I first read this story years ago in high school. We had just read <i>Tess</i> in English class and I liked it so much I went on a Thomas Hardy reading binge that summer. I reread <i>Far from the Madding Crowd</i> in preparation for seeing the new movie coming out this weekend. I'm glad I did as I am reminded again of why I like Hardy's novels so much. He is so skilful at depicting realistic characters and his descriptions of country landscapes and country life are such that you feel you are there. I also like how he peppers the narrative with shrewd observations about life and human nature. I decided to reread it because I just saw the new film adaptation, with Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenarts.
<i>Far from the Madding Crowd</i> is about a woman who gains financial independence when she inherits a farm from a rich uncle. She is courted by three very different men, who love her in three different ways, and she must choose among them. Bathsheba is supposed to be an intelligent, strong and independent woman, or at least Hardy keeps giving the reader that impression... but does she have some abysmal decision making skills! Of her three suitors, she picks the worst one first, the next worst one second, and the best, most decent one is last.
There are some plot twists that seem a bit too contrived to me, like the part where Fanny Robin comes within a hair's breadth of marrying Sergeant Troy (which would have prevented a whole lot of trouble) but goes to the wrong church and the embarrassed sergeant is angry enough so he won't marry her anymore. Other than that this is a book that I just got engrossed in.
Come to think about it, maybe it's time for another Hardy reading binge!
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