Getting along with others
Cultures of the world
Home and neighbourhood
Social issues

Not all men are blind to the faults of the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene. 'She's vain,' thinks a sheep farmer, Gabriel Oak, soon after meeting her. Although he loves her, and asks her to marry him, his direct, honest manner often causes trouble between them.

The problem is that Bathsheba has little experience of love, but she is young, clever and independent. It is not surprising that men fall in love with her.

When she carelessly sends a valentine card to her serious-minded neighbour, Mr Boldwood, he falls madly in love with her. However, now Bathsheba meets handsome, sweet-talking Sergeant Troy - and love and carelessness lead to tragedy. Will Oak, who sees all of this, ever win the hand of his first love?

Thomas Hardy lived and worked in the second half of the nineteenth century. His stories of country life in south-west England are among the most popular in English literature.

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