Far From the Madding Crowd

HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘I shall do one thing in this life – one thing certain – that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die’ Independent and spirited, Bathsheba Everdene owns the hearts of three men. Striving to win her love in different ways, their relationships with Bathsheba complicate her life in bucolic Wessex – and cast shadows over their own. With the morals and expectations of rural society weighing heavily upon her, Bathsheba experiences the torture of unrequited love and betrayal, and discovers how random acts of chance and tragedy can dramatically alter life’s course. The first of Hardy’s novels to become a major literary success, Far from the Madding Crowd explores what it means to live and to love.

HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘I shall do one thing in this life – one thing certain – that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die’ Independent and spirited, Bathsheba Everdene owns the hearts of three men. Striving to win her love in different ways, their relationships with Bathsheba complicate her life in bucolic Wessex – and cast shadows over their own. With the morals and expectations of rural society weighing heavily upon her, Bathsheba experiences the torture of unrequited love and betrayal, and discovers how random acts of chance and tragedy can dramatically alter life’s course. The first of Hardy’s novels to become a major literary success, Far from the Madding Crowd explores what it means to live and to love.

'I shall do one thing in this life - one thing for certain - that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.' Gabriel Oak is only one of three suitors for the hand of the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene. He must compete with the dashing young soldier Sergeant Troy and respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. And while their fates depend upon the choice Bathsheba makes, she discovers the terrible consequences of an inconstant heart. Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to give the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. Set against the backdrop of the unchanging natural cycle of the year, the story both upholds and questions rural values with a startlingly modern sensibility. This new edition retains the critical text that restores previously deleted and revised passages. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

'I shall do one thing in this life - one thing for certain - that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.' Gabriel Oak is only one of three suitors for the hand of the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene. He must compete with the dashing young soldier Sergeant Troy and respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. And while their fates depend upon the choice Bathsheba makes, she discovers the terrible consequences of an inconstant heart. Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to give the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. Set against the backdrop of the unchanging natural cycle of the year, the story both upholds and questions rural values with a startlingly modern sensibility. This new edition retains the critical text that restores previously deleted and revised passages. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Hardy’s classic ‘pastoral tale’ of wilful and capricious Bathsheba Everdene and her three suitors, the faithful shepherd, the lonely widower and the dashing but faithless soldier. An immediate success when it was first published in 1874, Thomas Hardy’s ‘pastoral tale’ of the wilful and capricious Bathsheba Everdene, her three suitors – the faithful shepherd Gabriel Oak, the lonely widower Farmer Boldwood, and the dashing but faithless Sergeant Troy – and the tragic consequences of her eventual choice remains one of the most enduring and popular English novels.

Thomas Hardys udødelige klassiker "Far From the Madding Crowd" er her Batsheba Everdene er en stolt, smuk og selvstændig kvinde, der er splittet mellem de tre mænd i hendes liv: den respektable bonde Boldwood, den forførende soldat Sergeant Troy og den loyale, hårdtprøvede Gabriel. Den usædvanlige Batsheba bliver på grund af mændene, der elsker hende, udsat for skandale og forræderri for øjnene af det nysgerrige og fordømmende samfund. "Far From the Madding Crowd" er den smukke og dramatiske historie om kærlighed, ægteskab, opførsel og hvordan hovmod står for fald.

Thomas Hardys udødelige klassiker "Far From the Madding Crowd" er her Batsheba Everdene er en stolt, smuk og selvstændig kvinde, der er splittet mellem de tre mænd i hendes liv: den respektable bonde Boldwood, den forførende soldat Sergeant Troy og den loyale, hårdtprøvede Gabriel. Den usædvanlige Batsheba bliver på grund af mændene, der elsker hende, udsat for skandale og forræderri for øjnene af det nysgerrige og fordømmende samfund. "Far From the Madding Crowd" er den smukke og dramatiske historie om kærlighed, ægteskab, opførsel og hvordan hovmod står for fald.

Far from the Madding Crowd is perhaps the most pastoral of Hardy's Wessex novels. It tells the story of the young farmer Gabriel Oak and his love for and pursuit of the elusive Bathsheba Everdene, whose wayward nature leads her to both tragedy and true love. It tells of the dashing Sergeant Troy whose rakish philosophy of life was ‘…the past was yesterday; never, the day after’, and lastly, of the introverted and reclusive gentleman farmer, Mr Boldwood, whose love fills him with ‘…a fearful sense of exposure’, when he first sets eyes on Bathsheba. The background of this tale is the Wessex countryside in all its moods, contriving to make it one of the most English of great English novels.

Far from the Madding Crowd is perhaps the most pastoral of Hardy's Wessex novels. It tells the story of the young farmer Gabriel Oak and his love for and pursuit of the elusive Bathsheba Everdene, whose wayward nature leads her to both tragedy and true love. It tells of the dashing Sergeant Troy whose rakish philosophy of life was ‘…the past was yesterday; never, the day after’, and lastly, of the introverted and reclusive gentleman farmer, Mr Boldwood, whose love fills him with ‘…a fearful sense of exposure’, when he first sets eyes on Bathsheba. The background of this tale is the Wessex countryside in all its moods, contriving to make it one of the most English of great English novels.

In Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy paints a vivid portrait of rural life and romantic entanglements. Bathsheba Everdene's independence and the complexities of her relationships with three very different suitors unfold against the backdrop of the English countryside, where passion and ambition collide with tradition and fate.

In Far From the Madding Crowd , Thomas Hardy paints a vivid portrait of rural life and romantic entanglements. Bathsheba Everdene's independence and the complexities of her relationships with three very different suitors unfold against the backdrop of the English countryside, where passion and ambition collide with tradition and fate.

Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swiftpassion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.

Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swiftpassion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.

Bathsheba Everdene is a strong, confident woman who becomes a powerful farmer. But her emotional life descends into chaos as she becomes involved with three very different men.

Bathsheba Everdene is a strong, confident woman who becomes a powerful farmer. But her emotional life descends into chaos as she becomes involved with three very different men.

"Far from the Madding Crowd," by Thomas Hardy, transports readers to the heart of 19th-century rural England. Set in the fictional Wessex countryside, this enduring work of English literature explores themes of love, choice, and societal expectations. A compelling love triangle unfolds against the backdrop of pastoral life, showcasing Hardy's masterful storytelling. This classic novel, meticulously prepared for print republication, offers a timeless exploration of human relationships and the enduring power of the land. A poignant and evocative story of love and life in a bygone era, "Far from the Madding Crowd" remains a celebrated example of literary fiction and a beloved romance. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.