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In "Far From the Madding Crowd," Thomas Hardy tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, a young woman navigating a man's world in 18th-19th century rural England. The novel explores themes of love, independence, and mistakes, set against the backdrop of the natural environment that plays a significant role in the plot. Hardy's writing style is described as rich, fresh, and filled with detailed descriptions of the English countryside and its characters.

If you liked Far From the Madding Crowd, here are the top 100 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
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    'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy is a tragic tale following the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbevilles. Meeting her cousin Alec proves to be her downfall, leading to a series of events where she must navigate love, betrayal, and societal prejudices. Hardy defies conventions by focusing on the rural lower class, offering a frank treatment of sexuality and religion, while portraying a victim of Victorian hypocrisy with compelling depth and emotion.

    The narrative delves into Tess's struggles against her own perceived weaknesses, the brutality of others, and the prejudices of society. Through a mix of cruelty, oppression, and misguided forgiveness, Tess's tragic journey unfolds, challenging readers to question the purity of her character and the societal norms that shape her fate.

    ON AN EVENING IN the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor. The pair of legs that carried hi...

  2. #2

    North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
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    In "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell, the story follows Margaret Hale as she transitions from London society to the industrial town of Milton. The book explores the conflict between the needs of the working class and the factory owners during a strike, with a focus on the Industrial Revolution. The novel delves into themes of integrity, social commentary, and the growth of characters like Margaret and Mr. Thornton as they navigate societal expectations and personal beliefs. Gaskell's writing style is praised for its detailed depiction of life in the fictional town of Milton and its sympathetic portrayal of both the mill owners and the workers.

    But, as Margaret half suspected, Edith had fallen asleep. She lay curled up on the sofa in the back drawing room in Harley Street, looking very lovely in her white muslin and blue ribbons. If Titania ...

  3. #3

    Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
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    'Jude the Obscure' by Thomas Hardy is a novel that follows the life of Jude Fawley, a lower-class man with dreams of becoming a scholar. The story explores themes of class, scholarship, religion, marriage, and the societal changes of the time period. The plot involves Jude's relationships with his earthy wife, Arabella, and his intellectual cousin, Sue, as they navigate through personal and social challenges. Hardy's writing style is described as melancholic, brutally honest, and unflinchingly realistic, portraying the struggles and tragedies faced by the characters.

    ON AN EVENING IN the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor. The pair of legs that carried hi...

  4. #4

    The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
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    'The Return of the Native' by Thomas Hardy is a novel set on the bleak expanse of Egdon Heath, focusing on the characters' tangled relationships, misunderstandings, and desires for escape. The story follows Eustacia Vye, a complex and resentful character longing for a life beyond the heath, and Clym Yeobright, the returning native who becomes entangled in a web of love and despair. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, infidelity, and fate versus free will against the backdrop of the atmospheric setting of Egdon Heath. Hardy's writing style is characterized by detailed descriptions of the countryside and rural life, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience.

    A Saturday afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight, and the vast tract of unenclosed wild known as Egdon Heath embrowned itself moment by moment. Overhead the hollow stretch of whit...

  5. #5

    The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
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    The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte is a novel that delves into the life of Helen Graham, a mysterious widow who moves into Wildfell Hall with her young son, sparking curiosity and speculation among the neighbors. The story unfolds through a series of letters and diary entries, revealing Helen's past struggles with an abusive husband and her journey towards independence. The book explores themes of morality, independence, and the societal challenges faced by women in Victorian England, all while portraying a strong and principled female protagonist.

    'My dear Gilbert, I wish you would try to be a little more amiable,' said my mother one morning after some display of unjustifiable ill-humour on my part. 'You say there is nothing the matter with you...

  6. #6

    The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
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    In 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy, the story revolves around Michael Henchard, a man who, in a fit of drunken rage, sells his wife and daughter at a fair, leading to a lifetime of regret and attempts at redemption. Set in the mid-19th century English rural life, the novel delves into themes of raw human emotion, respectability, and the consequences of past actions. With a cast of complex characters like Henchard, Farfrae, and Elizabeth Jane, the plot unfolds with twists and turns, culminating in a tragic yet expected ending. Hardy's writing style captures the reader's attention with compelling descriptions and a vivid portrayal of Dorsetshire town life.

    One evening of late summer, before the nineteenth century had reached one-third of its span, a young man and woman, the latter carrying a child, were approaching the large village of Weydon-Priors, in...

  7. #7

    A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
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    A Room with a View follows the story of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery during a trip to Italy with her chaperone. Through encounters with unconventional characters, such as the Emersons, Lucy navigates societal expectations and her own desires. The plot explores themes of love, individuality, and societal norms, set against the backdrop of Edwardian England and Italy. Readers appreciate the book's depiction of the struggle for authenticity and the fine nuances of human emotions portrayed in the characters.

    E.M. Forster's writing style in A Room with a View is described as smooth and delightful, combining humor, wit, and social commentary. The novel offers a mix of scathing wit, charming characters, and a narrative that effortlessly weaves together themes of love, self-discovery, and societal expectations. The story unfolds through engaging prose that captures the essence of the characters and the settings, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy classic literature.

    “THE SIGNORA HAD NO business to do it,” said Miss Bartlett, “no business at all. She promised us south rooms with a view close together, instead of which here are north rooms, looking into a court-yar...

  8. #8

    Middlemarch by George Eliot
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    'Middlemarch' by George Eliot is a novel set in a small English town during the 19th century, exploring the lives and relationships of its diverse characters. The book delves into themes of marriage, societal expectations, personal growth, and the consequences of one's choices. Through rich and complex characters like Dorothea, Casaubon, Rosamond, and Lydgate, the author paints a vivid portrait of human nature and the challenges individuals face in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. The writing style of the book is described as insightful, detailed, and emotionally engaging, providing a deep exploration of the characters' inner thoughts and motivations.

    Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. Her hand and wrist were so finely formed that she could wear sleeves not less bare of style than those in which...

  9. #9

    Hardy: Poems by Thomas Hardy, Peter Washington
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    'Hardy: Poems' by Thomas Hardy, edited by Peter Washington, is a collection of poems that some readers feel is incomplete and lacks some of Hardy's most well-known and admired works. The opinions suggest that Thomas Hardy, known for his controversial novels like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, preferred to call himself a poet in his lifetime. is described as containing moderately short poems that resonate with the same tragic sense of life found in Hardy's novels, focusing on themes of societal views on women, historical projects, and landscape descriptions.


  10. #10

    Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
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    Set in the town of Hollingford in the South of England in the 1820s and 30s, "Wives and Daughters" by Elizabeth Gaskell follows the story of Molly Gibson, a 17-year-old girl who is close to her father, the local doctor. Molly's life takes a turn when her father remarries, bringing a stepmother, Hyacinth, and a stepsister, Cynthia, into her world. As Molly navigates through these new relationships, some challenging and others positive, she interacts with other families in the district. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships, societal expectations, and personal growth in the 19th-century English society.

    To begin with the old rigmarole of childhood. In a country there was a shire, and in that shire there was a town, and in that town there was a house, and in that house there was a room, and in that ro...

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