What a brilliant review! Although quite simple, I hadn’t connected that Gabriel was the one who was ‘far from the madding crowd’ and thus the happiest. As to Bathsheba, I started disliking her after her ‘prank’ on Boldwood. At first I thought this was almost out of character for her as she seemed quite rational and competent in her work. But then I realised how human this is. Even those who are smart can be stupid, even those thoughtful can be impulsive. I began to actually see some of myself in Bathsheba, which I wasn’t sure how to feel about! But I did end up loving the book and Hardy really is masterful in capturing everlasting human behaviour.
Like all great artists Hardy has a remarkable ability to understand and empathise with human nature at its fundamental level. There is so much more that is great about the book than that though and you should always read an unabridged version or you will miss out on so much. The quality of the prose is sublime at times. His unexpected aside about experiencing the movement of the earth through the cosmos on a starry night is a personal favourite.
I found myself angry with Bathsheba thinking SHE did NOT deserve the kind, loyal, ever-present Gabriel. I had found myself wanting her to end up alone and Gabriel moving on and becoming successful and happy apart from her. I figured her stubborn pride kept her from looking at herself and seeing how she contributed to the misery/madness of Boldwood and her perception that she seemed to be entitled to Gabriel just being there for her.
One of the most beloved novels and the one that introduced Hardy's unique writing to me. Your review is the best and most complete about this book I've watched on RUclips. The passage you read about Gabriel Oak is actually my favourite from the novel. Another fascinating part is the whole chapter of the storm in which Bathsheba and Gabriel save the ricks. The description of the natural world and how Hardy interweaves it with human emotions is breathtaking.
One of the best & compellingly insightful reviews of this book out there! Just finished reading it & now obsessed with Gabriel Oak's character & whole novel. Thank you & Kudos from California!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Enjoyed the 2015 & 1998 adaptations, loved the '15 cinematography & lead actors yet '98's more faithful to the novel! FFTMC was my 1st Thomas Hardy, quickly became an all-time fave author, so addicting I had withdrawals- So yes, now reading Tess Of The D'Urbervilles. 😊Will check out your review of novel thereafters.🤗 Thanks, enjoying ur fun channel ever so much!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I love the book and the 1967 movie version so much (so beautifully filmed, and the three male leads so perfect in their roles) that I can't get past it. But maybe I should make the effort and look at some others!
Wonderful. I'm married to a man made happy far from the madding crowd, my own Gabriel that I almost missed seeing 27 years ago. I can't wait to read this one now.
I've just finished reading Far From the Madding Crowd for the first time. Watching your review made me love the book more. Thank you very much. A new Subscriber here.
That's very kind of you Joana. Far from the Madding Crowd is a delight, isn't it? I love Gabriel and Bathsheba. Once again, thanks for your support and for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.😀👍
I enjoyed your commentary. The passages you selected were memorable. I would also point to the passage where Hardy writes of the devastating effects of a strong woman being suddenly overwhelmed by erotic attraction .
Outstanding review. Personally, I find men like Gabriel Oak is very rare to find. Most people would have moved on. Troy and his character are revolting. Bathsheba's vanity surely gave up to the silver tongue. In my view, that's the biggest mistake she had made. The prank proved the deficiency in Boldwood's character.
I have just finished listening to this story for the first time. I really enjoyed it. It's tempting to dislike Bathsheba at times, but she suffers a great deal and even by the end of the book she's only 24 or so. She goes through a lot of suffering in a short space of time. She acknowledges her mistakes and I think she sees the part she played in that. Haven't we all been young and foolish in different ways? I like how her character matures.
A late comment as I catch up on your earlier offerings: I read this book quite a while ago and loved it. I thought at the time that the title was ironic, that despite the bucolic setting, the lives we see are anything but peaceful. Gabriel loses his sheep in a terrible accident, Troy is a drunken wastrel who ruins everything he touches, and the other one -- Broadwood? -- is insane. And Bathsheba's life is full of cares, what with her ghastly husband and the precariousness of farming. Wonderful review. Thank you. I must read FFTMC again some day.
I loved your review. All of the characters are real with human feelings, flaws, obsessions, and desires which makes the novel interesting. Gabriel is by far the purest in the story and Bathsheba is the one who is impulsive and not considerate of others; somewhat self-absorbed. She does learn through the consequences of her actions. I love the book particularly because it is a story of woman in an era where that was rare.
Its a bit good isn't it, what? You have me going off and hunting the music score now. I can't remember it. Bathsheba is the best though. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It means a lot.😃❤🎩
Hello! I just finished reading this book yesterday morning and LOVED it! (Five beaming stars, all the way.). I'm participating in my fourth Victober right now and this is my second Hardy book. I read Tess last. year and didn't care for it. This one made me glow. (smile, laugh, cry....and glow.). I'm still aglow this morning, over my coffee cup. 😊 This was a wonderful video and I really appreciate your thoughts and insights and wholly agree with them. I underlined half of my beautiful book, including the section you highlighted about the beauty of Gabriel and his selfless love of. others, and his thoughtful sturdiness of character. Hardy was a brilliant writer. I also love Shakespeare. Just subscribed to your channel. 😊
Hi Julie, it's so good to make your acquaintance. I agree with you about how good Hardy is. As for Shakespeare, he is just a genuine genius. What he does with words is bordering on the miraculous. I'm hoping to add another video to my Shakespeare Explained series soon. Any thoughts for what it should be about?
I was deeply annoyed by Bathsheba by the end of this book. I adored her in the beginning for her drive, independence and frankness but by the end of the book, she had become a fickle, entitled brat. The nail in the coffin for me was in chapter LV, Hardy writes on Gabriel’s plan to leave Bathsheba “She was aggrieved and wounded that the possession of hopeless love from Gabriel, which she had grown to regard as her INALIENABLE RIGHT FOR LIFE 🙈 should have been withdrawn just at his own pleasure in this way.” I’m sorry, I lost all respect for her at this point. Am I being too harsh on her?
Hello Tristan! Thank you for your video and the explanation of the novel's tittle. I think it perfectly explains the main thesis of the novel and I think Thomas Hardy succeeded in showing the reader how the tittle of the book foretells the story. I agree with the comments you shared with us. I found that one of the best passages (and there are so many!), is Hardy's insightful and discerning observation of that which may be too frequently lacking in romantic relationship. "This good-fellowship -- camaraderie -- usually occurring through similarity of pursuits, is unfortunately seldom superadded to love between the sexes, because men and women associate, not in their labours, but in their pleasures merely." This novel is my entry into Thomas Hardy and I look forward to reading more! :)
I really enjoyed this video, actually you made me want to reread it. Gabriel is one of my favourite characters. To be honest I dislike Bathsheba, I found her immature and I haven't forgive her the prank towards Boldwood. I understand that she couldn't have foreseen his reaction but still. I don't know if I got it right but I got the impression that Boldwood had some kind of mental illness. I agree with you he wanted to marry her because he wanted to possess her rather than for love. Thanks so much for this video.
Thanks ever so much Charmaine for this comment. I love that you have given such thought to the book. I agree about Bathsheba being immature - and what on Earth was going through her head with that Valentine card? :) She does have redeemable qualities, though. She appreciates goodness in people. And she treats people around her kindly enough. I think that Hardy's telling us that her weakness is vanity was important. Vanity is an immaturity of mind and character. And yet how many of us succumb to it? Nobody would think themselves vain and yet how many, when it comes to love, choose to chase the pretty girl and the dashing boy instead of the person of best character and purest heart? As for Boldwood being mentally ill, that is a really interesting take. Genuinely, that would be an excellent shade of interpretation on presenting it. His actions are overly intense. Need we mention how the book ends? ;) There is certainly the lesson of the deranging powers of Jealousy. Really appreciate your thoughts.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Some time ago I heard Bathsheba being described as a narcissist. I find this completely wrong as while she is vain she is capable of learning from her mistakes, and of acting with empathy - as we see her doing with Fanny Robin. Also, near the beginning she says she wants someone to tame her and Oak couldn't do it. In the end he does in effect tame her - do you think so?
Great review! However, I somehow think that Gabriel Oak seems to get away with so many flaws in his character that rather make him unfeeling and not at all attuned to the emotions of those around him. I feel Gabriel's character needs to be analysed further. Despite being level-headed, conscious of his situation in life, intelligent and skilled at his trade, he repeatedly says things "as they are" with no consideration for how they may be perceived by those around him. He could have rephrased so many of his conversations with Bathsheba in a way that could still have communicated the message but with less impact on her pride and feelings. At the beginnging of the novel he affords no second thought to despatching the dog perhaps not recognising his own negligence in the loss of his flock (he could easily entrusted the older dog with the task especially since he was not to be present). The contrast between Gabriel's character and that of Bathsheba is, I think, brought to the fore skilfully by Hardy; Gabriel more "robotic" while Batthsheba more human and prone to emotional upheavals. It would have been interesting had Hardy pursued with the tale and given an account of the pair's first year together as a married couple and whether the marriage survived the disparity in character.
Great video. Just downloaded a sample of the book on my Kindle device. I am trying to read great English and American authors in their original language so I can improve my English anda have fun at the same time. Thank you for the tips. Greetings from Brazil.
Please do jane eyre, anna karenina, war and peace and the brothers karamazov. You really help me learn about literature in a new and interesting way. English is not my first languange, so your review really helps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
About the phrase, far from the madding crowd, it is from the poem; Elegy in a Country Churchyard, by Thomas Gray. The line "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, their sober wishes never learned to stray. Along the cool sequester'd vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor of their way." It's a long rambling musing about 'unimportant' salt of the earth people
Hey Laura. Can't wait to see what you think of this book. You must let me know your opinions and observations. Sorry for delayed response. I shall try to be more prompt in replying next time. Life is so busy.😀👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I shall let you know about the book. You must not excuse yourself! I'm very happy that you reply to me, it does not matter you do it immediately. Have a nice day.
Hey Tristan, I just finished this book which I picked up based on this video of yours. I have never read any Hardy classics and I was so happy to read this - I loved it. Thanks for the inspiration. What other Hardy book should I read next? Is Tess just as good as this? Thank you!
Hardy is aware of a woman's limitations, Bathsheba flirts and marries Troy who divorces her, without Oak's help she might have lost all her sheep, finally she marries Oak.
i have just finished reading this book and have a multiple of wonderings, and luckily, you did sum up all of these. Thank you for such an amazing video!
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What a brilliant review! Although quite simple, I hadn’t connected that Gabriel was the one who was ‘far from the madding crowd’ and thus the happiest. As to Bathsheba, I started disliking her after her ‘prank’ on Boldwood. At first I thought this was almost out of character for her as she seemed quite rational and competent in her work. But then I realised how human this is. Even those who are smart can be stupid, even those thoughtful can be impulsive. I began to actually see some of myself in Bathsheba, which I wasn’t sure how to feel about! But I did end up loving the book and Hardy really is masterful in capturing everlasting human behaviour.
Like all great artists Hardy has a remarkable ability to understand and empathise with human nature at its fundamental level.
There is so much more that is great about the book than that though and you should always read an unabridged version or you will miss out on so much. The quality of the prose is sublime at times. His unexpected aside about experiencing the movement of the earth through the cosmos on a starry night is a personal favourite.
I found myself angry with Bathsheba thinking SHE did NOT deserve the kind, loyal, ever-present Gabriel. I had found myself wanting her to end up alone and Gabriel moving on and becoming successful and happy apart from her. I figured her stubborn pride kept her from looking at herself and seeing how she contributed to the misery/madness of Boldwood and her perception that she seemed to be entitled to Gabriel just being there for her.
One of the most beloved novels and the one that introduced Hardy's unique writing to me. Your review is the best and most complete about this book I've watched on RUclips. The passage you read about Gabriel Oak is actually my favourite from the novel. Another fascinating part is the whole chapter of the storm in which Bathsheba and Gabriel save the ricks. The description of the natural world and how Hardy interweaves it with human emotions is breathtaking.
I can listen to you explicate a novel for hours. You have such a soothing voice. Wonderful insights into Hardy.
One of the best & compellingly insightful reviews of this book out there! Just finished reading it & now obsessed with Gabriel Oak's character & whole novel. Thank you & Kudos from California!
Wow, thank you! Gabriel Oak is a splendid character. Have you read any other of Hardy's work? Did you watch the recent adaptaton of the movie?
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Enjoyed the 2015 & 1998 adaptations, loved the '15 cinematography & lead actors yet '98's more faithful to the novel! FFTMC was my 1st Thomas Hardy, quickly became an all-time fave author, so addicting I had withdrawals- So yes, now reading Tess Of The D'Urbervilles. 😊Will check out your review of novel thereafters.🤗 Thanks, enjoying ur fun channel ever so much!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I love the book and the 1967 movie version so much (so beautifully filmed, and the three male leads so perfect in their roles) that I can't get past it.
But maybe I should make the effort and look at some others!
Wonderful. I'm married to a man made happy far from the madding crowd, my own Gabriel that I almost missed seeing 27 years ago. I can't wait to read this one now.
I've just finished reading Far From the Madding Crowd for the first time. Watching your review made me love the book more. Thank you very much. A new Subscriber here.
That's very kind of you Joana. Far from the Madding Crowd is a delight, isn't it? I love Gabriel and Bathsheba. Once again, thanks for your support and for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.😀👍
I enjoyed your commentary. The passages you selected were memorable. I would also point to the passage where Hardy writes of the devastating effects of a strong woman being suddenly overwhelmed by erotic attraction .
Outstanding review. Personally, I find men like Gabriel Oak is very rare to find. Most people would have moved on. Troy and his character are revolting. Bathsheba's vanity surely gave up to the silver tongue. In my view, that's the biggest mistake she had made. The prank proved the deficiency in Boldwood's character.
Love the book, but not read it for a while.
Thank you for getting me to pick it up again.
I have just finished listening to this story for the first time. I really enjoyed it. It's tempting to dislike Bathsheba at times, but she suffers a great deal and even by the end of the book she's only 24 or so. She goes through a lot of suffering in a short space of time. She acknowledges her mistakes and I think she sees the part she played in that. Haven't we all been young and foolish in different ways? I like how her character matures.
A late comment as I catch up on your earlier offerings: I read this book quite a while ago and loved it. I thought at the time that the title was ironic, that despite the bucolic setting, the lives we see are anything but peaceful. Gabriel loses his sheep in a terrible accident, Troy is a drunken wastrel who ruins everything he touches, and the other one -- Broadwood? -- is insane. And Bathsheba's life is full of cares, what with her ghastly husband and the precariousness of farming.
Wonderful review. Thank you. I must read FFTMC again some day.
I loved your review. All of the characters are real with human feelings, flaws, obsessions, and desires which makes the novel interesting. Gabriel is by far the purest in the story and Bathsheba is the one who is impulsive and not considerate of others; somewhat self-absorbed. She does learn through the consequences of her actions. I love the book particularly because it is a story of woman in an era where that was rare.
I loved the book so much I bought the movie and the music score both wonderful. Great review.
Its a bit good isn't it, what? You have me going off and hunting the music score now. I can't remember it.
Bathsheba is the best though. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It means a lot.😃❤🎩
Hello! I just finished reading this book yesterday morning and LOVED it! (Five beaming stars, all the way.). I'm participating in my fourth Victober right now and this is my second Hardy book. I read Tess last. year and didn't care for it. This one made me glow. (smile, laugh, cry....and glow.). I'm still aglow this morning, over my coffee cup. 😊 This was a wonderful video and I really appreciate your thoughts and insights and wholly agree with them. I underlined half of my beautiful book, including the section you highlighted about the beauty of Gabriel and his selfless love of. others, and his thoughtful sturdiness of character. Hardy was a brilliant writer. I also love Shakespeare. Just subscribed to your channel. 😊
Hi Julie, it's so good to make your acquaintance. I agree with you about how good Hardy is. As for Shakespeare, he is just a genuine genius. What he does with words is bordering on the miraculous. I'm hoping to add another video to my Shakespeare Explained series soon. Any thoughts for what it should be about?
Patty-I love Hardy but haven't read too many of his books. This one is my favorite so far. I loved your review as well. I'll have to reread this one.
I was deeply annoyed by Bathsheba by the end of this book. I adored her in the beginning for her drive, independence and frankness but by the end of the book, she had become a fickle, entitled brat. The nail in the coffin for me was in chapter LV, Hardy writes on Gabriel’s plan to leave Bathsheba “She was aggrieved and wounded that the possession of hopeless love from Gabriel, which she had grown to regard as her INALIENABLE RIGHT FOR LIFE 🙈 should have been withdrawn just at his own pleasure in this way.” I’m sorry, I lost all respect for her at this point. Am I being too harsh on her?
I totally agree. I did not like her character and wanted to her end up alone!
What a beautiful review! I was so moved by the quotes you selected.
Oh thank you so much. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. It is a wonderful story.
Hello Tristan! Thank you for your video and the explanation of the novel's tittle. I think it perfectly explains the main thesis of the novel and I think Thomas Hardy succeeded in showing the reader how the tittle of the book foretells the story.
I agree with the comments you shared with us.
I found that one of the best passages (and there are so many!), is Hardy's insightful and discerning observation of that which may be too frequently lacking in romantic relationship.
"This good-fellowship -- camaraderie -- usually occurring through similarity of pursuits, is unfortunately seldom superadded to love between the sexes, because men and women associate, not in their labours, but in their pleasures merely."
This novel is my entry into Thomas Hardy and I look forward to reading more! :)
I really enjoyed this video, actually you made me want to reread it. Gabriel is one of my favourite characters. To be honest I dislike Bathsheba, I found her immature and I haven't forgive her the prank towards Boldwood. I understand that she couldn't have foreseen his reaction but still. I don't know if I got it right but I got the impression that Boldwood had some kind of mental illness. I agree with you he wanted to marry her because he wanted to possess her rather than for love. Thanks so much for this video.
Thanks ever so much Charmaine for this comment. I love that you have given such thought to the book.
I agree about Bathsheba being immature - and what on Earth was going through her head with that Valentine card? :)
She does have redeemable qualities, though. She appreciates goodness in people. And she treats people around her kindly enough. I think that Hardy's telling us that her weakness is vanity was important. Vanity is an immaturity of mind and character. And yet how many of us succumb to it? Nobody would think themselves vain and yet how many, when it comes to love, choose to chase the pretty girl and the dashing boy instead of the person of best character and purest heart?
As for Boldwood being mentally ill, that is a really interesting take. Genuinely, that would be an excellent shade of interpretation on presenting it. His actions are overly intense. Need we mention how the book ends? ;) There is certainly the lesson of the deranging powers of Jealousy.
Really appreciate your thoughts.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Some time ago I heard Bathsheba being described as a narcissist. I find this completely wrong as while she is vain she is capable of learning from her mistakes, and of acting with empathy - as we see her doing with Fanny Robin.
Also, near the beginning she says she wants someone to tame her and Oak couldn't do it. In the end he does in effect tame her - do you think so?
Great review! However, I somehow think that Gabriel Oak seems to get away with so many flaws in his character that rather make him unfeeling and not at all attuned to the emotions of those around him. I feel Gabriel's character needs to be analysed further. Despite being level-headed, conscious of his situation in life, intelligent and skilled at his trade, he repeatedly says things "as they are" with no consideration for how they may be perceived by those around him. He could have rephrased so many of his conversations with Bathsheba in a way that could still have communicated the message but with less impact on her pride and feelings. At the beginnging of the novel he affords no second thought to despatching the dog perhaps not recognising his own negligence in the loss of his flock (he could easily entrusted the older dog with the task especially since he was not to be present). The contrast between Gabriel's character and that of Bathsheba is, I think, brought to the fore skilfully by Hardy; Gabriel more "robotic" while Batthsheba more human and prone to emotional upheavals. It would have been interesting had Hardy pursued with the tale and given an account of the pair's first year together as a married couple and whether the marriage survived the disparity in character.
Great video. Just downloaded a sample of the book on my Kindle device. I am trying to read great English and American authors in their original language so I can improve my English anda have fun at the same time. Thank you for the tips. Greetings from Brazil.
Thank you so much. Pleased to see you here again. I hope you are doing great over there in Brazil. Greetings from UK😃👍
Please do jane eyre, anna karenina, war and peace and the brothers karamazov. You really help me learn about literature in a new and interesting way. English is not my first languange, so your review really helps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for your encouragement Sandra. I have got a plan to do a review of Jane Eyre.😃👍
About the phrase, far from the madding crowd, it is from the poem; Elegy in a Country Churchyard, by Thomas Gray. The line "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
their sober wishes never learned to stray.
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."
It's a long rambling musing about 'unimportant' salt of the earth people
And a splendid choice it was for this book. Gabriel becomes the epitome of that idea.
This is immensely helpful! Thank you!
Thank you say_rah, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.
Excellent. 🎉
Thank you. This book is in my TBR, and I shall read it soon. I have just seen a small part of the video, I shall see it fully after reading the book.
Hey Laura. Can't wait to see what you think of this book. You must let me know your opinions and observations. Sorry for delayed response. I shall try to be more prompt in replying next time. Life is so busy.😀👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I shall let you know about the book. You must not excuse yourself! I'm very happy that you reply to me, it does not matter you do it immediately. Have a nice day.
@@lauratorchio1541 You are lovely. Thank you.
Hey Tristan, I just finished this book which I picked up based on this video of yours. I have never read any Hardy classics and I was so happy to read this - I loved it. Thanks for the inspiration. What other Hardy book should I read next? Is Tess just as good as this? Thank you!
Tess is a masterpiece. Superior to Madding Crowd, I'd say. It's very different, though.
Hardy is aware of a woman's limitations, Bathsheba flirts and marries Troy who divorces her, without Oak's help she might have lost all her sheep, finally she marries Oak.
Amazing - thank you
This is yet another novel I was inspired to read by first watching the film. In this case starring the beautiful Julie Christie
i have just finished reading this book and have a multiple of wonderings, and luckily, you did sum up all of these. Thank you for such an amazing video!
Excellent video :)
Thank you so much Meanie, I appreciate it 💗
I hated Bathsheba; she was careless and manipulative. I did not like the ending, I thought Oak deserved better.
Hot take! Yes he was deserving of so much more but I guess for the time period, was just happy to have her finally!
Oh boy this gave me goosebumps!
❤
I’m a woman…..tell me lies.