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StoryPDFFar from the Madding CrowdThomas Hardy

Far from the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

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NovelEnglish

Gabriel Oak's quiet farming life intersects with that of the independent Bathsheba Everdene. As she takes responsibility for a farm and attracts different suitors, work, pride and romantic choice become entangled within a rural community that closely observes her decisions.

58 sections137,399 wordsAbout 10 h 25 min
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About Far from the Madding Crowd

Farm labor provides more than scenery: weather, animals and seasonal demands impose consequences on emotional behavior. Gabriel's practical attention contrasts with more theatrical expressions of devotion. The narrative gives considerable space to workers' conversations, placing private desire within a community whose knowledge is partial but difficult to escape.

Reading focus

Compare the suitors through what they do during practical difficulties rather than through declarations alone.

This reading edition contains 137,399 words in 58 original sections. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.

Author: Thomas Hardy. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.

Opening excerpt

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 mere 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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Contents

All sections
  1. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTION OF FARMER OAK—AN INCIDENT10 min
  2. CHAPTER II. NIGHT—THE FLOCK—AN INTERIOR—ANOTHER INTERIOR13 min
  3. CHAPTER III. A GIRL ON HORSEBACK—CONVERSATION13 min
  4. CHAPTER IV. GABRIEL’S RESOLVE—THE VISIT—THE MISTAKE15 min
  5. CHAPTER V. DEPARTURE OF BATHSHEBA—A PASTORAL TRAGEDY9 min
  6. CHAPTER VI. THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE16 min
  7. CHAPTER VII. RECOGNITION—A TIMID GIRL6 min
  8. CHAPTER VIII. THE MALTHOUSE—THE CHAT—NEWS32 min
  9. CHAPTER IX. THE HOMESTEAD—A VISITOR—HALF CONFIDENCES9 min
  10. CHAPTER X. MISTRESS AND MEN9 min
  11. CHAPTER XI. MELCHESTER MOOR—SNOW—A MEETING8 min
  12. CHAPTER XII. FARMERS—A RULE—AN EXCEPTION8 min
  13. CHAPTER XIII. SORTES SANCTORUM—THE VALENTINE6 min
  14. “ M ARRY ME . ”1 min
  15. CHAPTER XIV. EFFECT OF THE LETTER—SUNRISE7 min
  16. CHAPTER XV. A MORNING MEETING—THE LETTER AGAIN17 min
  17. CHAPTER XVI. ALL SAINTS’ AND ALL SOULS’5 min
  18. CHAPTER XVII. IN THE MARKET-PLACE4 min
  19. CHAPTER XVIII. BOLDWOOD IN MEDITATION—A VISIT8 min
  20. CHAPTER XIX. THE SHEEP-WASHING—THE OFFER10 min
  21. CHAPTER XX. PERPLEXITY—GRINDING THE SHEARS—A QUARREL10 min
  22. CHAPTER XXI. TROUBLES IN THE FOLD—A MESSAGE10 min
  23. CHAPTER XXII. THE GREAT BARN AND THE SHEEP-SHEARERS17 min
  24. CHAPTER XXIII. EVENTIDE—A SECOND DECLARATION11 min
  25. CHAPTER XXIV. THE SAME NIGHT—THE FIR PLANTATION10 min
  26. CHAPTER XXV. THE NEW ACQUAINTANCE DESCRIBED6 min
  27. CHAPTER XXVI. SCENE ON THE VERGE OF THE HAY-MEAD15 min
  28. CHAPTER XXVII. HIVING THE BEES5 min
  29. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE HOLLOW AMID THE FERNS9 min
  30. CHAPTER XXIX. PARTICULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK12 min
  31. CHAPTER XXX. HOT CHEEKS AND TEARFUL EYES8 min
  32. CHAPTER I. BLAME—FURY15 min
  33. CHAPTER II. NIGHT—HORSES TRAMPING13 min
  34. CHAPTER III. IN THE SUN—A HARBINGER13 min
  35. CHAPTER IV. HOME AGAIN—A JUGGLER15 min
  36. CHAPTER V. AT AN UPPER WINDOW6 min
  37. CHAPTER VI. WEALTH IN JEOPARDY—THE REVEL14 min
  38. CHAPTER VII. THE STORM—THE TWO TOGETHER12 min
  39. CHAPTER VIII. RAIN—ONE SOLITARY MEETS ANOTHER6 min
  40. CHAPTER IX. COMING HOME—A CRY7 min
  41. CHAPTER X. ON CASTERBRIDGE HIGHWAY11 min
  42. CHAPTER XI. SUSPICION—FANNY IS SENT FOR17 min
  43. CHAPTER XII. JOSEPH AND HIS BURDEN—BUCK’S HEAD19 min
  44. CHAPTER XIII. FANNY’S REVENGE17 min
  45. CHAPTER XIV. UNDER A TREE—REACTION12 min
  46. CHAPTER XV. TROY’S ROMANTICISM8 min
  47. CHAPTER XVI. THE GURGOYLE: ITS DOINGS13 min
  48. CHAPTER XVII. ADVENTURES BY THE SHORE5 min
  49. CHAPTER XVIII. DOUBTS ARISE—DOUBTS VANISH9 min
  50. CHAPTER XIX. OAK’S ADVANCEMENT—A GREAT HOPE9 min
  51. CHAPTER XX. THE SHEEP FAIR—TROY TOUCHES HIS WIFE’S HAND25 min
  52. CHAPTER XXI. BATHSHEBA TALKS WITH HER OUTRIDER14 min
  53. CHAPTER XXII. CONVERGING COURSES18 min
  54. CHAPTER XXIII. CONCURRITUR—HORÆ MOMENTO18 min
  55. CHAPTER XXIV. AFTER THE SHOCK7 min
  56. CHAPTER XXV. THE MARCH FOLLOWING—“BATHSHEBA BOLDWOOD”8 min
  57. CHAPTER XXVI. BEAUTY IN LONELINESS—AFTER ALL15 min
  58. CHAPTER XXVII. A FOGGY NIGHT AND MORNING—CONCLUSION9 min

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This edition contains the complete English literary text, with 58 sections and 137,399 words. This reading edition preserves the checked English text and its section order. No study notes have been added.

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