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