Far from the Madding Crowd Audiobook

" Just the kind of title that made me squirm as a schoolboy long ago. When such a torment is sprung upon too-young lads, every instinct is to avoid such troublesome contagion at all costs. Marks, questions, exams, unending bother and best avoided. Then one evening in a bookstore in a land far away I opened up this very book and my eyes glided along the lines like river water over smooth rocks. Thomas Hardy found the perfect balance in his language: the pace at which the mind precisely captures and renders in imagination the written or spoken word. You’ll never hit the fast-forward button on a Hardy book, and these excellent narrators ensure that you never lose your place — because they never lose theirs, and they care. So we all care a little more, I think, by reading Thomas Hardy. And, needless to say, you can't go wrong with John Lee. "

" I think I love Thomas Hardy novels. Tess was good, but this one was even better! I'll definitely be looking for another one soon. "

" A great novel, full of flawed characters, detailed descriptions, symbolism, twists and suspense. It was a little slow at first but I loved the passages about the countryside and farming. "

" A superior kind of melodrama set in mid-nineteenth century rural England - there's much to be learned about country life of the time and a plot that rolls nicely along. "

" Who wouldn't like the a book with someone named Bathesheba? "

" There's a chick named Bathsheba and a dude named Troy... hell I don't really remember it I just remember that I didn't care about it. "

" If I could marry any fictional character it would be Gabriel Oak. Even if he does smell of sheep. Oh, and I'd rather he looked like Nathaniel Parker than Alan Bates! "

" I had never read Thomas Hardy and feel I have made a great discovery! How could I have missed reading this up til now? I loved this story. It was quite difficult in the language and Victorian in sentiment but I couldn't put it down. I am emotionally drained and want the story to go on and on! "

" Melancholy. Character development was good and some of the plot lines were interesting but I wouldn't have read this if I hadn't had to. Maybe I would have in the future. "

" It took forever, but I loved every word of it. "

" This book is marvelous, almost sublime. Watching Bathsheba grow and change through her life is a test in patience with her character, at times, but seeing her grow to appreciate Gabriel Oak makes the journey worth it. I want to live Far from the Madding Crowd. "

" Summertime is the right time for Hardy, though this may not have been the right Hardy to read. Read my full review of this novel here. "

" Hardy's novels are smack full of heavy, hard-hitting character interactions which demonstrate the practical uses of morals and virtue...and deeper life wisdoms generally learned over time and suffering. Besides this, I have some suspicions that he pulled some of these tales from reality around him at the time...although everything I've read of his has been completely credible anyways. He also displays a real talent for bringing things full circle in the end...and in a way that is fitting. This novel also took quite a look at various reasons folks fall in love and get married...and, after all the dust has settled, what really was better. No details on that though...don't want to spoil for other readers. "

" I'm really not a classics reader and I found this one very hard going at first but when you got used to the flowery writing and long descriptions it actually had a really good story - I would really like to see it on film. "

" I adore Hardy, and this is one of my favourites. "

" My favorite book by Hardy because it has a happier ending than most of his works. "

" I wanted to give this classic a read since many people list Thomas Hardy as a must read. The story was interesting, but the verbosity of the writing was difficult to get through. "

" I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I kept waiting for Thomas Hardy to put my favorite character through hell, but he must have liked Gabriel Oak as much as I did, and held his hand from the killing blow. Very interesting. "

" My first Hardy, and for a long while Bathsheba Everdene was my favorite heroine, albeit with idiotic taste in men. "

" I love Thomas Hardy's writing, so I stuck with this novel, even though it didn't hook me until I'd made it about halfway through. I rather liked the way he described the wrinkly face of the first character we meet in the story. "

" This book demands to be read in the summertime. out of doors if at all possible. "

" This was such a fun book. It took awhile to get into, but it was a total soap opera with lots of drama and twists and turns. Very fun!! "

" A friend of mine is a big Thomas Hardy fan, and I too enjoy his work. "

" Ever since I read Tess of the D'Urbervilles in high school, I have adored Thomas Hardy. "

" Thomas Hardy is such an amazing writer. He is the quintessential story teller--my favorite author. "

" Lovely book with descriptions of scenery so vivid you feel like you are there. How can you not love a man like Gabriel Oak? "

" The language is very 'olde English' but once you get past that the characters are well developed and the story is a good one. "

" A love story like you've never thought of it before. Is true love a passion or a codependent union? "

" I loved this book. As a lover of Dorset the setting was perfect and the characters were well developed. As usual with Hardy there was a lot of tragedy running through the novel; particularly moving was the workhouse deaths of mother and child. "

" I could not put this book down. There were so many vignettes into the main and auxiliary characters of the book and there are several sub-plots. They are all self-antagonists; victims of their own hubris. No one learns anything until it is too late. I love this stuff. "

" Like many early novels, structural issues and some windy descriptive passages that I skimmed, but wry humor and a heroine who is not a mere milksop. A decent read. "

" Disagree with the people that thought Hardy's treatment of Bathsheba's character was sexist. Women make bad romantic decisions at times, and this doesn't necessarily mean they are weak. I thought the book was well written and enjoyed it. "

" Ok, they talk about sheep and the (terrible) rustic decor of the local pub a bit on the "too much" side but the romance b/w Bethsheba and Farmer Oak, ridiculous as their names are to us now....is SOO romantic! Sigh. "

" Great book, and well worth a read. The ending was a little predictable, but very good book regardless "

" If you are looking for your typical fairytale, you will both love and hate this story. It ends on an upbeat note but only after the dredges of life has slung its fair share of mud, misery, and pain on all involved. An excellent insight into the dangers of vanity and the beauty of loyalty. "

" I am probably sentimental about this because I liked the Alan Bates/Julie Christie/Peter Finch/Terence Stamp movie so much as well. "

" Thomas Hardy has to be my favourite author of all time, and this is the best of his books. It has so many plots integrated into one and is so hard to put down! Hardy has put a lot of thought into the way that he presents his characters to make the reader feel like they have known them for ever. "

" I really liked it. It is an interesting story, one in which the characters keep going through trails and separations and you get frustrated and think they will never be together. It is worth it though! "

" The scene where Sgt. Troy demonstrates his prowess with the broadsword to Bathsheba Everdeen ("Don't move! I won't hurt you!") is one of the funniest, most erotic I've come across in 19th Century literature. "

" Holy crap, I loved this book! "

" The most boring book I have read in a looooong time. I say 'read', but I skipped through most of it, lest it sap but one more minute of my life. "

" Beautifully written romance, with a strong woman in a believable reLationship (even if some of the situations are less so) . I love it every time. "

" While dated (oh, the roles of the sexes!) and focused on a love trapezoid (or maybe more a love "Y"?), this was a surprisingly great read. The characters and writing were enough to make me turn a[n intentional] blind eye to the shortcomings. "

" My favorite book of all time. "

" A tiny bit lighter than other Hardy novels. "

" I read this book when I was 12. I remember having to renew this book at least 3 times at the library. The librarian was so happy that I was sticking with the book, but the truth is I was really enjoying it. It just was taking me a long time to get into the language. "

" Incredibly descriptive, but so well done. "

" It's been awhile since I read this, but a good read... "

" An very good story of loyalty. Almost a primer in how friendships are made and kept. Hardy is also freakin hilarious, softly making fun of his characters. "

" Who remembered how funny Hardy could be. A good read. "

" This book taught about love, honesty and friendship. I really like the ending. Oh, so sweet... :') "

" One of my very favorit books-Thomas Hardy can write funny too! "

" Incredibly descriptive, but so well done. "

" Started out slow, but became a very good read. "

" Best opening line to a novel I have ever read. " When farmer oak smiled...." "

" I can't say that is is my favorite classic novel but I did enjoy it. I did not like Bathsheba and I absolutely loathed the simpering, spineless weirdo Mr Boldwood. Still, it's hard for me not to like a story story the English countryside, especially one as well-written as this. "

" good read, but close to the end of the book the coincidental encounters stretched belief. "

" Surprisingly, I enjoyed this Hardy novel. Gabriel Oak is a great character. There are some really amusing bits amongst Hardy's endless prose. "

" Hardy was one of my favorites, but haven't read anything in years. "

" My favorite British novel of all time! Haunting, gorgeous, and unforgettable. "

" Great book, and well worth a read. The ending was a little predictable, but very good book regardless "

" Very entertaining and a nice respite from Hardy's usual doom and gloom. Amusing to note how women are the cause of the world's problems. ;) "

" There's a chick named Bathsheba and a dude named Troy... hell I don't really remember it I just remember that I didn't care about it. "

" I've read all of Hardy's books at least twice. This one, maybe three times. It's really his best as far as plot twists and a bitter sweet tinge. "

" hated this book at first but grew to love it by the end!! "

" Very good - but takes some time to get into. The characters and plot get better as you go through the book so don't be put off by the first 20 to 40 pages. "

" Language is wordy and overdone, story predictable and fantastic. "

" Hardy at his best. Loved the movie also from the library...very true to book. Ending is predictable but a true classic. "

" Hardy at his best. Loved the movie also from the library...very true to book. Ending is predictable but a true classic. "

" Hardy at his best. Loved the movie also from the library...very true to book. Ending is predictable but a true classic. "

" Disagree with the people that thought Hardy's treatment of Bathsheba's character was sexist. Women make bad romantic decisions at times, and this doesn't necessarily mean they are weak. I thought the book was well written and enjoyed it. "

" Disagree with the people that thought Hardy's treatment of Bathsheba's character was sexist. Women make bad romantic decisions at times, and this doesn't necessarily mean they are weak. I thought the book was well written and enjoyed it. "

" Have to read for English, hopefully I enjoy it. "

" Have to read for English, hopefully I enjoy it. "

" Great read! Glad I gave Hardy another try after reading Tess of the Durbervilles. Wordy but worth it. "

" Great read! Glad I gave Hardy another try after reading Tess of the Durbervilles. Wordy but worth it. "

" Great read! Glad I gave Hardy another try after reading Tess of the Durbervilles. Wordy but worth it. "

" It has been a while since I finished this one. I can't figure out why Hardy wanted to put his female characters through so much strife. "

" It has been a while since I finished this one. I can't figure out why Hardy wanted to put his female characters through so much strife. "

" It has been a while since I finished this one. I can't figure out why Hardy wanted to put his female characters through so much strife. "

" I think I love Thomas Hardy novels. Tess was good, but this one was even better! I'll definitely be looking for another one soon. "

" I think I love Thomas Hardy novels. Tess was good, but this one was even better! I'll definitely be looking for another one soon. "

" I think I love Thomas Hardy novels. Tess was good, but this one was even better! I'll definitely be looking for another one soon. "

" Gripping drama, pulse-racing dialogue and the biggest badass of them all...big up Gabriel Oak. "

" Gripping drama, pulse-racing dialogue and the biggest badass of them all...big up Gabriel Oak. "

" Gripping drama, pulse-racing dialogue and the biggest badass of them all...big up Gabriel Oak. "

" An interesting read. Took a little while for me to get into it and to even begin to like any of the characters. But eventually the story got more complicated, thus intriguing. I was fond of the ending as well. Glad I read it. "

" An interesting read. Took a little while for me to get into it and to even begin to like any of the characters. But eventually the story got more complicated, thus intriguing. I was fond of the ending as well. Glad I read it. "

" We did this for Lit in sec sch. I found it rather long and ponderous at times - very lengthy descriptions that paint a good picture but takes a long time to read. Definitely a better Lit text than pleasure read. "

" My favorite British novel of all time! Haunting, gorgeous, and unforgettable. "

" One of my favourite books ever! I love the lead female character: powerful and willful unlike most female characters from books of that era. "

" Holy crap, I loved this book! "

" Melodramatic and improbable but entertaining. "