Without exception our group confessed to finding the style of the book difficult to adjust to, but, also without fail, they all became engrossed and really enjoyed Thomas Hardy's description of the characters (and what characters!), the folkways, the mores, and the countryside.

An easy read about life in the late 1800s.

Some didn't quite finish it, but enjoyed what they had read. Very likeable, god-fearing, farming folk. Quite funny and witty.

Overall enjoyed. A book ahead of its time.

This book caused considerable discussion in our group. Some members just couldn't "get into it" - they struggled with the language and extended description. Others were drawn into the evolving story, and the detailed description of human behaviour/relationships.

Not the easiest book to read, but most enjoyed the poetic descriptions of the countryside. Some parts were felt to be a bit implausible. Some members have decided to try some more of his books. Others will avoid them!

Most who read it really enjoyed it - especially those who've seen the movie. Some found it hard to get into the 19th century 'wordiness', authorial comment and description.

It came in very small print and I was surprised at how many of those of us (6/7) had persevered with it. Two of them had read it on their Kindles (or similar devices) and all the others bar one had read or nearly finished it. I am not sure they were necessarily very enamoured with it, though. We found Bathsheba's character quite irritating - she seemed to make impulsive decisions which often rebounded on her and others. Naturally all of us loved Gabriel Oats for his patience, loyalty, sense and work ethic. I thought the questions in the notes might be daunting but we managed them well.