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Thomas Hardy

Far From The Madding Crowd

Thomas HardyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1874

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Book Brief

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Thomas Hardy

Far From The Madding Crowd

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1874
Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Wessex, England • 1870s

Theme
Publication Year

1874

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy’s fourth novel and the first set in his fictitious Wessex, follows farmer Gabriel Oak, who falls in love with Bathsheba Everdene. Despite his proposal being rejected, Gabriel becomes Bathsheba's shepherd when she inherits a farm. Bathsheba’s romantic entanglements with Gabriel, neighbor William Boldwood, and impulsive Sergeant Troy create a dramatic narrative exploring rural, Victorian-era English society.

Melancholic

Romantic

Inspirational

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

163,277 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd is widely praised for its rich prose, evocative descriptions, and complex characters, particularly Bathsheba Everdene. However, some critics find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally melodramatic. Overall, it's considered a classic work of English literature, balancing pastoral beauty with intense human emotions.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Far From The Madding Crowd?

A reader who enjoys Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy would likely appreciate Victorian literature, complex character development, and pastoral settings. Fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or George Eliot's Middlemarch will find similar themes of romance, social critique, and rich storytelling.

4.1

163,277 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Wessex, England • 1870s

Theme
Publication Year

1874

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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