Far From the Madding Crowd (Thomas Hardy, 1874)

I had overlooked Thomas Hardy until encountering this gem; it left me ready for more.  So I turned next to this novel, which was Hardy's first major success.

Bathsheba inherits a farm; interacts with three suitors.  Fanny and the sergeant.

I read that "Far From the Madding Crowd" was Hardy's first novel set in the somewhat fictional "Wessex" area that he somewhat created in southwest England - complete with a detailed map - a conceit that contributes.

Plot, characters, pace, etc. all are just fine.

Two things I like perhaps best of all in Hardy's work:

--He clearly loves and appreciates the look and feel of the countryside in this part of England - descriptions are vivid - terrain, wildflowers, weather - compelling.  (Seems to understand, or at least has done his homework, on areas like sheep-raising and farming in general.)

--He also sees and appreciates the "common man" characters in about as effective a fashion as I've ever encountered.  Seems to capture behaviors, speech patterns, etc. - never condescending, always respectful - so often these characters are overlooked or caricatured; this is the opposite.

I think Hardy revels in the wonders and the absurdities of human nature - and nature itself - as it is displayed in various types - that's a great way to approach things.  I'll read more of his work.