Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman tells the tale of chance discovery by a young peasant woman that she is a descendant of the noble family of d'Urbervilles, a discovery that is to change the course of her life. Tess Durbeyfield leaves home on the first of her fateful journeys, and meets the ruthless Alec d'Urberville. Hardy's vehement story tells of hope, disappointment, rejection, and enduring love. First appearing in a censored and serialized version, published by the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic in 1891. Now considered an important piece of English literature, the book received mixed reviews when first published, partly because it challenged the sexual taboos of Hardy's day.