Classics · Historical romance · Literary
Far from the Madding Crowd
Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm in rural Wessex and runs it independently. Three men court her: the loyal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the wealthy Boldwood and the dashing Sergeant Troy.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1874
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 433
- Format
- Part of Macmillan Readers
Read this if you like rural Victorian novels with a strong-minded heroine and a mix of romance and tragedy.
Skip this if you want a fast-moving romance or are put off by slow, descriptive countryside passages.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Far from the Madding Crowd
- What is Far from the Madding Crowd about?
- Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm in rural Wessex and runs it independently. Three men court her: the loyal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the wealthy Boldwood and the dashing Sergeant Troy.
- Who should read Far from the Madding Crowd?
- Read it if you like rural Victorian novels with a strong-minded heroine and a mix of romance and tragedy. Skip it if you want a fast-moving romance or are put off by slow, descriptive countryside passages.
- How long and how fast is Far from the Madding Crowd?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 433 pages, first published in 1874.
- Does Far from the Madding Crowd have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Manipulation.
- Can I borrow Far from the Madding Crowd for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Far from the Madding Crowd; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
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| Print, new | ||
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