Far from the Madding Crowd

Name: Far from the Madding Crowd
Author: Thomas Hardy

Far from the Madding Crowd is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1874. The story follows the life of Bathsheba Everdene, a strong and independent woman who inherits a farm after her father's death. The novel explores themes of love, class, and gender roles in rural England during the Victorian era.

By Thomas Hardy · First published 1874 · Genre: Romance, Pastoral, Victorian Literature · 57 chapters · 166,767 words

First lines

When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears, his eyes were reduced to chinks, and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun.

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Far from the Madding Crowd is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Hardy, dated 1874 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Thomas Hardy
Date: 1874 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Pastoral, Victorian Literature, Literary Realism, Tragedy
Length: 166,767 words
Structure: 57 chapters, 3,475 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The novel is dominated by themes of love and relationships, where the main character Bathsheba Everdene has several suitors hoping to win her hand in marriage.
Pastoral — The novel depicts rural life in a romanticized, idealistic manner, emphasizing the simple, idyllic pleasures of the countryside and nature as a counterpoint to the corrupting influence of city life. Hardy's fictional setting of 'Wessex' is integral to the story.
Victorian Literature — The novel was written during the Victorian era and reflects the values, settings and societal concerns of that period.
Literary Realism — Hardy’s novel is celebrated for his realistic portrayal of rural life and for his detailed, poetic descriptions of the Wessex countryside.