I've just started reading The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton, which was next on my reading list for A233, and it is much better than Far From the Madding Crowd. Although I'm only a few chapters in, Undine Spragg seems to be a very interesting character. I prefer Wharton's writing style too, which is much plainer and more direct than Hardy's. The sentences seem to flow better, as well, with Wharton.
Just an interesting note: I really struggle to imagine American accents when reading a novel based in America. It's always British speakers that pop into my head. Isn't that strange? I wonder if anyone else has that problem too?