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leifalreadyexists 's review for:
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy, Linda M. Shires
Easily the happiest mature work by Thomas Hardy that I've read, and coming to it from [b:The Return of the Native|32650|The Return of the Native|Thomas Hardy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403182613l/32650._SY75_.jpg|3140534], [b:Under the Greenwood Tree|356285|Under the Greenwood Tree|Thomas Hardy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391823923l/356285._SY75_.jpg|2728346], and [b:Wessex Tales|6399207|Wessex Tales|Thomas Hardy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348873161l/6399207._SY75_.jpg|130817] helps me to trace the ways in which Hardy was growing and developing his visions of rural England.
I am finding that Hardy tries to be less condescending and more unflinching as he gazes on the troubles and work needed to survive in rural communities. It is striking that the maladies he finds in the chief characters are ones commonly accorded only to those in classes above them and in urban areas: romantic disappointment leading to madness, regret, and confusion. Bathsheba Everdene is more plausible than some of his previous leading women, but Gabriel Oak is more wooden and less interesting than previous characters such as reddleman Diggory of Return of the Native.
For many people, I suspect this is their entrance to Hardy, if it isn't [b:Tess of the D'Urbervilles|32261|Tess of the D'Urbervilles|Thomas Hardy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434302708l/32261._SY75_.jpg|3331021] which is a snapshot blown to size of a significant thread within this book. I'd say that's not quite right - this novel is a little smoother, a little less eccentric than the best of Hardy that I've read. But it's certainly a strong pastoral novel of fairs, hay, romance, and sheep!
I am finding that Hardy tries to be less condescending and more unflinching as he gazes on the troubles and work needed to survive in rural communities. It is striking that the maladies he finds in the chief characters are ones commonly accorded only to those in classes above them and in urban areas: romantic disappointment leading to madness, regret, and confusion. Bathsheba Everdene is more plausible than some of his previous leading women, but Gabriel Oak is more wooden and less interesting than previous characters such as reddleman Diggory of Return of the Native.
For many people, I suspect this is their entrance to Hardy, if it isn't [b:Tess of the D'Urbervilles|32261|Tess of the D'Urbervilles|Thomas Hardy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434302708l/32261._SY75_.jpg|3331021] which is a snapshot blown to size of a significant thread within this book. I'd say that's not quite right - this novel is a little smoother, a little less eccentric than the best of Hardy that I've read. But it's certainly a strong pastoral novel of fairs, hay, romance, and sheep!