Far From the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

Gabriel Oak is a sheep farmer in England when this novel was written over 100 years ago. He is a taciturn man, given to honesty, loyalty, and quiet passion. Bathsheba Everdene visits her aunt's home at the farm next door. Oak meets her and immediately falls in love. She refuses his offer of marriage because she knows she is not ready. She leaves for another relative's home.

Gabriel loses his sheep in a freak accident, then has to give up the farm to repay the loan that bought the flock. He starts wandering, looking for work. While walking down the road one night, he notices a fire in a barn. He immediately goes and helps put it out. Although others come and help put out the fire, Gabriel is the one who is responsible for saving the barn. The owner of that farm had just died and left the property to his neice.

Gabriel decides to see if the new owner can use his services. The new owner is Bathsheba. After an awkward few minutes because of their last meeting, she hires him on. Their previous knowledge of each other was not mentioned at all. Bathsheba learns to run a large, working farm. Gabriel is her sheperd and all around help over the other farmhands, plus friend. He advises her as needed.

Mr. Boldwood, the middle aged farmer next door, becomes attracted to Bathsheba. He speaks to Gabriel of his feelings. She becomes attracted to Sargeant Troy. She quits speaking to Gabriel of her feelings. Bathsheba finds herself entwined in her own thoughts and relationships.

This epic has all the twists and turns that can motivate people. Bathsheba tries to be honest with herself and with the men in her life. Her temper and emotions often get the better of her. People live and die. I enjoyed the tale. Because of when it was written it is not as fast moving as I am used to, so I could easily put it down. But I couldn't leave it down for very long before I had to find out what was going to happen next. The end was a little too quiet for me, though quite satisfisfying.

Tess d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy