This tale of love--from reckless fervor to selfless constancy--is firmly rooted in the rich rural byways that Hardy knew so well. Bathsheba Everdene, determined to run the farm that has always belonged to her family, is loved by three men: the local farmer Boldwood, a solid, yet passionate squire; Gabriel Oak, a quiet devoted shepherd; and fascinating, ruthless Sergeant Troy. In this powerful, dramatic story, Bathsheba, capricious and willful, comes to comprehend the true nature of generosity, humility, and ultimately, love. This brand-new edition of Far from the Madding Crowd includes all of the material that was censored from Hardy's original 1874 manuscript and is the complete book that the author never saw published.
