Far from the Madding Crowd (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Thomas Hardy (Author), Suzanne B. Falck-Yi (Editor), Simon Gatrell (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics | Publication Date: July 9, 1998

Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to apply the name of Wessex to the landscape of south west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. When the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene inherits her own farm, she attracts three very different suitors: the seemingly commonplace, man-of-the-soil Gabriel Oak, the dashing young soldier, Francis Troy, and the respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. Her choice, and the tragedy it provokes, lie at the centre of Hardy's ambivalent story. This edition presents a new text, restoring several manuscript passages never before published with the novel, and many of the 1901 revisions missing from nearly all modern versions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) is one of England's greatest novelists. Most of his work is set in his native Dorset, on the south coast of England. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019283391X
• ISBN-13: 978-0192833914
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,729,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absorbing and Rewarding Read, January 4, 2002

By 

Chris Cummings (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Far from the Madding Crowd (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

"Far From The Madding Crowd" is the story of Gabriel Oak who lives a simple life as a lowly shepherd on the farm of the woman he once, unsuccessfully, proposed to, back when he was a man of some substance, having his own prosperous farm until tragic events lost it to him. The main elements of the story are the unfortunate, often tragic ramifications of Bathsheba Everdene's thoughtless, vanity-driven actions, and the steadfast, selfless love she has engendered in Oak, who undergoes much anonymous, behind-the-scenes labor in order to make smooth the rocky path Bathsheba has embarked upon.

As one reviewer already mentioned, I do believe Hardy chose the unusual name of "Bathsheba" for his heroine because of her likeness to Bathsheba of the Bible; a beautiful, sought-after woman who unwittingly causes catastrophe for the men who love her. I will go further to suggest that Gabriel Oak's name was deliberate; he is a "guardian angel" of sorts who works on behalf of Bathsheba, and his character is strong, solid and dependable as a stalwart oak.

Bathsheba's vanity, poor judgment and thoughtless behavior bring about the destruction of two men she becomes entangled with, and the once vital and carefree girl grows into a grave and repentant woman who finally begins to realize the wisdom and worth of her long-ago suitor, now servant, Oak.

The novel is rich with pathos, romance, tragedy, and even absurdity (Oak's fellow laborers on the farm are a comical lot, and their hilarious conversations are a pleasant occasional reprieve from the dark world of Bathsheba and her lovers.)

A great Hardy novel with an unusually happy ending.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel to wrap yourself up in, November 14, 2001

By 

Gwen Kramer "gwenhwyvar" (Sunny and not-so-sunny California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Far from the Madding Crowd (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I have never read a Thomas Hardy novel and so have nothing to compare this to but I found Madding to be a marvelous love story. And what is more, it's a love story that you can actually believe because the characters are so human.

The protagonist of sorts is Gabriel Oak, as nice a fellow as ever there was. He falls in love with the wild and flirtatious Bathsheba (she hates her name too, I think it was meant to be symbollic, as in David and Bathsheba) Of course, she will not even consider the stoic Gabriel and thus begins a career of flirtation and romance that will end in tragedy. Throughout it all, Gabriel is in the background, helping her when she needs him, advising her when she wants it but he knows he has no chance of winning her.

Gabriel's character is a marvel. Even though he is a simple farmer, he has an artistic soul, it is clear from the way he thinks about stars, sheep, even toads. It sounds corny but he is at one with nature.

As for Bathsheba, I won't give away anything but let's just say she learns her lesson the hard way. Even though she is a coquette to her fingertips, you always like her and understand why three men would all find themselves in love (or infatuated in the case of one) with her.

The books stately but never boring pace makes it ideal for a winter day when you are snowed in or something like that. I savoured it over a weekend and am planning to read it again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the infamous "love triangle"..., March 3, 2004

By 

book yeti "book yeti" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Far from the Madding Crowd (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

In Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy introduces us to the precarious "love square". At the core of all the turmoil is beautiful farm girl, Bathsheba Everdene - spirited, vain, intelligent and adept at toying with the hearts of men. Inevitably beguiled by her charms a humble and kind farmer, Gabriel Oak, fervently attempts to win Bathsheba's affections. Enter the competition: (suitor#2) Farmer Boldwood - a wealthy and temperate middle-aged man respected in the community, eventually plunges into maniacal obsession at the mere possibility of making the beloved Miss Everdene his wife; and (suitor#3) Sergeant Francis Troy - a dashing young philandering soldier, with his share of inner demons, ruthlessness and vanity, vies for Bathsheba's hand in marriage. Bathsheba's ultimate decision, and the cataclysm it evokes, lies at the epicenter of Hardy's unforgettable ambivalent story.

Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy's fourth novel, saw publication in 1874 and earned him widespread popularity as a writer. A delicately woven tale of unrequited love and regret, set in the mid-19th century, Far From the Madding Crowd is a masterpiece of pure story-telling. Hardy's classic style is a pleasure to read as he masterfully brings his characters and their dealings to life. I would not hesitate to say it definitely captured my heart as another favourite.