Give me a reason to keep reading

One member of my book club (who shall remain nameless) has chosen a "classic" for us to read this month. Now, I'm not opposed to classics but they do make me feel like I am back in high school and, well, let's just say high school was not my best years. The book she has chosen is Jude The Obscure by Thomas Hardy. I started with an open mind but seriously, I am struggling to get past page 50. Each time I pick it up I can take about 5 pages and then I am just done with it. Tell me that it's going to get better and I should push on through. Or, for the first time ever, should I show up to a meeting not having finished the book?