Far From The Madding Crowd, version 2


Read by Tadhg

(4.8 stars; 443 reviews)

Far From The Madding Crowd is Hardy's fourth novel. It centres on the lives of five characters: Gabriel Oak, Bathsheba Everdene, Mr Boldwood, Sgt. Troy and Fanny Robin. The plot involves love, loyalty, death and betrayal and all this is delivered to us in Hardy's most eloquent prose. The images of character and nature are painted for our mind's eye with sublime style. Finally, but not least, Hardy's use of the Greek chorus is unsurpassed in injecting comedy and nudging the story along. (Summary by Tadhg Hynes)

Proof-Listeners: Joy Easton & Betty M. (14 hr 10 min)

Chapters

Preface 5:01 Read by Tadhg
Chapter I 12:03 Read by Tadhg
Chapter II 17:42 Read by Tadhg
Chapter III 17:05 Read by Tadhg
Chapter IV 19:33 Read by Tadhg
Chapter V 11:08 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VI 20:23 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VII 7:17 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VIII 37:37 Read by Tadhg
Chapter IX 11:46 Read by Tadhg
Chapter X 12:53 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XI 10:02 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XII 10:06 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIII 8:21 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIV 8:34 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XV 21:40 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVI 6:10 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVII 5:34 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVIII 10:14 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIX 12:35 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XX 12:40 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXI 13:49 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXII 22:57 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIII 13:17 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIV 13:56 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXV 7:39 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVI 19:24 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVII 7:00 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVIII 12:09 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIX 15:50 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXX 10:15 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXI 19:31 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXII 18:18 Read by Tadhg
ChapterXXXIII 16:47 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXIV 21:08 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXV 8:55 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVI 19:20 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVII 15:37 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVIII 8:00 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXIX 9:00 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XL 15:49 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLI 22:17 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLII 25:27 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLIII 22:15 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLIV 15:14 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLV 9:52 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLVI 16:51 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLVII 6:31 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLVIII 11:03 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XLIX 11:38 Read by Tadhg
Chapter L 30:51 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LI 17:26 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LII 20:59 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LIII 23:48 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LIV 9:08 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LV 9:45 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LVI 18:38 Read by Tadhg
Chapter LVII 11:37 Read by Tadhg

Reviews

sootfoot5


(5 stars)

Reader has a delightful accent that pairs well with Thomas Hardy's work. He brings Hardy to life - yet he also sometimes lulls me to sleep with his beautiful speech. I don't mind - that is what rewind is for. Thank you, kind sit, for all the time you have put into these readings. It is much appreciated.

Great reading by any standards


(5 stars)

One test of a good reader-aloud is that they can make you go on listening to a story that would not hold your interest if you took up the book yourself. I'm no fan of Hardy, but as soon as I began hearing this intelligent Irish voice emerging from the gloom of Wessex I was hooked. Mr Hynes is a born storyteller. It would be even more enthralling to hear him in something from the great literary tradition of Ireland, or in poetry that he could make vibrant with his sensitive and nuanced gift of interpretation.

my favorite Tomas Hardy


(5 stars)

This is an excellent book very well read. It follows proud independent and beautiful Bathsheba and her three lovers, contrasting the different course that love of one woman takes three very different men. The steadfast and quietly devoted Gabriel Oake, the sober but darkly passionate farmer Boldwood and the dashing and superficial Sargent Troy each pursue their idol against a backdrop of an otherwise ordinary and peaceful rural life. Passion leads the weak and the unbending to tragedy in true Hardy style, while strength of character withstands the trials of the tale.

A classic, beautifully read


(4 stars)

One of my favourite readers makes this a thoroughly enjoyable piece of literary entertainment. The strengths to me were the storyline and writing style - the weakness being character development, particularly with the main female character. She was irritatingly manipulative and vaguely self-pitying but fascinating to see how the three men in her life reacted to that. The bottom line: I was entertained.


(5 stars)

Another brilliant reading by Tadgh of a classic Thomas Hardy novel...ive listened to a lot of books on librivox and he is by a mile the best reader I've heard..ive also read nearly all of Thomas Hardy' s novels and this is up there with The Mayor of Casterbridge and Tess of the Durbevilles as one of his best

a romance women will enjoy


(4 stars)

this is a romance novel that women will enjoy. few men will be able to suffer through it probably. the reader has a VERY strong Irish accent so i had to rewind several times to understand what was said, but he is still a wonderful reader. a story of long enduring love that will have you furious at the leading lady at times, women can be so cruel LoL.

Ken Lunstrum


(5 stars)

This book is an amazing example of Thomas Hardy’s genius in describing England and its people in the early 19th century besides being a very wonderful love story. Mr. Hynes adds so much flavor and character in the story. His accent adds a very distinctive feel to the tale. He is an extremely wonderful narrator.


(5 stars)

This book was not what I expected. It was better, lots of twists. But one constant, the love of a honorable man to a woman who takes a long time to realize the catch that is right in front of her. I enjoyed the voice of the reader! His accent brought the book more to life!!