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Far From the Madding Crowd

By Thomas Hardy
Series: Macmillan Collector's Library
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Far From the Madding Crowd is set in the evocative landscape of Wessex, south-west England, against the unchanging natural cycle of the year. The novel follows the spirited Bathsheba Everdene and her three suitors: the steadfast Gabriel Oak, the dashing Sergeant Troy, and the respectable Farmer Boldwood. Bathsheba’s choices lead to profound consequences, exploring rural values with a modern sensibility.
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Format: Hardback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This classic novel is perfect for readers who appreciate evocative rural settings, complex romantic entanglements, and the rich language of Victorian literature. Ideal for lovers of timeless British fiction and elegant collectible editions.

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Thomas Hardy's classic novel of rivalry and misplaced love with a new introduction by academic and poet, Professor Mark Ford.

Thomas Hardy's classic novel of rivalry and misplaced love with a new introduction by academic and poet, Professor Mark Ford.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Far From the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to give the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England and is set against the backdrop of the unchanging natural cycle of the year. The story both upholds and questions rural values with a startlingly modern sensibility.

Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features original illustrations by Helen Allingham and an introduction by Professor Mark Ford.

Gabriel Oak is only one of three suitors for the hand of the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene. He must compete with the dashing young soldier Sergeant Troy and respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. And while their fates depend upon the choice Bathsheba makes, she discovers the terrible consequences of an inconstant heart.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Far From the Madding Crowd is celebrated as the first of Thomas Hardy's great novels, noted for its tragic depth and vivid evocation of rural England. Margaret Drabble hailed it for its poignant themes, while The Australian praised Hardy’s romantic and evocative writing. The Guardian highlights Hardy's subtle style and the nostalgic vision of pastoral traditions that appeals to Victorian urban readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509890026

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 June 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macmillan Collector's Library

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Mark Ford
  • Illustrated by Helen Allingham

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 104.0mm

Height: 157.0mm

Weight: 276g

Pages: 528

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Historical Romance Literary Fiction Romance Series: Macmillan Collector's Library Thomas Hardy

About the Author

Thomas Hardy was born in Dorset in 1840. His first published novel was Desperate Remedies in 1871. Thus began a series of increasingly dark novels, all set within the rural landscape of his native Dorset. Such was the success of these early works, which included A Pair of Blue Eyes (1873) and Far From the Madding Crowd (1874), that he gave up his work as an architect to concentrate on his writing. However, he had difficulty publishing Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1889) and was forced to make changes in order for it to be judged suitable for family readers. This, coupled with the stormy reaction to the negative tone of Jude the Obscure (1895), prompted Hardy to abandon writing novels altogether and he concentrated on poetry for the rest of his life. He died in January 1928.

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