Far from the madding crowd.

«Far from the Madding Crowd» is Thomas Hardy's fourth novel and his first major literary success, first published in 1874.

Beautiful, impulsive and spirited, Bathsheba Everdene's fortunes are changed forever when she inherits her own farm and becomes a woman of independent means. Set in Hardy's evocative Wessex countryside, Bathsheba is pursued by three very different suitors. The reliable and humble Gabriel Oak, the vain and impetuous Troy and the reserved yet determined Boldwood. With the morals of rural society weighing heavily upon her, it is through these relationships that Bathsheba experiences the torture of unrequited love and betrayal and discovers how random acts of chance and tragedy can alter the pathway of a life dramatically.

I cannot say that I read a lot. If I find an interesting book I usually read three or four pages a day. But this book I have read just for three days. May be because it is not big, may be because it is not difficult for understanding, but the main reason is its story. There are all topics which are actual for me and for many young girls in my age: relationships between people, true and unrequited love, violence and betrayal, unfairness of life. That is why the book is read in one breath.

I like English history and culture, so I`m fond of the writer conveyed through the experiences of different characters in the novel in the changing face of rural agriculture in England during the nineteenth century and the social concerns relating to this. He highlights how it is possible for people to move from one social group to another.

Much of the plot of Far from the Madding Crowd depends on unrequited love, the feeling, which everyone has ever had on himself —love by one person for another that is not mutual in that the other person does not feel love in return. On the basis of this, we can see the developing relationships between three very different men, and one woman. Farmer Oak is considered a romantic hero, while Troy is considered as being pseudo-romantic. Boldwood is romantic, but not a hero. Farmer Oak is very much like the ancient element of earth. The earth is strong and sturdy, yet wise and patient. Bathsheba has sufficient resilience, intelligence, and good luck to overcome her youthful folly.How to make the right choice?

So, in Far from the Madding Crowd Hardy also explores the proper basis for a happy marriage. Bathsheba's physical attraction to the broadsword-wielding Troy leads to a disastrous marriage that might have ended in financial ruin. A marriage to the strait-laced Boldwood, to whom she is bound only by feelings of guilt and obligation, would have meant emotional suffocation. Gabriel Oak is her colleague, friend, and advocate. He offers her true comradeship and sound farming skills; and, although she initially spurns him, telling him she doesn't love him, he turns out to be the right man to make her happy.

Finally, let`s look at the title of the novel «Far from the madding». "Madding" means "frenzied" here. The title may be ironic: the five main characters – Bathsheba, Troy, Boldwood, Oak, and Fanny Robin – are all passionate beings who find the "vale of life" neither quiet nor cool.

Fanny's pregnancy with an illegitimate child, Troy who lost his true love and happiness because of his own stupidity and Boldwood's sudden lapse into murderous violence, however, Bathsheba, who escapes two unfortunate entanglements, survives the mistakes of her youth, and finally finds contentment with her husband Mr. Oak.

Of course, Far from the madding crowd has become one of my favourite books. It is classic of the English literature. I wish everyone read such an intelligent and full of meaning book. The topics covered in it will be actual and important for us forever. I promise, you will not remain indifferent!