Readalongs with Ange discussion

Here we can discuss our overall thoughts for Far from the Madding Crowd

Although predictable I think it is a very sweet and tender story about love, friendship, loyalty and power. What I liked the most about it was the writing style and the way Thomas Hardy is capable of impress even the most experienced of readers. I didn’t see it coming for Fanny, Troy or even Boldwood. Everything would have been easier if Bathsheba would have had married the wonderful Gabriel Oak in the first place. I guess sometimes it takes some time for people to see that love without judgement is right in front of their eyes... Great book!

Firstly I'd like to address the writing style. I haven't read anything published in 19th century England for about 5 years, so the first challange was to get used to language and then the style. I realised it was much better and quicker read for me when I concentrated on meaning and not every single word in the text (same as I have done on multiple occasions when I first start reading in new foreign language), especially when concerning dialogue between villagers and descriptions of nature.
Considering the story I think it has aged very well and still can be enjoyed and question of marriage asked. I didn't predict the ending, but killing off a character is a sure way to allow more happy ending than otherwise would be possible.
I'm glad I read it, however I'm not sure I'll read another Hardy novel unless it's part of readalong.

I am sorry to say I did not like the book. The plot was somewhat predictable and I did not like any of the characters except Gabriel Oak. Therefore, I have to say I liked the ending but I felt like Gabriel deserved much better 🤔
My main issue, however, was about the writing style. I felt like descriptions of nature were unnecessarily detailed and slowed the tempo of the book. Some paragraphs were so long, I skim read and read just two significant sentences about the event and still understood what was going on 😊
I hope to like following months’ readalong books much more like I enjoyed Lonesome Dove.

I was disappointed by the book, but mainly by the plot. I have read a couple of other Hardy novels, and this one just didn't have the sense of tragedy that seeps out of some of the others. It didn't leave me thinking "if only..." I highly recommend The Mayor and Tess - I felt like these two especially get the reader thinking about fate and the decisions we make in life, especially those made in ignorance or in willful naivete.

Ugh I didn’t get very far in the book then I got really sick. I’ll have to pick it up at another time. Sorry I couldn’t continue with you all! 🙁