How to Read Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

[@MillicentAspinet]

Dear Ben McEvoy: I have a 'signed' hardback in good condition of Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. It was published 1893 by Sampson Low, Marston & Co.. I would like to give it to you (can't think of anyone who deserves it more). I had an expert look at it in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he thought it was a genuine signature. I was fortunate to find it at a charity shop. I've read most of Hardy's books, and afterwards watch the characters come to life in their movie adaptations. Sincerely, Dianne.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

That is so beautiful. I'd change the word 'deserve' to "would value." He is deeply passionate about Hardy's work and will share his wisdom and appreciation with all who will listen. Also it will go back to the country where the book was likely signed in the first place. If you don't need it on your shelves, its a kind, generous and beautiful thing to do. Brava, Dianne.

[@MillicentAspinet]

@@marjoriedybec3450 I'm an older single woman and am at the stage of wanting to give special items to people who 'would value' them. I have no family members who read as voraciously as I did. I'm currently in talks w/ my family's pioneer rural township board, to donate my 'classical' home library of 375 books (and four quality bookcases) to help begin their first library. I started a historical society in this same township Nov. 25, 2023 on Facebook, and we're up to 329 members! Am currently selling old barn calendars w/ photos I've taken in our township, and selling them for $20. at our 100-year-old general store (they're selling like hotcakes). All profits go to the historical society.

[@MillicentAspinet]

@@marjoriedybec3450 I'm at the age where I'm giving special things away to people who will 'value' them. Offering this signed copy to Ben fulfills my wish that it return home to England where it was published. I can find no information that Hardy ever toured the USA. Will always wonder about its' ownership history, and how it ended up on a thrift store bookshelf in Albuquerque. Also because my DNA is 82% British Isles w/ many of my British Colonial ancestors being Loyalists; I've always had great respect for our mother country.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Hello Dianne! Oh wow! I’m completely speechless. Thank you so much for such an incredibly kind, generous, and thoughtful offer. Are you definitely sure you wouldn’t want to hold onto such a special treasure?? It sounds like this gem has a really amazing home with you and I can tell your love for Hardy's works is very deep! I’m so honoured and grateful that you would even want to offer me such a beautiful and deeply meaningful gift ❤

[@MillicentAspinet]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Yes I am certain that I'd like to give you this signed book. Let me know how I can mail it to you. Sincerely, Dianne

[@jsmi601]

I’ve appreciated the growth that’s come from the wide variety of books we’ve read this year and I’m so glad that we’re finishing out the rest of the year in my beloved Victorian vintage. It feels like coming home. The description of Thomas Hardy being a combination of Shelley and Eliot is high praise! Thank you for all of your hard work this year, Benjamin! It’s been a wonderful year in the HLBC. -Jess

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Jess! I'm so happy you've had such a powerful year on this reading journey! I must say, I've felt an enormous amount of growth too, thanks to you and all of our fellow lovers of literature at the club. It's been an amazing ride. And I love your description of reading Hardy as feeling like returning home. I really feel that!! ☺

[@yasserveneyasser9714]

I studied English literature in Damascus, Syria 🥰I fell in love with D.H Lawrence, The Brontës, Virginia Woolf and of course Thomas Hardy and his Wessex world ❤Thank for this video🌹One of my favourite novels.

[@jurie.2732]

What a coincidence.. I finished the book yesterday evening and a few minutes later I went on KZbin and there it was.. a brand new video talking about this fabulous book! Greetings from Germany! :)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Wow!! That's amazing! I think Hardy would call that Fate ;) Happy reading over in beautiful Deutschland! 🇩🇪☺️

[@ibra4476]

A lovely new background set up, I’m liking it ❤

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much!! ☺🙏

[@sinister434]

Love to see the new setup, Ben! Very beautiful I have to say, as well as the lighting. And it’s almost a new year, can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next year. I’m thinking of joining the patreon on January.

[@leiasmith3305]

I hope you do! It has enriched my life so much!

[@jamienewman4881]

It is amazing! I definitely recommend!

[@scholarstica1]

I thank God I found you every time I watch your videos. Thank you very much for the work you put in all your videos. I wish I had a teacher like you. Could you do a video on children's books? And one for Children. I would like my Grandson who is 10 years old to spend some time with you. You are so Inspiring. I recommend your channel to people all the time. You are my Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Melville...

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much! That is so incredibly kind of you to say. I really appreciate you sharing your love of books with me here and recommending the channel! Absolutely, I am definitely planning to do some videos on children's books. I've been wanting to discuss children's literature for the longest time. I'm very much looking forward to becoming a parent myself so I can relive all the wonderful books from tradition ☺️🙏

[@JeremyLasley]

Just bought a copy of this book today at your recommendation. Instantly amazed by this guy!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm so happy to hear you're loving him already, Jeremy!! :)

[@AndrewMarloweTV]

Only one I've read is Tess. You've certainly inspired me to grab his other works from my shelf. So many authors to study in such little time lol

[@brianwiggins7924]

I love this book. Read it for the first time last month, and I have now moved on to some of Hardy's other works: The Mayor of Casterbridge and Return of the Native. He is a new favorite right now.

[@kconroyjoy]

Hello Ben, This is my first read through of Hardy. I purchased a copy of the book and read through the first two chapters. Thank you for putting together this video and the insightful guidance into this work!

[@kjcs_1896]

Your book advice and guides have helped me become addicted to classic literature, and I don't think it will end anytime soon, nor would I want it to end. I mean, I have been reading them for a while, but thanks to you, I began to read deeper into it, and a new world opened up. I must thank you so much, that not even a thank you will be enough to show my heartfelt appreciation for you for giving me a shining view of classics like never before. P. S. I shall be reading Ulysses soon, but I am currently reading The Canterbury Tales because I like a little challenge 😉

[@brookebennerup9408]

''If you do not cry while reading some of Hardy's novels, then you may well be dead inside'' Indeed. my mother gave me all of Hardy's novels when I was around 12. I think they formed me.

[@MillicentAspinet]

You were fortunate to have a wise mother share her love of literature w/ you at such an early age. By age 10 I was motherless, living on a 1,000 acre farm in rural Michigan w/ the 'only' two books in our farmhouse being a King James Bible and a dictionary. It was my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Emeigh that got her entire class hooked on reading, by ordering Junior Scholastic books on a monthly basis. I've always read quality books, i.e. Pulitzer Prize winners. But didn't get hooked on the 'classics' until my 40's. Now I won't read anything else.

[@danielle8455]

Great talk. I studied Hardy in uni and haven't done a reread but after listening to this lecture I feel like picking one up. The Woodlanders was my favourite. Tess was too sad. I want to have another look at the poetry mentioned. A project for the week!

[@OmnivorousReader]

Great video! Far From The Maddening Crowd was my second Hardy, I was pretty young. It never occurred to me that there is a 'how to' read it. I just read it, loved it, then re-read it often I still have my original battered copy.

[@carolanne3017]

I love Thomas Hardy’s books. You have inspired me to reread them

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That makes me so happy to hear, Carol!! ☺️

[@user-yd8wp8rz2b]

Thomas Hardy is one of my all time favorite authors.

[@Nurse_Kathy]

Hi, Ben. This will be my first Thomas Hardy and, as usual, your pre-lecture has whetted my reading appetite for another delicious book!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

He's SOOO incredible. You are in for a treat!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you very much, Kathleen!! I'm so excited to hear that this is your first Hardy. I would love to know what you make of the work! ☺️

[@Jesusismyonething]

I just started the book this weekend. Loving his writing style so far! I’m underlining more than usual. 🥰

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm so thrilled you're loving Hardy's writing style, Karen! I love how incredibly poetic his prose is ☺

[@Jesusismyonething]

@@BenjaminMcEvoyit’s so lyrical ❤. What an excellent time to have joined the HLBC.

[@marianapgar4409]

Ben, I am thrilled to see this video about Hardy! I plan on reading all of his novels eventually. Thank you so much for this and for your eloquence in speaking of him.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Marian! I really appreciate that. It makes me so happy you're planning to read all of Hardy's novels! The effect of reading them all and living in his world really is so rewarding ☺

[@cesimone2009]

Thank you for a comprehensive view of Thomas Hardy novel. I had a binge of reading Thomas Hardy novels back in the day and now I feel the need to revisit this one again thanks to you. Much appreciated!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much for watching, Susan! I love a good Thomas Hardy binge myself. I think he definitely has to be one of the most bingeable novelists of all time!! ☺️

[@AnastasisKottos-nr7th]

What an absolutely stunning concurrence! I just picked up Far From The Madding Crowd because the weather is getting colder and the sun is setting sooner🍂 So far it seems great. But now, because of your video, I have an extra motivation!!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That's a beautiful coincidence! I love the fact that the autumnal weather made you pick Hardy up! I return to his novels every year around this time because the shorter days and the changing colours of the leaves put me in the Hardy mood!! 🍁☺️

[@sunithagopi6518]

One of my favorite authors Love how you a deeper perspective and elucidate, connect it with different authors, just amazed Always liked your talks on classical authors after hearing you talk about this book although i have read it earlier i think i should read it again in view of different light. Thank you just love all your talks India

[@heidifluteatl]

I'd love Thomas Hardy novels Thanks for exploring this one and such depth

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You're so welcome! Thank you so much for watching :)

[@nicsunderlandbaker]

Great video! Authoritative, exploratory, authentic commentary, and I appreciate the use of artwork. Nothing on KZbin quite like this.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Wow, thank you so much, Nic! I really appreciate that. You have completely made my day!! ☺️

[@rochelled7785]

Your videos are an absolute treat. Thank you

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much. I really appreciate that ☺️

[@NeonRadarMusic]

Love the new background man!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, my friend!! :)

[@susprime7018]

Read it years ago, not enough time left to engage in rereading, I enjoy the refreshers from you. Read The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad in October based on Louise Erdrich list of perfect short novels in The Sentence, another October read.❤

[@jgatsby22]

Oh Benjamin. Once again, you have put out the perfect video at the perfect time. I am almost halfway through Far from the Madding Crowd, my first ever read of it and Hardy- and I was really enjoying it however, all of a sudden I’ve been feeling like I hit a wall and have been losing interest. I’ve been contemplating DNF’ing it, but I have no doubt that after I watch your entire video, I will probably change my mind. I’m sure you’ll bring some new insights and tips that will help me get back into it. 😊 I’ll let you know! 😉

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Hang in there, J. Just surrender to the smell of the hay, the glow of the embers, the unique characters. Most of the plot is in the final third. Its coming and its worth the wait. You'll be glad you are so grounded in Wessex when you get to it. Enjoy!

[@cantonlittle]

I am looking forward to reading Hardy with you! I finished Tess earlier this year and I was heartbroken. Hardy has a special place in my heart. His "A Pair of Blue Eyes" was simply sublime. Thank you for a wonderful video, Ben!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Tess is sad, but so incredibly poignant and beautiful. Life is hard.

[@RobbinVenema-xf3mt]

I was in the shower this morning and just thought to myself, "Far from the Madding Crowd. Where have I heard of that before?". I just saw this video notification. Hah.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

It's amazing how these things get into our unconscious, isn't it? I always seem to get them come to me in the shower too!

[@bigthink1426]

25:38 I finished Othello 5 days ago and I couldn't relate more. Usually dark works make me want to read other works because now I know that the next work will be light in comparison, not the case with this one.

[@brigittebeche4117]

Can this be... telepathy?? I have just put Far from the madding crowd "on my desk for a reading! Wonderful to get your video this morning! I love all Hardy's novels! Ps: if anyone is interested in Hardy's biography, I recommend The chosen, by Elisabeth Lowry, a novel about his somehow"sad"... relationship with his wife Emma . Thanks again!

[@kategoman2969]

Hi Ben, I really like Far From The Madding Crowd. My first Hardy novel I read was also Tess. I was 19 and in college, a librarian told me that I couldn't read Tess. I read Tess of the U'drbervilles and enjoyed it. I think Gabriel Oak is one of the nicest and kindest men in english literature. He's there through everything even though Bathsheba sacks him and is so stubborn and selfish. Do you think Bathsheba deserves Gabriel? I always wonder if Bathsheba made Gabriel unhappy in marriage? I love Hardy's descriptions of the seasons and nature. Bathsheba is dazzled by Troy and messes with Boldwood's psychology. I own the Gabriel Oak and Bathsheba rose. I would love to talk to you about these novels and I feel that you wouldn't judge me about my books and dismiss books I love. Thank you for your video. 😊📖

[@sarahroseyang]

Thank you, Ben for this book review. Thomas Hardy is a very interesting person :) also, I notice that your videos are getting longer lol, in a good way!

[@WordsCanBeLikeXRays]

Wow, this is such a wonderful lecture. Thank you so much for posting. I have never read Hardy, but I have this novel sitting on my bookshelf. Hmmm, should I take it up? I think I should. How could I not after listening to this love letter to Hardy.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much. I really appreciate that! I'm so happy you're taking Hardy up now. You won't regret it! I'd love to know what you make of the story ☺️

[@parlaydoubleup]

Ben, your channel got me to finally pull the trigger on paradise lost, my first in classic literature. I’m 39 and have had my ups and downs with love and need something in this genre to satisfy my curious mind. Would you suggest this book, or Anna Karenina, or something else for my next book. Thank you in advance and thank you for the wonderful content.

[@brodiiie]

Just got this for my birthday, looking forward to picking it up (btw i also have tess, so which would be a better Hardy to start with in your opinion?)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Happy birthday!! That's a tremendous present right there :) Tess was actually the one I started with, but I would personally say that Far from the Madding Crowd would be the perfect first one to get into Hardy. Tess is a masterpiece, but it's very dark and I find it weighs very heavily upon me!

[@brodiiie]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy oh maybe next time i'll watch the video before commenting as i see you directly answer this question within the first 3 minutes lmao. thanks for your lovely reply nonetheless!

[@littlefelix]

Sasha is so adorable!!! Will you train the puppy yourself? I've had a copy of FFTMC for a year because I've seen the movies and love the story. But I've been waiting for your how-to video. Thank you so much for this, Benjamin. I can't wait to get into Hardy's world. 💙

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! Absolutely! I've been training her and I'm blown away at how intelligent she is. She learns things super quick and gets a lot of fun out of the training. And happy reading with Hardy's great novel! I'd love to know what you make of it and how you think it compares to the movies ☺️

[@Sm0700537]

What edition of this book are you reading? Thank You

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm reading the Oxford World's Classics paperback edition :)

[@maggygwire]

This video came up and I now know what my next book is to be! It’ll be my first Hardy (slightly ashamed to admit) 👍

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That's so amazing this will be your first Hardy, Tom! This is such a perfect one to start with. I'd love to know what you make of it ☺️

[@maggygwire]

@ really looking forward to it. Thanks for the inspiration, your reviews are hugely interesting and helpful

[@ragnes18]

oh, Ben i have recently bought Tess of the d'Urbervilles 🙁

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You should definitely still read it! It's a masterpiece. I'd love to know what you make of it :)

[@ragnes18]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thank you I will.

[@aamnainfebruary]

New background unlocked

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

😆😆😆

[@AGL23]

I was wondering why you didn’t make a video for this long. Good job! Keep going! 📖

[@WilliamP-ei5fd]

What’s the set of books on the top left?

[@shrineshpatel2642]

"Lads, let's reschedule today's plans. Benjamin's dropped another one." Believe it or not, I swung by my regular bookstore today and saw this one from Hardy, realized after a moment I didn't have it (though I had purchased 2-3 of his other works earlier this year), and ended up buying it. Appreciate your works as always, and hoping you have been well, my friend.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you very much, Shrinesh! I appreciate that deeply, my friend! I am so happy to hear you got yourself a copy of this phenomenal work! I would love to know what you make of it ☺️

[@davidali6897]

Very good

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, David! :)

[@js.3490]

I love Thomas Hardy....one of my favorites authors....but I must say, in FFTMC, Boldwood just struck me as a silly comic figure. My sense of humor is sometimes weird and he was not intended to be humorous, but there was something so ridiculous in him that I could not help it. Anyway, I preferred some of his other novels as I think he got better and better as time wore on. FFTMC is very good however.

[@CatarinaMarinoni]

Hi, Ben. All good ? What an incredible video! His passion for words overflows every line in this video. Your way of embracing and experiencing the love of reading inspires me every day when choosing my readings and re-readings. Your kindness, lightness and passion are contagious and extremely inspiring. thank you for all of this I really want to read Thomas Hardy :) kisses from São Paulo in Brazil ❤ * *I'm rereading Jane Eyer and following along with her incredible video 😊

[@baran3443]

❤

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

🥰

[@LuneFlaneuse]

💝💕