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Far from the Madding Crowd

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Far from the Madding Crowd

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

 Gabriel Oak is only one of three suitors for the hand of the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene. He must compete with the dashing young soldier Sergeant Troy and the respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. And while their fates depend upon the choice Bathsheba makes, she discovers the terrible consequences of an inconstant heart.

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.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor Classics Solider Heartfelt

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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.

a question of taste (isn't it always?)

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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.

Friends Unrequited

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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!!!

A must for Thomas Hardy followers!!

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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.

I love this book

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Second novel I've listened to narrated by John Lee, and find him very easy to listen to.

Favourite classic, well read.

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