like how us city slicker Americans might have envisioned the people of the Appalachians. The People of Wessex may be barely more modernized than the possession of the “Lucifer match” at once marginally literate and suspicious of books, but they know how to get along , knowledge of what are the practical, necessary things to know, and do.

[Tr1sha]

I hope everyone has a copy of the book now & that you are enjoying reading it. Some of the language seems a little strange, & parts of the story seem very serious. But there are some funny comments too. If you have already read The Mayor of Casterbridge, you will be reminded of it when the fair is mentioned in this book. Hardy was consistent in his stories & sometimes even used some of his minor characters in more than one book.

[Tr1sha]

Chapters 1-10 (contains spoilers)

I enjoyed the early part of the book, as it introduces Gabriel Oak, my favourite character in this story. He is honest & hard-working, though not very tactful at times. Bathsheba Everdene also appears here - I think Hardy describes her well, she seems quite proud but scatty!

[Tr1sha]

Chapters 11-20 (contains spoilers)

The story moves on, introducing 2 more important characters - Sergeant Troy & Mr Boldwood. Troy seems selfish & unkind at times. We don’t learn a lot about Mr Boldwood at this stage - he’s older than the other main characters & wealthier. We also discover a number of minor characters, mainly farm workers. It’s these people that Hardy excels in describing, with various characteristics bringing them to life & providing some of the humour.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

I am slightly over the 1/2 mark or maybe a tad ahead of the curve.
My concern over the reading goal was clearly silly.

Overall I prefer Hardy as narrator. He has something of the spritely sense of humor that I read as a foretaste of Wodehouse.

Some of what he says about Oak's younger dog is striking well writen.

There is a line about Bathsheba's horse being so surprised by her rider's conversation with another that it looks up. As if a horse could follow the conversation. I should have marked it as it is a wonderful sentence.
As for the conversations. Some of them are so think with the local lingo that they can become like shoveling through pudding.
Likely he got the voices of the Wessex/Dorset farmer folk right and there is a huge change over when the better's are talking. Both proof of Harding's skill, but I an not tuned to 150 year gone dialect. That is on me.

Early in the book, certainly a part we are already past, Bathsheba says of herself that to win her her man must be able to tame her, or words to that effect. Something I keep thinking as the various suitors make themselves known.

There is a lot of sex role reversal. Anyone else noticed? Care to comment?

[Tr1sha]

Please remember to start comments by stating which chapters you are discussing - as requested in message 2 above. It we don’t do this we may spoil the book for other readers who are still reading an earlier section.

[Tr1sha]

Chapter 10 (spoilers)

Phrodrick, your comment about sex role reversal:

Hardy includes strong women in other books too. In this case, Bathsheba’s actions make sense. Her bailiff stole from her while in a position of trust. How could she replace him? The other workers she knew weren’t suitable for promotion. Gabriel Oak was available, but, from her point of view, would have been a stupid choice as bailiff. All she knew about him was that he was a farmer who had been unable to keep his farm successfully - so why would she trust him to run her farm? As readers, we know differently, but she could only make a decision based on limited facts. The obvious decision was to run the farm herself. As we saw from the scene where she paid her workers, they respected her & she made a good start.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

Very good points
Tho they tend to document instances of role reversal.
Nothing but spoilers:
Lets look closer to the beginning:
Bathsheba saves Oakes' life and he falls in love with her -she rejects him Total role reversal. That is at least two not usual things.

She takes over the Farm no one expects a woman to do that
She goes into the previous all male corn sales floor not done! (heavens to Betsy!)

The Sargent is the one left at the alter (An accident, still this is not the usual and Fanny is hardly a strong female)

My most favorite example, Against all those books that identify the woman only in terms of her man:
Tall Ann's Husband (He is so bland no one can remember him except as he is married to Tall Ann) Gotta wonder what is was called before he married,, Mr. Cellophane?
Gotta at least have a chuckle over that one.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

As I pass the 2/3 mark All I will say is that there are at least two sections of some of the best descriptive writing I can remember in any book.

That said I am beginning to tire of some way forced and thin contrivances created to move the plot. Example: The Valentine ,, the less said the better.

[Tr1sha]

No spoilers in this comment!

I just wanted to say I finished reading the book this morning. One of the best books I’ve read in ages, I had forgotten how much I like this one. It’s both sad & funny, beautifully written with great descriptions of Dorset & the characters in the story. I won’t leave it as long this time before reading it again.

[Betsy]

No spoilers.

Ahh Trisha that is so nice to hear. I'm so glad this worked out well for you. When did you last read this novel then?

[Val]

I hope no one minds if I join in, I was wanting to read this as I saw a movie trailer and it interested me (and I always like to read the book first) so having the buddy read is a great motivator for me. I have only gotten through the first 10 chapters so far. I agree with earlier comments the dialogue is very readable.

[Tr1sha]

Betsy wrote: "No spoilers.

Ahh Trisha that is so nice to hear. I'm so glad this worked out well for you. When did you last read this novel then?"

Several years ago, Betsy - I can’t remember exactly when. Since joining Goodreads I’ve read more of his lesser known works, mainly because they were recommended by groups or individuals here.

[Tr1sha]

Val wrote: "I hope no one minds if I join in, I was wanting to read this as I saw a movie trailer and it interested me (and I always like to read the book first) so having the buddy read is a great motivator f..."

Of course, Val - you are very welcome. I’m glad you are enjoying the book so far. I agree with you, I usually prefer to read a book before watching the film.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

Also finished, tho I have a bunch of add on material

In that light it might be fun to note that in Madding Crowd's first review, and before it carried Hardy's by line the reviewer felt this had to be the work of George Elliott ( Pen name of Mary Ann Evans) First review was only of the initial periodical installment and not the entire book.

My review will follow anon.
I admire much of this book, and tend to think of what bugged me as semi-rookie mistakes. He had several titles before this, but This is his break out book. If he got better Hardy is due a lot of praise.

[Kathi]

Hello. I’m joining in.
Thank you for the encouragement with the language. It’s always been a struggle for my brain to read from a different time period and in dialect.
I’ve read about 1/4 of the book. If I keep rolling through the story and don’t let myself get hung up on the words I don’t know, it’s moderately enjoyable.
The role reversal idea is interesting. Great points. I haven’t arrived at that scene with Fanny, but it must be coming up soon. I’ll keep my eyes open for other examples.

[Tr1sha]

Kathi wrote: "Hello. I’m joining in.
Thank you for the encouragement with the language. It’s always been a struggle for my brain to read from a different time period and in dialect.
I’ve read about 1/4 of the bo..."

Welcome, Kathi. I agree, I struggle with some dialects too. At least Hardy is consistent, once you get used to his style it gets easier. Someone advised me ages ago that if you struggle to read a dialect, try saying the words out loud - it makes you think how the sentence sounds instead of being distracted by strangely spelt words. It might be worth trying. I’m glad you’re reading this, I hope you will find it easier as you read more of it.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

Trisha wrote: "Kathi wrote: "Hello. I’m joining in.
Thank you for the encouragement with the language. It’s always been a struggle for my brain to read from a different time period and in dialect.
I’ve read about..."

" if you struggle to read a dialect, try saying the words out loud - it makes you think how the sentence sounds instead of being distracted "
Simply Brill, Thanks for the suggestion.