First published in 1874, and initially appearing in serial form, "Far from the Madding Crowd" is the fourth novel of the eminent English novelist, Thomas Hardy (1840-1928).

Its central focus is on the relationship of the heroine, heiress Bathsheba Everdene, with her three suitors, William Boldwood, Sergeant Troy (whom she marries), and Gabriel Oak. However, Fanny Robin also plays a prominent, and tragic, role in the story. She used to be one of Bathsheba's servants, and was betrothed to Troy, but went to the wrong church on their wedding day. Though she hurriedly tried to amend her mistake, he humiliated her at the altar.

Later on, Bathsheba and Troy meet with Fanny, who is now pregnant and poverty-stricken, and on her way to the workhouse. Perhaps conscience stricken, Troy gives her money. There is to be no happy ending, and mother and baby both die during the birth. Bathsheba was unaware that Fanny was pregnant, and Gabriel, who does know, tries to keep it from her, but when Bathsheba gives permission for the coffin to rest at her house, the lid is opened, and the two corpses revealed. Troy then kisses the corpse and tells Bathsheba Fanny meant more to him than she ever did, and erects a tombstone before walking into the sea. He is presumed drowned, but reappears several years later. Boldwood shoots him, but his death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment on a plea of insanity. Troy is buried in the same coffin as Fanny and the child.

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