Far From the Madding Crowd

Aug 24, 2025 9:54 PM

Author:Thomas Hardy,Julie Christie

Penguin Classics presents Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd, adapted for audio and now available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by the actress Julie Christie.

Hardy's powerful novel of swift sexual passion and slow-burning loyalty centres on Bathsheba Everdene, a proud working woman whose life is complicated by three different men - respectable farmer Boldwood, seductive Sergeant Troy and devoted Gabriel - making her the object of scandal and betrayal.

Vividly portraying the superstitions and traditions of a small rural community, Far from the Madding Crowd shows the precarious position of a woman in a man's world.

Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.

Reviews

A brilliant read. As he did with his Raven novels, Kristian weaves a colourful, authentic world in which to set his tale...and he has done it with confidence and real flair. Full of tragedy and triumph, honour and treachery, The Bleeding Land is a thrilling tour-de-force

—— BEN KANE

Expertly plotted, full of passion and bloody drama...a book that will appeal to passionate, compassionate readers, men and women alike, fans of C J Sansom as much as fans of Conn Iggulden. Read it: you'll love every page

—— MANDA SCOTT

With powerful protagonists, a gripping story and rollicking action, I can strongly recommend this tour-de-force. Outstanding

—— ANTHONY RICHES

Giles Kristian has made an effortless transition from Viking warriors to the often tricky emotional landscape of the English Civil War. Visceral, brutal and genuinely moving, this is historical fiction at its thrilling best

—— SAUL DAVID

Edric writes a spare craggy prose . . . makes much contemporary fiction that concentrates on the urban wastes of today seem self-indulgent, sentimental and frivolous

—— Allan Massie , Scotsman

Passion is a fantastic third book in the series . . . So much is explained and readers will get a great insight into the two main characters of the series, as well as a big chunk of back story

—— Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

The questions raised by the last two books are starting to pull together, and she ends with a real 'how the hell are they going to get out of this one?' cliffhanger which already has me excited for book four

—— Musings of a Bookshop Girl

Luce and Daniel's love is put to the ultimate test making for some very tender scenes between our star-crossed couple

—— Jess Hearts Books

A gripping and intelligent take on an ancient theme

—— Katy Moran Book Reviews

Funny, heart-hammering, wise...superb entertainment

—— New York Times Book Review

A terrific writer... She's changed my perception on life

—— Anna Chancellor

A classic of contemporary Americana... variously funny and horrifying and finally, quietly, terribly moving

—— Los Angeles Times

A book that should join those few that every literate person will have to read

—— Boston Globe

A novelist who knows what a proper story is . . . [Tyler is] not only a good and artful writer, but a wise one as well

—— Newsweek

In her ninth novel she has arrived at a new level of power

—— The New Yorker

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