Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

He first saw her on Norcombe Hill, Bathsheba was her name—she, a poor milkmaid; he, a young and successful farmer. Their lives went different paths then. But little did Gabriel know that fate would bring him again to her, not in the same way though—she, an independent woman; he, a poor shepherd. Bathsheba finds herself torn between suitors Seargant Troy and Mr. Boldwood, Gabriel’s love she has long regarded as unworthy. There’s no doubt Bathsheba will make some wrong choices and will soon find herself in the midst of a tragedy.

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Poor, Gabriel. He had to endure so much for the sake of Bathsheba. Bathsheba is truly a headstrong girl who always underestimated Gabriel’s love. The novel opens with Bathsheba’s first meeting where Gabriel openly declares his love for her. By turn of fate, Gabriel finds himself employed by in Bathsheba’s farm which she had inherited after her uncle's death. This book does not involve a love triangle, but a love square—Bathsheba, Gabriel, Mr. Boldwood, and Seargant Troy.

Bathsheba complicates her life by making the wrong choices. In the end, Bathsheba realizes the worth of Gabriel's love. Gabriel may be drawn by Bathsheba’s beauty but he is well acquainted with her character and weaknesses. Over all, this book is a very touching tale, with slight humor and ended on a positive note.

This book was recommended to me by my school librarian a good eight or nine years ago. I didn’t read it then, and I’ve been thinking of reading this book ever since I grew obsessive with books. I think like I love this book after reading it now.

Quotes:

“I believe you saved my life, Miss … I don’t know your name. I know your aunt’s, but not yours.”

"I would just as soon not tell it—rather not. There is no reason either why I should, as you probably will never have much to do with me.”

“Still, I should like to know.”

“You can inquire at my aunt’s—she will tell you.”

“My name is Gabriel Oak.”

“And mine isn’t. You seem so fond of yours in speaking it so decisively, Gabriel Oak.”

“You see, it is the only one I shall ever have, and I must make the most of it.” p. 23

“This lady called herself five-and-twenty, looked thirty, passed as thirty-five, and was forty. She was a woman who never, like some newly married, showed conjugal tenderness in public, perhaps because she had none to show.” p. 88-89

"So the chatter was all on her side. There is a loquacity that tells nothing, which was Bathsheba's; and there is a silence which says much: that was Gabriel's." p.163

“No. When I want a broad-minded-opinion for general enlightenment, distinct from special advice, I never go to a man who deals in the subject professionally. So I like the parson’s opinion on law, the lawyer’s opinion on doctoring, the doctor’s on business, and my business-man’s—that is, yours—on morals.”

“And on love…”

“My own.” p. 400

 My Rating:

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