High school juniors should consider themselves lucky if they see Far From the Madding Crowd on any kind of required reading list. Hardy's classic tells the story of humble shepherd Gabriel Oak and his love for the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene. Unfortunately for Oak, he has competition for Bathsheba's attentions in the form of both wealthy farmer William Boldwood and charming soldier Frank Troy. As is the case in all Hardy's novels, this story is heightened by the details of its rustic setting in rural England.
