THE NOVELS OF THOMAS HARDY: TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES

When poor haggler John Durbeyfield discovers a connection to an old lineage, his young, naive daughter Tess is sent out to claim kinship and make an appeal for help. Upon arrival, she is seduced by dissipated Alec d'Urberville. She gives birth in secret and loses the child. Later, Tess as a dairymaid meets and marries the morally upright Angel Clare, who abandons her after learning of her past.

What happens when Angel comes back to her? A tragedy of an insurmountable proportion occurs, ending in the death of one of the main characters of the story.

The story touches on many themes paganism, rich vs poor, rural vs urban, farmers vs the elite that are still relevant today, making it an interesting and topical read.