FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD: A REVIEW

Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Published by Penguin Genres: Fiction, Classics

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

by THOMAS HARDY

The more I read, the more I realize that a book should be wrought with a special physiognomy but also it should be astonishing. Far From the Madding Crowd is one example of the aforesaid. This was my first book of the author Thomas Hardy, his poetic way and his way of portraying a scene gives a reader the feeling repletion. Many a times, the reader would be astonished by the way of illustrations Thomas Hardy provides in this particular title. The way he pulled images, I was bewitched by his art.

Far from the Madding Crowd is basically the story of Bathsheba Everdene and how her three suitors affect her life. Looking at the protagonist Bathsheba Everdene, considering her wit and intelligence how she ends up choosing to marry the worst of the three suitors is hard to imagine. But that’s what drives the plot forward. Otherwise, this book would have been ended in just two or three pages. Following the protagonist made me think about how little we know about that special someone we marry.

The book provides few little queries at some point or other and it is necessary to understand the motive and think for an answer to it. Especially, that point where he talks about ‘how woman may be treated in bitterness’. Also, there is a lot of psychological insight about human nature and how we often make the wrong choices based on superficiality.

The characterization is thorough and well maintained till the end. Hardy clearly shows how even a small character can define and refine the plot. Even the titles of the chapters were well written and make a huge difference on how the plot is advancing fashioning up the curiosity of reader to read more.

I would say the book was not much of a heavy read, is enjoyable to read when you are in the mood for a classic or some pastoral mayhem.