Public reader discussion about Far from the Madding Crowd in the WeRead Catalog by Thomas Hardy.
By SonnetAsh6
We're getting married in May and I found this quote from Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd. The only issue is the wording about the paths, so I think it's been adapted, and I can't find the exact lines or anything very close. Does anyone know where it actually comes from, and how much it’s been changed? Also, if anyone has any other Victorian lit suggestions that aren’t totally overused, I’d really appreciate them.
By TeaComet
Lolita by Nabokov. It’s wild how much control of English it has, like someone really mastered it even though they weren’t a native English speaker.
By Garnice-Glareole
If you’re grabbing the free Kindle ebooks on Amazon, don’t hit the “Read for Free” option. Use “Buy Now” when the price shows up as $0.00 instead. The “Read for Free” button seems tied to Kindle Unlimited, which I think you have to pay for.
By chapter-lilac
I run a monthly book club and I’m trying to find recommendations with a more upbeat vibe for everyone to talk about. We’ve been doing this for about a year, but lately it feels like we keep getting fed dystopian/bleak picks, and I’ve noticed people don’t seem as interested anymore. Some of the books we read that were good but just tough for the overall tone/theme were The Overcoat, Crying in H-Mart, Fahrenheit 451, The Book Thief, and most recently Where the Crawdads Sing. We’re also working through Far From the Maddening Crowd right now, and I honestly think that one was a mistake for our group. I know they’re well written, but I’d really like books that lead to solid discussion without leaving everyone feeling miserable. The Rosie Project was one of the few that actually brought fun conversation, so I’d love more suggestions like that. Participation has been pretty low lately, so any help would be appreciated.
By DuneFrozen
I couldn’t tell what was going on with the wording here. It feels like Oak is trying to look at her, but the cloak and where he’s floating block him, so he basically starts making up what she looks like in his head. And then it goes on in a really confusing way about how people kind of shape what they see based on what they want. The whole thing made me hesitate, because I can’t tell if I’m getting the meaning right or just getting lost in the grammar.
By fishFast
I’m a total Thomas Hardy person—*Tess of the D’Urbervilles*, *Jude the Obscure*, and *Far from the Madding Crowd* are probably my top reads. But I keep wishing there were some modern writers with a similar feel. For me, *Tess* almost reads like this huge proto-feminist kind of force of nature, even though everything about her situation is just awful and gets worse and worse. I’d be into something modern that hits that kind of vibe. Also, I wouldn’t mind a love story mixed in. When I’m not bouncing between Hardy and the Brontës, I’ve been really into YA coming-of-age stuff. I just finished *Carrie Pilby* and I liked it a lot.
By red-bison
I’m pretty new to reading a few of the “classics,” but I honestly liked this a lot. I’m also really feeling the points he’s making right now. Thanks for sharing—what would you say are some of your go-to classics?
By IanInDublin5723
I’m usually really into horror/thrillers/mystery stuff, so this “tragedy-romance-classical” vibe isn’t normally my thing. I’ll admit I wasn’t into the book at first, but once I kept going I got more and more hooked—mostly because of Sue Bridehead. People keep calling her “ahead of her time” and like she’d rather be right than happy, and I can kind of see it. That said, she can come off super demanding and kind of mean/bitchy sometimes, and honestly she feels pretty neurotic even by 21st-century standards. But she’s also brave and pretty stubborn about staying true to herself, which feels rare for that era. I don’t know, I just kept getting the feeling she might be the first “manic pixie dream girl” type character, at least in modern literature.
By marginglimmer
Not gonna lie, I’m kind of stuck on this list because I feel like I’ve read a bunch of it, but I can’t remember where the lines blur. Like, Americanah, Rich and Pretty, Giovanni’s Room, Jane Eyre—those all feel familiar. Then there’s Kindred, Open City, You Shall Know Our Velocity, The Veins of the Ocean… and I’m less sure. Same with Ferrante, Fates and Furies, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Never Let Me Go. It also keeps going with Far From the Madding Crowd, Quicksand, Waiting to Exhale, A Little Life, and a few others and I’m like, did I actually finish these or just start them?
By paleScarf27
I picked up “Tess…” mainly because I really loved Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd.” I’m working through it pretty slowly and I’m at chapter 40 right now. But honestly, I just can’t stand any of the characters. Even the “not that bad” ones get on my nerves. Like Alec is obviously horrible, and Tess’s parents are awful too, especially her dad. And then Angel—he comes off super narcissistic and kind of two-faced and self-absorbed. The women at the dairy feel really basic and silly. And Tess just feels pathetic sometimes, not in a sympathetic way. I know people probably disagree, but I’m not enjoying any of it. I keep reading anyway, but I hate basically every chapter.
By bronzepanda
This is probably a dumb/basic question, but I’m realizing I’ve basically missed his whole body of work until now and I want to catch up. I know nothing about what he tends to write about, how people talk about him now, or even the background stuff. What’s the best way in—just read things in order? And should I start with the short stories? I’ve also been really into existentialist stuff lately, if that matters.
By window_verse
It’s hard for a woman to put her feelings into words when the language itself was mostly made by men for their own feelings, I guess. Dear bookclub pals, the Victorian Lady Detective Squad is happy to invite you along for another book adventure! In August we’re reading Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy, set in the English countryside in the Victorian era. It sounds like a really tangled mix of love, honor, and betrayal, and apparently it’s got beautiful writing too. If you’ve read other Hardy books, then you probably already know we’re almost definitely getting some sharp class commentary and social stuff in there. And an independent heroine? That does seem pretty exciting. So please come join us for a tasty new read. RSVPs are nice but totally not required. There’ll be plenty of cucumber sandwiches, fancy teas, and brandy in our literary salon, plus sabres, épées, and foils for the dueling displays. Lady duelists should probably bring their own fencing knickerbockers or breeches. Yours kindly and affectionately, The Victorian Lady Detective Squad (u/Amanda39, u/thebowedbookshelf and myself) If you’re planning your r/bookclub 2023 Bingo card, Far From the Madding Crowd fits these squares, and maybe more: - A Romance Read - A Gutenberg - A Historical Fiction Discussion schedule (Thursdays): - 3rd August - Chapter 1 to 14 - 10th August - Chapter 15 to 28 - 17th August - Chapter 29 to 42 - 24th August - Chapter 43 to 57 - Book vs. movie discussion The marginalia post is here. See you all on August 3rd for the first discussion! Useful links: - Goodreads page for Far From the Madding Crowd - Wikipedia entry for Thomas Hardy - Wikipedia entry for Far From the Madding Crowd - Free ebook of Far From the Madding Crowd on Project Gutenberg
By chapter-lilac
I’ve read *Tess of the D’Urbervilles* and *Far from the Madding Crowd*. I do think Hardy’s a pretty clever and creative writer, but I don’t feel like he’s as “refined” as the covers and movies act like he is. Between the two, I lean toward *Tess* mostly because I find tragedy hits harder. The characters’ suffering makes them feel more noble and real to me. *Far from the Madding Crowd*, though, feels a lot sunnier, and I sometimes get the sense it’s more self-indulgent on Hardy’s part. He definitely has wit—his writing has those odd little turns of phrase and the dialogue is lively, which really stands out. But it also gives me the feeling he’s trying a bit too hard, and he trades in plain, concise language for something that feels kind of showy and overly flowery. I could totally be off, because this stuff is really just taste. If someone loves one more than the other (or neither), I’m not going to argue—I get it.
By simple-market5111
Just finished *Far From the Madding Crowd* today, and I honestly kept catching myself smiling throughout. I know it’s a classic and you can guess a lot of the direction, but it still felt oddly fresh. Also, I’m pretty sure I just opened a whole can of worms since this is my first Thomas Hardy book. Now I’m stuck—what should I read next?
By lazy_planet
I keep telling myself I’ll finally read Thomas Hardy, but I have no clue where to begin. Does anyone have a good place to start?
By SageMarble2004
I just finished The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy, and I’m kind of stuck on how uneven it felt. The writing is gorgeous—Hardy can make scenes pop and his dialogue sounds so real. I honestly can’t think of another English novelist who matches that, and his sense of everyday speech felt even better than what I’ve read from George Eliot, and somehow even more than Shakespeare. But the plot… wow. It seemed really ridiculous, and there was so much going on that at a certain point I completely lost track. I ended up looking up a plot summary online just to figure out what was happening. Is anyone else feeling the same way?
By SkyWater2002
Hey everyone! We’re kicking off discussion of *Far From the Madding Crowd* by Thomas Hardy on Thursday, August 3rd. In the meantime, drop anything you notice as you read—random thoughts, questions (even mystery-type theories), favorite lines/quotes, links to stuff that seems relevant, whatever. If you want, you can also read ahead and get your notes in here before we meet. When you post, please add the chapter number so people can find your spot easily. Spoiler tags would be great too—something like: Major spoilers for Chapter 5: and then your text. If anyone has questions or feedback, feel free to share. Happy reading! I’m really excited to start our first discussion on August 3rd. Useful links (if you need them): - Schedule for *Far From the Madding Crowd* - Goodreads page for *Far From the Madding Crowd* - Wikipedia entry for Thomas Hardy - Wikipedia entry for *Far From the Madding Crowd* - An ebook is available for free on Project Gutenberg
By crimson-bee
Right at the start of the book, Gabriel basically gets a front-row view of Bathsheba doing this really impressive bit on a horse—like she’s got this acrobatic way of getting under a low branch and ends up switching into a straddle instead of side saddle. He’s so blown away he basically says she can ride the whole horse, head to tail. But then after that… it’s just never brought up again or really explained. It feels a little like you put a loaded gun on stage in act one and then nobody ever mentions it again. I get that the side-saddle to straddle thing might be foreshadowing later when she steps into more “man’s work,” like running the farm. Still, I’m not sure why the book goes out of its way to suggest she’s some kind of trained equestrian or stunt rider if it doesn’t really go anywhere.
By JDusty1982
Yeah, I really like Austen and the Brontës and all, but it feels like a lot of what they write is about rich folks or the middle class. I’m honestly more curious about how poorer people met and courted each other, you know? Thanks!
By SarahReads1983
These two are some of my favorite books. I don’t think you can really go wrong with either one. I will admit I haven’t actually read that particular translation, though.