FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

There is no more real or more emblematic distrinct in England than Thomas Hardy's imaginary Wessex. Its scattered fields and farms first appeared in Far From the Madding Crowd, the story of steady, dependable Gabriel Oak and beautiful, headstrong Bathsheba runs Weatherbury Farm without a husband or an overseerer, but she brings trouble on herself with her impulsive, unwise decisions. All the while, Gabriel stands by her, unaware as she is of the stroke of Fate that will alter their joint destinies.