One of my seemingly incongruous hobbies is reading classics, particularly, Victorian era novels. Although, I'd like to think that if you really take the time to get to know me, it's not that strange as I can be a bit of a hopeless romantic. In this lonelier chapter of my life, I have found much solace in books.

I've just finished Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. It was a rather difficult read with all the pastoral vocabulary and allusions from the Bible and Greek mythology. My perseverance rewarded me with Hardy's poetical English and an enchanting story.

In the story, Bathsheba Everdene is courted by three different suitors in three different ways. First, there is Gabriel Oak, who shows a steadfast love. Second, there is Mr. Boldwood, who, being a well-established farmer, himself, offers the most practical marriage, both in terms of money and social status. Thirdly and finally, there is Sergeant Troy, who displays a most passionate love. He flirts so well that I found myself being charmed by his wit and eloquence.

I won't ruin the surprise on whom she picks, but I do find it interesting how little modern love has changed. Today, given online dating, women even moreso than back then hold the power of choice. The so-called friend zone is alive and well being present in Vanity Fair, with Captain Dobbin and Amelia, and A Tale of Two Cities, with Sydney Carton and Lucie, too. Men are still losing their minds over women. One very forward-thinking quote I found was

The good-fellowship — camaraderie, usually occuring through similarity of pursuits, is unfortunately seldom super-added to love between the sexes, because they associate not in ther labours, but in their pleasures merely.

It does seem that this ideal of love is more a reality in today's world now that women are part of our workforce. This love is claimed to be "strong as death." Perhaps, I'll start looking out for this "similarity of pursuits."