Thomas Hardy 
Far from the Madding Crowd 

Thomas Hardy’s fourth novel and first major literary success, Far from the Madding Crowd tells the story of Gabriel Oak, a young shepherd, and Bathsheba Everdene, a proud and beautiful young woman. Their paths cross several times throughout their lives, helping one another even as they are plagued by misunderstandings and misfortunes, including bad marriages, secrets, and loss. Though the novel contains violence and tragedy, its overall themes and mood are more optimistic than many of Hardy’s later and darker novels.