Far from the Madding Crowd
Sintesi dell'editore
Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to give the name Wessex to the landscape of southwest England and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. Set against the backdrop of the unchanging natural cycle of the year, the story both upholds and questions rural values with a startlingly modern sensibility.
Altri titoli dello stesso
Cosa pensano gli ascoltatori di Far from the Madding Crowd
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia4 out of 5 stars
- 🌸DARA
- 07/06/2013
Another Classic!
This book truly stands the test of time. If you've read it before as I have I think you will enjoy listening to the story this time. Its such a wonderful story that should be revisited now and then. The narration is suburb. This is definitely one that I will listen to again in the future.
12 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia4 out of 5 stars
- Harriette
- 25/07/2015
Such beautiful writing!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I certainly would recommend it. I loved the descriptions of the landscape, the agricultural life,
What did you like best about this story?
The strong female character. I did hate to see her get into the disastrous entanglement with a "bounder."
What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He gets the local accents, and characters sound "of the period," but the dialogue is easy for an American to understand.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Gabriel shows such loyalty to Bathsheba and to the proper management of the farm--saving the crops and livestock. I was touched by Fanny's desperate situation.
Any additional comments?
I came to the novel via the new (2015) film which I also recommend. Reading the book rounds out the story. There's the interesting interlude in Bath.
4 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- D. Hile
- 13/10/2012
A timeless tale
This is a timeless tale of love, love lost, love sperned, devotion, faithfulness, and community. 1800's or today, the core of this story still rings true. It is narrated by John Lee so in other words expertly.
3 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
- Celia
- 09/01/2009
A wonderful book
A beautifully written book and read perfectly by
John Lee. Of the many, many books I have listened to, this is up at the top (along with The Forsyth Saga).
5 people found this helpful
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- Denise Oliver
- 08/08/2019
Great old title!
John Lee is a fabulous voice artist! He imbues every character with a life of its own. Great entertainment!
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura4 out of 5 stars
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Storia3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03/03/2019
Excellent use of 19th century English
I very much enjoyed the use of Hardy’s discriminations of rural settings, resolutions and dialect of ancient and lost sentiments of a prior age. I found a reading by a Brit who understands English used by a world of definite social and economic class very enjoyable. I listened to the 1st 3 chapters 3 times.
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- Merlin
- 05/02/2019
Hardy at his best
Hardy's first truly great novel is less grim than some of his later works. Listening to this again, having read it many years ago, I was struck by how much humor is woven into the text: e.g. in the early exchanges between Bathsheba and Gabriel. The novel is beautifully plotted–always one of Hardy's strengths–and excellently read.
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura4 out of 5 stars
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Storia4 out of 5 stars
- Ann Richardson
- 17/02/2017
FAR FROM....
I am a Hardy fan, so his writing appeals to me. It seemed to me that this novel had such an abundance of geographical detail as to make it almost equal to the main story. Hardy's descriptions of nature are beautifully wrought with great personal feeling; and almost in contrast, he spends quite a bit of time on the doings and ruminations of the 'lowly' farmworkers.
I felt that in this case, his male portrayals were more interesting than that of the vaunted heroine.
Not as compelling as "Tess," but a good read.
I am also a fan of John Lee and thought his interpretation this time was fine if not outstanding.
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- Deborah
- 21/12/2015
Marvelous!
A beautiful story narrated by a top notch narrator. Jinn Lee is one of my favorite narrators, and he really brings this story to life.
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura4 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- James Evans
- 07/12/2015
Thanks Audible for bring this book.
Thanks Audible for bring this book. Narrator has done a great job in narration. Great Book.
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
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Lettura5 out of 5 stars
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Storia5 out of 5 stars
- MaMaMason
- 07/02/2016
Favourite classic, well read.
Second novel I've listened to narrated by John Lee, and find him very easy to listen to.
3 people found this helpful
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Generale3 out of 5 stars
- G
- 24/08/2010
a question of taste (isn't it always?)
Thomas Hardy stands apart among 19th century classic novel writers. The setting, the overall atmosphere and the writing style feel more modern than what you'd expect. That said, this might be a little dour for some, but it's a good story.
With this recording, I find the narrator fails to sufficiently differentiate the voices of the characters and I find him generally too monotone in his reading, though some of his rural England accents are good.
3 people found this helpful
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Generale4 out of 5 stars
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Lettura3 out of 5 stars
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Storia4 out of 5 stars
- Ms. C. E. Davies
- 15/05/2013
I love this book
I am very familiar with this book and found it the relaxing listen that I was looking for.
However, I wish the narrator hadn't given the impression that he was galloping through it.
And, although he didn't labour acting the voices, Gabriel's in particular having an excellent nuance, he simply couldn't capture Bathsheba (even though other female characters appeared to be unproblematic). But Bathsheba was presented with an insipid air, which certainly doesn't match her character.
Altogether, these niggles aside, it was a pleasant listen.
2 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
- Harriet Morris
- 24/03/2009
A must for Thomas Hardy followers!!
John Lee, as ever, delivers a wondrous narration in which one loses oneself in time and becomes one of the participants in the story. I listen to this for hours transfixed by the coming-to-life of all the characters. Well done!!!
5 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
- Alison
- 09/03/2011
excellently read !
An excellently read glimpse into rural life in the mid 19th century.
2 people found this helpful
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Generale5 out of 5 stars
- Welsh Mafia
- 30/03/2009
Friends Unrequited
Many people carry Thomas Hardy?s works around like an old friend ? and when times are tough and the world looks a difficult place, the perfect relaxation is to travel back to Wessex and rediscover what real woes and worries are all about. Sheep that take ill, unrequited love, the self willed female in a traditionalist world, position and power in opposition to life and vitality. It is all here ? and the reader can quicky immerse themselves in a world that always stays the same but seems to adapt to speak to us in words that echo our contemporary concerns. Take time out, travel backwards, relax and enjoy ? Hardy?s is a rich endowment in a contemporary world of diminishing returns.
1 person found this helpful