Tess Of The D'urbervilles

When Tess D'urbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune; meeting her 'cousin' Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man; Angel Clare; seems to offer her love and salvation; but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention; Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic of Hardy's novels.