I joined the Classics Club a few years ago and the goal is to read 50 classics in 5 years. Well, I have less than 3 years to read 39 classics! Yikes. When the letter F came up I was going to watch Father of the Bride, one of my top 100 movies, but then I saw this on the shelves at the library and decided to give it a try. I’ve never read Thomas Hardy and if I liked the movie then I could add the book to my classics challenge.
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Far From the Madding Crowd is a 2015 film featuring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Michael Sheen. Bathsheba Everdene is on her aunt’s farm in 1870 England when she meets Mr. Oak. He proposes. She says no husband, no way. She inherits her uncle’s large, very successful farm. The neighbor, Mr. Boldwood, asks her to marry him. No husband, no way. A soldier shows up one day and kisses her, boom, they’re married.
I liked the movie quite a bit and think I will add this to my classics challenge. Sure, I’m a sucker for a good romance, but more than that I really want to get to know Bathsheba a bit better. She is a fascinating woman.
Has anyone read it? What did you think?
Stacy's Books 
I liked it less than you. But it was pretty good.
I saw the movie a million years ago but it was the one with Julie Christie and Alan Bates, and I loved the movie even though I don’t remember much except that it was “swoony” so to speak. (and had a great cast!)
I remember seeing the trailer for that movie but never did get to see it. It sounds good. I haven’t seen the movie or read the book.
I read it many years ago. Don’t remember anything about it. I think a read a couple of other Hardy books too, that I also don’t remember.
I read it and I thought it was really good. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I will soon 🙂
I’ve heard of the movie with Julie Christie but never read the book.
Janet
G is for Genesis
I LOVED the book! I actually listened to the aBook. And have yet to see the movie! Is it FINALLY avail on DVD!? I had forgotten about it. Bathsheba is a great. Character but yea, the swooning for a man in uniform… sheesh. But she is so great at the independence til passion got in the way.
Finally saw the movie – great job! Loved it.
I loved the movie with Carey Mulligan (saw the old Julie Christie one too)…I read the book yonks ago I think so can’t really remember what I thought of it but Thomas Hardy is pretty good from memory.
Vinterberg tones down the melodrama of Hardy’s pastoral novel to make a more sober adaptation but misses the intensity of the protagonist’s misery – which is not only a fault of his off-putting direction but also because Carey Mulligan is clearly miscast in the role.