Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Tess of the D’Urbervilles follows the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman in Victorian England whose family discovers a tenuous link to the aristocratic D’Urberville lineage. This connection sets her on a path of hardship and heartbreak as she navigates societal expectations, love, and betrayal. Thomas Hardy’s novel critiques the rigid moral and social structures of the era, particularly the double standards imposed on women. Tess’s resilience and vulnerability are tested as she faces consequences for actions beyond her control, while the men in her life grapple with their own flaws and hypocrisies. The lush rural landscapes of Wessex contrast sharply with the bleakness of Tess’s fate, underscoring Hardy’s exploration of fate, free will, and human suffering. The story’s emotional depth and timeless themes of innocence, guilt, and redemption continue to resonate with readers over a century after its publication.