These two
months have been hectic months for me, and I know I’m much behind my schedule
in this (and other) challenge(s). Although I kept reading, I could not find
time, focus, and energy to write any reviews. Today, as I find myself more
relaxed, I force myself to write this. Hopefully I can catch up again for the
rest of this semester. Now, Far from a
Madding Crowd turned out to be my new favorite. I think I have picked the
right book to begin with Hardy. I really enjoyed it, and now am ready to read
his other books.
I loved
Gabriel Oak (he is now one of my most favorite characters), and loved the rural
country life presented by Hardy. Bathseba Everdeen is a combination of proud,
vigor, and beauty. She is loved by three men—passionately by Sergeant Troy, possessively
by Farmer Boldwood, and quietly by Shepherd Oak. When she inherited a farm from
her uncle, Batsheba felt independent. She thought she could just rely on her
passion, and the world would be as she wanted to be. Folly after folly, and
only after reaping what she had sown, did she realize that there is no
independence without responsibility.
While
Batsheba represents female emancipation, Gabriel Oak represents hard work and perseverance;
two perfect themes for a Victorian novel, combined with a slight touch of
realism in Hardy’s writing. That makes Far
from a Madding Crowd a wonderful reading!
Four and a
half stars for Oak and Hardy!
~~~~~~~~
I read Penguin English Library paperback
This book is counted
for:
8th book for Literary Movement Reading Challenge: Victorian
5th book for Back to the Classics 2015: A 19th Century Classic
3rd book for Lucky No. 15 Reading Challenge: Cover Lust
2nd book for Reading England 2015: Dorset
3rd book for 2015 TBR Pile Challenge
92nd book for The Classics Club Project
Still have to read this novel. I've read Under the Greenwood Tree by Hardy and I liked his writing, so I think I'll enjoy this one. It's already on my bookshelf, patiently waiting next to Tess of the D'Urbervilles ...
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite Hardy novel, and I recently reread it. I too love Gabriel Oak, and find Bathsheba to be an interesting character, as are Boldwood and Troy, as contrasts to Oak and reflections of Bathsheba's conflicted personality.
ReplyDeleteGood review!
I just saw the movie for this book, and I LOVED it; immediately I added the book to my TBR list. Now I see you really liked it, so I think this is one I will definitely read next year. I had read Hardy's The Return of the Native some years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. He is a wonderful artist when it comes to writing about the natural settings for his novels.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get a chance, you should see the movie, "Far From the Madding Crowd" (2015).
I love how you differentiates between the three men by their passionate vs possessive vs quiet love. Spent on!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Classic Club review of this classic, if interested: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-classics-club-far-from-madding-crowd.html
Hello Elena, thanks.
DeleteWould love to visit your blog!