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bexduck's review against another edition
5.0
“It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.”
This sentence is now permanently tattooed onto my soul.
This was my first time reading a Hardy novel, and I was delighted with expert word smithing. I really don't know how else to describe it. He crafts words with such brilliant specificity. Bathsheba is one of my favorite fictional characters, perfectly imperfect. Gabriel Oak is the exact man you'd want to be with. Together they express a partnership of equals. In many ways this book reminded me of Normal People. The trading of capital--be it social, financial, emotional, or spiritual--between Bathsheba and Gabriel parallels what happens between Marianne and Connell. I loved this book. And I will probably bring it up in conversations for at least the rest of my life.
This sentence is now permanently tattooed onto my soul.
This was my first time reading a Hardy novel, and I was delighted with expert word smithing. I really don't know how else to describe it. He crafts words with such brilliant specificity. Bathsheba is one of my favorite fictional characters, perfectly imperfect. Gabriel Oak is the exact man you'd want to be with. Together they express a partnership of equals. In many ways this book reminded me of Normal People. The trading of capital--be it social, financial, emotional, or spiritual--between Bathsheba and Gabriel parallels what happens between Marianne and Connell. I loved this book. And I will probably bring it up in conversations for at least the rest of my life.
manadziesma's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
foraging_pages's review against another edition
5.0
Gah that ending just left me with a goofy smile.
Some thoughts…
Gabriel Oak <3
- fit flute playing farm boi
- a moth to Bathsheba’s flame
Bathsheba Everdene
- vain or simply a woman in charge of her own life?
The story of a man and a woman in which one was sure of love at once while the other had to grow used to it. Much like Mr. Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Oak proposes to Miss Everdene, she rejects this outlandish offer, he pines while she explores other options, and then they come together at the novel’s end.
Far From the Madding Crowd was easier to get into than I anticipated. I love that the chapters have titles not only because then I knew what I would be reading about in said chapter but also because that’s simply a charming feature. Hardy matter-of-factly presents his story and uses humor, realistic interactions, and nature to propel it.
The pastoral atmosphere is something I will always love in media and Hardy writes it well. It definitely felt that we were far from the madding crowd within the English countryside. The way that Hardy takes time to describe the atmosphere in detail swept me away to Wessex. I was enchanted and present in the moments with the characters. There could be a proposal, a heated argument, or a sheep birth occurring and both Hardy and I would be admiring the landscape.
What a rollercoaster this was but a beautiful ride anyway! I’m glad I chose it as my introduction to Hardy.
Some thoughts…
Gabriel Oak <3
- fit flute playing farm boi
- a moth to Bathsheba’s flame
Bathsheba Everdene
- vain or simply a woman in charge of her own life?
The story of a man and a woman in which one was sure of love at once while the other had to grow used to it. Much like Mr. Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Oak proposes to Miss Everdene, she rejects this outlandish offer, he pines while she explores other options, and then they come together at the novel’s end.
Far From the Madding Crowd was easier to get into than I anticipated. I love that the chapters have titles not only because then I knew what I would be reading about in said chapter but also because that’s simply a charming feature. Hardy matter-of-factly presents his story and uses humor, realistic interactions, and nature to propel it.
The pastoral atmosphere is something I will always love in media and Hardy writes it well. It definitely felt that we were far from the madding crowd within the English countryside. The way that Hardy takes time to describe the atmosphere in detail swept me away to Wessex. I was enchanted and present in the moments with the characters. There could be a proposal, a heated argument, or a sheep birth occurring and both Hardy and I would be admiring the landscape.
What a rollercoaster this was but a beautiful ride anyway! I’m glad I chose it as my introduction to Hardy.
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
5.0
I will begin by saying that I am biased, as I am quite in love with Gabriel Oak. He is wonderfully balanced emotionally and mentally, without being a self-sacrificing goody-two-shoes or a mindlessly passionate man. Wish I can say the same about Bathsheba!
She is not a wise person in the least, at least not before getting a few hard knocks. She is too carried away by her passions and her ego as well, as she has that unfortunate belief that her own feelings are what matters. She learned pretty quick that when it comes to love, it's not just how much you care about a person, it's about how much they care for you, too. Great lesson all round; this should be required reading for every young woman just starting to navigate her way through relationships.
She is not a wise person in the least, at least not before getting a few hard knocks. She is too carried away by her passions and her ego as well, as she has that unfortunate belief that her own feelings are what matters. She learned pretty quick that when it comes to love, it's not just how much you care about a person, it's about how much they care for you, too. Great lesson all round; this should be required reading for every young woman just starting to navigate her way through relationships.
gwynt's review against another edition
3.0
Ehhhhhh. I wanted to like this more. I got really excited at the start because I thought "hey, here is a great strong female character. she's going to run the farm herself, she don't need no man." Then the whole book was about her needing a man.
roxyunderscored's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
evferguson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ananascanread's review against another edition
4.0
DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN A GABRIEL OAK.
lonzy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75