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1906ds 's review for:
Far from the Madding Crowd (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)
by Thomas Hardy
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow burn that turns into a real firecracker of a book in its concluding chapters, filled with beautiful prose and complex characters.
Bathsheba Everdeen is as real as she is frustrating: fiercely independent, prideful, haughty, but susceptible to spending time with men she doesn’t love or men that do not respect her. While Bathsheba starts the novel knowing exactly what she wants in her future relationships, she is eventually corrupted by three men that enter her life. By her side through the entire story is Gabriel Oak, whose friendship is as firm as the tree he is named after. Sergeant Troy is an absolute Chad (probably the only thing he’s good at is aggravating the reader and also handling his big long manly sword) and William Boldwood (what a great name!) is a passionless man who suddenly has passion thrust upon him.
Hardy’s writing is absolutely gorgeous and reads like a great pastoral poem (his cataloguing of flowers and colors is astounding). While I did have some personal issues with pacing (it felt like the start and end of the book went by quickly, but sagged some in the middle), I am excited to read more of Hardy in the future!