Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I finished this morning, my first Hardy and I loved it. I loved his writing style although it did take a bit of getting used to at first. I think he did an amazing job at setting the scenes. I really feel like I have great imagery in head of the area.

I loved the characters as well. I think they were developed really well. I enjoyed reading their many personalities and interactions. I was surprised by the drama at the end, I thought it was great though! I also had a few laugh out loud moments.

Until this group, I never even considered reading Hardy but I'm glad did! I'll definitely read more of his stuff now.

Celeste wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. I know a lot of people didn't like Bathsheba, but I found her pretty realistic. She was young, made a stupid decision, and more than paid for it. And she actually learne..."

I agree with your opinion of Bathsheba. I was annoyed with her at first but sometimes you make stupid mistakes that have terrible consequences that you can not undo, especially when you are young and immature. I did feel sorry for her later in the book.

I just completed this and really enjoyed it. This is definitely my favorite Thomas Hardy book, having read Jude the Obscure and Return of the Native many years ago and The Mayor of Casterbridge a year or so ago. The latter one I enjoyed but the first two not as much. I don't know if this is because I was more mature when I read the latter one or because it seemed less depressing. This one was definitely less depressing and I really enjoyed the story, although Hardy's writing is rather slow and it takes a little time to get his point at times.

This is my first classic read with this group and I enjoyed reading others opinions. Thanks.

Bobbie wrote: "... just completed this and really enjoyed it ...This one was definitely less depressing..."

Only two of the four main characters are dead or in prison by the end, so for Mr Hardy, that's less depressing than most ! (;

I just finished this book and read through this thread. We all agree that the pace is plodding. Par for the course for many novels written in this era, as I see it. I agree with Everyman that this story is made for slower reading . I elected to take my time reading only about 2 chapters each day to adapt myself to the slow pace of the events. That definitely helped me to not become impatient and want things to move along faster.

I did not dislike Bathsheba. Our first glimpse of her made me think I would since she seemed vain and haughty. And she didn't change my mind until she inherited her uncle's farm and became a very capable manager. She made a bad choice in the name of love but that particular trait is not reserved to the young and inexperienced. Mr. Boldwood and his subsequent obsession are proof that not only the young get carried away when love enters their heart. I thought Bathsheba was a tragic figure who falls for a bad man while the good man is right in front of her.

And what a good man Gabriel was. His last name was very fitting since he was strong and stalwart and dependable. His love for her never waivered and he was Bathsheba's friend even when she messed up so royally by marrying Troy.

The end was a little happily ever after which wasn't what I expected since this is Hardy. But I enjoyed the chance to read something by him that ends well for someone. I felt so bad for Mr Boldwood though. I wish his end had been more pleasant since he was a nice man. I don't think life in prison was a particularly easy life in those times.

I have this 4 stars and am quite glad to have read this for a group read.

George wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "... just completed this and really enjoyed it ...This one was definitely less depressing..."

Only two of the four main characters are dead or in prison by the end, so for Mr Hardy, ..."

Good point!

Was glad I stuck it out through the slow start, it ended up an engrossing read. Once you understand the slow pacing of the story, it's easier to manage. However, I was confused by the SGT Troy/Fanny relationship. The way he treated her in the beginning of the book and how he spoke about her to Bathsheba after she died seemed inconsistent. The way Bathsheba behaved before and after marriage also inconsistent.

Re: the Gutenberg change, if you look closer it's not changing "thing" to "Maryann".

'Cause he gave me the penny!" "What a pucker everything is in!" said Bathsheba, discontentedly when the child had gone. "Get away, Maryann, or go on with your scrubbing, or do something! You ought to be married by this time, and not here troubling me!"

It just removed the partial sentence that i marked in italics.

Patrick wrote: "Was glad I stuck it out through the slow start, it ended up an engrossing read. Once you understand the slow pacing of the story, it's easier to manage. However, I was confused by the SGT Troy/Fann..."

I agree, Patrick, it definitely was confusing the way Troy changed his attitude toward Fanny, unless his guilt feeling really got the better of him. He certainly did not seem to care that deeply for her in the beginning.
As for the change in Bathsheba, I also thought it was very dramatic but I just thought she was suddenly able to see the real person she had married. Not that I have that much literary knowledge, but I would have preferred less description in some areas and more character development. Even my son, who is a writer and creative writing teacher, says he avoids reading Thomas Hardy. I didn't asked him exactly why. I must do that.

Patrick wrote: "Was glad I stuck it out through the slow start, it ended up an engrossing read. Once you understand the slow pacing of the story, it's easier to manage. However, I was confused by the SGT Troy/Fann..."

I think that Troy repented his ill-treatment of Fanny when she died. It was not until she died that he realised he should have treated her better.

Wonderful sheep dog video, Everyman!

About the book: I LOVE it. I miss it very much. :(

Nathalie wrote: "Patrick wrote: "Was glad I stuck it out through the slow start, it ended up an engrossing read. Once you understand the slow pacing of the story, it's easier to manage. However, I was confused by t..."

Hello!

I was under the impression that Troy did care for Fanny, but took her for granted because he could have any girl and had no urgency to marry (he's so vain). He only went after Bathsheba for her money, because after they're married he still tries to contact Fanny and help her and wastes Bathsheba's money. He does seem pretty tore up about Fanny's death, leading me to believe he did care for her, but only too late. At least that's what I remember. I haven't read it for a few years.

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy is the Revisit the Shelf Book for the month of May 2022. Spoilers are allowed.

Hardy's first published novel at the age of 34 and am up to page 20 with a fascinating character study of Farmer Gabriel Oak. Hope the rest of this classic can match this intriguing writing of first 20 pages.

Alexw wrote: "Hardy's first published novel at the age of 34 and am up to page 20 with a fascinating character study of Farmer Gabriel Oak. Hope the rest of this classic can match this intriguing writing of firs..."

Two chapters left and it was my surprise highlight of the month of April.

Gabriel Oak is one of my favorite literary characters.

page 38 Gabriel is pathetic around the naive Bathsheba.

Read up to page 30 last night, loved the banter between Gabriel and Bathsheba. The "you should marry a rich girl to grow your farm"/"I was thinking the same"/*offended he agreed* exchange gave me a good chuckle.

page 142- Everyone gets married or wants to get married in this novel on a whim.

Finished the book last night...that went from 0 to 100 real fast!

Gabriel remained a steadfast and honorable man, so of course there's satisfaction in the ending.

Speaking of the end, you can clearly see the irony in the title.

I'm waiting to process before I type my full review on the book's page but overall this was quite an enjoyable read for me.

I am at chapter 19. I really don't get Bathsheba. Is she being playful and ignorant to Gabriel's and Boldwood's affection? Or is she really naive and innocent?

Boldwood being head over heels in love because of a Valentine is hard to fathom. Bathsheba has gotten by her looks her whole life which will cause her nothing but heartbreak.

I don't understand why or how men around her instantly fall in deep love with her. She is arrogant, also she is described as demonic beauty.

Anjali wrote: "I am at chapter 19. I really don't get Bathsheba. Is she being playful and ignorant to Gabriel's and Boldwood's affection? Or is she really naive and innocent?"


I read her as conflicted, she wants to be this independent business owner which was unheard of at the time- yet she predictably ends up with these suitors who are pushing her towards the societal norm of marriage and domestication, yet she herself is still flawed (Hardy sets her vanity up in our first meeting with her) and decided to be playful out of indignation with Boldwood, the one man who didn't seem to care for her at all, and it backfired.

I agree M. Schmidt.
I finished it just now. I loved Gabriel Oak. He is not bewitched by her beauty though he loved her deeply. He could see through her vanity and wickedness. And he was brave enough to rebuke her.

I finished too. Troy was as scatter brained as Bathsheba. He spurns Fanny who was with his child for rich Bathsheba. Then spurns Bathsheba as he professes his love for Fanny, goes swimming and as is rescued by a ship who he sails away with instead of being returned and still being a rich man! His baby with Fanny is conveniently forgotten by all. The fact that TROY becomes a CLOWN in the circus is so ripe with symbolism that Hardy must have chuckled when he wrote it.
This was written as a newspaper serial so the fact that Gabriel (who is also a saint in the Bible) gets his just reward in the end made the masses happy who bought the papers.

Nente wrote: "Leni, you'll find lots of non-traditional female characters in Hardy's books if you aren't discouraged by this one. Though, now I think of it, I also found them all unlikeable."

This is the first book of Hardy's that I've read, so cannot form a general opinion, but I'm beginning to think he might not have liked women. There are a few general comments about women, such as this one from the beginning of chapter 24:

Women are never tired of bewailing man's fickleness in love, but they only seem to snub his constancy.

Am watching the movie of Far From The Maddening Crowd with Julie Christie as Bathsheba and the dialogue in the movie is being taken right from the novel.

Alex, I hope to watch the movie soon. I love when the dialogues match the books.

I finished this a few days ago and LOVED it. I read Tess last year and really enjoyed the story but I loved this one more.

Bathsheba was more of a modern woman but she had flaws that I found so believable even for today. I could see her in many modern women who want to be their own independent woman but who realize they can fail because of love. I hate that she put the three men through such trouble and she learned the hard way what she most likely knew from the start.
I loved Gabriel. Such a stand up guy. Honest and not afraid to tell Bathsheba what she needed to hear.

Alex I loved what you said about Troy. Spot on and the clown reference - perfect. I hadn’t thought of that comparison.

Lori wrote: "Alex, I hope to watch the movie soon. I love when the dialogues match the books.

I finished this a few days ago and LOVED it. I read Tess last year and really enjoyed the story but I loved this o..."
Lori, I loved Far From The madding Crowd as well. My favorite Hardy book. You pointed out some aspects of the novel that I totally agree with. Thank you for putting it into words!

Totally agree, I loved this book. The comment above seemed to pretty much sum up the story:

Women are never tired of bewailing man's fickleness in love, but they only seem to snub his constancy

Its about following your passions and being blind to what is right in front of you. We the reader are cheering for Farmer Oak and waiting for Bathsheba to come to her senses while following the changing dynamics of their circumstances.

@Renata I don't think Hardy particularly disliked women. For me, the comment about how women "snub his consistency" is a fond, though somewhat patronising generalisation. I think he's speaking to what may seem to be fickleness which it's easy to dismiss and dislike Bathsheba for but which is actually anxiety about making the wrong choice when it comes to marriage or independence as @M.Schmidt says.

In 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' you can really see Hardy's admiration for women.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I fell in love with 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' and the writing so wanted to read more of his work. This one is a lot more of a traditional novel in structure and happy-ish ending. The band of "neighbours" (the workers) was one of my favourite aspects of the book. I wouldn't have appreciated it but I listened to the audio book and the narrator did the country intonation so well. I highly recommend listening to Tadhg Hynes's recording on Librivox (free audiobooks). Maybe just give the last scene a listen to get the idea, it really made the book so much more enjoyable and atmospheric because Hardy actually writes to represent an oral culture.

Ah, Bathsheba, “Deeds of endurance which seem ordinary in philosophy are rare in conduct, and Bathsheba was astonishing all around her now, for her philosophy was her conduct, and she seldom thought practicable what she did not practise. She was of the stuff of which great men’s mothers are made. She was indispensable to high generation, hated at tea parties, feared in shops, and loved at crises.”
No wonder we love her.

I initially had trouble getting into the rhythm of reading "Far From the Madding Crowd." When I got the "hang of Hardy," I enjoyed reading the book.

Finished last week and enjoyed it. Since I had started but not finished it a few years ago, I’m glad I listened to the first half of the novel on audiobook (free Librivox recording on YouTube) before picking up where I left off in the physical book. It was a nice refresher. It also marks only the second time in a few years that I read all four group selections for the month.

I finally finished a couple days ago - about two weeks late, which approximates the days I lost to migraine, so, I'll consider it still timely.

The writing in this book is gorgeous, as in other Hardy novels I've read. The descriptions of nature and rural life are so poetic and beautiful. Additionally, I had to look up a lot of Victorian farming terms and learned a lot about sheep!

The workmen's conversations reminded me of Shakespeare's clowns: the commoners saying silly things in low speech in a charming and humorous way.

I have more sympathy for Bathsheba than Hardy seems to: she is, after all, very young, and was socialized as a woman. It's not an easy road. And as stated above, she initially rejected Gabriel because she didn't love him, which is a solid reason. I think many young women have been taken in by the charming rake. She was out of her depth and fell for the trap. She certainly paid for it. Sending a Valentine to Boldwood was thoughtless, but he really went off the deep end with regard to Bathsheba in a way she never could have predicted. Boldwood and Troy both display a dismaying quantity of toxic masculinity.

Despite my abiding love for Hardy, he really does make some unkind remarks about women in this book. I don't know what is going on here. Perhaps it's because it's his first novel. By the time he wrote _Tess_, he had matured and gained some perspective. His approach is a lot more sympathetic.

It was nice that the novel allowed Bathsheba to come back around to Gabriel when she was ready and her feelings had changed. Gabriel is a nice guy, but not a Nice Guy ^TM.

LiLi wrote: "I finally finished a couple days ago - about two weeks late, which approximates the days I lost to migraine, so, I'll consider it still timely.

The writing in this book is gorgeous, as in other H..."

I love your comparison to Shakespeare.

Thanks! I don't claim to be any kind of Shakespeare scholar. The dialogue just had the same feel to me.

I initially liked the character of Eustacia Vye in Return of the Native. She seemed like she was pretty cool until the plot turned. Same with Bathsheba in Far From the madding crowd. I was just starting to like her until she made such stupid decisions. But its really a criticism and a warning of blindly following your passions written by someone we assume is a little older and wiser and writing from experience. Women do all seem to come to a bad end dont they.... But they still seem sympathetically characterized dont they?