read: 22.01.19 - 03.02.19

Summary

Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swift passion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.

Review

This is the first time in a while that I have read a book like this and I was daunted by its length and density. But I ended up really enjoying it!

I loved the complexity of the characters in the book, and I really appreciated the way that Hardy made Bathsheba both incredibly strong but also as vulnerable at times because it gave her character really interesting dimensions. The last 40 pages were so action-packed I was on the edge of my seat and the ending definitely shocked me.

I found that listening to the audiobook of this helped me understand it more, and I would advise anyone who wants to read this who isn't used to reading Victorian books to listen to it while reading because it really aided my experience of it.

rating: 9/10