Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd, serialized anonymously in the Cornhill Magazine in 1874, was Thomas Hardy's first success and the first novel in which he named his half-imaginary county Wessex. Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm and resolves to run it herself, and three men want her: the shepherd Gabriel Oak, whom she refused when he was her equal; the neighboring farmer Boldwood, whose obsession is set off by a valentine sent as a joke; and Sergeant Troy, who dazzles her with his sword and ruins her with his vanity. Around them the rural year turns, with sheep-shearing, a thunderstorm over the ricks, and the talk of the laborers at Warren's Malthouse. It is the sunniest of Hardy's major novels, though not without its dead. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Far from the Madding Crowd online?
Yes. Far from the Madding Crowd opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Far from the Madding Crowd free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Far from the Madding Crowd is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Far from the Madding Crowd in the public domain?
Yes. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Far from the Madding Crowd?
About 9 h 12 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Far from the Madding Crowd?
Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
