Far from the Madding Crowd

Thomas HardyΓÇÖs impassioned novel of courtship in rural life In Thomas HardyΓÇÖs first major literary success,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 Boldwoodthe soldier-seducer Sergeant Troyand the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Eachin contrasting waysunsettles her decisions and complicates her lifeand tragedy ensuesthreatening the stability of the whole community. One of his first works set in the semi-fictional region of WessexHardyΓÇÖs novel of swift passion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapesand with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships. This editionbased on HardyΓÇÖs original 1874 manuscriptis the complete novel he never saw publishedand restores its full candor and innovation. Rosemarie MorganΓÇÖs introduction discusses the history of its publicationas well as the biblical and classical allusions that permeate the novel. For more than seventy yearsPenguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1700 titlesPenguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authorsas well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.