Far from the Madding Crowd cover

Far from the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

Original en 136654 words First published 1874 United Kingdom

Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel, his first success, and the book that gave him his map of Wessex. Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm, runs it capably, and finds herself the object of three men: the shepherd Gabriel Oak, steady and unasked; Boldwood, the neighbouring farmer roused out of his reserve into obsession; and Sergeant Troy, scarlet-coated, irresistible and worthless. Sheep, blight, a thunderstorm and a Valentine card do the rest. Hardy called it a pastoral; his people are ruined by weather, money and the vanity of choosing.

Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.

Table of Contents

  1. 001 CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTION OF FARMER OAK—AN INCIDENT When Farmer Oak… 2521 words
  2. 002 To persons standing alone on a hill during a clear midnight such as… 2671 words
  3. 003 The performer seemed quite at home anywhere between a horse’s head… 2509 words
  4. 004 CHAPTER IV. GABRIEL’S RESOLVE—THE VISIT—THE MISTAKE The only… 2519 words
  5. 005 “Upon my heart and soul, I don’t know what a maid can say stupider than that,” said Oak. 2527 words
  6. 006 At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and… 2523 words
  7. 007 “Stop the draught under the wheat-rick!” cried Gabriel to those nearest to him. 2518 words
  8. 008 “That’s never Gable Oak’s grandson over at Norcombe—never!” he said… 2500 words
  9. 009 “Ay, ay, Jan Coggan; we know yer maning.” “And so you see ’twas… 2519 words
  10. 010 “Ah, when I and my wife were married at Norcombe Church,” said the… 2502 words
  11. 011 “Nothing, sir—but we may know to-night. 2516 words
  12. 012 She then rose; but before retiring, addressed a few words to them… 2555 words
  13. 013 The numerous evidences of her power to attract were only thrown into… 2641 words
  14. 014 The vision of the woman writing, as a supplement to the words… 2521 words
  15. 015 “Matthew Moon, what have you been saying?” asked Oak. 2569 words
  16. 016 The clergyman glided into the vestry, and the clerk vanished. 2540 words
  17. 017 At once connecting these signs with the letter Boldwood had shown… 2635 words
  18. 018 But a disquiet filled her which was somewhat to her credit, for it… 2552 words
  19. 019 “Ay—a holler pipe,” echoed Joseph. 2517 words
  20. 020 Behind all was Bathsheba, carefully watching the men to see that… 2500 words
  21. 021 For the shearing-supper a long table was placed on the grass-plot… 2586 words
  22. 022 Her way back to the house was by a path through a young plantation of… 2729 words
  23. 023 This person’s public appearance in Weatherbury promptly followed his arrival there. 2511 words
  24. 024 “No. You shall be given one. Yes—you shall. A gift, Miss Everdene—a… 2540 words
  25. 025 I’ll be sure not to!” she said invincibly. 2537 words
  26. 026 “Why, pray?” “I like soldiers, but this one I do not like,” he said, sturdily. 2549 words
  27. 027 “I won’t notice anything, nor will I leave you!” sobbed Liddy… 2508 words
  28. 028 “Oh sir—Mr. Boldwood!” “You may as well. I have no further claim upon… 2513 words
  29. 029 “We shall have him now!” he exclaimed. 2538 words
  30. 030 “Cainy’s grandfather was a very clever man,” said Matthew Moon. 2554 words
  31. 031 “How will you?” “I’ll pay you well now, I’ll settle a sum of money… 2595 words
  32. 032 In a few minutes they moved on again towards the house. 2502 words
  33. 033 5 × 30 = 150 quarters = 500 £. 2610 words
  34. 034 “We had a narrow escape!” said Gabriel, hurriedly. 2534 words
  35. 035 “But the time of year is come for changeable weather.” “Well, yes. 2543 words
  36. 036 “No further!” she whispered, and closed her eyes. 2771 words
  37. 037 The next morning she rose earlier than usual, and had the horse… 2602 words
  38. 038 Situated by roadside in the midst of this wood was the old inn, called Buck’s Head. 2501 words
  39. 039 Gabriel recognized the voice as that of the parson. 2541 words
  40. 040 Bathsheba’s head sank upon her bosom, and the breath which had been… 2551 words
  41. 041 By this time stupor had given place to anxiety, and anxiety began to… 2578 words
  42. 042 It was quite dark when Troy came out of Casterbridge. 2636 words
  43. 043 Liddy knocked at eight o’clock, and Bathsheba unlocked the door. 2536 words
  44. 044 “What is it?” said Boldwood, looking up at the bringer of the big… 2511 words
  45. 045 “She never do allude to it, sir,” said Liddy, thinking how very stupid Mr. 2534 words
  46. 046 “I hope the sheep have done well to-day, Mrs. 2530 words
  47. 047 “Excuse me, ma’am,” said Pennyways; “I’ve some private information… 2590 words
  48. 048 “Really, do ye?” said Gabriel, gravely. 2526 words
  49. 049 “But that’s not it, exactly. 2502 words
  50. 050 “Presently. But I say, William,” Samway whispered, “have ye heard… 2560 words
  51. 051 “What is it you are in doubt about, men?” he said. 2597 words
  52. 052 At the end of half an hour a faint dust was seen in the expected… 2512 words
  53. 053 “And what shall I do without you? 2534 words
  54. 054 This scheme was considered feasible; and Coggan advanced boldly, and rapped at Mrs. 1338 words